the Evotech handguard protectors JUST arrived (thanks a LOT US Post ... you managed to keep them lost for three weeks). i am impressed by Evotech Performance's packaging. very effective at protecting the product during shipment, and appears to be completely recyclable. and if these handguard protectors are anything like their other products, i will be well chuffed. bravo.
installed ... took all of about 10 minutes each side to install. well chuffed with the quality, fit, and finish of the protectors.
i am a pragmatist ... the pair cost roughly the same amount of money as just one side of the stock handguard and turn signal combo ... so, i figure this is good insurance when lane-splitting/sharing.
They are a good piece of well made kit, very happy with mine, just waiting on the modified mirror bolts as I was an early adopter and had the bolts which stop the mirror bungs fitting correctly
I bought Barkbusters before these became available. I'm happy with them, but given the choice I'd definitely have had those. Their stuff is such nice quality, and they look fantastic!
agreed ... bark busters are awesome for protection ... but as you point out, they are a little too "agricultural" looking IMHO for use on a Ducati. far more at home on a KTM dirt bike, or a BMW GS.
That's a good point. But with the indicator being in the hand guard having a protector on might keep you riding. When I came off my 14 twin spark the hand guard exploded so had to be recovered which I wouldn't have liked so much had I been abroad. TB
Function before form? I agree that they look great and I don't doubt that these protectors will handle branches and other shrubbery but how do they handle a simple fall? They hug the lines of existing equipment very closely and have an extra joint; a weak-point in the design. I'm interested to hear from anyone that has dropped their bike to hear how they perform as fall protection.
The problem with the hand guards, apart from the indicators, is the mounting of the clutch and brake master cylinders. When you have a drop this is the critical damage that Will probably stop you continuing.
Agreed; bad design. Tiny, tinny, plastic things exposed to branches, falls. They should both be inboard, using longer hoses to connect to the master cylinders.
I fit some 4mm stainless steel plate in between the guard and bar weight when I fit my bark busters,just as a extra precaution.
