After everyone's opinion on which handguards for my Xt660Z Had a look at Barkbusters and Touratech ones, but at over �100 I want to get the best ones

I've had both Yamaha guards and Barkbusters on the XTZ. Yamaha ones are strong, physically protect hands/levers well and fit nicely (as you'd expect), but the deflectors are pants for keeping off the elements. Barkbusters IMO are better overall, but mainly because of the wind protection - choice of VPS or Storm (bigger) plastics. You do have to watch the fitment of BB handguards as they can hit the screen/clocks depending on riser/bar configuration; I had to countersink the the forward facing bolts to get them to work lock to lock with the bars set how I like them.

Had TT guards on my previous bike and they are all plastic (no metal backbone), so not as strong, but offer decent wind protection.

Acerbis are another decent alternative - see here

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Acerbis multiplo

http://www.riderz.co.uk/handguards/a...andguards.html

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

I bought some Polisport one for my old Tenere about �25 and are known as KTM ones, excellant value and would buy them again ahead of Touratech ones. I was just lucky the new Ten I bought were fitted with them already, but like F would I pay over �100 for them !!!

I had acerbis handguards but took them off. They felt really cheap and were a ***** to fit. Then again I'm not the most practical person so you may have better luck. You may want to look for some that incorporates bar end weights in some form as the vibes were pretty noticeable without

Just what he said ^^^

The OE ones are excellent (as long as you don't use them as a handle for picking up your bike, they aren't very good for that) for lever protection. The deflectors are good for keeping stones etc away but as Pleiades says, not so good with rain/ice/snow/wind.

Barkbusters are good, and I like the adjustable-ness of the deflectors. You can have them large or small, or none at all.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

I have the OE ones on mine. As others have said, nice and strong, but useless at keeping the weather off. I don't really want the expense of buying a new set, but does anyone know of any extensions that will fit? I had Touratech extensions on the OE/BMW guards on my GS, and they were excellent. Nothing for Yamaha?

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XT660R (2006)
XT600E (1994)
Triumph Trident 750 (1992)
My blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

I had there on my 660R....Genuine Yamaha Accessory.




Part No-5VK-W0748-30-00.....�14.99

Thanks for the reply and pic. In fact I already have those fitted (sorry, should have made that clear) and the weather protection is still poor (I'm comparing them to the simple plastic shields on my 600E which do a far better job of keeping the wind and rain off, although they obviously are no use in a fall). I was wondering if something with better coverage was available. The OE extensions seem to cover the outer edge of the grip, but the is nothing stopping the wind and rain hitting most of the hand. I took them off for a week or so, and it made no difference whatsoever to how cold and wet my hands got. The TT extensions on the GS looked ugly, like a mini version of 5 litre oil containers, but I had pretty much dry hands whatever the weather.

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XT660R (2006)
XT600E (1994)
Triumph Trident 750 (1992)
My blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/