TA 700 engine bars - help !

[deskjetian]

Trying to decide on which engine bars to get for my TA 700. The Givi and SW-Motech seem quite different in that the Givi fit lower down.
Never having dropped my bike (well not since I returned to biking last year!), I don't really know which would offer best protection for the TA.

It seems to me that the sw-motech might protect the plastic bits better, but I'm hoping you might shed some light on this from experience ?

Some pics ......
Givi
Givi Engine Bars for xl700v on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

SW-Motech SW-Motech Engine Bars for xl700v on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Twickers]

There's already been a couple of threads on this topic - use the search mechanism .

I've got the SW Motech's , but never had to use them ( thankfully ) so can't comment on their ultimate effectiveness .

[deskjetian]

ok, ta.

[Grey alp]

I have the Givi's especialy because they proteckt the lower parts ,meaning the engine and exaustparts.
Did drop my bike twice ,once on garagefloor when i forgot the push the sidestand out ,second time offroad in the field.
Both times no harm done ,aldo both times the gearlever was hit and very slighty bent.
I'am looking for a way to proteckt the precious gearlever ,mayby by locking somehow the left folding footrest so that when it hits the ground again ,the bike will rest on that part and not on the gearlever.
I known there are folding gearlevers (Touratech 32€) so otherwise still a solution.
So far i guess i was lucky on both drops ,if het gearlever and more the shaft takes a hard bang it could damage the gearbox seriously.

Enjoy

[la fletche]

I Have SW Motech and have not had to use them YET. I like them however I do also like the idea of engine protection on the Givi bars. If you could take the best of both the outcome would be great, plastics & engine protection.

[Orinoco]

I have neither, but having looked at the pictures I have the following thoughts which may, or may not help....

The Givi Bars would make servicing more difficult as they obstruct the 'belly pan'. Thus making access to the oil drain and filter trickier.

The SW Motech ones provide better coverage higher up, and appear to offer move coverage over the radiator, which is also an expensive component.

However, just because the bars don't cover a specific part of the bike doesn't mean that it isn't protected it depends entirely on how the bars hold the bike above the ground, and the profile of the ground that the bike falls on....

[iainnic]

If you're looking at Touratech, bear in mind that they are currently unavailable as they are undergoing a re design due to "technical issues" with the model on the web site. As ever, no delivery date for the new model !!!

[Adam]

I have the SW Motech bars, from what I have read and heard the Givi ones are of a substantially poorer build quality suffering from rust etc. Givi should stick to making luggage in this instance I think!

[Roland]

I have the Givi bars. Maybe the pipes are thinner than others, but from what I can see, the construction and the way they connect to each oter and the bike is such that it works as a whole with the rest of the bike to protect it.

In the end of the day non of these are going to offer that much more protection than just for a "drop".

Regarding rusting - give it a coat of ACF like you give the rest of the bike.

Regarding servicing - good point. I'm still trying to find out if the belly pan can be removed from under the bars by just undoing the bottom bolt.

Regarding looks - I prefer the Givi look. Also the weight is carried lower, and possible it is a lower weight to start.

[Slapper Hackett]

There have been various threads recently about Engine bars for the TA...

Personally I do like the look of the Givi Bars, but having recently helped Adam fit some SW-Motech bars on his Transalp, I can tell you that the SW-Motech bars are very well manufactured and of substantial quality / construction (that'll be the German engineering ).

The only downside were the German fitting instructions, but we cracked them... And finally, I believe that there is very little difference in price between the Givi & SW-Motech bars - So take your pick.