What's second choice after Altrider for Engine Bars?

[DWS]

I'd like to see how far BMW would get, if they used that as an excuse to sell scratched up GS'.

[Eldor]

Yeah Paul, but those will be MY scratches and memories! And I will wear those battle scars with pride. It's just nice to start with gear that's pristine.

In any case, now that I've painted over the bare metal scratch most people looking at the bar won't even notice it.

Eldor, If you go offroading you will fall and scratch the bars anyway, so why get all fussed about it now? They've done you a favour by minimizing the amount of analness you have to apply to this whole enterprise. It's a 550 lb top-heavy dirtbike. There will be carnage. And each scar will carry with it a beautiful memory that you can share with your cats or grandkids.

[albany23]

I use the Givi bars. Also, Kappa sells the same design, rebranded.
They are cheap and efective in offroad. Downside is they are mounted on the engine points, not the chassis. But most of the models are, apart from TT.
Cheap means around 110 Euros. In Europe.
When the bike is down, it touches the bars, the handguards and the front wheel, with no damage to the side panels. I haven't experienced speed chashes, but light drops in offroad will not hurt your bike.



Mihai


" 'cause tramps like us,
Baby, we were born to run. "

[offsitenz]

Downside is they are mounted on the engine points, not the chassis. But most of the models are, apart from TT.

I think the attachment points of crash bars and the potential damage they can do there (rather than to plastics etc) and to the frame isn't maybe given enough consideration?

[cchoc]

I wonder about that too. I'd think the engine block is stronger than the frame.

[CrustyOldFart]

Ya, it's been pointed out if not here on other threads/forum, that BMW's own crash bars mount to the engine. On top of that, my BMW dealer was happy to sell me an aftermarket brand of bars that also mount to engine. If BMW is okay with it for their own bars and others, I'm not worrying about it.

[offsitenz]

My BMW dealer reckoned (unsurprisingly) that the OEM bars were better because they mounted to the engine only, and some R&D had gone into the design to make sure damage to the block was minimised in most situations. Other types including the SW-Motech, which I'll probably buy, have that 3rd connection point on the frame - that was what concerned him in terms of potential torsional damage there. But the OEM's just don't cover the radiator, let alone those expensive plastics. I guess you'd have to have access to replacement parts at cost or better and free labour to punt for the OEM crash bars... or just keep your drops low speed on soft ground

[itsatdm]

I bought the South West bars exactly for that reason. I thought it spread the load. While on that subject I have seen a ruined case caused by a breaking kinking chain just before attempting to go around the drive sprocket. That plastic guard did not do its job.

[Jengel451]

A lot of bikes can have the chain/case issue, if the case saver isn't extremely robust, the outcome will be very expensive, another reason to NEVER EVER EVER use a clip type master link.

I've only seen one case saver for the 8gs and it was about 200 bucks.

I bought the South West bars exactly for that reason. I thought it spread the load. While on that subject I have seen a ruined case caused by a breaking kinking chain just before attempting to go around the drive sprocket. That plastic guard did not do its job.

[CrustyOldFart]

Update on the SW Motech crash bars for the 2013 F800GS here:

http://f800riders.org/forum/showthre...l=1#post764689

[AltRider]

Hello,
Just a few details to take into consideration when evaluating any crashbars based on a few of the statements or questions mentioned above.

Mounting points:
this is quite critical, which is why we go through the trouble to mount to the interior of the frame at the upper points. by welding a machined standoff that mount into the frame instead of using loose Aluminum spaces the design is much stronger
Yes BMW and now all MFG are mounting the engine

we provide a 1-1.75 Inches of clearance between the fairing and crashbar, because even with 1 inch diameter bars at .082 inch wall thickness (some of the stoutest on the market) a 500+ lbs bike moving at just 10MPH makes an immense amount of energy. During testing with bike static on the ground the bars flex an surprising amount. our design allows for a significant crash with out crushing into the fairings.

Yes we use stainless as we dont want the bars rusting after use
we have do provide quality fasteners.

there is a reason why the West Coast BMW off road training school (rawhyde) uses them, not many other applications get more abuse then a training center.

there is a lot that went into the development of these bars, but i dont want to over due the posting. please let me know if you have further questions

and were sorry about Eldors situation, I have PM'ed him personally as his experience should not have occurred

thanks
Jeremy

[soph9]

Way to go Jeremy...thanks for chiming in....your input and only if most of knew how much thought you have put into all your accessories and time, we might learn something about quality versus BIG name manufacturers. Thanks for stopping by!~Leslie

[offsitenz]

I think the quality of AltRider gear and the extra effort they put into their bike-specific technology is easy to see… in terms of purchasing accessories for the bike it's certainly better to be in Canada, US or Europe as most on this forum are. In some parts of the world, cost, shipping, import duties and taxes etc play a bigger part in the choice of accessories. e.g. the basic bike here is $22,037 (CAD 18,600), I believe it is 13,450 MSRP in Canada. I'd prefer the AR crash bars but there is no importer here but there is a local SW-M agent. I got the AR headlight guard sent over, MudSling, MOD skid plate + SS foot and a few other bits, still want to get a shield... but I need to weigh up what I can get and keep an eye on the spend

[CrustyOldFart]

I've not doubted quality. For me it's easy to see from material selection (powder coated stainless), to mounting hardware and method (recessed into frame), these seem like high quality bars with much consideration into design. Sounds like one person had an issue with imperfection in finish, scratch or wear spot residual to process of manufacturing or freight, but if I already did not have other bars I wouldn't hesitate to by these. In fact, knowing what I know now, these would've been my first choice and when I need to replace mine I'll be trying a set of these. Good work AR.

[Eldor]

Not "one" person. At least two, right in this thread. And really three, if you could count my experience twice... once for the first bar that was received damaged, and once for the replacement bar that was also received damaged (and in the same spot too).

Anyway, I'm sure the protection offered by the AltRider bars is equal if not superior to competing products. And they do look nice on the bike.

Sounds like one person had an issue with imperfection in finish, scratch or wear spot residual to process of manufacturing or freight...