Radiator Guards -- Plastic or Metal?

[88bmwjeff]

So my first attempt at getting radiator guards for my 2018 R1200 GS was a bust. Although the "Ebay Special" indicated they would fit my bike, they ended up being about 3/8 of an inch too narrow. So, I thought I'd just buy the BMW guards; however, I noticed they are plastic when I was at my local dealership. Now I'm having second thoughts about the BWM ones. What are people's thoughts on this? Would plastic provide enough protection, or should I look for metal ones?

 

[globalrider]

I bought a set from COX and I am 100% happy with how they were made and how they fit...and you know I am one hell of a picky you know what.



And because I have better things to do than get the bugs out of my radiators, I made these fiberglass screens that have no effect on the before and after coolant temperatures. The bugs just brush off. I use my GSA as a street-only motorcycle since standards motorcycles no longer exist.

 

[bigjohnsd]

37K miles on the plastic BMW Radiator guards with no issues - lots of gravel betwixt here and Dawson City as well as the Copper Canyon and LaPaz. I had a set of BDCW metal guards on my '14, I like these better, they seem to flow more air and are easy to clean. YMMV