Upper crash bars / fairing protection bars advice needed

[AlreadyReadyAlready]

Dear fellow RT owners,
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I just purchased a 2018 R1200RT that is stock.  I'm upgrading from a 2011 R1200GS that has lower and upper crash bars that have saved my body panels several times when dropping the bike or low-speed low side crashes in the dirt.  Therefore, I am used to the look of upper crash bars.  I am considering adding lower and upper crash bars to my RT but that seems much less popular than just installing lowers.  I'm considering the Touratech R1200RT WC (14-) Upper Crash Bars and the Wunderlich Fairing Bars with their corresponding lowers.  I want to protect my body panels and the radiators underneath them.


Any thoughts, reviews, or feedback is much appreciated!



Touratech R1200RT WC (14-) Upper Crash Bars – Sierra BMW Motorcycle (shopbmwmotorcycle.com)
https://www.wunderlichamerica.com/BMW_R ... ction_Bars
https://www.nippynormans.com/engine-bar ... r1200rt-lc




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[David.]

Ilium Works produce front engine & rear guard bars which when fitted together, seem to offer good protection.

R1200RTW DROP TEST - YouTube

R1250RT Drop Test with Ilium Works Protection Bars_SEM - YouTube

The videos show dropping a stationary bike. In the R1250RT video, the 2nd drop test where the bike pivots on the guard bars, neither the body panels or radiators are damaged.

Don't know what the result of a low-speed low side crash would be. Can't imagine it would be a lot different.

Found this thread on the K1600 Forum, ok it's not an RT but gives some idea of what might happen at low-speed on dirt, Best crash bars? | BMW K1600 Forum

Reduced ground clearance might be a problem when cornering, footrests pivot for a reason, guard bars don't.

[David.]

"Touratech Upper Crash Bars keep your radiator protected during a tip-over and also prevent damage to expensive body and fairing pieces".

No mention of what happens in a low-speed low side crash or ground clearance.



This guy managed to scratch a panel whilst fitting the upper crash bars, Touratech crash bar extension for BMW R1200RT (LC) - YouTube

Skip to 1:38 in this Touratech video, Touratech test tour with the new BMW R 1200 RT, Triumph Trophy, R 1200 GS ADV ... - YouTube shows the bike laid down.

[David.]

Wunderlich Fairing Protection Bars, "a protection system that protects the fairing parts against falling and crashes, cornering clearance remained".

No mention of radiator protection.



Difficult to tell from the photo but the extra upper bar may protect the mirrors and bar ends.



A Wunderlich protection video, R1200RT LC Protection Possibilities - YouTube

[Randyjaco]

I have the Wunderlich bars. They are very effective, but whoever does the maintenance on your bike is really going to hate them. They have to be completely removed to do maintenance and it is not a simple intuitive process to get them on and off. :nervous:

[David.]

The BMW RT-P front bars might offer good protection without hindering access for maintenance.

[AlreadyReadyAlready]

[size=2px]I decided upon Wunderlich Fairing, Engine, and Rear Protection Bars.[/size]
[size=2px]Thanks to all who responded![/size]