[Motorman2061]

Whatever you wish to call them; engine protection bars, head protection/covers, "crash" bars, etc., what are you looking for in this type of
RT add on??
IMHO many of the bar systems are a tad ugly. I feel that they detract from the look and styling of the bike. Although that could be said for a number of different brands of motorcycles. Having ridden HDs for many years, the engine guard bars can come in handy, especially in very slow tight maneuvers. None of us plan on dropping our motors, but unfortunately it does happen.

Here are the contenders:
1. BMW OEM Protection "Covers": A combination of plastic and light metal.
2. Ztechnik: Stainless Steel Engine Bars that are not as large and bulky looking as the next two contenders. (not yet available as of 032115)
3. Wunderlich Engine Protection Bars: Painted or chrome steel full size bars.
4. Ilium Works Engine Protection Bars: Full size steel bars.
5. Machineartmoto Head Protection: Specialized plastic cover designed to protect the valve cover.

Some bars need to be removed or loosened for maintenance others claim they do not have to be removed. Refer to their websites for their claims.

Although the new RT feels as though the center of gravity (CG) is much lower than earlier version RTs (in comparison to my 2002 RTP there is no comparison-the new RT is easier to balance).

One advantage of the "bar" style protection is that other accessories can be added to the bars such as, highway pegs, floorboards, or aftermarket lighting.

If anyone knows of any other contenders please add them to this thread.

Your opinions and comments on what has worked for you is welcome.
Thanks to an additional thread for information used for this one.

 

[WimStang]

Anyone of those listed will work but my suggestion is to not drop the bike.

 

[jeffdean]

http://bmwdean.com/2014-bar.jpg

 

[Budman2014]

I have the Machineartmoto. They are very well made and were easy to install. Hopefully I wont test them anytime soon but I have dropped an RT with the BMW plastic guards and they worked well in the tip over. These are nicer and more substantial.

Best of luck to you what ever you choose.

 

[bmwmountainrider]

Touratech has or will very soon have engine bars for the RT WC.

 

[RTnger]

Ztechnik is my choice. Simple.

 

[jjakusz]

I have the Wunderlich engine guards and you will have to loosen the left side for maintenance. If you are planning on getting some sort of highway peg there are not any good/clean solutions that looks nice. If I had to do it over I would have bought the Illiumworks engine guards because their highway pegs are the best. If you are not interested in highway pegs, your options open up...

 

[bdfbeemer]

I put Ilium pegs on my Wunderlich bars.

 

[bmwmountainrider]

I put Ilium pegs on my Wunderlich bars.

With both Ilium and Wunderlich, the only available mounting location is high and way forward, especially for us with short legs. Do you have any trouble using them?

 

[jjakusz]

I put Ilium pegs on my Wunderlich bars.

I actually tried that, but to mount them on the flat part of the bar it was too close to the seat for me and it felt cramped for my knees and hips. It may work for others though.

 

[bdfbeemer]

The perfect length for me was on the horizontal bar near the back of the valve cover. About 2/3s back. The bar is round there. I have a 30" inseam.

 

[bmwmountainrider]

The perfect length for me was on the horizontal bar near the back of the valve cover. About 2/3s back. The bar is round there. I have a 30" inseam.

Thanks for the report. How much space is there between the peg mounts and the valve covers when mounted at the rear? The Wunderlich bars are not very strong due to the tubes being flattened in certain areas. I wonder if the bars would bend during a drop, pushing the foot peg mounts into the valve cover?

 

[bdfbeemer]

They are close to the valve covers. I dropped the bike on a slippery street in Leadville, CO in October and they held up well. long drop and fully loaded with luggage. They seem well braced.

 

[jjakusz]

Thanks for the report. How much space is there between the peg mounts and the valve covers when mounted at the rear? The Wunderlich bars are not very strong due to the tubes being flattened in certain areas. I wonder if the bars would bend during a drop, pushing the foot peg mounts into the valve cover?

Wunderlich has a procedure to only have to loosen the left engine guard to do valve maintenance as opposed to complete removal. With highway pegs located in the horizontal bar, I suspect you will have to do a complete removal of the engine guard to get the proper clearance to remove the valve cover.

 

[bdfbeemer]

12000 next week. I had planned to remove the bars. I have it several times, doesn't take too long. I may remove the pegs and loosen the bar. Depends on the weather and my mood.

 

[mrbongo]

I have the chrome Wunderlich engine and fairing protection, very happy with them:

 

[bandytales]

I have the chrome Wunderlich engine and fairing protection, very happy with them:

Do you have a picture of those fairing protectors from other angles?

 

[mrbongo]

You'll see a bunch of other photos of the bike on the topic Farkles: Clearwater Kristas/Darlas, Crash Bars, GTL TopBox + more

 

[Spazpilot]

The perfect length for me was on the horizontal bar near the back of the valve cover. About 2/3s back. The bar is round there. I have a 30" inseam.

bdfbeemer, I'd love to see a Pic of that. I have the Wunderlich Bars and my Ilium "Versatile Highway Pegs" arrived recently and are awaiting installation after vacation.

 

[bdfbeemer]

bdfbeemer, I'd love to see a Pic of that. I have the Wunderlich Bars and my Ilium "Versatile Highway Pegs" arrived recently and are awaiting installation after vacation.

I don't have a way post pics on this site. I wish they made it easier.