Hello All,

Just started thinking of proper (good weather protection) handguards (currently got standard Yamaha).

Looked around and must say that pair of Barkbusters look the business!!

Question for you: does the standard kit BHG19,2-NP - (see link) fit OK? (or any mods required?) It looks like it goes with its own weights or do I use standard weights??

Also, is the standard plastic (BHG3-WD) big enough to protect from rain etc or should I go for bigger 'Storm' version (S3)?

http://www.barkbusters.net/products/124.html

Alternativelly - if you have any other product to recommend please do so (as said above looking for good weather protection and also for decent aluminium/impact protection)

Many thanks,
Chris

Good question. I was going to get some for chrimbo but they weren't in stock so still thinking about them and wondering which covers to get for best weather protection. So like you I eagerly await the responses.

Thanks

I got a set on the xtz and am really please with them. There the big ones that you can adjust for more or less protection.
They were about �90 but are miles better than the yammy ones for weather protection and strength.
Only issue reported with them is an increase in vibration through the bars.
I've never noticed but you can get bar weights for them now I think.

Also watching with interest. Mine has the standard Yamaha items, and although I can see they would work well at protecting the levers, they don't seem to keep any wind/rain off my hands, and I find them a bit cramped. My little fingers keep fouling the frames. The simple plastic items on my old 600E are far better at weather protection, although probably b****r-all use for anything else.

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

I changed from the Yamaha handguards in the autumn to Barkbusters, not because the Yamaha ones weren't any good as physical protection (they were fine), but for better weather protection. I opted for the standard BB plastics which work much better than the Yamaha jobbies, but for a few quid more I wish I'd gone for the Storm plastics for total protection from the elements. The plastics are really easy to change though.

Regarding the weights, the dedicated backbone kit for the Z now includes bar end weights (that go between bar and guard) and fits without mods. They are about half the mass of the OE weights though and vibrated a little more, so I also fitted the optional BB outer weights, which brings the total mass up to the same as OE. No more vibes.

Tenere backbone kit

Storm hand shields

External additional weights

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I hope this is some help. I was communicating with the operations manager at Rideworx/Barkbuster last week about fitting Barkbusters either to my existing XTR bars, or to replacement Renthals. This is his response:

"The BHG15-01 will bolt straight onto a Renthal 7/8th bar. So no problems if you choose to go with this.

However, since this is the same kit that will fit the standard bars why not try to fit this way first.
You shouldn�t need to remove the inserts from the Yamaha bars because you can use the existing threaded insert as a mounting point for your Barkbusters bar end bolts.
I believe the thread is 6mm so you could have it drilled and tapped to 8mm or else you could find longer 6mm bolts.

Since you were thinking about leaving the original bar ends in place maybe your best way forward would be try the BHG15-01 fitted to your standard bars and bar ends but with longer 6mm bolts. (you will need something about 10mm longer than the Yamaha bolt and with counter sunk head).
This means leaving a few of the Barkbusters collets and expanders unused. This should be fine since the guards will be secured to a welded insert which provides plenty of strength.

First you need to test this set up for correct positioning (as mentioned in previous email) which I think will be fine.

In the worst case scenario, if the guards can�t be fitted to your original bars, you could then still buy the Renthal 7/8� bars which will work perfectly with the BHG15-01 hardware."

Hi guys I would be happy with a second hand pair of Yam guards for my XTZ if you wish to sell?

Andrew

Mine are available if you want them?

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Just a word of warning - If you are fitting hand guards to an ABS version you will need risers ! Also with the barkbuster kit for the Z.

Some of the others big brands either state that the their guards won't fit a xt660z ABS or that you need risers to clear the tank. That is definitely true.

I've gone with the specific kit from adventure specs with storm plastics and external bar weights. So far very happy with it but should have fitted the 30mm risers before scratching the tank.
Tenere Barkbusters

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2011 Yamaha XT660Z ABS T�n�r�.

• Puig +8cm dark screen, Garmin Zumo 220, Scottoiler eSystem v2
• Barkbusters Storm with external weights, Noname 30mm bar risers & EzMoto alu. levers
• Kev's O2 Controller, Mccoi stepless controller with Hein Gericke heated grips
• TT +4cm seat, Pivot Pegs, Altech stainless sprocket cover

Even with the 30mm risers i managed to make some marks in the tank before i got them at the right angles.

I would not recommend going with less than 30mm - but again it depens a lot the angle of you handlebar and the barkbusters. With the handlebar further back you might have enough clearance .... You might be able to get them to clear but i would not bet on it

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2011 Yamaha XT660Z ABS T�n�r�.

• Puig +8cm dark screen, Garmin Zumo 220, Scottoiler eSystem v2
• Barkbusters Storm with external weights, Noname 30mm bar risers & EzMoto alu. levers
• Kev's O2 Controller, Mccoi stepless controller with Hein Gericke heated grips
• TT +4cm seat, Pivot Pegs, Altech stainless sprocket cover