Handguards for adventure riding: pros, cons, types and the strongest?︱Cross Training Adventure

crosstrainingenduro.com Handguards! Do you really need them on dual sport or adventure motorbikes? What the benefits? What are the disadvantages? Welcome to Cross Training Adventure, we are into all things dual sport and adventure on the east coast of Australia. Do handguards break your wrists if you go over the handlebars? And finally which are the strongest handguards? Our mechanic, Chuck Harder, has a basic test with some interesting results! First? There are three main types of handguards. 'Wrap-around' or 'full-wrap' handguards are the strongest. They are sometimes called 'Barkbusters' as that was the Australian brand which invented them in 1984. If you like dual sport riding in Australia then you might like our adventure riding vids. Keen on adventure riding in Australia? Check out our vids. Which type of handguard will suit you? Some adventure riders say handguards aren't needed if you mainly ride on-road and don't plan on crashing. But we still think the open handguards should be considered at a minimum. Your hands will be warmer in cold weather. You can also fit hand muffs over the guards for very cold weather. Your hands will stay drier (at least in light rain). Is it worth fitting the wrap-around handguards? These adventure bike handguards have two mounting points for the solid alloy bar so they provide the best protection for your hands, levers, and master cylinders for your clutch and front brake. Next is the 'half-wrap' design. There is only one mounting point, but there is still a reasonable amount of protection as the alloy bar extends far enough to cover the hands. Finally? Handguards for adventure ridingThe 'flag' or 'open' style of handguards. Check out our reviews of various adventure bikes and dual sport bikes. It's sometimes just called a 'hand shield' too. Dual sport handguards? These are just plastic so are only designed to protect your hands from the weather and very minor impacts. Advantages of the full wrap handguards? Obviously the best protection. They are the least likely to break and very durable. And if you land on the end of your handlebars in an accident, it spreads the impact so less chance of bruising or busted ribs. It happens! Ask me how I know!Disadvantages? The most expensive. They are the heaviest so they might slow down your steering on a very light motorbike. And there's the small risk of fractures in an accident. We'll discuss that shortly. Advantages of the open-style handguards. Cheap. Light. And very unlikely to cause fractures. Handguards for dual sport riding. But they provide the least protecton and are easily broken. The half wrap handguards are obviously a compromise between the other two. Do you ride off-road a lot? Yes. Do you ride a big heavy adventure motorbike where even a simple drop could bend your bars and/or smash your controls? Yes. Remember these wrap-around handguards will bend with a heavy impact which can greatly reduce the chances of your handlebars bending. Now to the big question. Can full wrap handguards cause fractures? So there is a small chance of wrist fractures with full-wrap handguards. What can we do to lessen the chances? Some riders trim the higher section of the plastic guard or even remove it. Some handguards already have a low profile for this reason. Others actually twist their handguards down so they sit lower. All these are possible solutions, but of course too low and you can expose your knuckles to impacts from branches or flying stones. Also some handguards have a lower section at the side in case your wrist makes contact there in an accident. Which are the strongest handguards? Chuck Harder devised a simple test. Who is Chuck Harder? It's quite rare for adventure riders to go over the handlebars. If you don't let go of the handlebars, there is a chance you will break your wrists. Most riders tend to automatically let go of the handlebars and there's no issue. The big question though, is how often does it happen. Most riders with years of experience agree that it's very rare, and the chances of breaking your knuckles, fingers or hands are much higher. This is why some riders continue to use wrap-around handguards after breaking their wrists. I'm glad you asked. Chuck is a professional motorbike mechanic who is posting heaps of mechanical tips on his True Tech social media. Take it away, Chuck. As Chuck says, this is not necessarily THE definitive test, but it's a good start. Do you think handguards are a good idea for adventure riding? Which type do you use? Do you think Chuck should run other types of stress tests on handguards? Let us know in the comments. So check out Cross Training Adventure.
Let us know if we used your music but forgot to credit you. Many thanks to the following artists for their copyright free music in various vids.
Music: Round 2 by Dolby, Clockworks by Dolby
#crosstrainingadventure #adventureriding #adventurebikes #dualsportriding
#dualsportbikes

[@mmdadventures]

HDB - always. Love the integrated folding mirrors. I use those for 20 years now.

[@gpaull2]

But Joe at work (an expert at riding 450s at the local gravel pit) says that his cousin Bubba’s girlfriend used to work for a guy at the strip clip three counties over that has broken his wrists 3 times…then had both arms ripped totally off on the 4th encounter with wrap arounds! 😱

[@tomperry9954]

I used HDB on my Xr600 Honda dual sport. It's pretty heavy and I crash a lot. Zero damage to me or the controls. Love your content Barry!!!

[@trevb2308]

I've been using full wrap barkbusters for the last 40 years or so and had never had an issue until 6 months ago and my arm went between the bars and the guards and broke my wrist in multiple places. Now have a plate and 5 screws in my wrist

[@airindiana]

I fell off and my wrist went down and I was extremely lucky just to have a bruise. Much as I love the cycras and they do look nice (imo) they’re going. I’m getting flags.

[@JagLite]

Just one easy drop on the right side without handguards can break the throttle tube and/or levers. I would like to run HDB guards but they are quite expensive. I like that they bolt to the bar clamps and not to the bars and I think that strengthens the bars too. But I'm running Tusk guards on my bikes because they work well and are less expensive. If I only had one bike it would have HDB.

[@ThrottleAddiction]

I fit the full style Barkbusters to our 'adventurised' road bikes as well. If you are riding single trail with bushes continually brushing you, they are brilliant for preventing scratching or ripping on the back of your gloves, or allowing stringy branches to get caught in the controls. So, all the benefits mentioned here, plus provides a nice grab point for lifting or manoeuvring them around the shed. They're also good for locking your helmet to.

[@vfischer66]

I was riding with Cycra ProBend Ultra and Barbuster Ego for the past. I recently switched to Full Wraps from Greger. They are plastic only but really durable. As i had to straigthen back by barbusters every few weeks (i do mostly hard enduro on rocky stuff, so they bend a lot) i am really happy with the plastic ones. You would think they break easily but no - they just come back with more scratched, but no braking yet. A friend of mine ran his for 4 Years. They were beaten up really bad but still holding. He only switched after they developed some stress marks (no cracks). Can recommend!

[@ShadowVonChadwick]

Bark busters, but I tend not to overtighten them, as with leaver mounts & bar bolts, I would rather see some deflection in a somewhat heavy drop rather than the shock be transferred to the steering head and or tree. Something I learnt four or five decades ago. Easier to adjust back to where I want them, then replace bent or broken bits. Like I discovered a year or so back I was so happy to learn just how well my ribs flex, considering my age, thank God for that design principle. 😊 PS: they were sore for some months.

[@gonegliding2966]

barkbusters on the mighty DR650 and the same on the F800gs

[@arnandegans]

Mexico has a lot of flying stones too, hand guards are a must :)

[@JenniferLester-lb3om]

Yamaha ag bikes had hand guards in the 70’s. Took a while for them to become popular.

[@richreid6319]

HDB is the beefiest full wraps out there hands down.

[@MattKtm500exc]

I’m running highway dirt bikes full wraps on my KTM 500 from Colorado in the states was expensive to get sent to Australia but has fold out mirrors that hide behind bark busters 👍

[@billhill4479]

l run bark busters on just about everything for the reasons posted. We quite often ride old overgrown tracks so the protection for your hands and particularly your pinkies is important. l'd rather bounce off a small sapling than break a finger. lt also stops the front brake lever from being grabbed by a bush and momentarily applying the brake at the wrong moment. l also have a 701 and l found the vibration through the bars absolutely terrible on long rides. Put on a set of egos and the vibes were reduced to almost nothing. Well worth it for just that alone.

[@zxcvbnmnz]

Standard KTM flaps on my EXC and Zeta flaps for the trials bike and XR200. Cycra's on the 701, that thing is to heavy for flaps. Used to have Acerbis plastic wrap arounds on a CR250 in the 90's and liked them, also had Cycra center mounts on a EXC300 and stuck my arm in them a couple times but only bent my arm a little.

[@NZ2STROKE]

I put ergo barkbusters on my ktm 300 in 2013 and they are still going strong,never broken levers and saved my fingers countless times,also use on my exc525 for adv riding and exc250

[@davidfindlay5432]

Exact same set of Bark-busters, now on my 4th bike. Countless crashes and still going strong, that's quality and good design. It's possible I have an emotional attachment to a few pieces of bent aluminum......

[@LemonsGD]

The guy on the 701 needs his barkbusters at that angle so they provide maximum protection mid wheelie.

[@crosstrainingadventure]

😂

[@cedricboivin9422]

In my experience, the mounting bracket is more important than the rest of the handguard. When there's a pivot on the mounting bracket, it doesn't push back towards the outside in a tip over, resulting in a much weaker setup

[@TheKoolsmoker]

I have yet to meet one person who has broken their arms or wrist with full hand guards; however, I have met a few have that have broken wrists, arms, and fingers with permanent damage by using single point flags.

[@ronanrogers4127]

Interesting tests. I use BB VPS because the alloy bar looks robust and the plastic profile isn’t too big…mainly hope they save lever damage, but if they prevent injury that’s a bonus

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Hepco & becker all steel is my intention to use.

[@sjbechet1111]

Witnessing the drama of a sheared off clutch lever 70km from the trail exit after a low speed spill was the only convincing I needed. He was convinced before the incident he didn't need them, but later admitted he would pay double the cost of the guards to not have to do that again.

[@jsouellet901]

Barkbuster jet, sleek and solid!

[@bryanreeme8584]

I'm on my 3rd set of single-points, this time fastways.. Inexpensive & easy, and i think all i want. i hit gate posts weekly, & "just enough " is plenty enough for my ride.. I feel most people go max overboard on these (& maybe never take a hit).. to each his own?

[@MLeitao]

I like the KTM adv oem, they can take some inpact with a 200kg bike, they're not expensive.

[@trevornugent9680]

Barkbuster ego's. My favourite for single track

[@MrEtnorb]

4 years ago a wallaby jumped straight into the right side of my front wheel. I scored 6 breaks to my left hand and the only thing I can blame is the bark buster. My hand didn’t touch the ground as my glove was clean. I continue to use Bbusters.

[@sportydoubledee]

Running a cheap set of moose guards on my DR and just threw in a set of VPS busties on my XR enjoy both got tired of breaking levers and getting my hands messed up from branches ect

[@jamesb1412]

I’d love to hear an update review from you on the updated 701/690!

[@naturalbornleniwiec]

I've just bought my first Cycra Probend handguards for my Kove 450 rally. They're easy to install and seem quite durable. I think I still like my Barkbusters better, but Cycras are ok. :)

[@KorysRides]

Barkbusters VPS go on all my bikes. Love them, saved plenty of levers and keep my hands comfortable. Hippo hands over those in the winter

[@l1qu1dm3t4lIV]

I had no idea that Barkbusters invented them, I just knew I wanted quality, they looked it, and it turned out that they are (I have the Jet model)

[@mattman3495]

I always used full wraparounds with roost guards. I've crashed many times and never hurt my wrists.

[@2fastnlight]

That bend test does not test the forces when actually mounted and are not useful.

[@loth8239]

Barkbusters ego round design is good for the bush because they kind of deflect the trees 👍

[@DocMagoo]

+1 for the BB Ego

[@eureka1512]

I had annoying problems with bark busters rotating and bending the bolts inside the bars. Bolts are hard to straighten. I tried lately flags, but after smashing a finger it was clear they are not for me. I just have installed Zeta triple clamp ones (also called side type I think). The other side is connected to the fork, not the bars. So, they should not rotate. They feel very solid, but no enough room to adjust up or down. Will see how it is going.

[@DonkeyDongDoug]

The BEST design for full wrap hand guards, that I have found, is the Highway Dirt Bike ones.. HDB is a company out of Colorado, USA. Their hand guards for my Tuareg solved the main issue that I have had with Barkbusters in the past. Barkbusters give me a pissy little insert and 6mm bolt to thread into that insert. Crash a bike a few times and that bolt becomes bent. Plus the HDB guards mount to a new top bar clamp instead of on the bars themselves.

[@SWATT101]

I bought the Acerbis Rally pro for the DR which are the low profile type... haven't fallen over the bars...yet...lol

[@terrywest5735]

I put the Barkbusters on my Aprilia Tuareg because it was a simple bolt on process and fit like factory, but I use the Tusk full hand guards on my XR650L because BRP! Great stuff as always sir, keep em coming!

[@crosstrainingadventure]

Right on

[@blacktopimages]

Colleague riding hard enduro broke his forearm going over the bars, with bark busters. Friend broke his pinky finger and knuckle riding single track, hit a tree in a tight bit with flag type. Just use water makes sense to you. I use the flag type, keeps the hand slappers at bay, and has saved my brake lever on occasion.

[@dw5523]

The only ppl who think road bikes don’t need handguards haven’t caught a rock in the knuckles.

[@Advenduroarabia]

I recently took my handgaurds of my 500 exc and feel the bars have more flex and are more forgiving on my wrists while reducing arm pump aswell, I'm tempted to take them off my adv bike but worried about broken levers on multi day ride

[@PetterIvarsson]

Yeah, same here. I changed to foldable levers on my adv-bike so they dont break on a fall

[@user-oe8gy8dk8f]

Penton sticker kit 🙏✨️

[@MaverickAus]

Bark Busters end of line.

[@garthlundquist3623]

HDB are the strongest by far. What are your hands worth?

[@dinomoliterni9798]

Great vid, I order G2 Fork Mount “Full Wrap” Handguard Configurator for my honda 450 crf rl, have not mounted yet hence no update on the topic… greetz

[@PetterIvarsson]

I removed my Barkbusters on my XT660Z Tenere and fitted foldable levers instead. The steering feels lighter and the handlebar feels more flexible.

[@silverdale3207]

I have the Tenere 700 and have stuck with the light plastic OEM guards and just put folding levers on as well, I think it's all you need , I run full barkbusters on my 450 dirtbike because it gets dropped more, trouble is in a good drop they can bend or push into the bar end and jam the throttle which can be a pain to fix.

[@sportydoubledee]

I will say the plastic ones that came on the bike held up to years of abuse though

[@chrisharris1641]

I have them . Saved my levers etc

[@Michael_Shay]

As other comments have mentioned, have you looked at Highway Dirtbike guards? I personally don't have them (yet) but my friend swears by them. They're a US based fairly small company but they seem super solid.

[@crosstrainingadventure]

I suspect they aren't available in Australia in that case?

[@Michael_Shay]

@@crosstrainingadventure not sure. They might ship internationally but it'd probably be stupid expensive

[@clemoniii]

How did y'all miss HDB (Highway Dirt Bike) guaranteed in breakable handguards. Stupidly strong, but unbreakable.

[@paulkleanthous5482]

I thought they were to protect my brake and clutch levels so I can ride home

[@nwbasson]

I just need something to protect my levers when i yeet into a ditch or something

[@James.._]

As a life member of the "Muppets Inc" club, I use Barkbusters to protect me from myself!

[@crosstrainingadventure]

😂

[@user-oe8gy8dk8f]

luv me cycra 14 gram airflows, your channel is bunta,,👑

[@josephthornton8560]

Too bad Tusk D Flex pro didn't make the tests.

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

The dude screaming bloody murder is hilarious!

[@crosstrainingadventure]

😂

[@andrewbozhozr]

Acerbis rally brush with added spoiler, no metal, just plastic but elastic and not at all easy to break. Elasticity is far better than rigidity because it absorbs a lot of force when hitting the old terracotta.

[@WildBORProductions]

Wouldn’t ride any bike off pavement without full wraps!

[@LabiaLicker]

Are the bark busters made in straya? Or Mao's dollar pound land