I'm leaning towards HDB, if they ever reply to my e-mail. Can you get those w/o threading the ends? What exactly are you tapping and using the thread insert for? That's my #1 concern, changing the handlebars so that you couldn't go back to stock or use another manufacturer.
You are tapping into the ends of your bars and you can use any handlebar you want stock or aftermarket. I have the 2012 trophy edition with the BMW hand guards and they were already tapped...I just used the existing tap and fit it right up. As far as I know the tap and threaded insert will work for all aftermarket and stock handle bars. All decent hand guards use the end of your handlebars to mount in some way. HDB uses a tap and a threaded insert for more strength and stability. I have installed many other hand guard systems and none have been as easy to install or as easy to put back into place after a fall Also look at the top clamp options, many different ways to add accessories!
Oh gawd, I'm feeling like a moron. Didn't quite get what was being said as I was imaging the insert already there. When I saw "tap" I was thinking some need to create a new larger hole in the existing threaded hole (e.g. helicoil) Short week, sigh.
I had some Barkbusters and they were pretty nice, got the job done, they did bend a bit when the bike was dropped over..........but the Highway Dirtbike guards are much.... much nicer! Much more stout, fit well with the top clamp that it comes with, look great and the little flip out mirrors are perfect (for me at least, they can shake a bit at speed). Even when the bike goes down with the mirrors out they just flip in, rather than getting smashed and breaking. I think they are worth the extra cash.
Since my off roading consists of a gravel drive at the most I grabbed a cheap set of Raider handguards and cobbled them onto my gs. They wouldn't stand up to much as far as off road with plastic mounts and all but for 24.00 you cant expect to much :) they do keep the wind off my hands a bit and will kill the occasional stone kicked up by a car from hitting my hands.
I have the standard BM handguards, but even with the the little extension on them my fingers go numb in winter. These little jiggers from Moose racing are great. I was put onto them by Gadget 678 from the DRZ400 thread over here. The guards are easily fitted and removed, are flexible, cheap and look much better than the 5 litre oil containers I had fitted for the the last couple of winters!
The only problem I had with them was that the print on the LHS one was upside down! I did contact Penrite for a mirror image container, but have had no response so far!
That is amazing great farkling! If one day I want to make a bashplate out of a shoebox I'll give you a call!
Paul at Highway Dirt Bikes has been extremely responsive and customer oriented! It does look like the bar ends changed on the 2013 models (F800GS at least, and probably the F700GS also), and he was able to cut new bar ends which fit perfectly, along with the hand guards (a new pair) that has a shallower counter sunk screw for the bar ends. I have both, the prior model and newer updated version, and will try to get some pictures up in a day or so so folks can see the difference. So you won't be able to use prior versions of various hand guards because of the handlebar end (re)design. Some pictures... First up are the differences for the new 2013 model. The new setup is on the left, the prior revision is on the right. Notice the countersinking difference, along with the difference in bar ends. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101755650/" title="DSC_0254 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8101755650_e3afc69198_c.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="DSC_0254"></a> Bar end for the new 2013, so if you're shopping for hand guards, keep this in mind <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101749320/" title="DSC_0250 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8101749320_532203ef3a_c.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="DSC_0250"></a> When the bar ends do mount up, they leave a nice flush face for the handguards themselves <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101739817/" title="DSC_0252 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8101739817_12935494df_c.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="DSC_0252"></a> Of course some folks are concerned about smacking the windscreen with them installed, at full lock this is what you have, tighter clearance on the right, but no touching <table><tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101762675/" title="DSC_0269 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8465/8101762675_4ea91f36a9.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="DSC_0269"></a></td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101772172/" title="DSC_0267 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8101772172_4a025e9ce8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0267"></a></td></tr></table> All in all, pretty solid piece of engineering. Well worth it! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101740962/" title="DSC_0245 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8101740962_9806d3926e_c.jpg" width="532" height="800" alt="DSC_0245"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84763434@N07/8101762320/" title="DSC_0259 by pmrowczynski, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8465/8101762320_539d947453_c.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="DSC_0259"></a>
I have the Barkbuster VPS guys on mine now and they seem to work pretty well. Standard fare though - nothing exceptional but work as designed and intended. They did fit up easy and they do have a strong aluminum backbone (compared to the all-plastic contruction of TT guards...) I also have HDB handguards with flipout mirrors on my FE570S and they are fuggin awesome too. I would get either again without hesitation.
I understand why everyone likes the strength and resilience of the HDB guards, but they don't look as if they offer nearly as much side or top protection from wind as the Barkbuster Storms. Any word or review on that from anyone? And am I understanding correctly that the HDBs can be fitted to the stock bar-ends even on the 2013s?
