I went for this product because I understood it could be fitted straight on the bike without needing to modify bar ends or fiddle about with cables and controls to get a good fit, which is required to some degree if I had gone for the R1150, DV650 or KTM guards.
I fitted the S1 kit which should fit all 900s. The S5 kit is to be used for the 850, which has the same guard but a different method of fixing.
The S1 kit comes with a guard, a two part alloy bracket which fixes to the bars just inside the controls, and a rigid plastic part which fixes the guard to the bracket. and all screws etc
I bought internet mail-order from Roadbikebitz which seemed to be cheapest although at £76 they ain't cheap. The first set I received was supplied with a scuffed RH guard. There was no poly bag enclosing the guard so it was probably scuffed in transit. Roadbikebitz were very quick to send me a replacement set. However, I also found on this set too that the high gloss surface of the guards were very easily marked, so the jury is out on this long term.
I took my time to fit the guards which went on the bike without fouling anything, and made sure I had adequate room between the guards and the levers. I fitted the first one piece small to test clearances, and this took longer than the second side which I assembled before fitting to the bar clamps. I fitted each guard at its outboard setting to give max coverage of the clutch/brake area. Getting the guards fixed so they will work best to give max wind protection is a grey area; fitting instructions didn't comment on this, I assume I have got the setting right. Also I didn't need to drill out more holes in the guard, which is an option.
When I road tested the guards they appeared to give good protection against the wind. Cold rainy days in winter will hopefully confirm this. I noticed that the guards joggle about slightly when going over bumpy roads. I put this down to flexibility in the 90deg plastic transition piece between bar bracket and the guard itself. Some people may not like this, personally I would prefer it to be more rigid but am not too bothered by the movement. At speed the guards didn't move and I didn't feel any additional vibration compared to riding without them.
So.....
Good
- Everything assembles well; flexibility in product to allow variations
- Fitted guards have good clearance on my TDM900
- Easy to assemble and fit
- Appear to give adequate wind protection
- Look the part
- Fitted guards give no apparent increased vibration through bars
- Stable at speed
Not so good
- High gloss finish scuffs easily
- Guards joggle about on bumpy roads (90deg transition piece seems to be the culprit)
- Colour is more dark charcoal grey than black (minor criticism!)
- A tad pricey
Photos below including tank clearance on full lock which is fine.
