Amazon Cheapies vs. Tusk D-Flex vs. Tusk D-Flex Pro - New Handguards on my CRF300L Rally

After my second cheap Amazon handguard bent, I decided to throw on some Tusk D-Flex Pros. Here I'm discussing the differences between the D-Flex Pros and the Amazon Zeta rip-offs. I also talk about the differences between the D-Flex Pros, and the standard D-Flex handguards.
Tusks:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...
Amazon Cheapies:
amzn.to/3LTUqvS

[@rogerdayton]

I bought a set off Amazon for $26 and had no problems with them. I've put my bike down 5+ times so far using them. Totally happy with them!!!

[@HighDesertHills]

Awesome - do you have a link to the ones you bought? Maybe I just picked the crap ones.

[@outsideguy3633]

Was able to install d-flex pro on 300 Rally without removing handle bar internals by purchasing a longer SS M6 bolt at Ace HW. This option uses the OEM bar end as a spacer. Saved a lot of time & effort.

[@HighDesertHills]

Great tip - thanks!

[@AdventureGlide]

Those Tusk hand guards look solid. Thanks

[@Bi-PolarBurnout]

great review. gave me all the info i needed to make the correct purchase choice, the tush d flex pro will complement my new traverse and tusk med bag set nicely.

[@HighDesertHills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dwest3761]

I've never tried Tusk. I have been using Acerbis and Barkbuster ones since they were invented. At the races, the local Barkbuster dealer would install for free if you bought them at the races. These were enduro events so handguards helped a bunch. I even have the Acerbis "Flyswatter" version on my CT125. These attach only at the main part of the handlebar and not attached on the end part. Hence......Flyswatter.....Probably won't do a dang thing in a fall but look kinda neat. It is my belief that a good quality barkbuster, or anything, more than pays for itself many times over. Tools, gear, tyres, even motorcycles. Fit and finish make a difference. Quality hardware.

[@HighDesertHills]

They definitely pay for themselves. I’d probably be on my 10th set of levers if it weren’t for handguards 😂

[@twowheelsbetter223]

Nice review, nice Garage. I found out what Tempered meant when i had to slightly bend the main beam of those Tusk Pros. WOW😂

[@HighDesertHills]

Unfortunately that garage is just a photo on a green screen behind me. But yeah - nobody can accuse those tempered aluminum bars of being flimsy 🙂

[@findingneutral]

Great review and very informative 👍.

[@HighDesertHills]

Thanks! 👍

[@tedantares2751]

As they say, ""buy cheap - buy twice"

[@212driller]

I have found barkbusters are the best myself. They are rigid, durable, and allow a lot of play when it comes to mounting angles etc.

[@HighDesertHills]

One of these times I’ll have to give them a try. They’re the OGs.

[@Thepig-wm5hq]

I bought the Amazon ones & those sob’s were $49!! Oh well they held up good on my dr 350s. I did order tusk for my new 2022 300L Rally

[@HighDesertHills]

I’m really liking the Tusks so far. Especially the bigger shields. Makes a huge difference in the cold 👍

[@clvrswine]

It's been a while, but I recall that the Pro version of the Tusk D-flex have slightly different mounting clamps and bolts. This can make a difference when installing. With the lower-price regular D-flex I had to put one clamp upside down on my bike (TW 200) because the stock handlebars have a cross bar. The Pro kit has a different, longer bolt that would make the install "normal" on my specific bike. Side note: the screws that hold the plastic in place rattled out, so I now use zip-ties. Happy with the product nonetheless.

[@HighDesertHills]

Thanks for the tip on the screws. Sounds like I should throw som loctite on them 👍

[@matthewhoopes4440]

Tomorrow I will install my new handlebars, hand guards etc on my 300 Rally. I also bought the Tusk dual sport tires. I'm down here in Tucson but went to school up in South Jordan Utah. 2015-2017

[@HighDesertHills]

Nice! Were you a Beetdigger?

[@matthewhoopes4440]

@@HighDesertHills . I don't know what a beet digger is. Lol. I was there for nursing school.

[@matthewhoopes4440]

I need to find a good skid plate. With the soft suspension it has tendency to bottom

[@HighDesertHills]

😂 Jordan High are the Beetdiggers

[@HighDesertHills]

I highly recommend Flatland Racing for a skid plate

[@supermotardrider]

For a proper comparison, I think you'd have to compare the Amazon cheap-o with the Zeta handguards. Looks like a direct copy to me... even down to the plastic casting. Pretty sure I see a "Z" there. My Zeta's have taken a beating, and I've been tempted by the Amazon cheap copies, even as spares. My Zeta's have slid down the road (unfortunately), and had multiple drops.

[@HighDesertHills]

Yeah, they’re pretty clearly direct rip-offs of the Zetas. Any problems with bending on any of your falls?

[@supermotardrider]

@@HighDesertHills lots of rash, but no bends. They've been good! Another question for you: you're running Rox-Risers (which have some give in a fall, to prevent bending a bar), but you're running solid Zeta fork clamps, there-by allowing no flex in the event of a fall. I wonder if you might be better off bar mounting the handguards on the crf300 Rally. Just a thought.

[@HighDesertHills]

That’s a great point, but I’m actually about to take my Rox risers off because they don’t allow me to access the suspension adjustment knobs on the top of my new forks.

[@rodono517]

I have the tusk. Removed the sticker and cerakote the hardware and brace black looks nice and the cerakote doesn’t scratch off when you crash. I did have to bend mine to fit my 300l.

[@HighDesertHills]

Cool idea. What did the cerakoting cost you? Or did you do it yourself?

[@rodono517]

@@HighDesertHills I used E100 blackout. I did it my self along with all my acc. parts.

[@HighDesertHills]

Thanks!

[@K_Nasty]

Tusk handgaurds from temu 😂😂😂😂.. dude. You peeled the sticker off 😂

[@donreed1133]

When installing the DFlex Pro hand guards did you apply heat to bend them? Just curious how difficult it was to fit them to the CRF300L. Thanks for your videos!

[@HighDesertHills]

I didn’t apply heat, and it was quite a struggle. I think it would have been a snap if I had used the mounting hardware that came with the guards, but I wanted to stick with the Zeta triple mount clamps. They’re tempered aluminum, so I’d be nervous about using enough heat to make them softer.

[@tedantares2751]

Can you also provide a link to the fork hand guard mounts that your XT250 and CRF300L have?

[@HighDesertHills]

On my XT I’m just using the clamp mounts they come with the hand guards. On the CRF, I’m using the Zeta triple clamp mount. Depending on the style of your triple clamp, you may need the side type, but the CRF requires the front type. Zeta Triple Clamp Mounts (Front Type): japan.webike.net/products/9669512.html

[@tedantares2751]

Have you tried Trackside handguards? They are relatively inexpensive and, unlike TUSK ones, can be fully adjusted. They have pretty good reviews. The only downside of these hangars is that they come only in black

[@HighDesertHills]

I haven’t, but thanks - I’ll check them out.

[@chriskneifl3290]

Do you know if those Tusk guards will work with the stock handlebars?

[@HighDesertHills]

I’m sure they will. They’re universal.

[@handyman5455]

Fisrt thing i would do is paint the tusk a flat black. No lettering.

[@HighDesertHills]

I don’t know if I’ll bother, but I do prefer flat black to the glossy.

[@Rick-4552]

I have the cheapo amazon jfg racing on my 88 nx 250 and the tusk adventure models on my Rally the tusks are better made but the amazons have held up to a few falls for me

[@HighDesertHills]

It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but the aluminum bars on those JFG ones look more solid than the ones I got from Amazon.

[@Rick-4552]

@@HighDesertHills the aluminum is about the same , the hardware is cheap though. I bought a set for my rally but they absolutely would not fit the Tusks are top notch though

[@mt1885]

Is that all your bikes in background ?

[@HighDesertHills]

Unfortunately no. I’m just in front of a green screen and I used a cool looking garage for the background.

[@K_Nasty]

Or stop crashing 😂

[@HighDesertHills]

😂Why didn’t I think of that?

[@michaelbaronick5735]

I don’t think your problem is hand guards maybe you should learn how to ride

[@HighDesertHills]

Haha, fair enough - but you can't learn without making a few mistakes. Or I should say "I" can't learn without making a few mistakes. Maybe you're different.

[@jt3366]

Weird comment. I was just thinking that it was impressive that he’s challenging himself enough to drop the bike that many times.