Opinions on crash bars wanted

[Mikeybikey57]

I've had a run of slightly bad luck and have been involved in two minor accidents on my S10 this year. In both incidents my left side GIVI crash bar had sacrificed itself to protect my bike, but not nearly as well as i'd have liked.

The first time, I ended up sustaining damage to the radiator fan assembly, after a low speed altercation with a panel van twisted the left bar well out of shape. This ended up pushing the cooling fan mount out of line and jammed the fan against the radiator and being unaware of the damage, this eventually burned the fan motor out.

On the other occasion, I was rear ended by a cager and the bike ended up taking a very low speed drop onto it's side. The left bar absorbed the impact but was again, very deformed and twisted by the drop. It was later found that the circular lug on the crash bar that connects to the peg on the bottom of the radiator (lower right of radiator in photo) via a rubber grommet had also been knocked out of line. This subsequently put a big crease in the bottom of the radiator itself.

I don't know whether i'm expecting too much from the GIVI bars, as the overall damage done could have been so much worse but it still ended up being bloody expensive to put right. I'm no engineer but having seen how the bars deformed in two relatively minor impacts, I'm left with the distinct feeling that they're perhaps not as "up to the job" as they could be. I've therefore been looking at alternatives to the GIVI bars and have narrowed them down to either the Alt Rider or Touratech offerings.

Any opinions based on your experiences of how either of these bars perform will be greatly appreciated and possibly rewarded with unlimited cups of tea and a generous slab of my wife's fantastic chocolate cake, should you be passing by at some point in the future. ::008::

 

[2112]

No experience with either but for what it's worth they both look pretty bomb proof to me. Mmmm, chocolate cake...

The only thing that bothers me slightly is that if these super strong bars are not deforming much under impact where does the force of the impact go ? The Givi's have clearly deformed absorbing some of the impact, if they didn't bend then the impact force is going to the mounting points. Just a thought.

 

[Mikeybikey57]

Crikey you lot, you're usually very keen to share your opinions about all sorts of things on this here forum. To date, i've only had one response from someone and sadly, he didn't have any strong opinions on the subject, just a further question.

Could it be that most of you lot seem to be far removed from Blighty and don't get the admittedly "English" concept of tea and cake based reward systems? If that is the case, i'll change it to many beers and a 16oz steak dinner, with all the trimmings.

I wait the flood of opinions with baited breath……………... ::017::

 

[4jranch]

Just put the alt rider bars on the S10. They seem stout. No experience on function.
All the offers, tea and cake and beer and steak sound good to me. A long ride from here though. ::025::

 

[EricV]

Better crash bars with more mounting points will spread the impact forces over a larger area. They will still be subject to deformation, but it will take more force to damage them to the point where the bike is also taking damage.

AltRider does a pretty good job, certainly better than Givi. Touratech is less widely used, especially on the US side of the pond. It's not very helpful to you, but Rumbux provides excellent coverage and is less susceptible to damage from minor drops, but it all depends on where the impact forces are. Even a seemingly minor event, if the force is localized to a small area, can cause damage or deformation.

There are actually quite a few different threads on crash bars on the forum. Play with the search tool some and you should find various opinions and crash pictures.

 

[trikepilot]

Crikey you lot, you're usually very keen to share your opinions about all sorts of things on this here forum. To date, i've only had one response from someone and sadly, he didn't have any strong opinions on the subject, just a further question.

Could it be that most of you lot seem to be far removed from Blighty and don't get the admittedly "English" concept of tea and cake based reward systems? If that is the case, i'll change it to many beers and a 16oz steak dinner, with all the trimmings.

I wait the flood of opinions with baited breath……………... ::017::

Part of the issue with the low response rate is that this horse has been flogged well beyond any vital signs at this forum. Do a search here at the forum and you will find HOURS of reading of all kinds of opinions on crash bars.

 

[Higstatic]

Hi Mikey, I was torn between the Touratech and the Altrider. I think the Touratech look better on the bike but the design will probably allow them to buckle. The Altrider appear more robust, I like how they make use of fixing points by removing that plastic guard thingy. I've only ordered a set yesterday so can't comment any further yet.

 

[crazy padre]

After seeing a friend put his down on a washed out trail several times, I went with what protected his bike - Happy Trail crash bars, plus just added the bags mounted to each side. I powder coated mine red. Looks good on black tenere. Happy Trail crash bars have saved my Klr also, many times. front bags help too. Panniers save bike too.
Painting and Installing happy trail crash bars on Super Tenere 1200

 

[2112]

So I'm not getting any cake ?

 

[Mikeybikey57]

So I'm not getting any cake ?

I'll give cake to all who are partial to a slice. I've even been known to offer it to GS riders too. O

 

[Koinz]

I have the Altrider Bars, Haven't had to use them, but they look cool and as you found out, you need to have something to protect the radiator/fan combo. I hope I don't ever have to use them though.

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

I had SW-MOTECH on my 2012 Tenere. They preformed beautifully when I hit a deer in September throwing the bike down on the right side at over 55 mph.

Here is a picture of the right side crash bars after slamming down on the right side, sliding about 50 feet before the bike stood back up rolled nearly 200 years before falling over on the right side again when it ran out of speed and tipped over. I think I will go with SW-Motech again for my replacement Tenere.

 

[cakeboy]

i fitted a set of HEED crashbars on my tenere . there made in poland and built really well . had a set on my 650 v strom & dropped it on a oily ferry deck , all it did was take a bit of paint off ..quick spray over and good as new ....

 

[Big Blu]

I've even been known to offer it to GS riders too. O

Good on ya! ::008::
And if that's the case..... here's my $.02.

Sounds to like the Givi's have done the job they were designed to do.
I had Hepco-Becker crash bars on my ST and was very pleased them. I did have a curb side tip over at 0 mph, the crash bars struck the curb hard, and the crash bars were only scratched, not deformed, and protected the bike from sustaining any damage. Good stuff those H-B's, I'd do it again.

I'll take my cake please.... ???

Paul

 

[TimLaw]

I, like many others have done a lot of research on crash bars for the tenere. I have not tested them, but over time have learned a lot from the different brands offered. The winner in my book is the Altrider bars. I am basing this on impact coverage, mounting points, prices, looks and overall function. I like the Altrider gear but with the Skidplate for example, I went with ACD.

I guess every rider has different reasons. I base my opinions and choices for off road ventures like the back country routes.

 

[squarebore]

If I only ever rode on the road, I would just stick with the OEM nylon/plastic ones and let the insurance fix things if needed. Because I sometimes ride in very remote regions I fitted some larger metal ones (can't remember the brand) to increase the chances of being able to self recover after an incident.

 

[ExTriumphExp]

I've had a run of slightly bad luck and have been involved in two minor accidents on my S10 this year. In both incidents my left side GIVI crash bar had sacrificed itself to protect my bike, but not nearly as well as i'd have liked.

The first time, I ended up sustaining damage to the radiator fan assembly, after a low speed altercation with a panel van twisted the left bar well out of shape. This ended up pushing the cooling fan mount out of line and jammed the fan against the radiator and being unaware of the damage, this eventually burned the fan motor out.

On the other occasion, I was rear ended by a cager and the bike ended up taking a very low speed drop onto it's side. The left bar absorbed the impact but was again, very deformed and twisted by the drop. It was later found that the circular lug on the crash bar that connects to the peg on the bottom of the radiator (lower right of radiator in photo) via a rubber grommet had also been knocked out of line. This subsequently put a big crease in the bottom of the radiator itself.

I don't know whether i'm expecting too much from the GIVI bars, as the overall damage done could have been so much worse but it still ended up being bloody expensive to put right. I'm no engineer but having seen how the bars deformed in two relatively minor impacts, I'm left with the distinct feeling that they're perhaps not as "up to the job" as they could be. I've therefore been looking at alternatives to the GIVI bars and have narrowed them down to either the Alt Rider or Touratech offerings.

Any opinions based on your experiences of how either of these bars perform will be greatly appreciated and possibly rewarded with unlimited cups of tea and a generous slab of my wife's fantastic chocolate cake, should you be passing by at some point in the future. ::008::

Have a look on the Hepco & Becker web site, they have a cracking reputation for robustness, I have both upper & lower bars fitted & after used SW Motech I think the H & B are more than up to the job, they also having some intersting looking crash bars that fit to the upper fork clamps & then bolt onto each end of the handle bars were the bar end weights fit. I think if all three were fitted they should stand up to most drops/falls, unless somethig much bigger is involved, like a truck.

::003::

 

[dirtsailor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb4qAa4X9i4&list=UUNX4_K5Egeom_nFvUweub4Q

Skip to 3:20. My altrider crash bars didnt budge but they scooped up dirt and grass. I know its not on pavement but im happy how there was no movement to the effect of the earth being excavated by them. Also they are 6 point mounted to the bike ::024::

 

[TimLaw]

Just curious what caused the fall? Was it an unseen rut?

 

[coastie]

I have used my left side Altrider twice. One of those times was a very violent fully loaded put down and it did not budge. I also put it down once on the right hand side and nothing. They are legit!