SW MOTECH engine crash bars 2019 Honda CB500X

[@Der3fr]

EN : Hello I have these protections on my 2016 CB500X. I crashed at about 70km/h on asphalt and the bike slipped 10 metres (and broke my collarbone). These protections held up well and did a good job, even if there was obviously some damage: twisted handlebars, shocks in the tank and a fairing (because of the twisted handlebars that hit it), grated rear passenger handle, broken footrest, twisted switch. The bar in front of the radiator did not move or damage it. It's good equipment, and it won't save your bike entirely for a fall at high speed, but at rest and at low speed, it will save you from costly damage. After the repair, I bought back and put back the same protections. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FR : Bonjour J'ai ces protections sur ma CB500X de 2016. J'ai chuté à environ 70km/h sur du bitume et la moto a glissé sur 10 mètres (et je me suis cassé la clavicule). Ces protections ont tenu le choc et fait un bon travail, même s'il y a évidemment eu des dégâts : guidon tordu, des chocs dans le réservoir et un carénage (à cause du guidon tordu qui est venu taper dedans), poignée passager arrière râpée, repose-pieds cassé, sélecteur tordu. La barre devant le radiateur n'a pas bougé et ne l'a pas endommagé. C'est du bon matériel, et ça ne sauvera pas entièrement votre moto pour une chute à haute vitesse, mais à l'arrêt et à basse vitesse, ça vous évitera des dégâts qui coûterai cher. Après la réparation, j'ai racheté et remis ces mêmes protections.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Bonjour, et merci pour vos appréciations, qui m'ont permis de pratiquer mon français (j'ai vécu 30 ans à Lille, avant de descendre au Portugal). Visiblement, c'est du bon matériel - tant mieux. Heureusement, je n'ai jamais (pas encore?) eu l'occasion de tester ces protections d'une façon aussi hard que vous, mais je suis content d'apprendre qu'elles sont en mesure de résister à une chute aussi brutale. Merci encore et ride safe :)

[@wayneh8767]

These are definitely top quality, very accurate fitment and alignment. Very strong as you mentioned, I also picked up a SW Motech skid plate installing that soon.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

I've bought a lot of SW Motech equipment and am always very happy with the quality

[@charchenko10]

What are the torque specs for the mounting points? Thank you

[@admirteixeiraalexandre4915]

I would not buy this crash bars, Just wondering how It could damage the radiator or engine screws with a medium/high impact. Just a comment bro

[@RocketMan_Moto]

I understand your concern, but I think the impact would have to be at an unusual angle to push the bar into the radiator, and at such high speed that you would be more worried about damage to you than your bike. Hopefully, I will never need to test it. Ride safe :)

[@markusdergroe3082]

this video made me choose those thanks mate

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Glad I could help :)

[@sandbiker]

SW Motech does make quality parts. I installed some on my "F" and plan to the same on my "X". Nice video by the way.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Thanks. Indeed they do: a few years on from when I made this video, SW Motech are now sponsoring my channel and helping me kit out my Transalp 750. Ride safe :)

[@Nik.ff.]

did these exact ones fit your F? I have a 2018 was looking at the puig guards that look similar but they lack a cross bar

[@brakingboundaries]

Any chance you know the toque values for the bolts? Seemingly impossible to find OEM ratings online

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Sorry, can’t remember

[@dario230589]

Do they protect the sides of the tank? Comparing them with the givi, seem to expose the tank. Thank you!

[@RocketMan_Moto]

My tank didn't suffer any damage when I dropped the bike, but I agree they don't look as if they offer as much protection as the Givis

[@Geo_Okami]

Thank you for reviewing crash bars and making video about it..My biggest concern about this crash bars is the plate that is connecting left and right side and goes directly in front of the radiator, is it sturdy enough for not to bent towards the radiator and damage it?

[@RocketMan_Moto]

valsorimcijas Absolutely, the centre brace between the two bars might look flimsy and dangerously close to the radiator, but it is very thick and very rigid. It’s impossible to bend by hand, and even with tools it would be extremely difficult. I would say it protects (an admittedly small area of) the radiator more than it exposes it to potential damage. Hope this helps.

[@Geo_Okami]

@@RocketMan_Moto Thank you for response..I will get in touch with my motech dealer here in Croatia and order crash bars to finish my crash bar search chapter👍..Also I will ask dealer for motech skid plate mounting points, im a little bit concerned about left side mounting poing on our bike, from pdf file it seems that skid is connecting to a gear lever mounting point..I don't wanna bump into someting under the bike and transmit impact through the skid plate onto a gear lever mounting point and possibly damage the gearbox.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

@@Geo_Okami I ordered my parts direct from SW Motech in Germany. I live in Portugal, but they were delivered to me very quickly with typical German efficiency. I would be interested to hear you experiences with their skid plate. I will be doing a video of the handguards in the next few days, but I am slightly disappointed with the fit and finish compared to the other parts & accessories I have bought from them.

[@OregunAdventure]

I just got my new CB500X last night! These are sold out:/

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Did you contact SW Motech in Germany?

[@OregunAdventure]

@@RocketMan_Moto The US distributor (Revilla) is out of stock.

[@bcnubynby4056]

I'm happy to know that replacing one bolt at a time is safe and doesn't present with issues. However, can you tell me the proper torque specs for the engine mounting bolts? The Motech instructions refer to Honda for the specs but I haven't been able to find the information in the owner's manual. Thanks so much.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

I'm afraid I don't own the bike any more, so can't help

[@PigeonSpeaks]

I just bought these. The instructions say you're supposed to remove the farings on both sides and it's a little confusing as they only mention two screws for that and the drawing is bad. Do you remember if you removed the farings when installing these crash bars? I'm not sure if that is really necessary or not.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

No, I definitely didn't remove or even loosen the fairings.

[@1990-t1j]

I always worry that crash bars / bungs could cause more damage than they'll prevent. Depending on what they are attached to, they could ruin the frame.

[@phuketbungalowinfo2757]

absolutely NOT!

[@1990-t1j]

@@phuketbungalowinfo2757 They CAN twist the frame, but I suppose that would be a bad crash and the bike would be written off anyway. A lot of bike mechanics advice against fitting them.

[@phuketbungalowinfo2757]

@@1990-t1j when on real bad roads somewhere in the mountains on gravel you will fall sooner or later and i prefer not to break my plastics or engine colour every time :) ... HONDA is doing in bad job in the past years regarding the painting works, at least here in Thailand. The colour is so unbelivable thin, on my CB500X it was gone on the front fork after the first powerwash on many places. It also started to rust on some screws after just one year... good Quality was yesterday ;) have a great day

[@1990-t1j]

@@phuketbungalowinfo2757 Hondas made in Thailand are not as good as Hondas made in Japan. I am also in Thailand. Regards, Nick

[@giovanniciardetti2120]

Hi, Thanks for the video.. got them today and wanted to put them on. it looks like straight forward. Did you use the thread locker and what torque did you tight the original bots (top ones). Thanks a million. Gio

[@RocketMan_Moto]

I did use thread lock, but I'm afraid I can't recall the torque settings. I found them online somewhere, I believe :)

[@giovanniciardetti2120]

@@RocketMan_Moto thanks a million

[@georgeharsin6292]

Hi, do you have the torque specs? Thanks

[@impawesome7687]

Hi, I was wondering if these guards also the side fairings? When you dropped the bike, was it on a flat surface? Did the guards prevent the fairings to have contact with the ground also?

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Yes, the fairings were totally protected. Only the mirror and exhaust suffered slightly :)

[@impawesome7687]

@@RocketMan_Moto Thank you so much for replying. I am considering this since I prefer smaller guards than those large ones that cover the bike all over like the Hepco & Becker's. Thanks again!

[@johnbaker7626]

Hi, Do you have the engine mounting torque settings for fitting the crash bars. Nice vid

[@georgeharsin6292]

Hi, do you have the torque specs? Thanks

[@georgeharsin6292]

Hi, can one person install these? Any problems lining up holes?

[@ae70gts]

i want to put these but im worried about angine mounts ????!!!! they seem quite sensitive ...... and if bike falls maybe they brake and really cause engine damage????????????????!!!!!!

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Better than no crash bars :)

[@Ohstah]

Where can I buy this proteccion bars? Thank you

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Hi, you can order them direct from www.sw-motech.com, but several online retailers offer them.

[@destructiveflow6964]

Any vibrations coming from the crashguard after installation?

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Yes the vibrations are a bit more pronounced.

[@destructiveflow6964]

@@RocketMan_Moto thanks and you got a sub here in the southeast

[@steve1962]

Hi I just wondered how heavy these are and if you feel any difference in that regard. I had some engine bars on my 1150 GS and they were definitely worth the investment!! The more I check this bike out, the more I think it would suit me - am not really bothered about the power but I do also like the NC750 , in particular the on bike storage capability which the CB500X doesn't have ( my current BMW 1100R has a Givi top box and I do use the storage)- I spoke to a girl who was riding one and she had put drop links on it to lower it and absolutely loved the bike. Cheers. Steve

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Thanks, Steve. Can't say I've noticed any issues/differences due to the weight. I have ridden the 1250GS and loved it, expensive though. The CB500X is a really great, easy-to-live-with bike, but watch out for those pesky vibrations above 6000rpm. Ride safe :)

[@steve1962]

@@RocketMan_Moto BMW do make some great bikes but they aren't cheap are they!! i'm only 5ft 8 with 29 inch inside leg and I went from a Fazer 600 straight to an 1150 GS - bloody hell I loved that bike, great road presence, deceptive performance and superb handling but in truth it was really just a bit too tall and heavy for a lightweight like me in the end. The 1100 R is a good compromise for me but I fancy a change to something a bit lighter and more economical hence the research and interest in both the CB500X and the NC 750. Just recently changed my car and got an 11 plate Honda Jazz and am impressed by the build quality and reliability (not to mention the space), so decided to look at their bikes too. The only change I've made to the car is to install some LED headlight bulbs and they are very good, so seeing that the 19 model CB500X has LED lights is a big plus for me as I live in rural Oxfordshire. Cheers Steve

[@RocketMan_Moto]

@@steve1962 I must admit that I very rarely ride at night, so while I like how cool LED lights look, I really don't have a genuine use for them. There is a lot to be said for the back-to-basics approach and one of my very favourite bikes is our 9hp Honda Vision scooter, which I use several times a day. The CB500X is sort of a giant version of that, I suppose - nothing amazing, but very easy to use for a big bike. Hope you find what you're looking for.

[@steve1962]

@@RocketMan_Moto Thanks and will keep you posted .

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

Have you try higher speed after you install all this?My friend bike vibrates at speed between 145-155kmh on his 2019 CB500XA

[@RocketMan_Moto]

The bars could be the cause of the vibrations. I certainly don't think they help. But I've sold the bike now, so it's ok :)

[@ruihenriques574]

Can you send where is the off road track in the end of the video?

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Sorry, I can't remember off hand

[@ldesp3430]

Hi, I have read some people report issues of Vibrations with various crashbars. Did you notice any additional vibes with these and do you know what they weigh? Also would you happen to know what the 2020 Honda OEM lightbar/crashbar weighs?

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Not sure about the weight, but I did remove them to see if I got fewer vibrations. But no, it was just as bad as ever, so I ended up selling the bike :)

[@trekkydelirium-vroom5821]

Friendly advice : your Denali mini sound bomb opening absolutely need to face the ground so water wont stay in.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Trekky Delirium haha, thanks, but I live in Portugal where it hardly ever rains, and when it does, I take the car 😊

[@arismous8586]

Hello this crash bars make vibrations ?

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Yes, a little, and the CB500X is already quite viby :(

[@arismous8586]

@@RocketMan_Moto i think its viby like all 2 cylinder bikes

[@arismous8586]

@@RocketMan_Moto hello with sw you had vibrations on handlebar or only on foot pegs?

[@danebrewer10]

I must say I don't rate these, my 2016 500x rolled off the side stand, bent both the bars quite a lot, enough for the bars to contact the plastic, quite disappointing..... I'm in the process of replacing them with the givi ones that meet up under the light, hopefully they'll be stiffer I guess if it was a moving drop at low speed, as you hop away, the bike will drop a bit slower than if you just pushed it over so the damage wouldn't be so severe I guess

[@ljoelmchanley3676]

Remove the muffler guard, wet sand lightly with 1000/1500, add about 5 light coats of silver high-temp header paint (spray can)...good as new for a few bucks.

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Thanks for that, most helpful. Ride safe :)

[@samdog1096]

Very good. Thank you. I’ll buy a set

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Glad you found it helpful

[@alexanderlavrov3970]

the crash bars are there so you can crash the bike , as you said before you install you never drop your bike now you have fun with that bars LOL .

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Exactly :)

[@porter5877]

Dude your handguards are too high they won't protect levers..

[@RocketMan_Moto]

I set them to protect my hands, rather than the levers :)

[@porter5877]

@@RocketMan_Moto even bark busters will bend, last thing you want is getting your little finger trapped... Just a bit of advice is all... Great looking bike

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Good point👍😊

[@phuketbungalowinfo2757]

those things are important, sooner or later every bike will fall and they will safe you a lot of money

[@RocketMan_Moto]

Indeed - I dropped my bike twice and they saved $$$

[@phuketbungalowinfo2757]

@@RocketMan_Moto me too, just 2 month ago and without crashbars it would have caused much much MUCH more money :) not a scratch on my plastics or engine. the crashbar i have to buy new i guess :D :D Btw, i am having the feeling the CB500X is much easier to drop as every other bike i had before...and thats a lot!