After reading many different threads on this site and ADVrider about the different crashbar options for my 2021 Africa Twin Base DCT model, I decided to purchase Heed bars. I ordered directly from Heed in Poland and the price was $362 US including shipping. I bought the package that comes with small panniers that attach to them. The build quality is very good with clean welds. Mine were painted silver and while they look good, the finish is easily scratched. The fitment tolerances on the set I received is very good. Everything lined up well with the mounting points. I just finished installing mine this weekend and have not had any occasion to test their effectiveness with a drop. They do feel at least as strong as the OEM bars I had on my BMW R1200GS Adventure. Actually, they feel stronger than the BMW bars because of how the Heed design mounts to the frame under the headlight.
Now for the negatives. The printed instructions are at best, vague. The pictures are small and do not show all the details I would have liked to have seen. For example, there are two L-shaped brackets that attach to an engine mounting bolt near the battery. They are different for the left and right side. Mine were marked incorrectly with the left one marked R and the right one marked L. I struggled with that for a bit until I realized what was wrong. Each of these brackets require a spacer that is included in the kit but the printed instructions and pictures do not make it clear whether the spacer goes in front of or behind the bracket. They go in front of the brackets for my base model DCT. The fit may be different for the Adv Sports model. At the forward mounting point just in front of the engine, there is a spacer required and once again, the printed instructions and pictures do not make it easy to see where it goes. If you look carefully at the engine mount before loosening anything, you should be able to understand what has to be done but I would have preferred better instructions. I am a very experienced mechanic and was able to figure everything out.
Bottom line, they are well made, priced well under most of the competition and the only real drawbacks are easily scratched paint and poor printed instructions. Here is a video I found that helped me although it did not make it clear how the spacers on the L brackets were supposed to go as his brackets had the spacers built into the brackets - not separate like the kit I bought. His bike is also a base model without DCT and so the L bracket mounts may be different for the DCT. Still, this video is a very good look at the installation process and worth a watch.
Now for the negatives. The printed instructions are at best, vague. The pictures are small and do not show all the details I would have liked to have seen. For example, there are two L-shaped brackets that attach to an engine mounting bolt near the battery. They are different for the left and right side. Mine were marked incorrectly with the left one marked R and the right one marked L. I struggled with that for a bit until I realized what was wrong. Each of these brackets require a spacer that is included in the kit but the printed instructions and pictures do not make it clear whether the spacer goes in front of or behind the bracket. They go in front of the brackets for my base model DCT. The fit may be different for the Adv Sports model. At the forward mounting point just in front of the engine, there is a spacer required and once again, the printed instructions and pictures do not make it easy to see where it goes. If you look carefully at the engine mount before loosening anything, you should be able to understand what has to be done but I would have preferred better instructions. I am a very experienced mechanic and was able to figure everything out.
Bottom line, they are well made, priced well under most of the competition and the only real drawbacks are easily scratched paint and poor printed instructions. Here is a video I found that helped me although it did not make it clear how the spacers on the L brackets were supposed to go as his brackets had the spacers built into the brackets - not separate like the kit I bought. His bike is also a base model without DCT and so the L bracket mounts may be different for the DCT. Still, this video is a very good look at the installation process and worth a watch.
