Opinion Wanted Engine Guards / Body Guards

[GSMetal]

OK, the deal is VERY close on getting my 05 12GS.

Because it's winter and I don't have the bike yet in my possession I'm forced to daydream about stuff I want to put on it and dream about vacations and adventures I have yet to take.

So while I'm a BMW guy (I presently have a R11GS) I'm wondering about engine guards. Is BMW the only one that has the bars that protect the engine too or does someone else make them.

Do you have to remove the guards to change oil?

Thanks.

[StuWG]

Engine bars: the list is long.

BMW
Touratech
SW Moto
Hepco
Wunderlich
ETC ETC.

I personally have SW MOTO and they are fine. They have protected the heads after several off-road off's. Though I did manage to bend the supporting bracket that goes under the bash bar.

I would rather have gone with the TT bars, but they are pricey and the TT supply is not good.

If you have a look through the forum this has been discussed at length before.

Welcome to the club by the way.

[offroadoz]

G'day There

I can highly recommend the tank crash bars, why you may ask? I have personally tested them and yes they do save the body panels and stops that flow of cash from the pocket when you have stuffed up. I have both Hepco engine and tank bars. I find them to be a good fit and solid.

Keith

[andyclift]

I have the BMW engine bars which are a little more pricey than some of the competition but are stainless steel so no paint to come off. The other "protection" is the Touratech Zega panniers. On a slow speed drop the bike sat on the engine bars and the corner of the pannier. Bike survived, no marks on the panniers and just a small scratch on the engine bars which polished out.

[Smeggy]

I started out with the SW Motech bars but during 'spirited' cornering, found that they decked out where the bolt joins the bottom bar which goes under the bash plate. I now have TT ones and although they are more expensive (nearly twice the price of the Motech ones), they are lovely as a very lovely thing. Plus they are made in stainless, so no corrosion worries and will not look too bad in the case of a minor drop. Another couple of points are that the TT bars have the extra bar to protect the head covers, something the BMW bars do not do fully. For valve servicing, the bars either have to come off, of at least be loosened. But they are so simple to fit/remove, it really isn't a problem.

[StuWG]

OKay I surrender. I'm going to take the Sw Moto ones off and buy the TT bars instead.

[rcliffor]

I have heard some concerns over paint chips and rusting with some of the bars. Has anyone had experience with this?

[Smeggy]

I have read several peoples dissatisfaction with the long term durability of the Hepco bars. My original SW Motechs were pretty good and suffered only a few stone chips. The BMW and TT bars are stainless, so no worries there.

[StuWG]

I have to say that my sw Motechs have been fine, and they have been "used" a couple of times, on & off-road. The paint is pretty thick and where I have managed to go through, there is no sign of rot.

[joef96]

I went with the TT's crash bars and the TT Zega paniers after much research on this and others forums. Hate to admit but I have had several un-volunteery getoffs and can state there has been no scratches to the heads or side panels. The bike balances on the boxes, crash bar, and handle bars. In support to what others are saying there is no paint chips or rust to worry about with stainless steel bars.

They take a licking and keep on ticking.