R1200R Handguards - availability?

[TexasMule]

MuleWife is going to pick up her new R12R tomorrow, and we've been told by the dealer, and it appears they are correct, based on Max's site, that the handguards for early R12GS are no longer available.

If you put 71607697149 into Max's site, it comes back with the part, but no price, as if they can no longer order them.

I put that part number into Chicago's site, and it returns with a price, but there's no guarantee that Chicago's site has been updated.

Anyone order the handguards in the last couple months/weeks?

What seems odd, is what are owners of pre-2008 GSs to do for handguards. Just seems wierd.

TM

edit: There seems to be a recall/hold on pre'08 handguards. From our friends across the pond

There is a rumour that the next recall will happen soon. It's about the handguards on BMW R1200GS motorbikes Mod. 2004 - 2007. You will easily see at your local BMW dealer in the showroom that the handguards on models 2008 are significantally changed!

This is a German media report (with pictures of the new 2008 Handguards) but it's difficult to read an understand if you are not a native speaker of German language, I believe.

http://www.motor-kritik.de/common/08041309.HTM

In Short: The Handguards on models 2004 - 2007 may flip during riding. Which causes a crash because they to activate the braking lever. Or, on the other side, causes clutch damage due to activating the clutch permanently. The 2008 handguards are totally different and CANNOT FLIP! We do have an investigation in Germany. The safety authorities (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, like VOSA) are dealing with BMW how to manage the situation.

Question - has anyone tried to install '08 handguards on a R12R?

[moxnix]

BMW makes parts available for 30 years I just ordered a new fan for the brick ('85 model).

[TexasMule]

BMW makes parts available for 30 years I just ordered a new fan for the brick ('85 model).

That may be the case, but try and buy handguards for a pre-'08 GS.

and it doesn't appear that '08 handguards will work either since they've changed the handlebars
on the new GS.

[TexasMule]

BMW makes parts available for 30 years I just ordered a new fan for the brick ('85 model).

That may be the case, but try and buy handguards for a pre-'08 GS.

and it doesn't appear that '08 handguards will work either since they've changed the handlebars
on the new GS.

[deilenberger]

Actually - you can buy the parts that make up the handguard kit.. the parts individually are still available. Just the "handguard kit" that many of us bought has gone NLA.

[TexasMule]

Actually - you can buy the parts that make up the handguard kit.. the parts individually are still available. Just the "handguard kit" that many of us bought has gone NLA.

Don try putting in 32727667685 and/or 32727696496 into Max's parts site and you get a big NLA.

Those are handguards R&L.

[Caroanbill]

Are we SURE the 2008 GS guards won't fit? My dealer is looking into it.

The 2008 guards have two parts to the guard itself - the main 'bar' (black) in front for the levers, which seems to be the structural element; and a small foil or screen (in dark grey) which provides weather protection. They are also more sculpted than the older guards (better looking, to my eye).

On the outboard ends, the attachment seems neater than the pre-2008 guard (plenty of posts about that end here).

The inboard ends have an alloy clamp which attaches to the tubular bar. The clamp does not enclsoe the bar, so it should be able to be tightened sucessfully on bars of different diameter (perhaps within a limited range). Also, the fitting between the guard and the clamp seems to allow some variation in angle, meaning it could be adjusted for different bar shape (again, probably within a limited range).

Levers, switchblocks and reservoirs seem about the same from GS to R.

So ... are we SURE the 2008 guards won't go on??

[deilenberger]

Actually - you can buy the parts that make up the handguard kit.. the parts individually are still available. Just the "handguard kit" that many of us bought has gone NLA.

Don try putting in 32727667685 and/or 32727696496 into Max's parts site and you get a big NLA.

Those are handguards R&L.

Chicago BMW is showing them as available.. $36 each retail, $28.80 their price.

They also are showing the kit: 71607697149 as being available, so perhaps they aren't up to date.. but probably worth a call to them to find out. 800-262-9150

BMW of Santa Cruz has a set of carbon fiber ones from Ilmberger: http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/m ... ct_Count=9 a tad pricey at $499, but they look identical to the original BMW ones..

[moxnix]

I have to pick up the fan for the brick today, I'll ask Niederslasung here in Stuttgart.
Chris

[deilenberger]

In poking around TouraTech's website looking for something, I stumbled across: http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/show. ... Piq338AF4E

They come in all sorts of colors, and I imagine a bit of reflective tape could be used to hide the Touratech logo on them..

[Dan-A]

This is a German media report (with pictures of the new 2008 Handguards) but it's difficult to read an understand if you are not a native speaker of German language, I believe.

http://www.motor-kritik.de/common/08041309.HTM

In Short: The Handguards on models 2004 - 2007 may flip during riding. Which causes a crash because they to activate the braking lever. Or, on the other side, causes clutch damage due to activating the clutch permanently. The 2008 handguards are totally different and CANNOT FLIP! We do have an investigation in Germany. The safety authorities (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, like VOSA) are dealing with BMW how to manage the situation.

Question - has anyone tried to install '08 handguards on a R12R?

You can translate it here: http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

But it reads weird even translated.

[deilenberger]

I'm passing on verbatim an email I received tonight.. looks like great info for people looking for handguards:

Don..thanks for your info in the BMWMOA PUB....I have 2008 BMW HAND PROTECTORS made for the 2008 R1200GS....ordered from MAX BMW...they are part# 71607706209.cost was $168.95...hand guards fit perfectly on my Dull SILVER 2007 R1200R....hand guards came within 4 days from RUSTY at MAX BMW parts dept in NH. This should end all of the discussion on the web regarding availability of these BMW HAND GUARDS.for the old part #71607697149 is no longer available...thanks again for all of your info and time put in for us riders of the great R1200R BMW's. Bill Neilsen, Medfield, Ma. 02052...(600,000 plus miles on BMW's)...my bike has had zero problems with 4,570 miles.

I think Bill answered the question on if the '08 handguards will work..

Now someone get some and take some photos.. I'll be working on an update for all the articles I did for the MOA-ON.. and this should be in it.

[Caroanbill]

part# 71607706209.cost was $168.95...hand guards fit perfectly

Thanks, Don. I didn't have my R12R (or a tape measure) with me at the time, but it certainly looked like the new ones would bolt straight on. They also match the R12R a little better visually - although they offer less protection. I imagine the lower section of the old guard ( oh, dear, don't go there .. ) blocked more wind - and caught levers if the guard flipped up.

[TexasMule]

Outstanding news about the 2008 handguards.

Thanks Don for keeping after this. :bigthumbsup

[deilenberger]

If someone who gets them could take a few photos - I'll be planning an "update" article for the Owners News.. (once I finish another article I just started on "SPOT" - thanks to ChiTown aka Joe Finn..)

[ka5ysy]

I can confirm that the old handguards are not available.... I have been trying to get a replacement right side guard for 4 months and BMW shows "backordered". Translated that now means not available. The new version is actually structurally much stronger due to the clamp mounting point instead of the screw-on thing on the mirror mount of the old version.

[sandycruz]

Any one install the 2008 version?

Can you post a picture?

We are curious, well at least I am.

Thanks in advance!

[deilenberger]

A friend just took delivery of his '08 GS - I took a very careful look at the handguards, and can see no reason they couldn't be used on the R1200R.. it may still require a modified end cap and screw at the outside of the guard, but that's no different than the earlier ones.

[joe bar]

I ordered some old style 1200GS handguards to fit to my HP2 MM, but the part number just updated to the new model, and I fitted them to the bike without problem. I then heard about the old style problems and realised why the new parts had been delivered on the old part number.

My local dealer tells me he has fitted the new style guards to a R1200R, don't know whther they go straight or or require a mod, but they do fit.

HTH

[vielzebub]

Did you guys read this?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcy ... d-problem/

Seems like old style handguards may no longer be distributed....