88bmwjeff
SF Bay Area
I just installed some radiator guards and I didn’t realize how necessary they are. I’ve owned my bike (2018 R1200 GS) for about 20 months. After about six months, I went on a trip and one of the people I was with had a radiator leak most likely due to a stone. Fast forward about a year, and when I was coming back from Oregon, I hit a small bird (or was it the other way around) right by the right radiator (mostly on the side panel, but a little onto the radiator). Luckily, no leaks, but I thought I should get radiator guards.
I first tried the inexpensive ones off of eBay that others have commented about on another forum; however, the set took over a month and did not fit properly. When I ordered them, I figured it was a gamble, and I lost. I eventually purchased the BWM radiator guards, which are plastic. I had second thoughts, but others have commented that they had no issues with them. The radiator guards slipped in real easy with only having to remove the side trim panels, which had five screws and one additional one holding the plastic housing at the bottom. The guards just slid upwards into place.
On a side note, my bike has about 7,400 miles and the radiators each had a few areas with dented and bent fins due to impacts from stones or the like, and in my case a whole bunch where I it the bird. I took the time with a small pick and straighten all the fins to allow better air flow. This took me the longest time to do. The rest of the installation went very quick. I can’t imagine what the radiators would look like after putting some real mileage on the bike--7,400 miles is still very low. FYI, 99% of the mileage has been on paved roads.
Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take photos during the process, so I can’t add any.
I first tried the inexpensive ones off of eBay that others have commented about on another forum; however, the set took over a month and did not fit properly. When I ordered them, I figured it was a gamble, and I lost. I eventually purchased the BWM radiator guards, which are plastic. I had second thoughts, but others have commented that they had no issues with them. The radiator guards slipped in real easy with only having to remove the side trim panels, which had five screws and one additional one holding the plastic housing at the bottom. The guards just slid upwards into place.
On a side note, my bike has about 7,400 miles and the radiators each had a few areas with dented and bent fins due to impacts from stones or the like, and in my case a whole bunch where I it the bird. I took the time with a small pick and straighten all the fins to allow better air flow. This took me the longest time to do. The rest of the installation went very quick. I can’t imagine what the radiators would look like after putting some real mileage on the bike--7,400 miles is still very low. FYI, 99% of the mileage has been on paved roads.
Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take photos during the process, so I can’t add any.
