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What handguards are installed on your bike?

  • Stock

    Votes: 11 27.5%

  • Barkbusters

    Votes: 18 45.0%

  • Zeta

    Votes: 2 5.0%

  • SW-Motech

    Votes: 2 5.0%

  • Acerbis

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Touratech

    Votes: 2 5.0%

  • Machine Art Moto

    Votes: 3 7.5%

  • Cycra

    Votes: 1 2.5%

  • Other (please let us know)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Hepco and Becker

    Votes: 1 2.5%
  • Total voters
    40

Let's hear what handguards you have installed!!!

35472 Views 105 Replies 41 Participants Last post by  GreatWhiteNorth, 
TheMKoi
Hello ATF,

I have already searched the form for what handguards are compatible with the Africa Twin. Unfortunately the post I found was from 2017.

In that post it was stated that;

So far the only ones that I know that will fit our bikes are:

SW-MOTECH Kobra Handguard Kit Honda Africa Twin With DCT 2016-2017

Barkbusters Storm Handguard Kit Honda Africa Twin 2016-2017
Barkbusters VPS Handguard Kit Honda Africa Twin 2016-2017

Hepco & Becker Handguard Bar

ACERBIS X-FACTOR HANDGUARDS
ACERBIS MULTI CONCEPT X-PRO HANDGUARDS

Highway Dirtbikes Handguards
Highway Dirt Bikes - HDB

According to Rocky Mountain ATV & MC the AT's instrumentals prevent installation of the following handguards:
Cycra Ultra Probend CRM Wrap Around Handguards
Tusk D-Flex Pro Handguards

Please let me know if I'm missing any and/or above is incorrect.

I am hoping to see if anyone has had success with any other options out there? Procycle lists on their site, once filtered for Africa Twin, a couple other makes of handguards.

Moose Contour,
Cycra Probend (Maybe different from the Ultra)

I am wondering what everyone has installed and if they have had a good or bad experience with their product? I have had both Barkbusters and Moose Racing handguards in the past. Both were excellent with no discernable difference between them. This was about 5 years ago.

Please let me know what you have and hopefully we can create an up to date list of products that fit. Pics would be nice to help everyone see them on the bike. ;)

Thanks

Tally so far...

Barkbuster Storm 9

Barkbuster VPS 6

Barkbuster Jet 1 (Consensus is that they are ugly, ;))

Barkbuster with Moose Shields1 1

Barkbusters with OEM Shields 1

SW-Motech (Not confirmed fitment on Africa Twin, made by Barkbusters apparently)

Highway Dirt Bikes- Ultimate Handguard Kit (Fitment unconfirmed)

Zeta Armor Pro Bend Handguards 3 (Officially licensed Cycra Pro-Bend shape, means Cycra components will fit)

Acerbis Handguards 1 (Plastics can be interchanged, like the Barkbusters)

Machine Art Moto 2

Touratech Handguards 1

Cycra Ultra Probend CRM 1 (with effort)
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61 - 80 of 106 Posts
TheMKoi
Calspeed said:
Hello,

Im a long time fan of the Cycra USA products that ive used on my Supermoto Race bike and then on my KTM Adventure 1090R. Now, for the recently purchased H-AT, I went over board and purchased the premier Cycra Probend Ultra CRM series hand guards.

There are many great products available such as the Bark Busters and ZETA... etc. I just prefer the Cycra from past experiences.
View attachment 66201
Click to expand...
How did the installation go?

It looks to me that you would need to remove the internal bar weights and end weights, or drill and tap them.
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WeeWilly
Willy's running the Barkbuster Storm guards on Ol' Red. Easy install. One problem:

These guards do not have a solid attachment to the underlying bar at more than one spot. As a result, the guards tend to vibrate against the bar from about 3,000 to 3,500 RPM. The noise they make is not overwhelming, but it is noticeable. The buzz can be defeated by adding tape to the bar where the plastic guard contacts it.
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Calspeed
TheMKoi said:
How did the installation go?

It looks to me that you would need to remove the internal bar weights and end weights, or drill and tap them.
Click to expand...
It was difficult. I did have enough bar room to secure the bars. But the bending and fitting was very time consuming. It took about 3 hours to shape-to-fit. B8g wrenches and a workbench vice required.

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TheMKoi
Calspeed said:
It was difficult. I did have enough bar room to secure the bars. But the bending and fitting was very time consuming. It took about 3 hours to shape-to-fit. B8g wrenches and a workbench vice required.

View attachment 66216
Click to expand...
Those look like they go all the way back to the handle bar clamps? Nice to know they will fit with a little persuasion!!!:cool:
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J
Cuchulainn said:
The SW-Motech is a Barkbuster spine with a custom plastic. I believe that they charge more for it than either the VPS or Storm. I have a friend that has them on his Triumph Tiger because he prefered the look. But unless your in love the look of the platic, your probably better off with the Barkbusters. I seem to recall the SW-Motech plastics not being as flexible as well and cracking on impact.

Highway Dirtbikes makes an excellent product, but they aren't as well known as Barkbusters and I think maybe you had to make some modifications to get them to work on the AT. But I haven't looked in a couple of years and that may have been addressed by now.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Hi everyone. New to the forum! (I didn't find a trend in 1100L referring SW motech)
Just bought my first motorbike in June, the 1100L 2020 DCT, after riding my father's XRV 750 RD07 for 4 years. Most reliable bike ever!

I'm starting to check off-road acessories to be ready for some fun!

Between hard handguards and the original ones, what might be the difference on the handlebar, when the bike falls to the side? Which one will cause more impact/damage?

The Barkbuster's handguards I've found so far have a metallic colour frame. I like it more in black -> SW Motech
Do you know the compability with the new AT? The price of both handguards is the same.
Hood Toy Automotive design Automotive exterior Motor vehicle


In any case
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TheMKoi
JonasFilipe9 said:
Hi everyone. New to the forum! Just bought my first AT 2020 DCT, after riding my father's AT XRV 750 RT07. Most reliable bike ever (after this one).
I'm starting to check off-road acessories to be ready for some fun!

Between hard handguards and the original ones, what might be the difference on the handlebar, when the bike falls to the side? Which one will cause more impact/damage?

The Barkbuster's handguards I've found so far have a metallic colour frame. I like it more in black -> SW Motech
Do you know the compability with the new AT? The price between both is the same.
View attachment 66293

In any case
Click to expand...
Hello and Welcome,

The SW motech handguards are made by Barkbuster. Most people buy the Barkbuster because in most markets, they tend to be cheaper. Both have aluminum backbones and plastic covers.

I know Zeta makes a black handguard as well and they are close to the BB price point.

Post up a picture once you have yours fitted!!!

Thanks,
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DoubleThumper
JonasFilipe9 said:
Hi everyone. New to the forum! (I didn't find a trend in 1100L referring SW motech)
Just bought my first motorbike in June, the 1100L 2020 DCT, after riding my father's XRV 750 RD07 for 4 years. Most reliable bike ever!

I'm starting to check off-road acessories to be ready for some fun!

Between hard handguards and the original ones, what might be the difference on the handlebar, when the bike falls to the side? Which one will cause more impact/damage?

The Barkbuster's handguards I've found so far have a metallic colour frame. I like it more in black -> SW Motech
Do you know the compability with the new AT? The price of both handguards is the same.
View attachment 66293

In any case
Click to expand...
Congratulations and welcome to the Forum @JonasFilipe9!

Feel free to introduce yourself at the New Member Introductions area of the Forum.
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MacNobody
BarkBuster Storm
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J
MacNobody said:
BarkBuster Storm
Click to expand...
Nice suggestion! The frame is actually in black. But I don't like how it looks...
Land vehicle Vehicle Automotive lighting White Motor vehicle

(Barkbuster Storm)

Do you know if it the model in the photo below exists with a black frame?
Vehicle White Automotive tire Light Automotive lighting


I've found they're website. It seems the only model compatible with the AT 1100L is the BHG-082:

Bike Specific Hardware Kits – Barkbusters Handguards

Bike Specific Hardware Kits are custom designed for the perfect fit on many Street, Adventure, Dual Sport, Trail and Rally Bikes.
barkbusters.net barkbusters.net

Cheers!
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MacNobody
JonasFilipe9 said:
Nice suggestion! The frame is actually in black. But I don't like how it looks...
View attachment 66335
(Barkbuster Storm)

Do you know if it the model in the photo below exists with a black frame?
View attachment 66336

Cheers!
Click to expand...
I do not know. I got mine not long after I bought my AT and the aluminum frame is not coated at all, it is bare aluminum. The plastic for mine is plain black like the top picture.
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TheMKoi
JonasFilipe9 said:
Nice suggestion! The frame is actually in black. But I don't like how it looks...
View attachment 66335
(Barkbuster Storm)

Do you know if it the model in the photo below exists with a black frame?
View attachment 66336

I've found they're website. It seems the only model compatible with the AT 1100L is the BHG-082:

Bike Specific Hardware Kits – Barkbusters Handguards

Bike Specific Hardware Kits are custom designed for the perfect fit on many Street, Adventure, Dual Sport, Trail and Rally Bikes.
barkbusters.net barkbusters.net

Cheers!
Click to expand...
The bottom is VPS model plastics, Barkbusters only offers the frames in raw aluminum with the bends that fit the Africa Twin.

Try the Zeta Handguards, you can always buy the VPS plastics and mount them to the Zeta Frames.
- ZETA RACING -
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J
TheMKoi said:
The bottom is VPS model plastics, Barkbusters only offers the frames in raw aluminum with the bends that fit the Africa Twin.

Try the Zeta Handguards, you can always buy the VPS plastics and mount them to the Zeta Frames.
- ZETA RACING -
Click to expand...
It seems a very good idea, do you have this set? I'm wondering if they'll fit, concerning this screw hole:

Product Automotive tire Automotive lighting Font Bumper


Finally, I guess you have to buy the "Skid Plate" acessory apart... Will it fit the Zeta frame too?
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TheMKoi
JonasFilipe9 said:
It seems a very good idea, do you have this set? I'm wondering if they'll fit, concerning this screw hole:

View attachment 66349

Finally, I guess you have to buy the "Skid Plate" acessory apart... Will it fit the Zeta frame too?
Click to expand...
I personally have the Barkbusters with Moose plastics, at the time of purchase the VPS plastics were impossible to get a hold of.

Looks like you would be correct. I would recommend looking for the Zeta XC or Sucdo guards. Or buy the Barkbusters and paint them black, maybe even spray them with "Truck Bed Liner"

I am guessing that Barkbuster got away from painting them because the first time you drop the bike it would scuff up. However they do make black frames for other bikes, but they are road bikes, MT-07, MT-10, CB125E, SFV650... you get the idea.
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J
TheMKoi said:
I personally have the Barkbusters with Moose plastics, at the time of purchase the VPS plastics were impossible to get a hold of.

Looks like you would be correct. I would recommend looking for the Zeta XC or Sucdo guards. Or buy the Barkbusters and paint them black, maybe even spray them with "Truck Bed Liner"

I am guessing that Barkbuster got away from painting them because the first time you drop the bike it would scuff up. However they do make black frames for other bikes, but they are road bikes, MT-07, MT-10, CB125E, SFV650... you get the idea.
Click to expand...
I thought about painting them, ofc, it's the easier option, but I think it will be hard to look the same.

Indeed the black colour is more vunerable.
Finally, between the look of SW-Motech Handguards and Barkbuster's plastic's quality and wind protection, I think the choice is easy... ;)
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Sled
You can also buy vps plastics in Black/Black, somewhat hiding the logo
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GR8ESC
Anyone know if the Barkbusters or Zeta frames will accommodate Acerbis plastics? I have the 2018 ATAS DCT and like the Acerbis Argon and X-Factor plastics.
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Motoropes
Cuchulainn said:
The SW-Motech is a Barkbuster spine with a custom plastic. I believe that they charge more for it than either the VPS or Storm. I have a friend that has them on his Triumph Tiger because he prefered the look. But unless your in love the look of the platic, your probably better off with the Barkbusters. I seem to recall the SW-Motech plastics not being as flexible as well and cracking on impact.

The HDB product will interfere with the fairing at full turn (or drop) and could cause fairing damage.


Highway Dirtbikes makes an excellent product, but they aren't as well known as Barkbusters and I think maybe you had to make some modifications to get them to work on the AT. But I haven't looked in a couple of years and that may have been addressed by now.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
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Fuzzcat
TheMKoi said:
It was stamped and the side of it would eventually cut into the wires. You can see the cut and break on the side of the bracket and definitely feel it, even with my rough fingers. I also (not shown in this picture) re-routed the wire loom under the BarkBuster support bracket to allow for more room for the brake switch wires and connectors
Click to expand...
@TheMKoi ... how has it worked having rerouted lines under the throttle side BB clamp/connector bar? ... in retrospect do you think it was worth doing?
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TheMKoi
Fuzzcat said:
@TheMKoi ... how has it worked having rerouted lines under the throttle side BB clamp/connector bar? ... in retrospect do you think it was worth doing?
Click to expand...
Yeah, it was fine. I definitely think for the angle that I had installed my handguards it was required. I have them dropped a bit lower than parallel to the ground.
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Fuzzcat
@TheMKoi ... my install resulted in a tight fit but don't believe there is meaningful pinching or binding ... I guess I wish the backbone could be rotated ever-so-slightly higher, like only a degree or two, but I'm sure it's fine ... thanks for creating this thread -
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