Motorcycle Handguards. Three Very Good Reasons to Buy it!
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- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024
- How Important Are The Hand Guards?
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Well I think that they are one of the most underestimated adventure items. Many people are happy to spent tons of money for useless things, but usually miss the importance of the proper hand guards. In this video I will give you three very good reasons to buy it, stay with me!
How important they actually are? As I said already I believe that they are some of the most important adventure items after maybe the engine guard.
Most of the new adventure motorcycle today are coming with very simple, plastic hand guards, which is mean that they will survive maximum one drop. If you really want to see the world you will need something more serious.
As I promise in the beginning I will give you three very good reasons to buy it.
Number one
It is obvious to protect your hands from the weather conditions. In a combination with heated grips they will make a significant difference in your riding comfort. Also they will keep your hands dry much longer in the rainy days. The plastic hand guards will do exactly the same job, but until you drop it.
This is actually the second good reason to buy it to protect your clutch and brake levers. I will suggest changing it as soon as possible. Yes, good, quality models are not cheap, but for sure you will appreciate it next time when you drop the bike. When it happened and you stuck in the middle of nowhere without clutch lever you will be happy to pay any price.
The third reason is the one almost everyone miss is that in the case of direct impact, with car or any other vehicle they will protect your hands. Thanks to the two mounting points they actually provide this secure shield and will keep your hands protected.
The model I use now is from Barkbusters. They actually partly sponsored my next trip sending me the guards for the Kawasaki KLR, the one that I will ride in Australia and also for my bike. Thank you very much guys! The reason I agree for this video is because I really like they products and I believe that this guards are one of the best on the market today.
Until now I have the guards from Acerbis, but to design the model I need I had to combine two models. I wanted this strong aluminum protection, but also good wind protection. The guards from Barkbusters are already designed with this in mind.
Another one of the benefits of this model is the space I have inside. With my old model it was limited, but here now, because of this curvy shape I have more than enough.
The mounting system is designed really well and they provide all the necessary hardware. It is very simple to be installed on any bike. Also the build quality is very good and with few words I can highly recommend this product to each and every one of you.
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Hey :) sorry to have to say it😅 but you need other levers. Like yours they are not allowed in Germany (you need this little thicker end to prevent from slipping of the lever in bad conditions) hope i can safe you from some problems in case of a police control :)
As a LOoooooong time rider (decades) I keep looking to find something on this channel to criticize or correct, HOWEVER, its pretty much impossible to do :) This fellow's channel is FULL of excellent/accurate and "NO BS" advice that is worthy of serious contemplation by ANY budding/intermediate and even experienced Adventure riders. For this issue, only one addition...The Barkbusters large gap to the bar gives you enough room to wear pretty substantial gloves, should you get caught out in a sudden change in weather (which happens btw). On a wonderful, clear riding day crossing ARIZONA one time, both me (and the weatherman) got caught by surprise in a popup snowstorm. I was fortunate that a sports store happened to have in their left over inventory, a pair of snowmobile gloves :) which I would NOT have been able to wear with a number of other hand protector bars on the market.....Seer
I’ve had them for years. Your review is what I have experienced
Absolutely!
When you ride in the woods and a bigger stick hits your front break lever you maybe will think about getting a handguard
True
And proper high boots. I saw a video of a guy riding in the woods, and his foot was pierced by a piece of wood. Not fun !
Boots are must.
At speed even grass can slap so hard it leaves bruises.
Oh shit
I am an English guy living in Kosovo and have been super interested in your travels, so much so that i bought a BMW f650 gs today in UK. I am travelling back at the end of next week when i will collect the bike and prepare it for a scottish tour then ride it back out here through France, Switzerland and Italy, then ferry over to Albania, maybe calling into Germany to visit a friend on the way. Then it will be Balkan tours after that. Picked up a fully loaded GS, 2007, 13000 miles, excellent condition. Cant wait to start this trip.
Great! Good luck on your future adventures!
Great video Pawel! I just completed a 5,000 K trip from Vancouver to Winnipeg Beach, through the Rockie Mountains and across the Canadian prairies. I had heated grips installed on my bike but they were almost useless on their own. I spent almost all of the trip riding with one hand on the handlebars and the other on the motorhead covers to warm up. Barkbusters would have solved this problem and I won't do another trip in early spring without them.
I have the same Barkbusters and they have saved my wrists several times! Love them.
Very good product.
Drove my motorcycle for about 200 kms today after months. I will check the cost of hand guards with aluminum bar and wind shield tomorrow, thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
I agree and they are the first thing I mounted on my Vstrom 650xt. After a long winter I can say are great.
Absolutely!
I have Barkbusters on my Suzuki DR ..... wouldn't be without them ! Absolutely get the two-point mounts ! Top Quality Product !
Agree
Barkbusters have been here in Australia for what seems an eternity, I have had them fitted to just about every dirt bike I have owned and they are the first thing fitted on a new dirt bike for me.
They are particularly great for when on single track where the trees and bushes overhang, they stop anything from hitting your hands but more important hitting your front brake lever and applying the brakes causing a crash.
They also work well when lane splitting and weaving past trucks, if you accidentally nudge a truck body with the bars it will not break your hand.
Good review Pavlin
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks man!
I put reflective stickers on my hand guards also, increased visibility always a good thing.
Very true!
You are absolutely correct. I had a set of genuine Bark Buster's on my Kawasaki Versys. The protection from Winters cold was fantastic. I rode two Winters without them and 4 Winters with them. They work better than you explained to keep my gloves dry in the rain. That air pocket you described reduces hand and arm fatigue. Wind pressure increases exponentially above ~60 MPH (100 KPH) and the Bark Buster Storm made every second spent at higher speeds much more comfortable. I never crashed or dropped my Versys, but they were very robust in their design and I'm sure your comments on impact protection are spot on.
True
First thing I got for my bike after purchasing it. I agree that it worth having them.
Correct!
Barkbuster are great! They already saved my handle bar, levers and my hands.. absolutely love them !
Just beware of the initial hight of the installation.. they might scratch your fairings..
Yes, they touching the windscreen, but I don't mind.
@@motorcycleadventures that's also, but I am referring to the the faring bellow.
Got them on my Honda NC 750x and they’re a great addition.
Agree
Already installed n never regret...good protection
Agree
totally agree with you mate, hand guards are so important
Thanks!
I always hated why to spend a lot of money to buy levers which are very cheap. After listening to your points I am looking to get one for my bike.
They are must have item.
I fitted Barkbusters to my Himalayan. They are definitely not the cheapest you can get but they are much more robust than the others that are available.
Many thanks for your lights! I agree 100% about the handguards 'cause I dropped my gorgeous 2010 MT03 660cc Yamaha several times (3 or 4) & every time it's the Yamaha handguards that took the blow. My bike is clean as a whistle! Thanks, handguards!
Good to hear!
100% agreed hands guards really protects well hand lever and weather conditions. i used it and really like it
True
Very true. I had low speed impact over 30 years ago. The clutch lever trapped the fingers of my left hand and cut all of them open. I still have the scars. I lost much more than $100 off work while they healed. Hand-guards and proper gloves essential. Cheers Pavlin!
Learned the hard way...
Concerning all motorbikes the hand guard is underestimated.Protects hands from harm. Protects levers from damage. Keeps hand warm from weather & wind.Used on MotoGP bikes/scramblers/adventure bikes now.
Agree
Hi Pavlin, every bike should have handguards, not only enduros or adventure bikes. Ride safe, Hans
Agree
Thankfully mine came factory equipped with aluminum strengthened guards , good advice Pavlin
Good for you.
You got to be careful on the specific model you get. I'm from Mexico, and I ordered European yamaha handguards, supposedly for the tenere xt660z. In Mexico they were not sold. When I got them, they did not fit well. So, it's very important to get the right model for the bike
True
Thanks for your guidance. Loved your video.
Glad it was helpful!
You are honest... I like this
Definitely agree Barkbusters are a smart choice. I first put some styling HepcoBecker guards over the stock Honda AT guards, man they looked great! But a oppsy on the trail collapsed the one guard and pushed the other side through the fairing. Bad geometry, the Barkbusters have better clearance for both the hands and the fairings.
True
Crashed a couple of times with handguards. Every time i had a broken lever because you need to mount the handguards not so tight so they dont brake in a crash but they turn. So pretty useless. But i think thats only the case with plastic handguards
Exactly, with the right, metal handguards will be almost impossible to brake the levers.
looking forward to you using a KLR because i have one, hoping to hear about mods and your opinion of the KLR as distance adventure bike. good luck and happy trails always. yes hand guards are on my wish list.
Thanks for taking the time and watching the video!
The KLR is not available in Europe (due to air quality laws), making finding replacement parts difficult. Especially now that it has been discontinued. Still, it's a great bike !
I will ride it and Australia and will have more than enough time to share my opinion for the model.
The Original and best
Just put a pair of Barkbusters Aero-GP Lever Protectors on my R6 and they're amazing
Thanks for sharing!
Great! I can’t wait to hear Pavlins review on the KLR 650. I have a 2015 and love it.
Look forward to ride it.
Motorcycle Adventures I think you’ll see it as a poor mans T660. With a little less power.
That design ( larve curve of aluminum- start down and then go forward) it helps a lot when drop the bike and the hand is still on the handlebar. The fingers will be protected against contact with the ground.
True
Yes, you are right about these plastic monsters (I know yours are partly metal, but from a distance they still look like plastic). One reason more why I stuck to my old Yamaha. Even without dropping the bike, just imagine the wind constantly blowing at your hands...freezing. Though I still have the big, stock plastic model on my bike. Does not look elegant, but does its job. Also, they had their fare share of drops. Now I think they might be a bit brittle...still to find out. If they break, I might get your model. By the way, I changed my seat and now I am about sewing a new cover.
Use whatever works for you.
Agree but this is one item on the tenere where I've stayed original. They are plastic but so far have withstood impacts. Pretty tough. Could be slightly bigger for wind protection but I'm quite impressed with them.
With heated grips works well.
Happy travels
Whatever you like
My nc750x is fitted with the MX handguards. It's the best I can have. Great video Pavin
Cool
Dropped my V-strom 1000 several times with barkbusters on. No damage at all to the levers and didn't even bend or scratch the hardguard frame, only scratches on the easily replaced plastic.
If you take your bike offroad these should be the first thing you buy. A hanging branch crashing into your front brake lever can easily cause an accident
True
I have the same Oxford grips but use the Storm guards
Good combination.
Do watch out for the road trains in Australia!
I will, thanks!
Motorcycle Adventures I’m in Australia just now. Road trains can be very deceptive so definitely watch out for them but the Kangaroos are also a real risk and can appear at any point. Take care.
Pav, this guy, @@open_water2411 , is NOT kiddin. I've ridden there and the Road Trains can b the end of you in many more ways than one. Tho I suspect conditions are better now than they were in my time, the dust they kicked up was blinding/choking/disorienting, and they were moving really, really, really fast...I found it safest to simply get off the road, hold your breath, and let em go by. Some of these guys were maniacs for speed and seemed on the very edge of losing their rigs...Also, the desert interior can be brutal, carry water. Lastly, take your time and explore :) Be sure and grab a few "stubbies" when you can at the local watering holes. I found the Aussies themselves to be the highlights of my journey:) Oh, and if you're near the beaches, ALWAYS maintain a 'look out' for the "white pointers" :)
I've just got home from a ride home from work in England and my hands are like blocks of ice. Couldn't clench a fist and contemplated pulling over multiple times because the pain was so unbearable and I couldn't feel my hands on the handlebars. Was miserable.
Outside the Olympic Stadium. Cool! I agree with everything you say, and also have a pair of handguards on my bike, but there are good alternatives to Barkbusters that cost a lot less. I bought a pair of Goofits (terrible name!) that fit well, and seem to be very strong, and cost less than 30 Euros. Barkbusters and Acerbis are certainly the standard items among world travellers, but it's good to look around before you buy. On the other hand, if Barkbusters sent me a pair, I would certainly use them at some point!
True, there are many alternatives, but during the years I realized that sometimes is better to pay more and have better and long lasting product than trying to save money from quality.
I put hand guards on my xr250. Like them a lot. One problem is they make the handlebars wider and harder to fit through a narrow gate. Looking for guards for my 400 that are shaped a little different to fit through my front gate. I even put guards on my Gold Wing. With muffs and heated grips it is comfy in the winter
Good!
thank you very much for sharing useful information/opinions on many matters on your videos that I have followed.
I ride only on road/pavement and have gathered information concerning hand-guards. in the end I decided to installed hand-guards on my bikes. while i was installing them it came to my attention about their safety and reliability: Most of hand-guards are made by aluminum stripes and I really wonder if they will have chances to stand the more serious crash/impacts and that they will not become weapons instead? Please let me have your valuable opinion!
They are strong enough!
Great video but I do have 1 question. My front brake and clutch levers both are very close to my front windscreen on full lock left and right. Wouldn't Installing these reduce the amount of turn I get out my steering?
Not sure, you have to check the sizes first.
I have the same problém with my handguards :/ im thinking about cutting windscren a bit
Thanks 🙏 very informative
My pleasure
Handguards look very nice 😎
Hallo Pavlina, ich hatte einen Unfall, dabei waren die Originalen Handguards ( crf 1000) keine gute hilfe. Grüße Thomas
I perfectly understand this.
Great video!!!
Glad you liked it!
Another great vid. See you in Aus !!!
Look forward to see Australia
Thanks for the info awesome
Any time!
Very useful. And cheaper than broken hand/fingers and trailer
Absolutely!
Hi, Pavlin! Nice video, also nice protective stuff, so thank You very much. Indeed I want to tell You about something You may need to do with Your new handguards. May be You've already noticed that the air stream goes under the handguards, so You still need to install additional deflector to the bottom of Your handguards. To be more clear I am going to record a video where I'll try to explain what I discovered about my cheap chinese handguards from Aliexpress. So good and promising looking stuff disappointed me a little today, when I suddenly opened a season. Tricky air stream. I shall try to explain the physics.
I know what you are talking about, but there is no way to isolate everything.
@@motorcycleadventures Of course. Wear proper motorcycle gauntlets :)
Did you go to the Acerbis because of better wind protection? I have these Barkbusters on my Tenere but in the cold weather they are not very good.
More or less they are the same. I like the design of Acerbis more.
Hey Pavlin. I like your videos. They are honest, direct and informative. I have the same bike, also with a Renthal Fatbar and raisers. But I had plastic UFO Caiman hand guards. Recently I fell down on a three day adventure in the dolomites. The clutch lever broke, because these (expensive) plastic guards were not protecting it at all. I had to drive 70km down the valley to Bergamo, during rush hour, without clutch lever. The Yamaha workshop in Bergamo was still open at 6.30pm and had the clutch lever on stock. Thank you Bruno Motos Bergamo!
Now I want Barkbusters. But I have to order them from a foreign country, because they are not sold here in CH. It is a bit confusing to find out the correct part numbers. I assume you installed the Barkbusters BHG-152? And what about the bar end weight on the video? Are they part of the kit as well?
Thanks and always good ride with the Ténéré!
The bar weights are are included. Make sure that you tell them that the handlebar is 28mm, other wise they will send you 22mm and you won't be able to fit it.
Very good addition
Thanks!
really like these vids . love from mumbai
Thanks!
Hey! Thanks for this! Are these possible to install without removing the stock bar end weights on the Tenere?
Unfortunately not, butt hey comes with their own bar weights.
@@motorcycleadventures thanks man, been dreading that :) but that's how it is
Handguards are great but why the broken levers?
I cut the ends for two reasons, to fit in the limited space and to prevent them from breaking. Even with handguards you might break it if you hit the ground hard.
Hi, you said that handguards protect your fingers during the crash. I am wondering if there is a danger of getting your fingers cut off by the aluminium part. I understand it will take a lot of beating before it bends but isn't it a risk? Smashed fingers are 'better' than no fingers at all. What do you guys think?
Theoretically this is possible to happen, but in reality I don't think so.
@@motorcycleadventures thank you for your answer. I wish other riders would elaborate here. Did anyone hear about such cases?
@@MLoms 55 years ago I was riding in the woods. My clutch lever (the old stamped steel type) hit a small diameter tree and ripped a bunch of skin off my fingers.
After that, I was more careful riding among trees.
Now in old age I finally bought a set of bark busters for my CRF250L.
I'm no sissy & ride in cold & wet weather during winter. The plastic does a great job of breaking the wind so my fingers stay warm longer.
Edit: I do not worry about the aluminum bar folding in and taking off any digits.
Hi Pavlin, I noticed that you have shortened Brake and Clutch levers. Do you prefer them to the standard ones?
Yes, ensured that they will stay untouched even in a serious crash.
@@motorcycleadventures like getting a scratch on a new bike, already broke, now I don't have to worry about breaking it!
Pavlin do you need separate clamps if you have a bigger and fatter handlebar? I don't have the stock Yamaha handlebar and I see VPS clamp come with standard 18mm size?
They comes with standard clamps for the model. Mine is also 28mm so I used the clamps I already have.
So you can use the Universal Barkbusters guards and they fit on the XT? But you have to use other clamps, because Barkbusters doesnt make 28mm?
Ask them
hello
did you change the plastic of your bike ?
they look brand new !
No, these are the original plastics.
They are a double edge sword. Aluminum hand guards have broken may wrists in crashes.
It could happens in the specific situation, but more likely to safe your hands.
You must be kidding? Proof please. I watched them save my brothers hand while going down hard on a Missouri Crossing in Arkansas. His fingers would have been crushed by the clutch lever otherwise.
@@markjacobs6294It will break the wrists in case the rider goes over the bike. There is a video description somewhere on YT. However, chances are lower for that kind of crash. Most are where riders fall sideways.
Nice the barkbusters
True
Can hand guards like this be installed on any bikes? Like a dirt bike or a lexmoto adrenaline ?
They will ask for the model.
@@motorcycleadventures thx appreciate it 🙏🏼
Heated grips is useless without hand guard / deflectors.
The two need each other
True
You say it will protect hands from impact but this tiny steel or aluminium thing could really sustain damage at high speed (even 60km/h)?
True, but what will be without it? All the force will go to your hand.
@@motorcycleadventures I don't know, it's an honest question. I have plastic ones and I'm asking myself if I need metal ones
If the impact is direct in the handguard then the aluminum will bent or crack but the main force is disipated and the fingers have a chance. Usual, the hit is somehow tangential and the handguard may remain intact. In my opinion the curve shape of aluminum it help a lot against crushing the fingers
you are abselut right....
Am I?
Did you have to cut the ends of your levers to fit the guards? Or is is personal preference?
I cut the ends for two reasons, to fit in the limited space and to prevent them from breaking. Even with handguards you might break it if you hit the ground hard.
Sold!
Cool!
Dont let the cops see your cut off Levers, they will not let you drive on.
My bike is registered in Bulgaria.
doesnt matter. You drive on german roads you play with german rules.
This could happens only when you go to make the TÜV (MOT), not on the street check. As I said my bike is registered in Bulgaria and the German police don't have rights to stop my motorcycle as I have valid documents and insurance.
@@motorcycleadventures
If they want they can give you a lot of trouble, if you give nasty answers. There is a huge difference saying "i did not know this is not legal here, it is perfectly fine in my home country" and "you do not have the rights to stop me".
Simply mount a small rubber ball or something onto the ends.
Is this a sponsored review ? (free handguards from Barkbusters)
If you say so... The agreement I have with them is to use their logo and talk about the guards in my next trip. Never asked me to make this review, but you can think whatever you like.
@@motorcycleadventures Thanks ! Transparency is always a good thing ! Looking forward to your next videos as always :)
I am always honest.
It was stated near the start that they sent out 2 pairs, one gets fitted to the Aus KLR..... but, most in Aus use barkbustersbarkbusters they are a great product, and I paid for mine.
@@uski Pavlin did say very clearly in the video that he'd received the guards for free, but without any pressure to do a favourable review. Anyone who has watched a number of his videos knows he's a straight as an arrow.
4th reason-- protect your hands from branches when riding in forests/jungles.
True
Hand guards or heated grips? Which one if you could only choose one?
Both are important. If only one just the guards.
@@motorcycleadventures Thank you for replying. Your vids ROCK!! Great work my friend.
3rd reason was right because I suffer a accident in that way
First viewer!! Haha 😎
Thanks!
Grim reality, too strong and trapped wrists can break first.
Very unlikely and avoidable. The benefit they provide outweighs that risk
@@NigelGriff Seen it happen, takes ages to heal and the pain killers are highly addictive, good luck.
@@domster200 Regardless still very unlikely in comparison to having your controls broken in a crash. Plus in a crash there are going to be plenty of other ways to break bones, I'm a careful rider so crashing is less likely, but dropping the bike is quite likely. I'll take the hand guards.
You have talking too much for the handguard, then i saw that you have a rusted brake hose.... woila @2:33
And what? Did I stopped traveling?
First 👍
Good speed!
Well sad mate 🤗
Cool!
i can give you one very good reason why NOT to buy it, and that reason trumps all your reasons, and the reason is empty pockets (combined with the fact that they cant be mounted on my bike) i am joking of course... fingers and hands are important part of human anatomy so proper metal hand guards with wind deflectors should be serial on every motorcycle above 100cc
Your old custom Acerbis handguards are Legend. I hope you'll keep them or put them up on Ebay for auction to fund the next trip :-)
Do you want to buy it?
If I had an adventure bike I totally would buy them, but I don’t think they would fit my z900rs :-(