Barkbuster handguard install advice

[chadio]

Need to get handguards for my bike,  deciding between Tusk / Acerbis X Factor (BB not so much,  this should not be a $200 problem)

 

Note - I do (as some others ) prefer to rotate perches forward for positioning of the levers.

 

What say you 

[Tenerider]

 

19 minutes ago, chadio said:

Need to get handguards for my bike,  deciding between Tusk / Acerbis X Factor (BB not so much,  this should not be a $200 problem)

 

Note - I do (as some others ) prefer to rotate perches forward for positioning of the levers.

 

What say you 

X-Factors work well, they leave just enough space for my Puig aftermarket levers (OEM are slimmer).

If you've flipped your bar risers, make sure the thick aluminium bars don't hit the dashboard. They did in my case and created some nice little marks. I had to cut/grind off a bit of these bars

Approx 7mm gap between brake lever and handguard (more clearance on the clutch lever)

 

Shortened protection bar, normally it protudes roughly 1cm more towards the dash. Only a problem when bars are fully tucked in, of course. No issues with OEM risers in standard position.

 

All in all, very happy with their performance. They saved my levers multiple times, including a hard impact from a tipover on a slanted concrete parking lot.

It suffered a slight bend, only noticeable in direct comparison.

Wind protection is nice, too.

[chadio]

Thank you Tenerider!!!   I am convinced.

 

What color for my Shadow Gray '23?

 

 

[chadio]

(if I could get gold to match the fork tubes,  I would  )

[RiderEh]

Hi All,

 

Someone has the T7 specific bark busters listed locally for sale, I'm wondering if they work with Oxford grip heaters? Given all the issues I'm seeing, I'm thinking I may not buy them.

[sunndog]

I took the acerbis supermoto handfuards off my ktm 640 and they are perfect, with oxford heated grips too 

Edited July 5, 2023 by sunndog

[RiderEh]

Well, I guess I'm dragging up an old thread. I couldn't get the suggested kit to work with the stock bars and weights. I think I'll have to live without the weights. I do like my levers pointed down. I can get the whole setup to fit but the barkbusters are pointing way down. I only tried the front brake side. I'm also using oxford grip heaters.

 

[CamT]

On 3/31/2023 at 12:02 PM, Toymaster said:

It would seem the "offset" topic stole the show in this thread.  I would like to point out that the other topic mentioned is the use of the OEM bar weights and bar inserts.  None of the BB hardware is required on that end of the guard and the OEM stuff is actually heavier. 

 

Part of the "bike specific" kit is the replacement weights, insert, and longer screw.   These are the parts I spent money on and are not using; they will probably stay in my toolbox till I die.   I'm an old maintenance man, therefore a packrat.  You never know what little widget the next project may require. 

Thanks for your post. I just fitted mine using your advice using the universal kit,  and I think I would have run into issues using the other one. I didn’t think it was worth messing around with the bar weights. 

[Rider 101]

I just revisited mine.

They were dealer fitted and look like the universal fit with the straight piece to the bar clamp.

I have my levers rotated forward and don't see any conflict.

I ride a mix of sitting and standing and I have the levers set at what I consider the optimum height.

I think if the kit had the T7 specific fittings I would be hitting the top of the Acerbis tank

 

 

ARGGGHH  why do my photos come out 90° rotated??

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2024 by Rider 101
add photo

[RobRoy]

On 3/30/2023 at 1:27 AM, Tenerider said:

 

This also caused some space issues on my Acerbis guards with aftermarket levers (had to remove the bar end weights).

At least the T7 specific kit for the X-Factors did fit, but fiddling is always required I guess.

 

I would probably go with the X-Factor solution, but was a little confused when there was reference to a, "...T7 specific kit... ".

I have not found such a reference to anything specific to a T7.

I'd probably remove the bar weights anyways, but your fitment issues were due to optional levers as I understand it. 

Was there any noticeable comfort of fatigue difference without the bar weights ?  *

*   -  my reference was to a Y2K KTM LC4 platform which vibrated fiercely but was really not a bother to me personally. 

 

[RiderEh]

I was not able to get universal to work with bar weights. I ended up using Emperor Racing handguard braces that worked fine to retain the bar weights, as I noticed a big difference in vibration when I got rid of bar weights. 

 

Cheapest that would have worked for me is buy the Barkbuster guards and Storm guards only, and forgo the univeral mounting kit. Then buy the MK06 or MK07 kit in link below, but I think I used a longer countersunk bolt I cut to length on the bar ends: 

Dirt Bike Handguard Mounting Kits

---

Premium quality handguard mounting kit CNC machined from a billet of aviation-grade aluminum. Mounts will lock the guards on both inboard and outboard ends.

 

[Tenerider]

9 hours ago, RobRoy said:

I would probably go with the X-Factor solution, but was a little confused when there was reference to a, "...T7 specific kit... ".

I have not found such a reference to anything specific to a T7.

I'd probably remove the bar weights anyways, but your fitment issues were due to optional levers as I understand it. 

Was there any noticeable comfort of fatigue difference without the bar weights ?  *

*   -  my reference was to a Y2K KTM LC4 platform which vibrated fiercely but was really not a bother to me personally. 

 

I couldn't tell the difference with and without the weights, although I'm quite sensitive regarding vibrations.

The handguards do add some weight to the bars, which probably compensates for the removal of the bar end weights.

[jdub53]

3 hours ago, Tenerider said:

I couldn't tell the difference with and without the weights, although I'm quite sensitive regarding vibrations.

The handguards do add some weight to the bars, which probably compensates for the removal of the bar end weights.

 

Same here. Replacing the Barkbusters that had been on my T7 with Highway Dirt Bike handguards required removal of the bar end weights, and I was pleased to find no vibration at the grips as a result. Although the integral HDB pivoting bar end mirrors are small and convex, images in them remain clear.

[AZJW]

I'm a big fan as well of the HDB handguards. The extra weight I feel is more than justified in protection and durability,  plus the added benefit of elimination of any bar vibration.   I went a different route and retained my oem bar end weights and also have the oem heated grips. This setup has been rock solid for about 20K miles/ 3 years.