R1200GS & Adventure Crash Protection Bars - one place

[nelliott]

Hi everyone,

I have been searching here, ADVRIDER, manufacturer sites, etc for the various options for crash protection bars for the R1200GS Wethead.

So, if everyone is game, and to keep things all in one spot, can you post a picture of your bike with your protection bars/systems and tell us

1. The make
2. Why you choose it/them
3. Does it interfere in any ways with maintenance or servicing (e.g. do you have to remove it first?)
4. How's the fit and finish, does it meet BMW quality, tolerances, fit and finish?
5. How easy/hard it was to install
6. How well do you think it will protect your bike (vs reasons other systems that maybe you felt wouldn't meet your needs?)
7. And any other good stuff about protection systems you think people should know about before they purchase.

List of bars I have looked at...are there others?

BMW (must scroll down the page)
Engine: http://www.bmw-motorrad.ca/ca/en/index.html

Upper: N/A

Hepco-Becker
Engine: http://www.motomachines.com/Hepco-Becker-Engine-Guard--BMW-R1200GS-Up-To-2013-Anthracite_p_3463.html

Upper: http://www.motomachines.com/Tank-Guard--BMW-R1200GS-Up-To-2013-in-Anthracite_p_3464.html

Wunderlich
Engine: http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/motorcycle/R1200GSLC/26440101-102.html

Upper: http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/motorcycle/R1200GSLC/26450201-202.html

Touratech
Engine: http://shop.touratech-canada.com/stainless-steel-crash-bar-black-for-bmw-r1200gs-from-2013.html

Upper: http://shop.touratech-canada.com/st...xtension-black-for-bmw-r1200gs-from-2013.html

AltRider
Engine: http://www.altrider.com/altrider-crash-bars-for-the-bmw-r-1200-gs-water-cooled/pid/1125/cid/1

Upper: http://www.altrider.com/altrider-upper-crash-bars-for-the-bmw-r-1200-gs-water-cooled/pid/1128/cid/1

SW-Mototech
Engine: http://shop.sw-motech.com/cgi-bin/c...etail--brands.bmw.r1200gslc--&typid=128747352

Upper: http://shop.sw-motech.com/cgi-bin/c...etail--brands.bmw.r1200gslc--&typid=128747354

MotoGeist
Engine: http://www.motogeist.com/content/2013-bmw-r1200gs-crash-bars

Upper: N/A

Illum Works
Engine:http://www.iliumworks.com/BMW_Motorcycle_Accessories.cfm?pn=28-700BL&pID=92

Upper: N/A

 

[marchyman]

Ask again in 6 months. Many bars made for the '13 model won't fit the current model due to changes in the frame where the bars mount. The changes were likely made to accommodate the new adventure model. I believe they went into effect for bikes built sometimes in Nov of '13. Early model year '14 bikes will be different than late model year '14 bikes.

I've a '13. I got the Hepco-Becker bars based upon the abuse the HB bars on my '05 GS took. I do not use upper bars.

Install info at http://www.snafu.org/pics/r1200gsw/2013/0520-crashbars/

 

[nelliott]

nice pics Marchyman. Thanks
I had not looked at that brand. They look skookum!

 

[iride4u]

I have gone with Altrider bars and skid plate. These are very well made and look to give good protection for the cylinder heads.

 

[nelliott]

Thank you iride4u These too look good.

Everyone, please keep the photos and info coming!

 

[nelliott]

Ok I added a poll, don't know how to edit, but the second "you" should be "your"

oh well.

 

[Omega Man]

Ok I added a poll, don't know how to edit, but the second "you" should be "your"

oh well.

Got that one for you Neil

 

[roamingbeemer]

I voted for other. I added the Adventure Design supplemental bars to my 11 GSA. Love them and way cheaper to scratch

 

[Emoto]

I like stainless steel. When it gets scratched, it doesn't rust and you don't have to worry about matching paint because you don't have to touch them up.

I have used Touratech bars in the past, but I have a box with AltRider bars and skid plate sitting in the garage waiting for me to get around to installing them on the GSW. The AltRider bars allow you to pull the valve covers for maintenance. To the best of my knowledge theirs are the only stainless bars that allow servicing.

 

[nelliott]

BTW - I asked the same question on ADVRider yesterday and the results coming in are interesting...http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=953633

 

[nelliott]

Hey everyone,

53 voters so far over at ADVRider and the mix is way different. Very interesting.

 

[ppaintguy]

I selected the Touratech and partly because at the time when the bike first came out the BMW site was not specific that there would be an upper set and the Touratech site gave full detail of the ability to add on their uppers and the set looked good too. I like their products and service.

The Wunderlich bars looked great in terms of style but again back then there was no mention of the uppers should I want to add them.

 

[bullfrog_28560]

SW Motech Bars

I selected the SW Motech uppers and lowers for my 2014 1200GS. I found that the bolt near the radiator is too short with or without the uppers. I stripped one bolt there trying to tighten. It needs to be about 1/4 inch longer in my opinion, but overall a nice set up.

 

[Emoto]

I'm not finding a classified ad section. Am I just dense?

I have a lightly used set of Touratech stainless 1200GSW crashbars for sale in the Boston area. email me at emoto1@gmail.com for more info. Sorry for the spam.

 

[eap]

Ilium Works

As posted on ADV - who else installed these bars, or did I vote twice

1. The make
ILIUM Works

2. Why you choose it/them
- small(er) business, simple yet elegant (IMHO) design. I don't like uppers (for me the bike design is superb but busy, the upper bars add to the 'busy' ) and don't think they're needed. Don't like T Tech, toyed with Wonderlich and SW Moto -

3. Does it interfere in any ways with maintenance or servicing (e.g. do you have to remove it first?)
- cylinder head covers/oil fliter, all accessible and the bars are really easy on/easy off - loosen 2 Delrin plug torch screws (T40), remove 2 T40 torx and 1 T50 torx.

4. How's the fit and finish, does it meet BMW quality, tolerances, fit and finish?
- beefy but compliment the bike. The right side lined up and fit easily, slight difficulty with left side install since they were designed for the earlier frame - they lined up well with the designated holes but would mate flush. Called spoke to John at Ilium (the designer) and figured out a work around with 2 make shift spacers (loose nuts from the tool box). This was Saturday and received 2 custom machined spacers the following Monday afternoon (I'm in MD and they're in CA).

5. How easy/hard it was to install
- see above - maybe about 2 hrs including the phone call and work around to get me out riding. Took about 20 min on Monday to remove the bars, swap out the spacers and reinstall.

6. How well do you think it will protect your bike (vs reasons other systems that maybe you felt wouldn't meet your needs?)
- I think they're all I need. (Hope so) very stout.

7. And any other good stuff about protection systems you think people should know about before they purchase.
- nice perch to lay my legs when the 'ol knees need a break. ILIUM sells really cool highway pegs, but I think they may create a wide stance while seated.




Illum Works
Engine: http://www.iliumworks.com/BMW_Motorc...=28-700&pID=90