Install Altrider Lower Crash Bars on BMW R1250GS - Tech Talk

[@RWDLife]

Used this video together with the Altrider provided installation manual and it couldnt have been easier to mount the crashbars to the bike!

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

Thanks for sharing this positive feedback. Always appreciated.

[@jpaul4595]

Nice video, I would have preferred you included the video portions that were skipped. You mentioned you needed help for some of the difficult connections.

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

Sorry about that

[@ROTTSOLID]

Appreciate your content to help others (like myself). Question: did you run into any issues with the Right-hand side lower crash bar not lining up with the mounting points on my 1250 GS. I installed the Altrider skid plate and then went to do the Altrider lower crash bars. The left side lines up without issue at all mounting points and no force was given following their instructions on which to bolt up first etc. the Right hand side would not. If I follow the instructions and connect the top brace to the long frame bolt…then the top front to the frame and then go to the bottom front (threaded case mounting point)…the lower tube is off considerably. Everything is loose too (so nothing tight by any means). If I undo the top front bolt I can do the bottom front, but then can’t do the top front. If I take out the long through bolt so nothing is attached…I can do both the top front and the bottom front, but then the top tube won’t line up where the long through bolt goes (nor the holes in the bracket line up with the bottom tubes). I even sent pics and this info to Altrider requesting a replacement RH side lower (since the left aligned perfectly). Altrider was great and immediately got it out. I just went to install. Same exact thing with the now 2nd RH side lower. I’m now wondering if it was a bad run of a batch. I’m not finding anything online about any issues installing them. My friend has the system on his 1200 and said it went on without issue. My concern is even if I could muscle them enough to flex (which as you know would be hard due to how robust they are)…there would be such force on the bolts that an impact could potentially sheer the bolts and that especially makes me nervous about that front lower which is threaded into the engine case. Anyway sorry for the long winded detail. Just curious if you ended up challenges, sweating, swearing like me on the install. Thank you for your time.

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

@ROTTSOLID It's been a while, but Jody recalls we did have issues. We had to really loosen all the bolts and slowly tighten them individually. It was as though the bars were not completely in sync with the bike.

[@ROTTSOLID]

@@2awesomedadsadventures988 thanks for the reply. No amount of loosening can fix how far off the right hand side is. Left side perfect. And for two right hand side bars to have the same issue there must be something off in the production of them when they were made. Skid plate was simple and is on, but no crash bars now so I have to rethink it all. At least I have the MAM valve covers.

[@ranty13]

Did you need to heat the original through bolt to remove the nut? How did you keep from damaging any plastic or painted parts ?

[@jodymcleod4636]

Good question. Jeff just applied a lot of power to it to remove the nut. A breaker bar may be used for extra leverage. No heat in this case. Covering any painted or plastic parts with a towel or blanket material will help in not damaging any painted or plastic parts. I hope this has helped. Feel free to comment or ask any more questions and thank you for watching!

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

Hi. I didn’t need to heat the original through bolt to remove the nut; just some muscle. Thanks for asking the question.

[@scatbucket44]

Great video. Can these be used with the OEM skid plate? Doesn't seem like the brackets will mount to it and that the AltRider plate is required for installation. Thanks.

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

mike schulte Yes, you are correct. The Altrider skid plate is necessary for installing these lower crash bars. Thanks for watching our video.

[@scatbucket44]

@@2awesomedadsadventures988 Thanks. It would be nice if they had mentioned that when I bought them.

[@lolopit]

Hey! im a bit taller than some people (193cm) and was wondering how tall are you and have you got any issues with the bars hitting shins etc. just doing a bit of research before i order :)

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

aldamith Hi. I’m a little over 180 cm tall and do find my right knee is really close to the right lower bar. I can live with it but a taller or bigger rider may find it too close for comfort and even distracting.

[@lolopit]

@@2awesomedadsadventures988 yeah I was thinking it might be the case, thanks for the response!

[@samvictor38]

You don’t tell where the longer bolts go

[@2awesomedadsadventures988]

Shoot. Sorry about that.