New Owners - Stupid Questions Thread

[SansSand]

What is the best hand guards for 2012 f650 and a person who will most likely fall a lot...on rocks

[grndzr0]

Originally Posted by SansSand

What is the best hand guards for 2012 f650 and a person who will most likely fall a lot...on rocks

I have bounced my barkbusters off of hundreds of rocks, LOTS of hard drops.

My wife bent her Bars before she bent the barkbusters too bad.

I have had to take them off a couple times and straingeten them out with a big hammer.

I have talked to sombody who aledgedly broke a set of barkbusters, but I have beat the tar out of mine.


If I were to get another pair, I would get Highway Dirtbikes, aka HDB. They are built wayyy tougher than the barkbusters.



My .02

Ryan

[Loutre]

I'd buy the Barkbusters/Storms or the Kobras (from SWM) since they are reinforced and also give you some weatherprotection.

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by grndzr0

If I were to get another pair, I would get Highway Dirtbikes, aka HDB. They are built wayyy tougher than the barkbusters.

I had a look at these, they don't appear to be built super strong. Where do they get this extra strength from?

I used some Cycra ones on one of my other bikes and they seem to be built a lot stronger than the Barkbusters. I haven't binned it hard enough to test them yet. But I have destroyed a couple of sets of Barkbusters. Plus about 5 sets of handlebars, on my other bikes.

[grndzr0]

Originally Posted by Snowy

I had a look at these, they don't appear to be built super strong. Where do they get this extra strength from?

I used some Cycra ones on one of my other bikes and they seem to be built a lot stronger than the Barkbusters. I haven't binned it hard enough to test them yet. But I have destroyed a couple of sets of Barkbusters. Plus about 5 sets of handlebars, on my other bikes.

It looks like heavier material.... It seems I saw some pictures somewhere of a side by side of the HDB and the barkbusters, and the HDBs were heavier, However, I could be mistaken.

Ryan

[machinebuilder]

Originally Posted by Snowy

I had a look at these, they don't appear to be built super strong. Where do they get this extra strength from?

I used some Cycra ones on one of my other bikes and they seem to be built a lot stronger than the Barkbusters. I haven't binned it hard enough to test them yet. But I have destroyed a couple of sets of Barkbusters. Plus about 5 sets of handlebars, on my other bikes.

I think the extra strength comes from the way they bolt to the bar end and then the bar clamp. I've only seen 1 set on a bike and they are beautiful. I thought they're a bit pricier than I wanted to spend.

I have some cheaper ones with an aluminum bar that i made some bar ends so they'd work with the grips. I haven't tweaked the bars yet and the levers are well protected

[DoWorkSon]

Originally Posted by runnin4melife

I suggest using a piece of cut up tubing that you can put between your rim and tire when using irons unless you want to scuff up your rims. This method has worked much better than rim savers for me but it is user dependent I guess. Also talc up your tube. Some people say it doesn't matter but I have had issues in the past. If it is wet out just roll with it until you can do a proper fix.

What does the talc powder do?

[runnin4melife]

Originally Posted by DoWorkSon

What does the talc powder do?

Talc acts as a barrier between the tube/tire, aids in reduction of friction and reduced vulcanization of the rubber. A tire/tube combo generates a fair amount of friction when driving and this reduces the chances of a tube failure, and permits the removal of a tube without destroying it. Some people say it doesn't do anything but I have had tubes fixed to the tire when a shop didn't use talc on a tire change.

[JRWooden]

+100 on the talc!

Some of the inner tubes are slightly tacky out of the box or at best are not slippery....

The talc also helps make sure the inner tube can slide around inside the tire and get "settled" when mounting and inflating the tube ... I strongly recommend it!

[HighFive]

Originally Posted by Vettel

This is a damn good thread and I have read every page. Thank you all.

Glad you've found it helpful.

Once upon a time....not so very long ago, I just needed a few questions answered. Never imagined it would turn into this. I'm still taking notes!

Good stuff,

HF

[SansSand]

Thanks everyone cycra and barkbusters are what I was looking at...seems like my heated grips may cause issues. Will keep you all posted.

[SansSand]

Went with storm barkbusters but the SW engine guard

[Scubalong]

Why is my temperature gage blinking when it is below 39°F on my 800GS?
As memories serve in the manual it is warning for ICE condition? Correct me if I am wrong
Thanks in advance

ADV Rock

[proeasy]

Originally Posted by Scubalong

Why is my temperature gage blinking when it is below 39°F on my 800GS?
As memories serve in the manual it is warning for ICE condition? Correct me if I am wrong
Thanks in advance

ADV Rock

Don't have a GS but must be a German thing as my Audi and VW blink on the dash when temp hits 39 deg. Lurking here may pull the trigger on a F800GS.

Paul O

[toowheels]

Originally Posted by Scubalong

Why is my temperature gage blinking when it is below 39°F on my 800GS?
As memories serve in the manual it is warning for ICE condition? Correct me if I am wrong
Thanks in advance

ADV Rock

Yes you are correct that's exactly what it is saying...well actually it's cold and a possibility of ice. Mine flashes at 3*C though and hasn't stopped flashing for a few days now.

Turn the grips up and enjoy the ride!

Dave