Just thought I'd treat the bike to a jet wash to remove what looked like cow pats from half of Devon and Cornwall's cattle and Dartmoor ponies (I know, ponies don't produce cow pats before anyone asks!) which was nicely collected on last weeks excursion down there.
I was suprised to see what punishment the radiator receives - after washing off the crud and dead flies, I noticed how badly damaged the fins were, I guess it was bound to happen due to its position in respect to the front wheel.
Fearing the worst that at some point the radiator is bound to get holed, I noticed that some of you have fitted radiator guards and fender extenders.
Have you found this to be an effective way to combat the radiator problem, or do the fins still get a battering?
I would have thought Kawasaki would have given the rad a bit more protection from new. :angry:
Beowulf Rad Guard is most of our choices
I have a Beowolf rad guard to protect the rad. Easy to fit and blends in well. Guess the makers have to balance the prospect of damage with air flow efficiency. Put too much in front then the rad cant do it's job.
Have had mine at 32 degrees through Paris peripherique with no from restricted airflow due to Rad guard.
For me the Extenda fender is enough, i have fitted one to all three GTRs i have had, and they do a good job of keeping the crud of the radiator and pipes, although the solid sides of the radiator do get a covering of grime, i just clean them with a toothbrush and alloy wheel cleaner brings them up a treat.
Fender extender for me as well. Worked a treat so far, and mine on 44k plus miles
Or see this thread for a cheaper solution: http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,1266.0.html
Ok thanks I'll have a look into both ideas and see whats going on ebay and the like too.
Seems like the extender saves most of the crud getting in first of all, and the guard finishes off the protection.
The home made guard also looks tidy I think. Some projects to be done me thinks! :grin:
Just a thought - which fender extender did each of you go for and how does it look on the bike?
i looked at quite a few and went for the powerbronze one, as it is a bit longer than the others and a better overall shape , approx £20-£25
http://www.powerbronze.co.uk/product_makemodel.aspx?OBJ_ID=1564303&freetext=KAWASAKI GTR1400
Whichever you get, don't forget to screw the bugger in
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on March 04, 2012, 09:10:42 PM
Whichever you get, don't forget to screw the bugger in
Thus spoke the voice of experience!! :biker3:
Yeh looks good that, bloody typical though, out of stock!
Beowulf rad guard for me... good product and cheaper than a replacement rad
Beowulf rad guard for me too, plus a fenda extender, (screwed on). Otherwise they can fall off cant they Asif? :mfr_lol:
The way the radiator seems to collect everything I'm suprised Asif didn't find it in there :whistling:
Quote from: shaggs147 on March 05, 2012, 07:47:50 PM
The way the radiator seems to collect everything I'm suprised Asif didn't find it in there :whistling:
Unfortunately I found it as I ran over it!! :mfr_lol:
:mfr_lol:
That'll teach me to take shortcuts when putting it on.
Quote from: shaggs147 on March 04, 2012, 08:21:54 PM
Just a thought - which fender extender did each of you go for and how does it look on the bike?
found this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-POWERBRONZE-MUDGUARD-EXTENDER-FENDA-EXTENDA-KAWASAKI-GTR1400-GTR-1400-ALL-/190647410074?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2c63789d9a
Hi Viper, thanks for the link mate, although I've just ordered one on ebay just before clicking back to the site - just my luck!
After searching for one via loads of sites and links, I ended up giving up and went to ebay and got the Busters one - not sure what the quality will be like for 17 quid though - its probably made from an old vending machine coffee cup.
I didn't think of seaching ebay using the good old fashioned word "mudguard". Think I've been brainwashed into thinking it was only called a fender extender. :no:
Well the fender extender was fitted today and doesn't look out of place at all, so am very pleased.
It was only £17 from Busters on ebay, and made by a company called Red Fox. It came with a drill bit, Plastic rivets and fitting instructions too.
I took on board the problem Asif had with his, but still didn't have the heart to drill into my mudguard :sweatdrop:. I fitted the fender extender with some industrial silicone sealer, which is more than strong enough (I hope! time will tell) to secure it to the mudguard.
I did notice that there were two holes pre moulded / drilled into the back of the mudguard which I assume is for a Kawasaki fender extender. Does anyone know if such an item exists?
my fender extender is just siliconed on, 2 years ago. I did take off the front fender and key the inside for better grip and clamped tight over night.
Hmm, thats something for me to bear in mind, I didnt know you could silicone the buggers on.
I bought my radiator guard from Taiwan, exepnsive but good quality metal grade, be careful with a front fender extension as there have been some reports that bikes gets much hotter in hot weather due to air flow intake restriction, but it may not be an issue in the UK!
Quote from: frenchbiker on March 22, 2012, 08:04:07 PM
I bought my radiator guard from Taiwan, exepnsive but good quality metal grade, be careful with a front fender extension as there have been some reports that bikes gets much hotter in hot weather due to air flow intake restriction, but it may not be an issue in the UK!
There's not much cjance of any overheating problems in U.K :whistling:
Just don't ride when there is a heatwave! :mfr_lol:
Quote from: frenchbiker on March 22, 2012, 08:34:41 PM
Just don't ride when there is a heatwave! :mfr_lol:
pray tell.......what's a heatwave :huh: