I Dropped My New Bike! Installation of Heed Crash bars on Ducati Multistrada 950S

In this video I basically shut the gate after the horse has bolted! Having already dropped my shiny new Multistrada 950S, I take the 20-20 hindsight decision to install crash bars on the bike.
The ones I have gone for are made by Heed and in this video I take you through the installation of the bars, warts and all!
If you are interested in installing similar then here is a link to the bars that I fitted:
heedshop.eu/en_US/p/Crash-bar...

[@batuonver5495]

Down to earth honest and fun to watch. Thank you (Even I don’t ride a Ducati😂)

[@Banditmanuk]

The trick is fitting the crash protection before you crash (sorry) Refreshing when a how too vid doesn't edit out all the tricky frustrating bits 👍

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

Yes, I remember hearing something about horses bolting and shutting gates, but I didn't take much notice!🤣

[@andyscott168]

Hi. I fitted these about a year ago to my 1260s multistrada they definitely save the bike from a fall as I also dropped mine only a light scuff on the bar rest of bike was fine. I also had to pay duty on them but feel they have paid for themselves. Good video keep up the good work.

[@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes]

what was the UK duty on them Andy? thinking of a set for my 1260s too, did you need to remove the same bits as here on this 950s?

[@onaroad4505]

What an honest review especially how you admit to you unfortunate drop seen the same thing myself these are Top heavy once it goes it’s gone but fantastic great video 10/10 thanks for all your hard work, Ash

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

Cheers! Yes, they are top heavy and my legs aren't really long enough for it, but it looks so nice!🤣

[@DangerBruce]

Ordered and fitted a set of theses few weeks ago after watching your video. No need to remove any body work, managed to deal with the rad bolts working from the top, access down faring under the handle bars. Already paid their dues, standstill drop yesterday resulted in scuffed crash bar, not a destroyed faring, win!

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

You did better than me getting them on without taking any panels off, I must just have sausage fingers!😂. And, unlike me, you managed to get yours fitted before dropping your bike! Wins all round!🙌

[@HatrickSteele]

Great video! You weren't kidding about the left side radiator bolt - what a cow to get started, I took the inner fairing mount off also but still struggled, I found for some reason that the radiator drops quite a bit as soon as you remove the bolt - had to lift quite firmly to line up the hole. All in all took 1.5 hours but I think 0.5 hours was struggling with that left side!

[@eriknash8783]

Thanks for making this video. I literally just received my Heed Crash Bars for my 950S today. This will be a very helpful reference guide

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

No worries, I hope it helps. Good luck with the fiddly little radiator screw - I hope you have better luck than me with it!😂😂😂

[@eriknash8783]

@@TheBoltHoleBiker Yeah, I found that you just need to apply pressure on the radiator to get things back inline. I think it took about 30 minutes to get the whole set installed. I also found that it helps tremendously to turn the handlebars to full lock to open access to the front radiator area when fitting those small radiator bolts. When you do this, you don't even have to remove any bodywork to fit this kit.

[@acherouvis]

I just picked up a set of Heed Crash bars for my 2022 Yamaha Tracer 9GT. The main reason I got them was they are pretty extensive. They provide more protection from the lower to upper portion of my motorcycle.

[@eriknash8783]

About 2 weeks after installing my Heed Crash Bars on my 2020 950S, I dropped it in the dirt. While trying to turn around on a dirt road at an odd angle, the front tire washed out at, maybe 1 mph and I was trying to save it so the bike only fell about 1-2ft. Saved all the bodywork and since I also had BarkBusters installed, it saved the flimsy handguards/turn signals. I was surprised to see the crash bar frame bent in about 1 inch. Had I crashed at any real speed, I'm not sure how well these would protect the bodywork. I replaced the set because they are rather inexpensive, and then straightened out the old ones for spares. If I ever have a real fall/drop, I'll report back on the protection...

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

Cheers, thats useful info, I'm surprised they bent so easily! At least you and the bike are fine👍

[@eriknash8783]

Replaced with a 2nd set of Heed Bars and had a 15mph low side in the dirt. Heed crash bars bent in and damaged the side panels. They are useless as far as I'm concerned. They just happen to be the best looking bars. I'm searching for something stronger

[@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes]

I recently reviewed and fitted a set of HEED crash bars to my 1260 Multistrada (full guide and review on my channel) they are the best value I could find..... but not without issues!

[@adamking6419]

I've been looking at bars for my 950s. It's nice to see a front view with them fitted. To see how much protection they offer.

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

It looks like the protection from them would be really good and they are certainly solid.

[@robertbush6652]

I did the same thing with my multistrada had to stop suddenly put my foot down but it went onto a drain, but the drain was sunken well below the road surface. Over I went and as you say top heavy! Unfortunately the Pannier got scratched.

[@richardsmith1971]

OMG You weren’t kidding about this bolts into the radiator 😅. My V2s had pipes I had to squeeze to the side. In the end I used my impact driver to put them in!! Worked first time!!! Just a quick one.. did you put the bodywork back in place before tightening all up. P.s your video is a life saver..Thanks 😊

[@iansimpson3193]

Great Vid, had not seen these bars before, what do you use to clean your Bike?

[@kevinnewey6551]

Hi do you pay an import duty to ship them into the UK ? and excellent video

[@acherouvis]

I wonder if you can getting a bushing to even out the distance of the bars?

[@mengaw-yong2490]

U can move the long middle pin to centralise the bars ? Just got mine

[@melbertsen9945]

Thanks for the nice videos, in a few days i can pickup my 2021 spec 950S to replace my TDM 900 which i bought new in 2002. Question, have you considered changing the muffler for one that makes the Multi 'talk' a bit more?

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

100% That is firmly on my list of things to do to the bike. The list is short by the way, as the bike is damn near spot on for me, but the crash bars and end cans are a must. Just saving up some pennies🤣. Cheers for watching!

[@user-mg1we4em2o]

Nice video and very helpful. Are there any vibrations after bars installation ? I'm thinking of installing the bars in my bike too.

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

Hi, cheers for watching, no, there are no vibrations, I am really happy with them.👍

[@CemMoradaoglu]

Hahaha Lucky you my Handguard shattered 😂😂😂

[@karimkarmali8737]

Thanks very much for posting this very helpful video. I just received Heed crash bars for my MS 1260S and, with the help of your video, plan to install them shortly. Quick question: to what torque did you set the engine bolt?

[@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes]

Did you fit them yet Karim?

[@karimkarmali8737]

@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes Yes, I did and they're excellent.

[@HuseyinSoyuturk]

What torque did you set for bolts?

[@f109ged]

I wonder if the supplied bags would offer additional protection, especially when off-road? There's quite a gap where the bag fits to the bars.

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

I think they probably would, they're handy for putting bits in, I know that much. Didn't think I was going to use them, but I have been loads.

[@thomasbell9026]

Had a chuckle when you were dropping bits, I’m notorious for this but I’d have not held back like you did😂 glad I wasn’t filming myself. . Reason I was looking at your video was I’m looking at purchasing heed bars for my BMW F900XR. Do you still rate them?

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

Yes, still loving mine and still looking great.

[@nickfifield1]

What’s the weight and how do they compare to others ?

[@gwaldick1]

The side bags look pretty handy, but are they too close to the fairing, causing scratches on the fairing if they rub with dirt in there? Great video. Tks for posting.

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

No, there's loads of room behind them. I wasn't sure I'd use them, but they've ended up being really handy. Even managed to stuff a bag of dishwasher tablets that my wife requested whilst I was already out in one of them yesterday!🤣

[@eriknash8783]

Like the message above, these bags scuff up the body work, especially if you ride off-road. Should install some kind of protective film to paint work. The bags are extremely useful but they do damaged painted surface. Also, the neoprene straps degrade very quickly. I had to sew new Velcro straps to the bag and it took hours. As I said in another response. This brand and system looks really nice, but it's useless for protection.

[@nickfifield1]

Re the gap . Is that a quality control problem with heed? Did you ask them?

[@fernandosuvillaga9848]

Good video! Will this fit the 2022 v2s? Are they the same bars? Thanks and great video

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

I'm pretty sure they will, but best to check with Heed. I'm almost 100% sure there has been no change to the shape and size of the front of the bike since being the 950S.

[@geertbuch]

Does anybody have the torque settings ?

[@guitarplayerwannabee]

Thanks for the review. Did you have to pay Customs Duty and VAT on top?

[@mengaw-yong2490]

I just got mine £46 customs sodding brexit

[@mgal84]

Did anyone else notice them sitting at a different level between left and right? Saw their website, and they too seem off. Not sure about getting them as yet.. this would really bother me...

[@beattheskins1108]

Great video, I'm thinking of getting a set of HEED bars, however, if you dont mind me asking, did you have to import tax when you received the bars as well as your P&P? I've heard this has to be paid as UK is no longer in the EU? Thanks.

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

As far as I remember I don't think so. I have been caught a few times with that over the last 6 months or so - sometimes you order things thinking they are from the UK and then find that they have been drop shipped from abroad and you are liable for the tax. These weren't drop shipped they just come from Slovenia I think, where Heed are based, but if my memory serves me correctly these weren't items that required any further tax paying when they arrived.

[@beattheskins1108]

@@TheBoltHoleBiker I ordered and received the bars with no additional taxes, so that was a win. I tried installing the bracket on the LHS at the radiator and after 45 minutes of pure frustration I came back to watch your video to see you had the same issue, I will take off the black plastic and try again........ tomorrow!!! LOL

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

@@beattheskins1108 Oh man, I feel your pain, the memories are flooding back, that left side of pure torture! Removing the plastic section makes it almost bearable😂

[@davemusson3407]

Great review thanks, i'll be fitting HEED bars for my Multi 1260s that arrived this week, weather permitting. For info, I received a invoice for import duty from UPS for around £40 that had to be paid before they would deliver them.

[@rogerthelodger]

I’ve just fitted the Heed crash bars on my 950s Multistrada today. Many thanks for your very instructive video it was a massive help. I had the same issue trying to get the radiator fixing bolt to screw in on the gear lever side. When I checked with the torch the radiator had dropped by 5mm and so no wonder I couldn’t get the bolt in. I had to jack the radiator up to get it in, all else worked ok and it looks great on the bike. Does anyone know the torque setting for the engine bolt that you replace to fit the bars ?

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

It's a difficult one to find that! As far as I can see from a bit of searching on Dr Google it is 60nm, but it might be worth a phone call to a Ducati service centre to confirm this as I am not sure. It appears that they refer to it as the Frame Engine Retaining Nut.

[@rogerthelodger]

@@TheBoltHoleBiker thanks, I rang Ducati and they said 50Nm so it’s somewhere near that I think 👍

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

@@rogerthelodger Perfect. Better safe than sorry!

[@robh2186]

Hi BHB, did the same fella, dropped the bike before getting the bars. (Yep, stable door horse bolting). New Hand guard needed and a slight scratch to mirror and tank cover.😟. Can I ask, did you order the Heed’s straight from eBay? Just a little concerned about ordering from Poland with tax/duty charges. Thanks. (Went for the 950s in GP White..don’t judge 👍)

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

Oh man, I feel your pain (not about the colour!!!🤣🤣🤣) Yes, I ordered mine on ebay, the seller was heed_heed and I had no issues. They were £164 with the bags, which I didn't think I would use, but they have proved to be very handy!

[@robh2186]

Brilliant, thank you, I'll get them ordered. (Just watch out for that top rad bolt you say....cheers for the heads up 😉) seriously, much appreciated.

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

@@robh2186 Ah, the dreaded rad bolt! I'd almost forgotten... I might not sleep tonight now🤣

[@woodperfekt]

Is that crash bar compatible with the new V2/V2S?

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

I am 99.999% sure that it is. As far as I am aware there have been no changes to the front end of the bike between the 950 and the V2, so you should be fine.

[@eriknash8783]

Are you planning to install a proper skid plate?

[@TheBoltHoleBiker]

I haven't considered it to be honest, I think just the crash bars and wheel axle bobbins front and rear will be as far as I go.

[@docmarc36]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA a smaller bike? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!