Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: Billabong on March 04, 2015, 10:31:52 PM

Title: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 04, 2015, 10:31:52 PM
As an impending GTR owner can I ask those of you that own (or have owned) one whether you fitted engine bars or bungs? Would you recommend the ones you chose or would you get something else next time? R&G do both but I know there are other makes out there...

I've already seen the damage that can be done by a drop  :whistling:
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: virginiajim on March 04, 2015, 10:40:18 PM
I've got a set of engine bars on a shelf in the garage.
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 04, 2015, 10:44:48 PM
Quote from: virginiajim on March 04, 2015, 10:40:18 PM
I've got a set of engine bars on a shelf in the garage.

Perhaps I've missed something but I didn't think they were designed to work that way...  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Debs on March 04, 2015, 11:02:08 PM
Quote from: Billabong on March 04, 2015, 10:44:48 PM
Perhaps I've missed something but I didn't think they were designed to work that way...  :mfr_lol:

:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: virginiajim on March 05, 2015, 12:33:10 AM
Quote from: Billabong on March 04, 2015, 10:44:48 PM
Perhaps I've missed something but I didn't think they were designed to work that way...  :mfr_lol:

Quite possibly, but in the nearly 2 years I've had them on the shelf, the bike has not fallen on either side so they've done quite well for me.  I've had no near misses with any elephants either so they help with as well.
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Zebedee on March 05, 2015, 07:37:34 PM
Well that's tempting fate that is lol
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: viper on March 05, 2015, 09:08:28 PM
well we all have different opinions on these , I prefer the RG bars on the front and the canyon cage on the back, although they were made by a member on here. Depends if you want looks over function , the look of bungs is less obtrusive but not as protective
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 07:03:09 AM
Quote from: viper on March 05, 2015, 09:08:28 PM
...Depends if you want looks over function , the look of bungs is less obtrusive but not as protective

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. For me bungs look better unless you're on an adventure bike. With some bikes bungs look to give as much protection in a drop as bars but that doesn't appear to be the case with the behemoth GTR!

I do like the look of the bars Débs has on her bike - good protection but out of the way of feet.
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: viper on March 06, 2015, 09:21:59 AM
Quote from: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 07:03:09 AM
I think you've hit the nail on the head there. For me bungs look better unless you're on an adventure bike. With some bikes bungs look to give as much protection in a drop as bars but that doesn't appear to be the case with the behemoth GTR!

I do like the look of the bars Débs has on her bike - good protection but out of the way of feet.

the RG adventure bars don't interfere with my feet and im 6ft tall. The shape of the bars is very close to the cotour of the fairing and are a very close fit , id try and get a look at them in the flesh. they are much better than I thought they would be . ive designed a quick release mechanism for the rear bars should I ever go without panniers or for storage near a garage wall ect
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 09:47:34 AM
Quote from: viper on March 06, 2015, 09:21:59 AM
the RG adventure bars don't interfere with my feet and im 6ft tall. The shape of the bars is very close to the cotour of the fairing and are a very close fit , id try and get a look at them in the flesh. they are much better than I thought they would be . ive designed a quick release mechanism for the rear bars should I ever go without panniers or for storage near a garage wall ect

Ah that's good to hear, thank you.

I like the look of these too:

http://ac-caravans.co.uk/ac-lrp.html

The rears are apparently easily removable which is good as a lot of the time I'll be riding with the panniers off.
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Winston Smith on March 06, 2015, 10:50:53 AM
Why would you remove them with the panniers off?  That would be the most relevant time for them to be fitted as the panniers would offer an amount of protection to rest of the bike in a drop.

(and don't tell Wolfie you intend to ride without panniers.....)
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: viper on March 06, 2015, 12:23:13 PM
Quote from: Winston Smith on March 06, 2015, 10:50:53 AM
Why would you remove them with the panniers off?  That would be the most relevant time for them to be fitted as the panniers would offer an amount of protection to rest of the bike in a drop.

(and don't tell Wolfie you intend to ride without panniers.....)

the only time I take the panniers off is when it goes into the dealer or goes for MOT, don't trust those guys not to scrape the panniers. when the bike is parked , it tucked up to a garage wall without panniers and the rear bars would just get in the way of other things im doing in there, hence the quick release rear bars
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: viper on March 06, 2015, 12:26:43 PM
Quote from: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 09:47:34 AM
Ah that's good to hear, thank you.

I like the look of these too:

http://ac-caravans.co.uk/ac-lrp.html

The rears are apparently easily removable which is good as a lot of the time I'll be riding with the panniers off.

those bars are made by Ant , a member on here, pm him as he may give you a deal. A few on here have them and are happy
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 02:05:16 PM
Quote from: Winston Smith on March 06, 2015, 10:50:53 AM
Why would you remove them with the panniers off?  That would be the most relevant time for them to be fitted as the panniers would offer an amount of protection to rest of the bike in a drop.

Because I prefer the look of a bike without panniers unless I need them, but I think it'd look silly with no panniers and the rear bars sticking out so far... I take your point about losing some protection then though. Those bars can also come as a kit with crash bungs too for extra protection.

Has anyone got them fitted? It looks like the rears are just attached via the two bolts that hold the rear footpeg hanger - just wondered how much of an impact they'd withstand before bending/shearing...
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: pross on March 06, 2015, 05:34:54 PM
Quote from: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 02:05:16 PM
Because I prefer the look of a bike without panniers unless I need them, but I think it'd look silly with no panniers and the rear bars sticking out so far... I take your point about losing some protection then though. Those bars can also come as a kit with crash bungs too for extra protection.

Has anyone got them fitted? It looks like the rears are just attached via the two bolts that hold the rear footpeg hanger - just wondered how much of an impact they'd withstand before bending/shearing...

Ant the member who makes them has a video somewhere on here or search on utube of him dropping the bike with them fitted
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Debs on March 06, 2015, 05:51:54 PM
Quote from: pross on March 06, 2015, 05:34:54 PM
Ant the member who makes them has a video somewhere on here or search on utube of him dropping the bike with them fitted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRiLiN7zZoE
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 06, 2015, 05:55:11 PM
Thanks pross and Débs

Stylish dismount!  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: charlie mac on March 07, 2015, 04:44:11 PM
I have bars and have tested them, they saved my quite a bit of money.

http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3225.msg44316#msg44316 (http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3225.msg44316#msg44316)

(http://s833.photobucket.com/user/SgtMac/media/DSCN1274_zpsae314517.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Billabong on March 07, 2015, 05:02:07 PM
Thanks charlie mac, that's an impressive performance from the bars!

What did this quote from Ros refer to though:

"...However, from what Debs has experienced, it might be worth checking the subframe / attachment points etc."

Débs?
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Charlie747 on March 07, 2015, 05:40:57 PM
Quote from: Billabong on March 07, 2015, 05:02:07 PM
Thanks charlie mac, that's an impressive performance from the bars!

What did this quote from Ros refer to though:

"...However, from what Debs has experienced, it might be worth checking the subframe / attachment points etc."

Débs?

Debs had a bit of metal fatigue .................best to ask the young lady and let her tell the tail  :mfr_lol:

Bars and Bungs do not a pheasant proof bike make  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: Ant on March 08, 2015, 11:40:37 AM
Hi Guys,

All engine and fairing protection is just designed for a 'drop', or very low speed slide.  Too many factors involved beyond 10 - 15 mph.

Thats what we have insurance for. The time your bike goes down mainly is when your stationary.  Making protection that is too rigid can do untold damage to other parts of the bike that it attaches to. They are there just to protect vulnerable parts that cost a fortune to replace.

What ever you fit the most important thing to remember is, get out the way, these bikes are frigging heavy  :sweatdrop:
Title: Re: Engine bars or bungs?
Post by: nightrider on March 08, 2015, 12:39:54 PM
The engine bars look the better,the bungs as my mate had on his cbr600 ,when a car pulled across him he went forwards and his leg scraped on the bung,he nearly lost his leg ,it made a right mess ,it was one of them 6 inch bungs big fat and black , bars for me  :biker3: