--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Adam Tworkowski wrote: > > I haven't used the HT ones. I have used the SW-Motech ones and they > seem to do what they are supposed to do.
klr650e crashbars
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klr650e crashbars
Adam--
Nice field report. Thanks for taking the time to give a detailed description. You can post some pictures in the PHOTO section; if you do, please tell us the file name.
You have validated just about everyone here that has suggested,
"If you are going to campaign the 08+pig, it needs the extra protection." The 08+ bikes are beautiful, however it is still a pig--a pig with lipstick! and anything with lipstick will cost just a little bit more, but its worth it, cough. ycmv
DISCLAIMER: not a paid spokesman; just a satisfied customer of the products discussed here.
IRT to the HT/product discussion: = small hyjack of the 08 discussion.
I have the HT on my 2001, and have bounce tested it several times. I have personally field-tested the original HT-PD-Nerf bars; they are certainly are stronger than collar bones or ribs. The deputy sheriff could not believe I had so much personal damage and so little visible bike damage; it did require a 're-weld' of one joint--which was not the first re-weld of the set-up. It was not bad welding--but it was from more dirt naps than a reasonable man would expect. The HT's did what they were designed to do; protect the radiator, tank and overflow bottle, shrouds--COMPLETELY. NOTE: It does nothing for collar bones and ribs. ATGATT kept all the sort-fleshy parts in one place for the medical crew...
One last comment about the original PD-Nerf Bars: when trying to mount the Wolfman Tank Panniers plus the PD-Nerf bars in the most logical location, it begins to restrict the knee room. ymmv. HT has a special bag that fits outside the original bars, as they do for the 08+ setups.
I like the HT product and would buy they again.
An equally acceptable alternative for the crash bars
based on price = the replacement fiberglass tank--which I have not seen on a 08+ bike as of this time. (Others may comment) I do not have one of those, but those that do, have accomplished all the protection and increased the fuel capacity.
Protection for the pre 08+ bikes:
I have another KLR650 that came equipped with the 'internal' C shaped radiator protection--which is another alternative (86-07) to what you are looking for. IMO, this is not a good solution for the 08+due to the really exposed tank shrouds, but will work on the Tupperware series. It has some limitation: with tank panniers installed, I still managed compress the tank shroud and to wack/bend the fan shroud enough that it ripped the fan blade out of the motor, compressed some radiator fins and bend the tank. All that from slow speed tip overs. For me the C shaped rad-guards get a resounding D-for a grade. (it has worked well for others)
Did the C-shaped rad protector help? Probably, but not as much as I expected--and admittedly, I may have expected to much.
There are copies of the original HT PD Nerf Bars that fit the 86-07; IMO they are not of the same quality. The copies cost less, and for a reason....
I Know this is a discussion about crash-bars; shrug.
equally important for those who ride in difficult places (and those who don't), are lever protectors and moving the mirror/choke to the clutch perch.
If you will protect those items as well, you are likely to never need to replace a clutch/brake lever, left switch quadrant or choke ass. from breakage. If you do break one of those items...you probably have even bigger problems. ADD the Studebaker mirror isolators, and now the mirror stalk has another 30degrees of flex when you drop the bike.
Buy thise items ONCE and you are never likely to replace them from breakage. again. ymmv.
One thing we should all remember, no amount of armor on the bike or body will protect against all encounters, foreign or domestic.
revmaaatin.
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