Which Handguards Should I Choose?

When I ordered the Enduro Engineering Open Ended Debris Deflectors over two years ago, I immediately asked myself “What is a Debris Deflector?”. I always thought they were called open ended handguards, or open ended bark busters. As it turns out, there are a lot of names for the pieces of plastic and metal that attach to our handlebars to protect our hands and controls.
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If you’re new to dirt biking, you may have bought a bike that came with plastic roost guards right off the showroom floor. You probably also quickly learned that those are crap. Besides those stock handguards, there is a vast array of dirt bike handguard options.
The simplest dirt bike handguard is strangely called a “flag”. It most likely attaches with a plastic arm, and has the straightforward job of keeping roost away from your hands. A few lay overs or incidents with a tree, and you’ll realize why these are typically reserved for motocross.
“Bark Busters”, or full wrap around handguards, are a product of the seventies and motorcyclists starting to venture off the track and into the woods. The Bark Buster shape has evolved with modern day dirt bike handlebars, and the fear of broken wrists. Some manufacturers stick to a traditional shape, while others choose to mitigate the “broken wrist” factor by incorporating unique shapes.
The open ended handguard market has evolved, which intrigued me enough to jump on the bandwagon. I chose the Enduro Engineering Open Ended Debris Deflectors because they had an option that didn’t take up bar space, the composite arm bent, but didn’t break easily, and the brush guard takes a hell of a beating. There are other open ended handguards options, and testing them is a priority, but we’ll get there when there’s time.
Which dirt bike handguards do your ride with and why? Have any handguards failed you in the past for certain reasons? If you’re running full wrap around handguards, why haven’t you tried open ended handguards? What’s your favorite color?
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[@brycedavis907]

I run flag style guards, I wasn't concerned about getting my arm trapped\broken. I bought a new bike and was too lazy to get new wrap arounds and noticed I was crashing a lot less. I figured out the correlation was that the flex of a flag style allows me to just clip trees and get less bar input than with full wrap gaurds.

[@SeatTime]

NICE! That deflection from full wrap around was the same reason I started researching more about open ended guards. Which bike do you have and what flags came stock on it?

[@brycedavis907]

@@SeatTime I have a 17 te300 and a 22 350 xc-f and run the stock KTM flags on both bikes.

[@SeatTime]

Glad you've had luck with them working so well. I personally haven't had many stock guards stay attached after a few trees hits.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

So I think you are saying that your guards flex and absorb energy that would have turned your bar more to help cause a crash. Is that correct? For my full wrap bar, I am bending the bar near the grip end to angle the bar inward, to create a slope, (in stead of a straight jab), to kind of do the same thing, (but deflect more than absorb energy.). I remember when Bark Busters were new around 85, and the hard core trail riders had the bark of sapling trees gone on one side from the bark busters hitting the trees, (I would say to 1.5" in diameter), bending the trees over (energy absorption, hehe), and stripping the bark for about a 2 foot height/length off the tree. I did not have a pair when I went riding with these animals, and when we got back to the parking lot we started talking about the Busters. One was saying he could hit 2 little trees at once (one on each side), and just mow them over. I asked one of them, "How big is too big when you hit 2 trees like that?" Answer: "When the front wheel comes off the ground." lol

[@dh1270]

I run Cycra Primal Stealth, flag style, hand guards. Been using them about 7 years now. Fairly inexpensive and, getting my wrist locked in a full wrap was always a concern. The Cycra hand guards you held up are something I’ve been eyeing for a couple weeks though due to the design you pointed out.

[@highlandcycles]

I have run almost every style of guard but I have settled on the new EE style open flags. They are super burly and keep the bike light and open feeling. I also run foldy levers and bar end protectors to keep everything moving and working right.

[@SeatTime]

Foldy Levers! I run the Midwest Mountain Engineering levers (both sides) and never had a lever issue. I think it's because they're a bit smaller. If I didn't run those, I do think I would need to use some foldable levers.

[@highlandcycles]

@@SeatTime #foldy #foldylee

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I don't really like any of the designs today for tree bashing. I use full wraps for all the small tree hits in the woods, and I used Bark Busters decades ago,--before pro taper bars. I don't like the clamp on the taper, or removing/cutting the stock bar pad to get clamps on that short straight diameter next to the handlebar clamps. I bought the Yamaha GYTR full wraps thinking they would be perfect for my stock Yamaha pro taper bars. I just modified the heck out of them (I have a small machine shop. Took me a lot of time for design and machine), to be compact, light (much lighter than the stock wraps), rigid, (or twist if you want), and very clean looking. Nothing clamps on the taper, and I am using my stock bar pad. It won't twist accept maybe in a crash. Just about anything can break in a crash though. It might be more vulnerable in a crash than the stock mounts, but it won't garf my taper on the bar, (causing a "stress riser"), when those twist. I wish we could post a picture in the comments section. If you like full wraps, you would love these. Doug in Michigan.

[@SeatTime]

Sounds like you need to make a KZbin video of those bad boys Doug! I hope one day I’m in a place where I can learn to machine and make my own parts. Mainly for the learning and fun and trying new things versus wanting to fabricate and sell stuff. Also, I want to ride single track in Michigan!

[@Fred-mv8fx]

G2 Mongo mounts sound like they check off your boxes. I love them and I only run them since I discovered them.

[@michaelvandesluis7581]

Love my EE deflectors. They have held up awesome and look great!

[@SeatTime]

Open ended or full wrap?!?!

[@michaelvandesluis7581]

Open ended. Same ones you showed. So tough, so sexy!!

[@kraighawkins2919]

I'm going to check these out. Been running Acerbis full wrap arounds, and the deflection when a clip a tree can be pretty hard. Bought a pair of the Cycra Rebounds for my son's 85, and on the first tip over, one of them broke. Might get a pair of these for mine and his.

[@SeatTime]

Which ones are you going to try? The EE open ended?

[@doobielawson702]

I have not been able to find open end style deflectors that can mount properly on the throttle side. The brake reservoir is in the way. I have tried them on about 5 different bikes, dirtbikes and dual sports, the latest being an XT250 & a 300L, didn't work well on either bike. I'm looking for wind protection more than anything, so the deflector has to be in the proper place for them to be effective.

[@eric6rock]

I don’t know what to get first of all I need new levers arc is on the list, but this was my second lever and second bike that I had snapped the clutch lever again. I have been seeing cycra their designs and functionality is pretty dope however you are spending a pretty penny on those. While the Acerbis doesn’t brake the bank I’m concerned about the protection of the levers.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

6:05 Flag guard. You would have smashed your finger(s) of you hand was at the end of the grip. That could be a nasty pinky hit there. :) You make a good vid sir.

[@SeatTime]

Thanks for the complement! In the two plus years of running the open flags, I’ve only smashed my pinky once that really, REALLY hurt. That’s not to say it’s not possible, because as we know, anything is possible.

[@Kickaha83]

Full wrap around proper Barkbusters with Storm plastic guards attached , they are a bit bigger and offer better hand protection from stray shrubbery, I have them on 4 different bikes

[@SeatTime]

Where are you normally riding? Have you tried others before that these works better than?

[@Kickaha83]

I haven't ever felt the need to try anything else as these work so well, I'm in NZ and we ride a pretty varied mix of terrain, 4wd tracks, single track, forestry, open farmland, riverbed, not a lot of really rocky terrain though

[@Kickaha83]

Mixture of 4wd track, riverbed, forestry, and single track in NZ, these work well enough that I have not bothered to try any others

[@SeatTime]

@@Kickaha83 Dang, I'm jealous that you're riding around New Zealand. Watching the Rings of Power show showcases some EPIC landscapes y'all have to enjoy!

[@numbzinger350]

2:58 What bender is that? I've never seen one of those. It sure looks handy.

[@stevebaum]

I’m interested too!

[@highlandcycles]

Do any of them protect against chainsaws??

[@SeatTime]

🤣🤣 Yes, most handguards would protect you from chainsaws. What they don't protect you from is stupidity! Always ask your friends to not ride #hardenduro features with a chainsaw on the front of his bike.

[@highlandcycles]

@@SeatTime #highlandcycleswashere

[@SeatTime]

The tattoo is still happening #CoverYourTool

[@nativeamerican7424]

The full wrap around Guards saves Leavers n ur bars plus ur rubber grips

[@SeatTime]

There are a lot of foldable and bendable levers these days. Full wraps aren't needed just for saving levers. Unless you just REALLY like the feel of stock levers.

[@nativeamerican7424]

@SeatTime yea no rubber and plastic last forever and solid 🤣🤡 pedophilia is wrong communist tool

[@DCSkippy01]

What would you recommend for someone just trying to keep your levers in good shape? I just started riding and ill be on the street mostly but, I know low speed tip over will eventually happen and I don't want to break a lever.

[@dylanfreeland3801]

Make sure the tip of the lever is inside the tip of the handlebars and keep your perches just barley loose enough to rotate on impact

[@teammotu]

Interesting that Dakar bikes from the 90’s and earlier didn’t have handle guards

[@nate4036]

Cycra Pro Bend or even their Enduro. I have both. They take a beating and I’ve always been unharmed.

[@SeatTime]

I do like them, but now that I'm running the newer Enduro Engineering Open Ended Guards, I don't think I can go back...

[@nate4036]

@@SeatTime I like how rugged those are built. If they work for you, it’s all that matters

[@eastwood4006]

Probably getting the Cycra pro bend. I ride hard endro in very tight woods in the Southeast, always bashing against trees. Ran flags for a while... But I value my fingers too much. Ill take my chances, the experienced fast guys around here run wrap arounds for safety, also able to bash through small saplings

[@ShiftGearsMoto]

Cyca Probend CRM every time.

[@SeatTime]

I was planning on trying those out, but then switched to what I run now. I may get those for Liam so he can do some testing for us!

[@claudioteixeira5917]

Try the OEM from ktm ,for 35€ close the OEM KTM hand guards FULL PROTEC!

[@SeatTime]

Who makes the OEM KTM'S? Most of the power parts here in the States are white labeled products by other brands.

[@AKAOmnivore]

It would would seem based of the broken wrist comment someone making the full guard would come up with a lower plastic wrap that would prevent your hand from being able pass through the bottom of the guard. Does that make sense? in other words by extending the front facing plastic shield guard to under the grip you could no longer put your arm/wrist through the metal frame. Problem solved.

[@SeatTime]

Are we thinking like a "bucket"? To keep the hand from falling through?

[@AKAOmnivore]

@@SeatTime Yep, you would leave enough room for your hand to move freely on the throttle, by extending the plastic face shield to the bottom, your hand couldnt go down through it. For that matter they could mount the shield with rubber lock stops instead of screws so if you hand hit the backside of the front plate it would pop off. Then you just pop it back on.

[@non-revrider8485]

Been riding for 30 years. I’ve heard lots of stories about broken arms/wrists from lacing your arm thru full wraps in a crash. It’s always some 2nd hand story about someone I’ve never met. As prevalent as people claim I would’ve thought I’d have seen it myself or at least met someone who has………

[@non-revrider8485]

Been riding for 30 years. I’ve heard lots of stories about broken arms/wrists from lacing your arm thru full wraps in a crash. It’s always some 2nd hand story about someone I’ve never met. As prevalent as people claim I would’ve thought I’d have seen it myself or at least met someone who has………

[@non-revrider8485]

Been riding for 30 years. I’ve heard lots of stories about broken arms/wrists from lacing your arm thru full wraps in a crash. It’s always some 2nd hand story about someone I’ve never met. As prevalent as people claim I would’ve thought I’d have seen it myself or at least met someone who has………

[@ParitoshDebbarma19]

Accident 😂😂😂😂😂😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮