After waiting to get around to it since Thanksgiving, I finally installed the AltRider crashbars on Friday night. The bars were very well packed for shipping, and the instructions were straightforward. There was one minor error in the instructions - you will need a 19mm socket to install the replacement bolts at the center of the crashbars, not 17mm as stated. The OEM 17mm bolts were very tight and took a fair bit of force to loosen.
It took me longer to get the sticky backed bubble wrap off the bars than it did to install them - total time working on my own was just a hair under 15 minutes.
It helps to have a long hex wrench, particularly for the front left crashbar bolt. I used a 3/8" driver with extension and a torx bit to speed the process up after loosening with the hex.
I had a set of Metal Mule bars on my 800 GS, and am impressed with what appears to be the far higher quality of the welds and finish of the AltRider bars. I hope not to test them, but if I do (and survive) I'll post results.
Chris