hand guards

[toastmaster]

Has anyone installed hand guards on his/her bike yet? Hand guards are those dorky looking plastic wind deflectors in front of your grips, to help with wind during those cold days. I found Storm ones, but they're $100, and I'm hoping that there are others that are cheaper and more stylish...

[Roaddawg]

I was wondering the same thing. Saw a bike the other day with ones and was wondering if they work well and would look ok. I didn't realize they were $100! Let me know what you find out.

[llervero]

I have seen the Ducati multistrada with them and other ducati models have them with the turn signals integrated. I have been thinking about it for some time now for the same reason, cold weather protection.

[llervero]

Originally Posted by llervero

I have seen the Ducati multistrada with them and other ducati models have them with the turn signals integrated. I have been thinking about it for some time now for the same reason, cold weather protection.

[dart1963]

Hi-Performance Engineering Handguards

check these out, won't break the bank if you don't like them.

[Roaddawg]

Ok, so here are my Raider hand guards mounted on my bike. They work great at blocking the wind on my hands. They look o.k., but I do feel like I'm riding Batman's motorcycle (the view from the rider's seat). They also are stable and make no wind noise. I don't plan on leaving them on once the weather is nice, but since the cold/wet is here and coming, they'll stay on until spring. They were easy to install, I just had to slide the clutch and brake levers over some to make room for the brackets. The brackets are a hard plastic composite. The bad thing about them was the threads weren't very clean or easy to work with. I had to use my own screws on part of them. Also, the quality is not as good as name brand ones, but for what I'm using them for and for the price, I'm not too worried about it. I do wish they were a little more shiny to match better with the bike, but its not that big of a deal. Also, I had to put my handlebar risers back in the stock setting to make a little more room when at full lock on the steering. At full locks, the guards hit the wind screen a little, but not enough to affect the steering. How this helps anyone that's been on the fence about hand guards. I'll update again after I get some time with them in the cold.

[J.J.]

Powermadd sells some nice ones.
They have removable vents & you can add a wrap around feature for more wind protection.
They have solid color trail model with no vents too less money.

[Roaddawg]

Originally Posted by J.J.

Powermadd sells some nice ones.
They have removable vents & you can add a wrap around feature for more wind protection.
They have solid color trail model with no vents too less money.

I looked at those and liked the removable vents. The ones I got are basically knock-offs of Powermadd's for half the cost.

Also, after riding with these for a few long freeway rides, I do notice some additional turbulence created by the hand guards at freeway speeds above 70+. (I also have the Yamaha clear DB). It's not bad turbulence, but noticeable. But, it is nice having the cool wind not blowing on my fingers anymore. Should be well worth it this winter.

[Marthy]

Originally Posted by Roaddawg

I looked at those and liked the removable vents. The ones I got are basically knock-offs of Powermadd's for half the cost.

Also, after riding with these for a few long freeway rides, I do notice some additional turbulence created by the hand guards at freeway speeds above 70+. (I also have the Yamaha clear DB). It's not bad turbulence, but noticeable. But, it is nice having the cool wind not blowing on my fingers anymore. Should be well worth it this winter.

I'm surprise to hear about the extra turbulence... not something that I notice with mine on my windscreen. I cruise 80-95 mph 400 miles when I went to Daytona and it was great.

[Roaddawg]

Originally Posted by Marthy

I'm surprise to hear about the extra turbulence... not something that I notice with mine on my windscreen. I cruise 80-95 mph 400 miles when I went to Daytona and it was great.

Probably because your windshield in one soild piece. The turbulance was between the wind coming off the sides of the windscreen and the inside of the hand guards. Like I said, it's not bad, but noticeable.

Rode into work this morning and it was 43 degrees when I left the house. Not supper cold, but cold enough I could test out the wind chill factor. My fingers did stay warmer than normal with the wind blocked. I tried to wear my summer wieght gloves, but had to pull over because it was still too cold outside for those. But, the wind was blocked and it helped.