I need convincing!!
- Thread starter JW
- Start date
LittleWalleez
New Member
Hey MG!
I have not put crash bars on my S10 yet. It's new. I have however put SW motech bars on my KLR. AND, I've used them!!
The problem with farkles seems to be a matter of personal preference and cost. When I put crash bars on my S10 I'll probably go with Altrider. Just because they are stainless and seem to mount in the right places. Crash bars are kind of like helmets.........we don't really want to have to use them! IMO! Personally, I try to purchase the best I can when it comes to safety or protection. I just wanted to throw out my two cents! Good luck in your search!! Let us know what you end up with!
Best! LittleWalleez!
I have not put crash bars on my S10 yet. It's new. I have however put SW motech bars on my KLR. AND, I've used them!!
The problem with farkles seems to be a matter of personal preference and cost. When I put crash bars on my S10 I'll probably go with Altrider. Just because they are stainless and seem to mount in the right places. Crash bars are kind of like helmets.........we don't really want to have to use them! IMO! Personally, I try to purchase the best I can when it comes to safety or protection. I just wanted to throw out my two cents! Good luck in your search!! Let us know what you end up with!Best! LittleWalleez!
Madhatter
Well-Known Member
alt rider bars are awesome....
Tenman
Well-Known Member
Ive got altriders. I've dropped mine at idle or turning around at least 15 times. On the asphalt a few times. I did one 20 mph wipe out in the gumbo mud. I can still get both side pannels off without removing the bars. They're stainless too. No rust after you scuffem on the cuncrete.
SparrowHawkxx
Active Member
I have the AltRider bars and like them. I can also remove both side panels without removing the bars as well as the battery on my 2013. I do not know if you can do this or not with the bars you are looking at but this may be something you want to consider.
The right side panel is easy to remove, just slide it towards the back of the bike.
I hold on to the left and right side and pull back as I slide it to the left. This way you can control the panel and keep from scratching your tank. The panel will be rubbing against the AltRider bars but if you put a soft rag over them that will prevent scratching the panel.
The left side panel was not so obvious to me, there were some restrictions but it came off easy enough. I just slid it upwards.
Put a soft rag over the horizontal AltRider bar to prevent scratching the panel. Start off by grabbing the bottom left and right corners of the panel and pull back on the corners to get them over some restrictions as you raise the panel. After that, the raised part of the panel will rub against the bar as you raise the panel upward. That's where the rag over the bar will help it to slide over and to prevent scratching.
The battery comes out easy too but it will not pull straight out, it is too wide to pull through the two upright bars. I just did this a couple weeks ago but have a short memory so may not remember the exact sequence but;
I had no problem keeping the posts from touching metal, especially at the same time (short circuit).
The right side panel is easy to remove, just slide it towards the back of the bike.
I hold on to the left and right side and pull back as I slide it to the left. This way you can control the panel and keep from scratching your tank. The panel will be rubbing against the AltRider bars but if you put a soft rag over them that will prevent scratching the panel.
The left side panel was not so obvious to me, there were some restrictions but it came off easy enough. I just slid it upwards.
Put a soft rag over the horizontal AltRider bar to prevent scratching the panel. Start off by grabbing the bottom left and right corners of the panel and pull back on the corners to get them over some restrictions as you raise the panel. After that, the raised part of the panel will rub against the bar as you raise the panel upward. That's where the rag over the bar will help it to slide over and to prevent scratching.
The battery comes out easy too but it will not pull straight out, it is too wide to pull through the two upright bars. I just did this a couple weeks ago but have a short memory so may not remember the exact sequence but;
- Pull the battery toward you some so you can rotate it within it's space. Rotate it along its vertical axis so that the side you were looking at (side with the labeling) is now facing forward. It is tight, but easy enough. The thin plastic edges of the box it sets in will flex some.
- Rotate it along the horizontal axis so now the battery posts are on the top of the battery. Now It will slide out between the upright bars.
I had no problem keeping the posts from touching metal, especially at the same time (short circuit).
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WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
Just to add a little information on the Givi bars, both side panels can be removed without disturbing the bars. Takes a little guiding to get them off but no big deal. I've not yet had the opportunity to test their crashworthyness, but I have seen other positive reports. I got the Givis based on previous good experience with Givi products, price and appearance.
I gave my Rumbux bars a good testing last week. Stalled the engine loading into the toy hauler in a bad spot. Ramp too steep, approach too steep. Brakes would not hold and I did not have foot on peg near rear brake.
Knew I could not reach the ground as the bike transitioned to the ground so let it roll, too fast and she body slammed me into the gravel. Rumbux and hand guard are all gravel rashed, as am I. Bike not so much. They did their job.
EricV on here is the US importer.
I had SW Motech and tested them 4 times and they did OK. Converted to Rumbux and they are even better. Worth the extra bux IMHO.
Knew I could not reach the ground as the bike transitioned to the ground so let it roll, too fast and she body slammed me into the gravel. Rumbux and hand guard are all gravel rashed, as am I. Bike not so much. They did their job.
EricV on here is the US importer.
I had SW Motech and tested them 4 times and they did OK. Converted to Rumbux and they are even better. Worth the extra bux IMHO.
I have Mastech crash bars. There are several reason I chose them. 1) I like the way/location that they anchor to the bike. 2) They allow side panel removal, without bar removal. (very convenient when you get stupid, like me, and leave your key on, and the battery dies). 3) Price; I got mine when they were $135. They are now $160. I have not, thankfully, tested them yet. After studying them, I THINK they should provide adequate protection. But, as stated by others, after market parts/equipment are SO individual preference. ::001::
I also have the Altrider bars...they've worked great the few times I've used them. I have them paired with an ACD skid plate that's been very good as well. The plate is probably a little overkill for what I need as I only do forest roads at worst, but I found a great deal on it and went with it. It is nice to know that the plate isn't mounted to the engine bottom though, just in case things get rough 'n rocky.
Scott Williams
Member
With the SW Motech bars, you can remove both side plates and the r/si upper plate for the battery and fuses w/o removing the bars. Just watched my dealer do it.
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
::026:: But they came with the bike.. ;DMadhatter said:
MIKE R
Well-Known Member
I like the look of the Altrider Bars but when I bought my Givis they were either not available or I didn't know about them.
Back in 2014 a myopic 84 year old pulled out infront of me and then froze with the car at a slight angle. Although I managed to get most of my speed off (i'd estimate the contact speed to be about 5 mph) the right hand crash bar made contact with his car and then the bike went down on the right so the same bar got a double whammy.
The Givi bar was sacrificial but did its job. It was badly scratched and slightly bend but it saved the bike from a lot of damage. Although parts of the right hand side of the bike were scratched (and later replaced by his insurance) nothing was broken and the bike was still rideable.
Mike
Back in 2014 a myopic 84 year old pulled out infront of me and then froze with the car at a slight angle. Although I managed to get most of my speed off (i'd estimate the contact speed to be about 5 mph) the right hand crash bar made contact with his car and then the bike went down on the right so the same bar got a double whammy.
The Givi bar was sacrificial but did its job. It was badly scratched and slightly bend but it saved the bike from a lot of damage. Although parts of the right hand side of the bike were scratched (and later replaced by his insurance) nothing was broken and the bike was still rideable.
Mike
Hfjeff
Member
I have the Givi and like them just fine. However I have not dropped the bike and never go off road. The fit was excellent and they look great. They have a crinkle low-gloss paint finish rather than smooth high-gloss.
I was in the same boat a year ago making a choice between the SW and Givi. I went with the Givi as I had them on my Vstrom, preferred the look of the bar and they are cheaper. Fit and finish of the Givi is excellent, side panel comes of with no issue. The one issue that I found out last fall was I struggled to get the battery out, with some wiggling and time I did get the battery out. Now this spring when I tried to put the battery back in i could not. I had to back off the two side mounting bolts to get the battery back in. I think if I had to do it again I would choose the SW bars as I don't believe there is any issue with the battery with Motechs bars.
Velvet
El lobo solitario
I did quite a bit of research on bars and skid plates and I ultimately went with Rumbux. I have gone down twice, once on each side. The left side crash was relatively hard at a speed of about 20mph. No bending or any other issues. I just spray painted the scrape marks and they look good as new! I definitely recommend them.
moaralpha
Member
Im looking at getting SW Motech lower crash bars and I can't decide if upper bar addons are worth it. Has anyone ever dropped their bike and wished they had the upper protrction?
A number of us have dropped the bike on the SW Motech bars and I never had more than hand-guard scrapes when dropping the 2012.
HOWEVER
It can be a one-drop event, as the SW-Motech bars tend to bend. An upside is that I was able to contact them and order a single bar without having to buy a set.
HOWEVER
It can be a one-drop event, as the SW-Motech bars tend to bend. An upside is that I was able to contact them and order a single bar without having to buy a set.
another altrider bar owner, my Clearwater lights also can be mounted on easily in an area that is protected if you tipped the bike
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EricV
Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
In regards to the Rumbux bars, please remember when comparing pricing that the Rumbux is a complete system of upper crash bars, engine bars and integrated skid plate. And that shipping is included in the pricing. The skid plate is not mounted to the engine either, but to the lower engine bars, removing the chance of breaking a mounting point or damaging the sump during a hit to the skid plate.