Crash Bars

[jimcameron]

anyone have any experience with the Hepco & Becker crash bars?


how about any other manufacturers of crash bars I should consider.

Thanks, for you time and input.
jimc

[xaque]

I just installed the Wunderlich bars (you can see them here: http://209.61.235.222/Merchant2/merchan ... ct_Count=0)

They are wicked sexy... (follow the lines of the bike well) plus they have mounting points for running lights... yee haaa!!!!!

Ther are a little pricy, but I managed to pick up my set used off a nice fellow from this board (thanks again David!).

After looking at alot I found these to please my eye the most....

-Xaque-

[FGanger]

Here is a picture of my bike with the bars and lights on. This was the end of an 11,000 mile trip with my daughter on the back.

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/gallery/827966/3

Of course, PC has entered the world of bikes, and they are now "engine guards." I call them crash bars as well.

Frank

[xaque]

Oh! And in my ever reaching attempt to lessen the work I have to do, I discovered that you can install the Wunderlich bars without removing the front wheel (which is what I was originally told) by simply letting all the air out the front tire... That extra 3/4" it affords is JUST enough room...



-Xaque-

[dallara]

Sorry to take this a bit off-topic, but...

WOW, Frank (FGanger)!!!

What incredible pictures in your gallery! The photos of the polar bears with the nuclear submarine are ***PRICELESS***!!!

Where on Earth did you find those, Frank???

Okay, okay... Sorry for taking this off-topic...

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Cheers!

Dallara

[MattPie]

anyone have any experience with the Hepco & Becker crash bars?

I have them on my bike. I'd call my opinion of them mixed. I bought them when I bought the bike (first street bike, dirt experience years ago), with the idea that I'd be dropping the bike a couple times and anything would help. In a year, I've only "set down" the bike once in a parking lot, which probably would have scuffed the head up, but scratched the bars on the underside.

Pros:

• Better protection than the BMW plastic head guards.
  There's couple ways you can use them as foot rests (without highway pegs, even!)
  My dealer didn't complain when doing my service, so they must not get in the way.

Cons:

• They're chrome, so they require some basic maintenance (which I've neglected so there's small spots or discoloration around the welds.
  They make the bike wider by +-2in per side!
  They were a royal pain to put on. For the back portion you have to remove the bolt above the foot peg, which connects the rear subframe to the transmission. I had a hell of a time getting it in.

In the end, I'd be 50/50 whether I'd put them on again, but I'd probably not and spend the money on some luggage or a new seat (I have a Sargent now, and it's fantastic).

I have more pics, and can take more if you're interested.[/img][/list]

[jimcameron]

Matt

Thanks very much for posting the photo. I have an 04 Silver so I know exactly how they would look, which I think is terrific. We are some lucky guys.

regards,
jim

[FGanger]

Dallara,

Actually I can't remember who sent me the pictures. I also have some images of the Space Shuttle on the ground from a friend who works on the base that is pretty neat as well. I'll have to put them on the SmugMug site.

Frank

[gopher]

I bought a set of Waunderlich crash bars for my 2002 R1150R from a private party. They did not have the installation instructions or picture. I understand that the instructions are in German, so the picture would be better. If anyone knows where I can find this on the web. please let me know. If anyone has a copy, it would be great if you could e-mail or fax it to me. E-mail [email protected]. Fax 440-934-3626. Thanks.

[xaque]

I bought a set of Waunderlich crash bars for my 2002 R1150R from a private party. They did not have the installation instructions or picture. I understand that the instructions are in German, so the picture would be better. If anyone knows where I can find this on the web. please let me know. If anyone has a copy, it would be great if you could e-mail or fax it to me. E-mail [email protected]. Fax 440-934-3626. Thanks.

Unless someone has close-ups handy. I'll take some pics tomorrow for you of mine and email them to you!

-Xaque-

[marecycling]

Could someone who has the Hepco-Becker crashbars on their R1150R tell me if they block access to the power outlet located near the driverside footpeg. I want to mount a set of these bars on my R, but not at the expense of my battery tender. Any information is appreciated.

[morrie]

• They make the bike wider by +-2in per side!

Jim,

Is that wider than the rear with the system cases on?

[xaque]

Here are the photo's of my Wunderlich bars... hopefully this will help people understand the installation process:



The top of the bars mount to existing threaded holes in the frame:



The bottom of the bars mount to a hole at the base of the engine. A long nut with a bolt was used for this:





The reinforcing bars mount to the inside of the mounting points on the bars. The tail end of the reinforcing bars mount to the center stand bolts. (Same bolt on both sides):





NOTE* I was unable to loosen these bolts with my hand tools. I'm going to have the dealer install these items the next time I am in for service.

The left-side reinforcing bar is the longer of the two. It mounts to the same bold as the right, but loops up and over the side stand parts:



It is advised that one takes off the front wheel to install these. I was able to install them with the front wheel on but it did require:

1) I let the air out of the front tire to allow for "fudge" room and
2) I yelled profanities and struggled with the bars for about 30 mins.

Hope that helps!

-Xaque-

[X-Cruiser]

Can someone provide their thoughts with respect to what option will provide better protection in a low speed slide situation? I'm torn between adding a set of Stanton head guards or Wunderlich crash bars. The Stantons will be less hassle to install and arguably look better. The Wunderlich's provide a mounting platform for auxillary lights. I suspect either option will work equally well if the bike is dropped in a parking lot. Any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Rick Lee]

Now I'm thinking of getting some crashbars, but am concerned that, if they add 2" of width to each side of the bike, I would run out of leaning room much sooner in a turn. Can anyone confirm?

[Panzerleder]

I have the Stantons and like them very much. A quality piece, much better than the skimpy little BMW plastic guards. Fortunately, I haven't had to put them to the test yet, but they should do the job for which they were intended -- protect the heads in low speed tip-over. "Crash bars" used to be pretty popular 20 or so years ago. Then there started to be a lot of stories of riders getting their legs trapped or worse by the bars in real crash. Seemed to be two distinct camps as to whether they were a net plus or minus. I fall into the plus camp.

P.S. Frank, I have to agree with Dallara ... those are some sensational pictures on your gallery. Looks like you had a great trip to Alaska with your daughter. I am sure she will remember it for the rest of her days. Did you post a description of the trip somewhere?

[deptom]

Yup! Gotta love them Stantons. They look clean and very much part of the bike.

[pneuby]

I have a silver bike with the set MattPie posted. My intent was to mount forward pegs or boards, but I haven't done so yet. While I can stretch my legs over the top of them, doing so is awkward and I can't imagine it's very safe.

Overall, I'm pleased. I was a bit put-off by the chrome, but now I'm okay with it. There's crome around the instrument binnacle and headlight, as well as a shiny can (if your's is stock), so it doesn't look completely out of place.

I don't think the left rear arm blocks the accessory socket in any manner, thought that's not that readily clear in Matt's photo.

[jb44]

P.S. Frank, I have to agree with Dallara ... those are some sensational pictures on your gallery. Looks like you had a great trip to Alaska with your daughter. I am sure she will remember it for the rest of her days. Did you post a description of the trip somewhere?

Frank and Dallara no longer post on this forum.

[texbid]

Here is a picture of my bike with the bars and lights on. This was the end of an 11,000 mile trip with my daughter on the back.

http://R1150R.smugmug.com/gallery/827966/3

Of course, PC has entered the world of bikes, and they are now "engine guards." I call them crash bars as well.

Frank

Did anyone notice the GPS readout .... max speed 161 mph!!!

must have been the K not the R