Metalmule bashplate is rubbish also cracked in alot off places from vibration .
Design of it leaves alot of week areas .
Metal mule engine bars are not much better give very little protection and run to close to front so after a tiny fall they broke mudguard on full suspension compression .

Was going to replace with adventure spec but this report has changed my ideas .

I have a Hepco and Becker on mine and it's taken quite a beating without any issues so far.


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I have a B&B plate with Yamaha Tenere engine bars...
not had a issue with them...

And they do work......
http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_1025.jpg



...

These failures are reminiscent of the Yamaha OEM Engine Bar failures (the ones they withdrew a few years ago). The problem is strength, there is no flex and so the vibrations destroy them.

I have a OTR bash plate, it's taken some serious hammering over the years it's been on (sine 2009). It used to have a flat bottom, now it looks like it's been shot at several times, it's in a sorry state (abuse, not failure), but the mounting s, fixings and overall functionality are as good as the day it arrived (it's the same bash plate that Jenny Morgan run on her Hero's Legends bike).

I know OTR can be a little, erm, challenging with delivery times (in the same way Touratech are) but I've had nothing but good service from them, so I can't really complain.

Okay, little update!

I welded the plate back together and refitted it, and then shot an email off to Adventure spec. I must say I'm brilliantly impressed with their customer service! I had a reply first thing on Monday morning (I sent the email Friday night), sent them some photos and they offered to replace the bash plate under warranty as it looks like a manufacturing defect!

Absolutely zero hassle and very friendly team by email. Couldn't be more impressed or happier! I mean, what more can you ask?!

That's good customer service. ....and as it's the bash plate I'd decided on until I heard about the problems I'll give it a go. Ideally I'd like to make a 'hinged ' one as fitted to some of the earlier Dakar bikes....it swung back and doubled as a centre stand! Steve

..came across this old thread and thought I'd add to it. My Adventure Spec plate (Tenere) failed completely at the right rear mounting lug, without suffering an impact. I heard a buzzing around the brake pedal area whilst on the move.

I could see the lug on the steel wrap-around cradle had cracked all the way through. For those that own one, you'll know what a PITA it is to get on and off but once off, out came the grinder then clamps and welder. All sorted, nice and strong, but �230????. I wouldn't buy one again based on its failure and the lack of ease of removal.

Plus, I believe, you can't add crash frames that go up around the sides of the tank because of the way AS uses the front mounts, but this may apply to other sump protection systems too.