FurryFox
Registered user
I'm considering buying a bunch of protective bits for my R1250GS, and I'm looking for answers to a few questions before I spend a small fortune (and see below, about this):
1. Paralever:
1a. Nippy Normans sell Wunderlich's "Paralever Slider" (£50) and a "Tornado Protector Hub Cover" (£119). If I fit one of these, do I need the other; is there any benefit to fitting both? If just one, which would be the 'better' one to fit? Also, is there anything to the notion (that I read about somewhere) that the axle hole should not be blocked, because that would impede cooling, or is this nonsense?
1b. Nippy Normans also sell a "Lever Guard" (£99), which appears to be a substitute for both of the items above. Which would be better; items above, or this? Also, how is this attached? I've had a look at the shaft housing, and I can't see how that would be done.
2. OEM Engine Bars:
2a. The plastic bits that protect these from a (probably low-speed only?) contact with the ground are sold in twos; for left and right. But which 'rung' would touch down first? It looks to me as though the lower rung would, but I've always seen these protectors attached to the upper rung. I've never seen four of these attached, i.e. one for each rung, both sides.
2b. If I fit these, could they interfere with cylinder head guards, if I wish to also fit those later? (perhaps only the bar protectors on the upper rung, rather than the lower).
2c. How 'necessary' are the reinforcing bars (Wunderlich, £199), considering that the OEM bars are already attached at three points? Do the OEM bars really bend in, and damage the cylinder head covers, on the GS? Nippy Normans refers to the GSA's OEM bars as having this "Achilles heel", but then lists both the GSA and GS under "Fits:".
3. Rear Extenda:
3a. With the OEM splash guard fitted, and a UK number plate, I can't see much space between those for spray to go around towards the underside of the top case (or even around that, to the pillion's back?). Would an Extenda (Wunderlich, £47) actually do anything, in this case?
4. Side-stand switch:
4a. Looking at this, it looks vulnerable, so I'm considering fitting the Wunderlich SwitchGuard (£59). That said, I don't expect to do much/any off-road riding. Views?
Now, regarding costs: It's astonishing how much Wunderlich/Nippy Normans charges for bits of plastic. Yes, I know someone will be along to berate me for whinging about spending a few extra quid on a £20k bike, or to tell me that the plastic is of a superior grade or something, but the prices are just ridiculous. I also know that many get these things much cheaper from AliExpress, although they sometimes find that they're of lower quality, or don't fit properly, however some of the Chinese stuff is indistinguishable from the expensive stuff (though it does take longer to arrive). While I might be concerned about fitting the cheaper stuff for 'safety critical' purposes, I'm considering it for other areas. If the Wunderlich/Nippy Normans stuff wasn't quite so ridiculously overpriced, I would be more willing to pay a bit more. Any views on this; which items to buy from where etc., would be welcome.
1. Paralever:
1a. Nippy Normans sell Wunderlich's "Paralever Slider" (£50) and a "Tornado Protector Hub Cover" (£119). If I fit one of these, do I need the other; is there any benefit to fitting both? If just one, which would be the 'better' one to fit? Also, is there anything to the notion (that I read about somewhere) that the axle hole should not be blocked, because that would impede cooling, or is this nonsense?
1b. Nippy Normans also sell a "Lever Guard" (£99), which appears to be a substitute for both of the items above. Which would be better; items above, or this? Also, how is this attached? I've had a look at the shaft housing, and I can't see how that would be done.
2. OEM Engine Bars:
2a. The plastic bits that protect these from a (probably low-speed only?) contact with the ground are sold in twos; for left and right. But which 'rung' would touch down first? It looks to me as though the lower rung would, but I've always seen these protectors attached to the upper rung. I've never seen four of these attached, i.e. one for each rung, both sides.
2b. If I fit these, could they interfere with cylinder head guards, if I wish to also fit those later? (perhaps only the bar protectors on the upper rung, rather than the lower).
2c. How 'necessary' are the reinforcing bars (Wunderlich, £199), considering that the OEM bars are already attached at three points? Do the OEM bars really bend in, and damage the cylinder head covers, on the GS? Nippy Normans refers to the GSA's OEM bars as having this "Achilles heel", but then lists both the GSA and GS under "Fits:".
3. Rear Extenda:
3a. With the OEM splash guard fitted, and a UK number plate, I can't see much space between those for spray to go around towards the underside of the top case (or even around that, to the pillion's back?). Would an Extenda (Wunderlich, £47) actually do anything, in this case?
4. Side-stand switch:
4a. Looking at this, it looks vulnerable, so I'm considering fitting the Wunderlich SwitchGuard (£59). That said, I don't expect to do much/any off-road riding. Views?
Now, regarding costs: It's astonishing how much Wunderlich/Nippy Normans charges for bits of plastic. Yes, I know someone will be along to berate me for whinging about spending a few extra quid on a £20k bike, or to tell me that the plastic is of a superior grade or something, but the prices are just ridiculous. I also know that many get these things much cheaper from AliExpress, although they sometimes find that they're of lower quality, or don't fit properly, however some of the Chinese stuff is indistinguishable from the expensive stuff (though it does take longer to arrive). While I might be concerned about fitting the cheaper stuff for 'safety critical' purposes, I'm considering it for other areas. If the Wunderlich/Nippy Normans stuff wasn't quite so ridiculously overpriced, I would be more willing to pay a bit more. Any views on this; which items to buy from where etc., would be welcome.
