GS Hand Guards

[rdsmith3]

I have one of those Kaoko throttle controls. I cannot compare it to any others, but it works very well. Of course, it is not a true cruise control. But it does conveniently lock the throttle so you can rest your right hand for a stretch. It engages and disengages easily. It weighs the same as the left bar end. The workmanship is very good, and it looks close to OEM. In fact, I bought it and installed it, and my wife never noticed it when she rode behind me!

http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/kaok ... ntrols.htm

[rphforbmw]

Marty moose!

I am riding a rubber shoed moose!

LOL

Tom

[Kevin Markwell]

Thanks for the website Bob. The Koaka thingie looks like just what I'm looking for. If they had one listed for the K1200R I would buy it. I emailed the adventure site telling them that. If none of the one's they currently have will fit I'll check back in the spring and hope they have one then.

Kevin

[CycleRob]

I got my GS handguards from Chicago BMW and they're worth every penny!!

You don't have to trim or cut anything if you slightly loosen the banjo bolt that attaches the hydraulic line to each master cylinder. Loosen it just enough so you can simultaneously, forcibly rotate the lines into position, without loosing fluid or adding air, so the line will fit thru the U shaped opening (yoke) of the handguard:

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/12316089-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/12316090-L.jpg

Tighten the bar end bolt to it's full torque value so the guards don't rotate upward and contact the lever(s). If contact occurs, the lever gets pressed in and that's a bad thing.

The guards effectively emulate what might be a "very high" heated grip selection. I removed the handguards for Summer, but they are going back on this month . . . for sure!

[GJBushman]

Most of what needs to be said about the handguards have been covered in this thread. I am getting ready to put mine back on my wife's 1150R for the third winter. I also removed the bottom tab when fitting to the Roadster. One thing that has not been mentioned, the handguards add a good deal of wind turbulence. I prefer the ride without them but I really need them for the winter commute. After putting them on the Roadster I will be fitting GS handguards onto 1150R handlbars that are installed on my GS. I took them off the GS when I installed the 1150R handlebars earlier this year.

[rdsmith3]

Jamie,

What do you mean by turbulence? Where do you feel the turbulence?

[GJBushman]

Jamie,

What do you mean by turbulence? Where do you feel the turbulence?

When I put them back on I can give you a better description. I recall that when I took them off my GS I felt a much cleaner air flow around the tank and head area. My wife agreed when we removed them from her Roadster (w/sportsscreen). I have heard others comment about this on the Advrider board as well. A topcase will also disrupt the clean air of a naked bike.

[domekrome]

I just had a pair of handguards installed, so far, so good. I'm not sure that the completely work for me aesthetically. But as I head into the cold riding season, I look forward to their windbreaking ability.

[NoRRmad]

I like my handguards. With the grip heat on, I ride in the winter wearing perforated gloves.

[FGanger]

Simon D,

The windshield I have on the standard BMW touring. It may only be sold in North America. The good thing is that the mounts are the same as the sport shield. However, I recall there being two different BMW sport shield; I believe one has the same mounts and the other does not.

I'm sure there are some who are really up on all of this. Patrick, Darth, Dallera, Boxer (both of them), etc. I better stop mentioning names, I always forget someone I should have remembered.

I do like the shield, it works quite well for my height - about 5'7" or so. However, I also have pull backs on the bars (old back) so that will help to change the wind. I guess you really need to ride one with it to see if it is for you - it's for me.

Frank

[jonothan]

You don't have to trim or cut anything if you slightly loosen the banjo bolt that attaches the hydraulic line to each master cylinder. Loosen it just enough so you can simultaneously, forcibly rotate the lines into position, without loosing fluid or adding air, so the line will fit thru the U shaped opening (yoke) of the handguard.

I replaced the right handguard yesterday. I noted that when the dealer had fitted it, he had cut away a part of the handguard to make it fit more easily.

I slackened off the banjo just like you said but there was no way that the handguard was going to fit over that brake line. Maybe they're different on the R850R.

Anyway, I made a neat cut away for the brake line to fit, made sure that the handguard wasn't going to rotate upwards and apply the front brake and it fitted fine.

J

[12bar1]

I just tried to install a set of GS Hand Guards but they won't clear the Aeroflow Tank Wings I put on and I like the wings way too much to get rid of them. So if anyone needs a brand new set of hand guards I have a set I can't use and will part with them for $50.00 including shipping within the US. I will post them on the buy sell section also.

[jonothan]

I took mine off this weekend.

And found that my hands stayed just as warm without them. What did improve was the wind buffeting at speed. That's almost disappeared completely without them.

They're staying off for now.

J

[GJBushman]

I took mine off this weekend. What did improve was the wind buffeting at speed. That's almost disappeared completely without them.

They're staying off for now.

J

Yup, wind is better without them.

[tipstall]

Installed mine today. I did loosen the lines, (don't be like me and check the lever action with the bolt loose). Mine did not fit inside but I did not need to trim anything. Test ride tomorrow.

[tipstall]

Test ride today. These things rock. It was 50F and I had to turn the heated grips down they work so good. With the touring screen I found no problem with the air. I also think they look good with the touring screen. I will take them off in the spring.

[solitario11]

Why doesnt anyone make handguards for the R bikes, How many of us would buy them? I venture to say ALL of us.( ok maybe 60%). BMW or some after maker outfit should catch this and run with it. Really this subject cames up just about every month as new people join the group! Some us I think would buy them because they look so cool, it one of the things I like about the GS.
PS. IS there an after market R1150R hand guard?

[Kevin]

I went into my local dealership in Aurora, OH and asked about using the GS handguards and the salesmen and mechanic all looked at me like I was nuts. Granted, I am a little nuts, but I was only going by what I had read on this site. The tech guy said he had never heard of doing that, and didn't think it would be possible. He also said that the Gerbing gloves are enough with the heated grips, and that the handguards would look weirdly out of place on the R anyway.

I tend to believe what I read on here more than their word, as they seemed more interested in selling me the gloves at $140, than the guards at $60.

However, in reading the posts on what all is involved in installing the guards, I feel my total lack of mechanical knowledge will preclude me from partaking in this particular endeavor. Unless someone would be kind enough to come over and show me how... Any takers?

[tipstall]

solitario11,

Maybe I don't understand you but the R is what we are all putting the GS hand guards on.

Kevin,

Installation is nothing. It is very easy and at $50 you could have the dealer install them, just show them this thread first.

[Kevin50r]

Kevin, Cleveland is a little far but I can help if you want come to Granville or meet somewhere half way. There isn't anything to installing them. The things you read here are issues others have encountered and you will understand as you go through the process yourself.

PM me if you want to meet!