BEST protection for a Triumph Tiger 900? | Outback Motortek protection Install

[@l_speed8797]

Important note for those interested: These bars have been associated with frame damage issues (actual broken frame) on the ADVrider forums. And not just a single instance. It's not isolated to OM, but most instances discussed have been with their bars. Multiple sheered bolt reports and frame damage, largely related to the upper, not lower, crash bars. There is speculation that installing these bars puts added stress on the frame and mounting hardware, inducing damage, even on light hits. This is largely due to the fact that Triumph instructions for their OEM upper bars require loosening of multiple frame bolts, even the rear pivot bolt for the swing arm, and then tighten them in a specific order after the bars are installed, leading to the conclusion that you must remove all stress from the engine/frame and then restress it in a particular order. This is not done in the OM installation instructions (or any after market instructions from any manufacturer, to be fair). OM is aware of this issue, but i haven't seen anything posted regarding a resolution as of yet.

[@YankiRides]

I think it’s not completely avoidable with any protection. I can’t speak for certain, but as far as I am aware there has been like a dozen or less instances of it in like 1000 sold. I do know the instances are much higher with other brands, including the OEMS, which in my opinion are not suitable for crash protection off-road. I would rather take the slight chance of damage in a very small percentage rather that the mess I hear about the OEM, or even other bars. Like I said in the video, the shorter bars put less leverage on the mounting bolts, so it significantly reduces the chance for shearing or frame damage.

[@l_speed8797]

That is a good point. While i have seen no reports of frame damage with the Triumph uppers, there are NUMEROUS instances of tank damage from the bars bending. Up to the end user to decide which risk they'd rather take. I do know that i had OM bars on my Tiger 800 and they were basically bomb proof. Just wanted to give an FYI to everyone that while these are better made, there have been reported issues, and the frame breakage photos i saw were not minor. One thing i can say is that OM's support is top notch, so they'll resolve this one way or another.

[@lemo87a]

Interesting to hear you mention a specific tightening order of the factory bolts back to spec. Might look into that one a bit more. Thanks for the info. I've got the Outback Motortrek kit at home, but the uppers are still sitting in the shed. I'm too worried to put them on. Buyer beware

[@Loiczzr]

It seems with every other manufacturer as well .. many are switching the upper bar. (Regardless of who make them)

[@kurtshetler9719]

@@l_speed8797 Mine was one of those with a broken frame. The upper bolts sheared. The owner of OM told me they are designed to do that. Directly from Lorry "The bolts are the sacrificial parts to save the engine block. It's worth checking them after drops. Unfortunately the Tiger 900 models do not offer us any frame mounting points, only the engine. " Yep, true. Unfortunately, any drop at all can potentially shear the bolts, or worse, the head. In my case, both, followed by frame damage. Bike was a total loss.

[@cliff8675]

OC: Very nice looking bars. When they were on the table they looked well bult as well. I like that the tubes are welded squared to the mounting plates rather than being crimped together. And even in bright white they are stealthy and blend in with the bike really well.

[@triumphtigertravels2020]

As someone else mentioned. There have been 2 known cases of catastrophic frame failure due to the two upper cylinder mounting bolts breaking off in the frame where the upper crash bars mount to. This is NOT just an Outback Motortrek issue, there have been numerous cases of broken bolts across different brands of aftermarket upper crash bars. These were not due to drops or impacts. I had Hepco and Becker upper bars on and both two upper cylinder mount bolts broke off in the frame and I never dropped the bike. Search for threads on ADVRider titled: "2021 Broken Frame on BDR" and " Is triumph coming up with a fix for Tiger 900 upper crash bars?". It seems Triumph designed flex into the frame at these points and the addition of rigid bars here are causing bolt failure. As a side note and unrelated to OM....BEWARE of upper crash bars that mount under the beak on the Tiger 900. They have caused beak sub-frame breakage in drops....that area is not designed to withstand a 500 pound bike drop.

[@billyb6043]

Yep. far better to invest in barkbusters and replace broken plastics than have your frame written off. Some upper crash bars are designed with the stress loads in mind, others are just adventure bling. They will more than likely save the bodywork in a low speed/static drop. Not dismissing OT products in anyway, or other makes for that matter, but on ADV bikes which tend to use the engine as a stressed member (as opposed to traditional loop frame) adding extra lateral leverage on cast alloy mounting points isn't a great idea from an engineering point of view. Someone will nail it eventually...even if it means using viscous joints or sacrificial elements in the design.

[@Pachoventurac]

Pretty cool, every tip was well understood. In buying a Triumph Tiger Rally Pro right now and I think I'll order those Outback MotorTec guards. They look very strong and I guess, will protect our bikes much better than the stock made bars...

[@RenickRidingMoto]

I didn't know anything about the upper bars causing damage before this video. I knew about the OEM upper bars being essentially useless, which I noticed aren't sold anymore ATM. I installed the Outback MotoTek bars and plate and have dropped the bike multiple times off road on a harder than dirt surface. Only damage was on the upper bars (that I just repainted) and the cheap plastic hand protectors. I'm going to double check the status of my upper mounts, but I haven't noticed anything yet. In my opinion they're still doing a better job than the OEM that just f$$ks your tank.

[@dino5254]

I went with T-Rex Racing for Skid Plate, Lower and Upper Guards. The logo is blacked out now and installation is way different from other manufacturers. They use brackets for support and better bracing to the engine and frame. You just need to install everything loosely and adjust little by little from both sides. Very precise fitting.

[@kee7678]

How do you like them so far? No bolts sheared off I'm assuming? I really the design and coverage of their skid plate.

[@dino5254]

@@kee7678 They are great. Bike went down on an Adv ride and crashed on the left side, and nothing happened to the tank or anything else, just scratches on the hand and engine guards. The skid plate is solid. Nothing will get thru that, and it has access to change out your oil and filter.

[@kee7678]

@@dino5254 yeah I saw that. Tha'ts awesome. I was checking with them, to find out if that skid plate, worked with Outback Motortek engine guards...they didn't know so...I ended up just ordering both the skidplate and lower eng guards from Outback, along with their sid pannier racks, which are required mostly by Mosko Moto.... The next round I'll prob go with T Rex.

[@dino5254]

@@kee7678 I use the Outback Motortek racks for the Mosko back country panniers but I ordered them from Mosko since they were both out of stock and I got them faster thru Mosko. I have to tell you those panniers help save the bike as well lol.

[@kee7678]

@@dino5254 That's awesome! Yes I ordered my pannier racks through M Moto also and yes way way faster. I haven't installed them as...I'm at ..300 miles and need another 300 for my First Service...and THEN I was going to install them... I really like the Woodland Color too...my bike is also the Khaki green. However M. Moto told me they wont have any new stock in (Woodland Color) until late July...maybe August. So...I'll prob get the black ones. Plus..I think the black stays really clean or is very easy to clean and look new. Not sure that's true about the Woodland you know? I plan on Moto camping, adventure riding etc...hunting.. paragliiding trips lol.

[@sergiosanchez5137]

This painfully reminded me when I installed my 21’ Africa Twin bars and luggage rack also from Outback! I spent quite a bit of time looking for tips from others and found that you have to keep everything loose as you put it together and then tighten it all at the end. Also, start from the bottom and work up or as you see what has been installed previously in the videos.

[@YankiRides]

Yea. I thought I was taking crazy pills with the bash plate lol. The bars vid didn’t have it in it so I started there lol. Lesson learned

[@kee7678]

@@YankiRides I have the bash plate and bars ready to go..but not sure in what order?? Any info on that for me?

[@YankiRides]

@@kee7678 bash and then bars if I recall correctly

[@duncangardner7248]

Hi, could you pls let me know the make of the tank grip/protector pads you are using? Great content, I’ve just bought a 900 Rally Pro. Let the bolting things on begin 😂

[@Loiczzr]

Nice, but the Tiger 900 is famous for breaking mounting point(s) with upper crash bar (several different brands) it seems that a lots (or quite a few...) rider decide to trow away their upper crash bar and go only with lower one. (Sheered engine bolt, under the beak cracked framed to name the most common) are those any better?

[@kee7678]

yeah agree. I'm going with just Lower crash bars now...probably Outback Motorteck ones and maybe their skid plate also...

[@MOTOMARVELOUS]

Looks incredible 😍🤘 But funny looking Chief, Breau????

[@kee7678]

I"m getting this bike next month. You're not getting upper crash bars from Triumph, their new ones? They added an additional motor mount I think.... wanted your thoughts. Did you add the pannier racks yourself ??

[@nicholaschai4458]

This would be a great content for WBRB

[@MightyMouzMoto]

Looks pretty sick! 👍🏽

[@motorcyclistfromholland8856]

I wanted to buy a set BUT then I saw some videos from people who tried to install the bars and same issue. Didn’t line up so the install was an absolute pain. Really pity because I do like the brand a lot. It can’t be bend due to the shipping because you need a lot of force to get this steel bend.

[@timeslikethese6379]

If the bars are meant to protect the forces of a falling motorcycle, you don't want a theory that posits one side of the bars were bent in shipping. That's a rinky-dink excuse and, if true, it's a rinky-dink set of bars. IMO.

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

AWESOME VIDEO ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! AMAZING ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

I hear the pannier racks and crash bars on 2024 GT Pro are not compatable with 22,23. Things moved around and no 3rd party has them yet for 24' . Disappointing as Shad had them for eyars 22,23. to match my boxes.

[@Pranster55]

How have these bars held up after a year? I’m thinking about getting these for my new gt pro.

[@motorcyclemichael2182]

Nice looking bike. I’d love to get the 1200 gt explorer

[@damonoriente736]

I will strongly disagree on the engineering success of these bars. I have had an upper engine mount bolt break, and it is not a happy experience getting it out. Lorry Gombos, the company owner, is not responsive in a kind way to any complaints or doubts about his product. Ask him about getting replacement bolts. I did, and had no response, ever. And all I asked for was help in buying the bolts. The alignment issues, incomplete instructions in the videos, and very poor customer support are reported for more brands than just Triumph. I don't see any reason to have confidence that the commentary here is based on anything more than the marketing material from OM. But it does demonstrate the poor fitment of the bars. Regarding their crash worthiness, It seems like a lot of conclusions presented here are simply from installing them, watching the videos, and not actually testing them. Fall over and then do a follow up. And then see what customer support you get if you have an issue. The skid pan attachment does seem very good, and the lower bars, so I am not going to deny the things that I do think are good. But the bolt breakage and potential for frame damage is just too great to ignore. I encourage any Tiger owner considering these bars to consult the threads on the Triumphrat forum as well as ADV rider.

[@kee7678]

Dude, Damon..that sucks man. I literally was talking to the dealer today about buying the 900 RP and was asking about the "new 2023" upper crash bars and he didn't know. Please keep us informed with what your "progress" is. It concerns me GREATLY, your negative experience with all of this stuff. Q#$^$# that sucks man. Sorry.

[@kee7678]

PS. I see posts on FB by him. (but none recent yet), perhaps you can REACH OUT to him there publicly .

[@damonoriente736]

Thanks for the replies. As a quick follow up, I am not condemning the OM bars or other products for all bikes. I think in many applications they may well be excellent. On the new Tigers, however, I am not convinced that they are a wise product to use. I removed my OM upper bars and kept the OM skid plate and lower bars. BTW, when I told my Triumph service rep that I had removed the upper OM bars, he said, 'thank you for doing that'.

[@LPhooligan]

I wondered if you could use a hard filament and 3d print a cage for your bike , since if your drop it break but you could just make another one, for cheap

[@JC0037]

I have a 3D printer, and I can tell you, it would take days to print the crashbars, and there's no cheap material that could handle the slightest fall. It would crumble and the shards would damage the fairings and even hurt you. I can think of only one or two materials that could handle the forces: Ultem and PEEK, both of those are way more expensive than steel in price per kg, nevermind 3D printing them. And if you're thinking of making out of glass fiber, the same applies with the splinters and shards, and you would have to remake them with every fall, which is annoying

[@LPhooligan]

@@JC0037 thanks for the input👍

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

using triumph pannier rails ?

[@mehmetcandemirsigorta9452]

MERHABALAR VİDEOYU ÇOK BEGENDİM. BENDEDE 2023 900 GT PRO VAR ÖN VE ATKA YAN KORUMA DEMİRLERİNİ NEREDEN TEMİN ETTİĞİNİZ BİLGİ VERİRMİSİNİZ. TEŞEKKÜRLER.

[@dragoslfc8143]

Does somebody know if the x frame panniers work with the original Triumph hard cases?

[@dancheddesingh5588]

Where did you get those tank pads?

[@YankiRides]

Techspec tank pads. Don’t recall where I got them though

[@Smallbore2wheels]

OC: always use protection 😉

[@ellomot0]

What about Tank protection?

[@hordi1ful]

Any protection mounted to an Engine (especially at high point like here on top cylinder) looks too dangerous for me.

[@l_speed8797]

In this case, it's a low risk because those mounting points were specifically added by Triumph for this exact usage. Or more specifically, for their OEM bars. What can't be controlled is understanding how OM's, or different aftermarket makers, bars will be designed differently and thus induce a different type of load. While i'm sure it's happened, i don't think i've ever seen an engine damaged from mounting like this when it's a purpose built mounting point like with Tigers or GS's or similar. Typically the bolt sheers before anything else and that can lead to undue stress elsewhere and potentially cause frame damage in rare cases, but nothing to the block itself. Having the bars bend and puncture the case somewhere on the other hand.... yeah, that happens quite often. It's one of the reasons people turn to people like OM who build much beefier bars.

[@triumphtigertravels2020]

@ Yurii Hordiienko You are spot on. There is a reason Triumph does not mount their bars to this point. There have been numerous bolt failures across multiple aftermarket brands...and I was one of them. See my comment further above.

[@grantdubridge7995]

It looks like it is good protection but as far as it sits out from the engine looks like it may interfere with your ability to push the bike backwards.

[@YankiRides]

Haven’t had any issues yet. Haven’t had to move it in any rough conditions yet though

[@grantdubridge7995]

@@YankiRides I wonder how tall you are? I'm 5'10". I can't always push my KLR650 backwards on a bumpy driveway.

[@TimRHillard]

Cost?

[@ghostontwowheels]

#OC I like!

[@Rok4s]

I have one question why are you guys working on the floor with a lift?

[@ghostontwowheels]

If I had to guess it was easier than waiting for the air compressor to stop running after lifting it up. Loud noises not good for audio!

[@Rok4s]

@@ghostontwowheels fair, it's just my back is hurting just from watching.

[@YankiRides]

It runs forever after it starts lol. Ghost is right. Was for audio sake lol

[@charlesm.8807]

Got it for free???

[@eddale5557]

The Outback Motortek is a overprised junk and the weigth of the bike goes up i have the orginale protektion and it works fine if you must drive as a motocross thing then get a motocross bike, the tiger is a adventure bike and should be used as one and then you don't need all this junk.

[@kee7678]

Your better suggestion is?

[@Paint_Can]

I like but even better if all the parts were white