Personally, I only use Cycra Pro Bend but the fashion at the moment is the open flag type roost defectors.

Depends what kind of riding you're doing. If you're constantly dropping the bike in rocks or riding in tight trees then I would always use the metal wrap arounds. But if doing very fast riding then the flags are probably safer and if you fall off, a bent lever is probably the least of your concerns.

 

I use Highway Dirt Bikes, from the states. https://www.highwaydirtbikes.com/

They are pretty industrial, but the best thing is they come with a top clamp which they bolt into. So the cannot rotate round the bars in a fall and you dont have to use up bar space fitting a clamp. These are the two main issue with all normal hand guards I've used in the past.

They are bloody bullet proof - having stuffed my 990 into the ground/rocks/trees for many years I can say they last well.

 

KTM OEM, always used them.

 

Enduro engineering, ktm, cycra - in that order of preference.

 

Look on B.K's 990 adventure thread .... aliexpress cycra copies are cheap as cheaps and very good. Bar fitting kit isnt the most beautiful but otherwise all good.

 

Plastic looks shit in the picture

 

Oh and if you do go with alu wrap arounds then Paul Bolton sells the tap and inserts to thread the end of the bars. I've done this twice and it's definitely worth doing.

 

I’m a fan of OEM flag types. They seem to last well. Can be extended to keep wind off/hands warm east enough. Cheap to replace. These with OEM levers means you don’t tend to break stuff and the bars have more flex/comfort in them.

I’d consider metal wraps if short in the leg, throw the bike down a lot, use pattern levers or have some other need. This is a personal thing but the cut throttle can get crap in meaning a heavy/sticking throttle. This happened on my XR600 that had wrap arounds. I’ve never bothered since.

It really is a personal preference thing. Neither seem to offer any massive benefit over the other in my experience.

 

 

Fine in the flesh - its proper 'thermo plastic' rather than thermo setting, so its flexible, not brittle, just like any other branded handguard.

 

Black looks better, does it feel like decent stuff?

 

I always get black - orange always seems to go a bit faded and milky.

 

Cross post

 

How can plastic look shit🤣

wtf.

 

I must be a connoisseur 😉

 

Ordered some. 👍

 

Just fitted. The fit is superb. Bar mount was used as it fits better than the spare bark busters ones l had in spares.

Only things - l used ktm bar end fixings as they are better, washers on flag bolts and a round washer on spine to bar mount fixing as the supplied shaped one is rubbish.

Thanks to @bigkuri for pointing them out.

I think that these have been the easiest to fit ever. Its as if the maker was aware of all of the niggles on other ones. Good R+D.

 

My mate runs those Cycra guards, they’re good. Solid, well made, good bend on them so your hands don’t get pinched. I just don’t like the flag shape. Would look cool on a CR500 but at odds with the angular plastics on the modern KTMs IMHO.

In the market myself after breaking my power parts low profile plastic ones. Currently composite repaired with metal epoxy and gaffer tape. Looking at how it cracked, it was bound to, had to bend it more than the left to get it in because of where the reservoir and cables were. Drilled it to make it fit better when repairing.

Throttle side had a few hard smacks on hard surfaces that the clutch side has. The off which broke it was fairly innocuous though, must’ve even the off I’m the rocks recently where my BPD radiator cover punched a hole in the fairing. [emoji847][emoji28]

Now debating what to get myself… think I’ll go with the power parts Cycra style bar but OE style flag. Also had Acerbis bark buster style guards on my old 200, low profile and solid.

 

Bark busters are also pretty good. Light and tough.

In NZ on the trails I see a lot of Zeta. Seem OK and suit the KTM looks for any big tarts 😉😂

 

Thank for all the opinions! The Timotox are wrap around but were white; I have splashed a bit of yellow paint on them, but it looks crap and won’t last! I’ll have a look at all these options.

 

@Nords - did you use your yardbrush?! ;-)

 

I like it. It reminds me of Van Gough’s Sunflowers.

 

With the benefit of hindsight, I perhaps should have bought a spray can! 😀

I don’t fall off much, but I guess that yellow is going to come off reasonably quickly.

 

Wrap arounds:

Acerbis X-Factory, KTM OEM, Greger (all plastic). Cycra are as good as KTM but I don't like the look.

Worst I have had: Acerbis Rally Pro. Aluminium soft like cheese, shape is shit too as they interfere with longer clutch levers (like Magura).
If you don't fall off a lot and you have brake and clutch master cylinders installed that they can turn when crashing, the Gregers may be an option. They are light and sturdy. The X-Factory's are very light although they are steel!

 

My cycra knock offs arrived today.
Plastic seems good
Alu bar is nice and strong and long enough not cause any interference issues with the front brake banjo like the shorter ones do
bar mounting block is a bit lightweight but there's plenty of meat on it
Bar end inserts are a bit junkie

Does anyone know if you can buy the threaded inserts in the all bar in stainless?
That's normally the biggest rust trap on these things

 

My cycra knock offs arrived today.
Plastic seems good
Alu bar is nice and strong and long enough not cause any interference issues with the front brake banjo like the shorter ones do
bar mounting block is a bit lightweight but there's plenty of meat on it
Bar end inserts are a bit junkie

Does anyone know if you can buy the threaded inserts in the all bar in stainless?
That's normally the biggest rust trap on these things

I used the stock KTM inserts and ditched the ones with the kit. But I also bought some threaded SS bar-inserts (also from Aliexpress), and I still have the large tap that came with an HDB set from years ago. Fitting the threaded inserts is on my to-do list...

 

HDB

 

I was extravagant and also got an orange pair that arrived in double quick time.

 

Okay, I have bought a couple of cans of spray paint (yellow and blue!) to try and do a better job. Just for Ship and Pindie, and goodbye Van Gough! 😀

I quite like the Timotexs, in terms of fit and strength, but ordered some knockoff cycras too.