Just rode my new (to me) 2010 F800GS home and love it. Before I do anything stupid I thought I should install some bike protection. In particular, I like the Touratech line but am open to suggestions. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks
I just got a new 2012 F800GS about a month ago myself and have been putting protection on it too. I have Altrider skid plate and crash bars. I got a used headlight guard and used Touratech seat at a bike swap here. I almost got the Ricochet skid plate from Utah Sport Cycle but I liked the idea of supporting a local company. I have a Ricochet plate on my smaller dual sport and it has seen some nice size rocks and held up great. Here is a link to a thread about the Ricochet. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=452768
Thanks iJabberwocky. I'll check out Altrider. It came with a beefy skid plate so I'm good there. Hwy 2, Everett to Leavenworth is on my list of rides to do. You must do it all the time.
Yeah I have done it the past three weekends on my bike. I leave my KLX250s over in Leavenworth and ride that on a lot of single track over there. Great area and gorgeous views.
I have posted before but I mixed and matched based upon quality, reviews and performance in the field. Barkbusters SW Motech Engine MOD Skid and Toolbox Altrider Lexan Headlight
I'll go with the Sw-Motech Crashbars as soon as I get my bike. I needed 6 month to get used to their looks but know that's the only one I'm considering
you cant go far wrong with ,ADVENTURE SPEC ,products ,ive just installed the crash bars ,and a RUGGED ROADS ,headlight protedter ,its the same as TOURATECH,but 3 times cheaper ,and just as well made .
I found that the Alt-riders (similar profile) touched my knees when I sat down. Just crash tested the SWmotec's, ricochet skid plate and bark busters... the only thing that broke was my clavicle :eek1 here's a thread about it... http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792334
You must get the following items whether where I may suggest or elsewhere. Buying Tour T is gonna cost you. They do make some exclusive items, and some you should buy from them. However many companies make a better if not somewhat similar product at a much lower price. More money in your pocket + more gas money = less work needed to make money = more time to ride. Must Have: Headlight protection - Best Rest Crash bars - Adventure Spec Skid plate - ADV Spec or Black Dog Cycle Works Radiator cover - Rugged Roads Hand protection - Bark Busters NIce to add: Rear rack - Rugged roads, ADV Spec, Kildala, Tour T Pegs - Pivot Pegs MK III Tires - K60 Scout (50-50 tire) Really good wear or the K60 and use the 140 size no problem on the F800GS Lights - Rigid they are the best and bomb proof! Bags - Caribou or Pelican and use SW Motec EVO Racks (Pelican has lifetime warranty no questions asked period! Dumps and break or ever they leak bam take them back) Giant Loop bags are good, also top loading water proof bags from Outdoor Research Muffler - Leo VInce Twisted throttle has a lot of great stuff, and some of the above I have mentioned Battery - light weight Antigravity, and Shorai I would support these companies above as I have never had any issue with quality or costs form any of them whom I have used. Hope this helps Signed: Gear Slut
I found the BMW Bash plate to be the best so far, and after 3 different crash bars (including the crowd favorite SW-Motech) have settled with the Touratech. The upper extension bars are designed to move in a crash and are easy to bend back into place. I like this design because it is not a rigid impact on the bike making damage in other parts less likely plus they definitely protect the bike. I also use their hand guards for the same reason since the plastic is somewhat pliable yet virtually indistructable allowing them to bend a bit in a crash and bounce back to their shape while protecting your hand and not impacting the handlebar itself. Hope this helps!
Before it rolled off the showroom floor: SW motech crash bars - Super tough Motooverland skidplate - One of the best, only one other brand has as much material in it, and has as good of coverage, and that is Black dog cycle works. My MOD plate is been quite amazing Barkbusters, but if I had to do it again, Highway dirtbike handguards All of these parts have paid for themselves time and time again. Ryan
The SW Motech crash bars are very tough - until they're not. After a bunch of falls, and bends in the crash bars left and right, mine weakened to the point that a slow-speed fall caused them to give completely. So, in summation, I'd say after 20 falls, replace them; well, maybe 30.
Knock on wood, but I have been lucky so far, I have a a few moving falls, like 10-15 mph... But I have had lots of hard falls on rocks, mostly slow tip overs. I straightened them once with a winch, and they havent bent again. Guess I need to ride a bit harder!!! Ryan
Moto Overland (MOD) skid plate and top rack are essential and he is local to you. The prices are great and the quality is outstanding, plus he is a great guy to deal with. I have Holan crashbars but they are apparently not being imported anymore, which is too bad because they worked well and were a good price.
In my case: - BMW skidplate -> OK - BMW handguards -> OK - GIVI crashbars -> NOK They don't cover the fairings... - BMW headlight protector -> OK - Touratech rack (they also work as protection ) That's all for the moment... It's difficult to get good stuff here... as well as several brands.
1. Touratech hand guards - good hand protection, "ok" wind protection in the winter even with the optional spoilers 2. Touratech quick release headlight guard - good protection and very easy to take on and off for cleaning 3. Givi engine guards - excellent engine protection, stoutly built, minimal fairing protection though on flat surfaces they do keep the bike high enough off the pavement to protect the plastic - planning to replace these with AltRider crash bars 4. AltRider skid plate - excellent protection, super heavy-duty construction
Thanks for all the suggestions. I just ordered SW Motech crash bars as they seem as popular as any and look to provide excellent protection.