Touratech Engine Guards Feedback

terrysig

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I've trashed SW Motech, Altrider (twice) and Givi in deer hits and one simple tipover.

I think they are all good for one hit sacrificing to save the bike engine and body.

Given that I'll be using TT for bags and topcase and other bits I'm considering TT bars but the point where it attaches to the Y frame bothers me.

Does that get into the way of knees? I'm 6'2 with 34 inseam and i like to grip the tank with my knees.

Thanks
 

AlsoRan

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The TT bars do not get in the way. I had the same concern from seeing the pictures on their site but it's really no problem. I put them on when the bike was new and have not had any issues with them even through three big hits / drops. Also it's easy to remove the side panels for maintenance. I kept the original frame sliders on just as an extra layer of protection.
 

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terrysig

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Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. Have you considered replacing the cap bolt that attaches at the Y frame with some that doesnt stick out as much?

I also note that the black bags look good. I've been thinking of switching from silver to black.
 

AlsoRan

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I never really thought about something different besides the cap bolts that were supplied with the package. They stick out 3/8" from the washer, but to replace them may be doable if can apply enough torque tighten the bolt. What may look good is a torx type which would have a lower profile.
 

EricV

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What you're looking for is called a Button Head cap screw. Commonly available at better hardware stores or special order at Fastenal.

If you've trashed two sets of AltRider, have you considered the Rumbux system approach? It's not as minimalist as TT. I do think the TT bars look good, I just couldn't get a warm fuzzy over their protection ability when I got my '12 back in '11, so went with Rumbux for the combined system and frame mounted bars with a skid plate built in, not mounted to the sump or engine.
 

2daMax

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I hv a TT bars n had a tip over on the right. There is a collapse of the front side bars, the one that is mounted to the front of the bike and connects the left n right side bars. The clearance gap between the bars and battery cover panel has been reduced as a result making the removal of the battery panel to be impossible. I hv to remove the bars to access the battery.

However i did fix it. I noticed that the front bars right arm were deformed downwards slightly. The main bars were not deformed at all or not that i noticed. I use a piece of wood about 1 foot plus and my car jack. Position the wood beam at the joint between the front n main bars n jacked it up. The weight of the bike gets it back into almost the original position. I added 3 washers between the front n main bars to give me a larger clearance for battery cover removal.

What really stops the bars from further collapsing during the tip over was the original plastic guard. The main weakness of the TT bars are the front bars.

Bike has zero damage. Handle bars doesnt touch the road. Mirror slightly.
 

terrysig

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2damax, I have heard your issue before in fact it might have been you. A similar thing happened with my SW Motech bars where they save the plastic but the bars definitely bent and also bent the mounting tabs. I did similar fix to yours - brut force.

EricV, I did entertain the Rumbux for my 2012 and if I remember correctly it was about the time you were doing the same. I don't thrash the bike and ride dirt roads and rideable trails. But I could not predict hitting three deer. In fact I want non-obtrusive bars that help me survive the slow speed fully camping loaded tip overs that could crunch the fan. All of my bars survived those kinds of hits with minimum damage if any. None of the bars were useable after the deer hits (and neither were the bikes for that matter).

I'd get Altrider bars again with no problem. I like their crossover design.

Thinking TT bars because they are even more non-obtrusive and have a crossover design...although it sounds like the weak point of their design based on 2damax feedback.

Keeping my mind open and enjoying the feedback.
 
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