Any thoughts yet on the R&G Crash Bars?

[Venture]

I'm not sure if i saw any discussion yet on these. R&G makes a crash bar for the S10 now too. they're more expensive than the SW-Motech bars, and are quite a bit lower on the bike than the Motech's. They also leave the stock slider piece intact vs. having to remove it.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/6874/821/

Anybody check these out yet in person? How do they compare to the Motech and Altrider offerings?

 

[tomatocity]

I seen them at the Long Beach show but did not get a very good peek. Like that they the stock sliders installed.

 

[justbob]

I bought a new pair of the R&G engine guards back in August, got 'em for $109.
The biggest issue for some people will be the fact that you can NOT remove the battery access panel with the engine guards installed.
All 3 bolts on the right side guard have to be loosened to allow enough room for the right side cover to be removed.
They bolt right up and the fit and finish is good.

 

[Venture]

I bought a new pair of the R&G engine guards back in August, got 'em for $109.
The biggest issue for some people will be the fact that you can NOT remove the battery access panel with the engine guards installed.
All 3 bolts on the right side guard have to be loosened to allow enough room for the right side cover to be removed.
They bolt right up and the fit and finish is good.

$109? How'd you score that? Would you buy these again? Was price the main factor in your selection?

 

[colorider]

Chris, dollar for dollar, the Givi bars are hard to beat, IMHO. Plus you can remove both side panels without removing or loosening the bars.

PS: I like the fact that you are shopping accessories a bit for a SuperT!! ::012::

 

[Venture]

Chris, dollar for dollar, the Givi bars are hard to beat, IMHO. Plus you can remove both side panels without removing or loosening the bars.

PS: I like the fact that you are shopping accessories a bit for a SuperT!! ::012::

Yeah, the fact that you can't easily remove the battery panel is not good. Isn't the fuse panel under there as well?

Like I've said, all in good time... ::008::

 

[tc9988]

I bought a new pair of the R&G engine guards back in August, got 'em for $109.
The biggest issue for some people will be the fact that you can NOT remove the battery access panel with the engine guards installed.
All 3 bolts on the right side guard have to be loosened to allow enough room for the right side cover to be removed.
They bolt right up and the fit and finish is good.

I emailed R&G to see if the side panels are removeable with the bars installed. Here's what they said <<We have not tried to remove the panels with the bars on the bike so I can’t confirm this.>> I was expecting either a yes or no ::007::

 

[Twitch]

Isn't the fuse panel under there as well?

Yes, and it's packed under there with all the electronics. I took the shot below for a write up on the Fuzeblock install.

I suppose removing the R&G bars for work in the garage wouldn't be that big of an issue, but I'd hate to have to do that if I needed to get to something out on the road or trail.

 

[Venture]

I don't think the R&G bars are the way to go. I don't see any real positives. They're high priced (~300), don't look particularly great, and you can't remove the side panels.

The Givi bars seem to be the hot ticket, especially for the price.

 

[fredz43]

I am surprised to hear that you can't remove the right side panel with these, as they seem lower than the SW-M bars and I can get that panel off easily with my SM-M bars in place.

 

[justbob]

$109? How'd you score that? Would you buy these again? Was price the main factor in your selection?

It was an Ebay purchase, nobody else bid on them. The bargain price was definitely a factor in my purchase decision. They were new in the box with hardware,instructions and R&G decals. I like their appearance and I think they will help in a minor tipover.
A lot of guys like the Givi engine guards and they are probably the least expensive to buy now.
The right side panel definitely will NOT come off until the right engine guard is loosened, almost to the point of removal.
Its not a problem now that I am finished adding the farkles, its only 3 bolts and takes just a minute or 2.
I did add 2 tools to my tool kit to make it any easy job on the road.

 

[tomatocity]

Agreed the Givi engine guards are the best value, I have them, but I don't believe they are the best engine guard. With additional time spent on design they could be much better. If we are talking Tip Over these guards are an excellent choice. If we are talking a Low Side at speed these bars could be a problem since they look like they will dig into the surface and... not pretty.

I really like the AltRider engine guards. Yes the ones that weigh 11.5 lbs and are 2.5 times more expensive than the Givi engine guards. They look like they will handle a crash and not become too damaged. Plus they look like they will slide if Low Sided. They are welded in the USA and the welds look to be race quality. I do not know if they allow the side panels to be removed. If they don't then I say no to the purchase.

Would I re-buy the Givi engine guards?, maybe. What would it take to purchase the AltRider engine guards, a lower price.

The R&G engine guards looked good but if they don't allow the side panels to be easily removed then they are not a consideration. I start most scenario's with "it's a dark, cold, rainy night and you are 100 miles away from...".

Just my opinion.