motor guards?

[Stef.]

I have just done a search and couldn't find anything- so apologies if this has been covered already
I am thinking about getting a motorguard for my R1200R. I had my 1000km service yesterday and the dealer showed me a bike where the lady had an accident with about 100km/h and the bike had no damage to the motor due to this metal motorguard that she had. (Fortunately she walked away as well without a scratch!) The dealer said that very likely with any accident over 50km/h the motor would be a write off without the guard. I have seen some plastic covers and there is this metall cover railing (same as the GSA).
Now my questions:
a) Is it really that necessary to have this guard or does he just want to sell me a part for $600 including installation?
b) he advised me on the BMW part as it allows the service to be done without having to take the whole thing off- which would result in extra costs.
c) metall railing or plastic cover?
Thanks for your advice!
Stef.

[ShinySideUp]

Hi Stef -

Try a search on "Cylinder Head Protection". (I haven't figured out how to link to a thread, because inside any thread, my broswer's URL window just shows the main forum address).
You'll find lots of experience with the different solutions available.

IMHO, the various approaches to covering only the cylinder heads work fairly well (or not) for parking lot tip-overs, but for anything at speed, not so much. Many reports of their breaking even at slow speed and need replacement.

The engine guards (crash bars) [other search terms!] will offer much more protection for tip overs and work at faster get-offs as well. There is some controversy whether or not the bars may damage the engine case, since they will transfer impact to their anchor points.

I opted for the bars (Hepco and Becker) but if I did it over again, I'd go for the SW Motech bars shown in the thread above.

http://tinyurl.com/2ahfase

I think they offer more protection by having a bar fore and aft, probably spreading out impact forces to more points. My bars, and I believe the SW Motech bars, allow noninterference when removing the valve cover for servicing.

I had my parked bike hit by a cager hard enough to slide the bike down the pavement a couple of feet. Afterward, back home, I sanded the scratches out of the bar, masked it with a slot cut in some cardboard, and spray painted it with a shake-and-rattle can of paint. Easy. (The mirror and side case: not so easy).

Between he bars and the pinned-on side cases, I have experienced protection for my trapped leg when hit from behind while stopped at a traffic light.

I also like the bars as places to hang things like driving lights and foot pegs for extended slab days.

Some people prefer the valve covers for the cleaner look of their naked ride. Being as how as I have a Parabellum Scout fairing, a butt-beautiful Day Long saddle, and hand guards, I'm into functionality rather than sleekness, and the bars fit in well with my other farkle clutter. I'll leave sleek to those Italian guys on the forum!

- Bill

[Stef.]

Thanks Bill- with "Cylinder Head Protection" it does indeed throw out invaluable information. With the protection guards that you recommend (thanks for the link)- in case of my next service- do they have to take it off or can they get to the engine without dismantling it?
Thanks again.
Stef.

[vroomr]

I went for the BMW black plastic to help in the event of a tip-over. If anything happens on the road, well, that's why I insure. Just my point of view.

[ShinySideUp]

With the protection guards that you recommend (thanks for the link)- in case of my next service- do they have to take it off or can they get to the engine without dismantling it?

With the Hepco & Becker that I have, it's not problem. I can't imagine that the others would necessitate dismantling. There's a bunch of riders with the SW Motech bars on this forum, any of whom should have a definitive answer for you.

[larsn]

Hi Stef:
Last July, I had a "parking lot" accident - I was cut off at a local university by a speeding cyclist, (pedal powered) and my machine went down. I tried to keep it up, with my right hand, and the throttle opened in first gear. The machine launched, without me, and came down sans instrument panel, brake reservior, LH mirror, the handlebars into the gas tank. Get this: I had SW Motech crash bars on, and they were badly crushed and scrapped ON BOTH sides of the bike, but besides a scrapped magnesium head, no damage to the engine! The total crash bill:
$6,000+. Without my "mo-techs" (cost: ~two hundred bucks) the machine would have been a total loss.

I cannot recommend these strongly enough. The best thing(s) are:
1. They look great - black steel tubing, just like your frame.
2. You can rest your feet on them while cruising to "stretch your legs"

Attached is a link to "Twisted Throttle" - I have now ordered two sets (original and replacement) and I enthusiastically recommend both.





http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /3076/479/

[AllanCook]

I've had the black BMW cylinder protectors on mine since it was new. I've had a couple of parking-lot tipovers, and they have done a good job. You can install them yourself in 10 minutes or less if you have torx drivers.

[Talon Six]

I have the Machine Art Moto X-Head which has already paid for itself. I had a no-speed tipover at a stop sign the day after installing my Akrapovic exhaust can. It had been raining for the previous 48 hours. It finally let up, and I just had to go for a quick spin around the block to hear the new can. Well I stopped at an intersection on a little hill, felt off balance to the right, put my right foot down, and felt it start to slide out from under me due to the wet pavement. Over the bike went onto her right side.

I would have had some pretty decent dings on the right cylinder head if it weren't for these little gems. They cost a little bit more than the BMW guards, but these are a bit better designed IMHO.



Here's the link: http://machineartmoto.com/shopsite_sc/xhead.html

[Caol]

I haven't fallen over, yet, with this bike, but have with previous (all low speed thank heavens!) and engine guards have been a big help.

I've gone with the SW-Motech set-up from TwistedThrottle. My tech informs me that they don't interfere with the valve covers for servicing etc.

They are also a nice place to mount a set of 4" PIAA 510's!

[celticus]

Stef, I've got SW Motec guards on the bike and black plastic and little metal guards ( one set of each ) out in the shed. I've heard that the two latter guards will be of some use if you drop the bike standing still. I like the SW Motecs and they aren't hard to install.

Mark

[jaspervd]

I haven't fallen over, yet, with this bike, but have with previous (all low speed thank heavens!) and engine guards have been a big help.

I've gone with the SW-Motech set-up from TwistedThrottle. My tech informs me that they don't interfere with the valve covers for servicing etc.

They are also a nice place to mount a set of 4" PIAA 510's!

I like your mistlamps.....where can i buy these? from your local dealer or is this an unit from another bike?

[Caol]

Just regular, run-of-the-mill, PIAA 510's that I purchased from my local BMW/Triumph/Kawasaki dealer. They're hooked up, with the switch that came in the kit, through a Centech AP-1 fuse box which, in turn, is controlled via a relay so that power to the AP-1 is cut after a short delay, there by ensuring that the lights don't stay on with the ignition off. These are, probably, available from auto supply stores etc. as well. My whole kit ran about $CDN400 (including mounts) plus installation.

These particular lights are driving lights, rather than mist/fog lights - although mist/fog are available, in clear or amber.

The mounting system is that mentioned at the bottom of page 1 of the following thread: Driving Lights Advice Please, also purchased from the same dealer. Very nice, 3-axis adjustable

HTH

Kyle

[gezerbike]

My take on the various cylinder head covers, and this is from my BMW parts manager, is that they will protect your cylinder heads from getting scratched, but replacement cost for the guards are still pretty pricey. He also noted that the guards BMW offered for the Oilheads would usually allow for the cyclinder to get scratched anyhow. The Machinart ones looks pretty good though. If I was adding some sort of cylinder protection, I'd go with these from Z technik. I've seen them live and they are great looking, were really well designed and would really protect your heads in either a tip over or low speed crash.



They don't need to be removed to do any service which is a big plus. A set of Piaa bar mount light brackets and you have a place to locate running lights, all for less than $ 350. The link below gives you all the details.

http://shop.ztechnik.com/cgi-bin/ztech/ ... del=bm-063

[Stef.]

Thanks for all your help! I had a talk yesterday with a guy from BMW Canada and he said not be over worried as these motors are constructed in a way to take a hell of a lot of abuse. I have email a dealer in Munich to see how much the BMW ones cost over there. If they are too expensive I will go for one of your suggestions.
All the best
Stef.

[celticdriver]

Hi Stef,
Personally, I think the metal guards would spoil the look of this bike, and just like you've already found out, the motor is pretty tough anyway, so you might decide against.

However,BMW do a neat set of plastic guards which very easily (earlier post on this I think) fit over the rocker covers and will prevent them getting scratched in the event of a low/zero speed tipover. They cost about €130 - not sure what this would be in dollars, but I expect about the same.

Celticdriver.

[icecave]

I removed the BMW plastic valve covers after a couple seasons riding and found a black residue from the top edge of the cover stuck to my engines valve cover. The residue is resistant to nondestructive removal tools such as finger nails and plastic scrapers. These covers have been replaced by Hepco & Becker crash bars.

[tinytrains]

One other plus for the BMW plastic guards. If you damage one, you can buy just one side for $75. Most others seem to only come in pairs.

Scott

[ka5ysy]

I nominate the SW-Motec bars: strong, look oem and not terribly expensive, plus very protective of the jugs.

Photos here:

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... #post57696

[Stef.]

Thanks to all of you once again. I have decided to get the SW-Motech ones. Now I am checking out where to get them cheapest as it appears you can't get them anywhere near Vancouver B.C. (Canada). As far as I have found out you can get them somewhere in Ontario for over $200 excluding taxes. If I would buy them in the US I have to pay all sorts of import duty (I suspect).
If anybody knows of a good source to egt them from in Canada I would really appreciated your input.
Stef.

[BigEasy]

How about a ride down to Seattle? Get them installed at a dealer, and "smuggle" them home Good excuse for a weekend trip I'm thinking