Engine bars

[D-Fuzz]

I am slowly starting to outfit my Tigger and next on my list is some engine protection.  When it comes to engine bars, it seems that Thunderbike and H&B are the only real options.  The Thunderbike bars are about $200 more expensive than the H&B ones.  That said, it seems that most people on here have the Thunderbike bars.  Are they worth the extra money?

[nightrunner]

I've been on Tiger lists since I bought my steamer in 2000; here, Yahoo, Advrider.  Lots of threads on this topic.  Virtually everyone who has the TB bars loves them.  Many reports of lay downs with no damage to the plastic or the rider.  I bought the HB bars though.  I don't know if mine are defective or its intentional but as I sit on the bike and look down, they stick out farther on the left side than the right.  I had always planned to cut and reweld them to fix the gap but haven't done it yet.  I do think the HB bars look better.  But I think the TB bars would do a better job protecting the bike and probably my legs.    Anyway that's my 0.02.   There are some TB owners here so maybe they ill weigh in.

[Nimrod11]

Here are my 2 cents also... I also have the HB bars on my Girly and am happy with them. I think they look nicer and have protected well in a couple of laydowns.  :roll:  Perhaps the TB's protect better, but I'm happy with my HB.

[D-Fuzz]

Are the H&B bars any easier to install.  There seems to be quite a bit of disassembly involved in installing the Thunderbike bars.

[Mustang]

Are the H&B bars any easier to install.  There seems to be quite a bit of disassembly involved in installing the Thunderbike bars.

I think the thunderbike bars are easier in my opinion  YMMV

[NeilD]

I've got my Thunderbike bars to fit over the winter...  I was planning to drain and change the coolant anyway so will do it as per the instructions.. other than that it looks quite straightforward.. hope thats not 'famous last words'!  :D

[D-Fuzz]

I have been given a delivery time of 6 weeks to 6 months for a set of H&B bars to come from Germany.  I'd have to pay the entire amount up front with no option to cancel once the order has been placed.  I could live with 6 weeks, but 6 months is a long time down the road.  I could get hit by a bus or get abducted by aliens in that amount of time.  I guess it will be TB bars going on my bike.  They quoted me 4 weeks, with a deposit up front and the balance upon completion.  I can live with that.

[nightrunner]

When I ordered my H&B's there was one US distributor, and it was not one of the M/C supply houses (would have to dig to find it again).   My bad luck began when the shipping container that my package was in got held up in customs for a couple of months.  By this I mean the 40' steel container at the port of entry.  Maybe they found some contraband in it.  Add that to the normal international lead time.  Then I get them mounted and they are not symmetric.  Several e-mails to the factory went un-answered.  Still don't know if mine are defective or not.  

Anyway I recall that Jack Lilly in the UK was also a distributor for them and he did ship international.    You might check there.

Some day I will either reweld mine so they are even or put them on ebay and go with the TB bars.  Yeah they want mint for them but I think no more than a new set of plastic.  Orrrrrrr, for the price of TB bars one could probably have a welder make a set to your specs. Hmmmm.

[NeilD]

might also be worth talking to the UK distributor Motobins, as they ship internationally... ?
http://www.motobins.co.uk/displayfinal. ... iger&go=GO

[fishnbiker]

Well this is a good one. Sorry I can't tell you about the protection capabilities... I bought the TB set after a get off in 1998. Still no scratches to date. Maybe they have good Karma.

They make a great place to mount accessories, though. Mine have highway pegs bolted onto the bottom plate

[D-Fuzz]

That's a great photo!  I plan to use my Tiger for another run through the Yukon and Alaska in a couple summers.  I did the Prudhoe Bay run last time on my DR650, the plan is to do the Sunshine Coast and Anchorage with my Tiger next time.  That gives me a season to get it properly kitted out and get to know the bike before the trip.

As soon as Christmas shopping gets done, I'll be ordering up a set of TB bars.  Hopefully have them by spring.

[fishnbiker]

That's a great photo!  I plan to use my Tiger for another run through the Yukon and Alaska in a couple summers.  I did the Prudhoe Bay run last time on my DR650, the plan is to do the Sunshine Coast and Anchorage with my Tiger next time.  That gives me a season to get it properly kitted out and get to know the bike before the trip.

As soon as Christmas shopping gets done, I'll be ordering up a set of TB bars.  Hopefully have them by spring.

If you get that trip together, make sure you remember me, I live in Campbell River between the Sunshine coast ferry & the ferry to the north I did that this past summer (with wifey in a camper, though) so can also give insight into that area. I may even want to go back on 2 wheels. I usually take at least 2 weeks every year for camping & fishing with the Tiger, as well as shorter rides for 3~6 days. Another spectacular run is from the ferry to Bella Coola, up into the Cariboo region in central BC, then north. See BCFerries.com & Hellobc.com for info

[fishnbiker]

Looking back, I see you are in Sask. I got Felix out nearby to the Cypress Hills in May & got tangled up in that late snowfall. Lovely country though.

[D-Fuzz]

I keep searching the 'net for crash bars and keep coming up with the same result...Thunderbike.  The problem with them is cost, over $500US for a set.  That's about 20% of what I paid for the bike.

I'm wondering if I am getting too hung up on this.  I am mostly concerned with a low speed off or parking lot tip-over.  Anything at speed will likely result in my insurance company owning the bike, so I am not overly concerned with that.  I don't ride much in the city anyway, most of my riding is out-of-town, either pavement or gravel/dirt roads.  Do I really need them?  I won't be riding single track with the bike.  I just don't want a parking lot tip-over to end up costing hundreds of $$$ to fix broken plastic and such.

[Mustang]

I've had my steamer since new in 98 and don't have crash bars at all .......
it's been tossed down the road a few times at speed and other than a few scrapes on the tank and some new handlebars it's fine .
I attribute this to having metal panniers that is what the bike slid down the road on .

The thunderbikes are awesome though , you have a place to mount highway pegs and off road lights . and they are indestructible ....well almost .