AltRider Crash Bars for the BMW R 1200 GS /A (2003-2012)

Reviews

• Wed 29 Mar, 2017 by Steve

  Altrider Crash Bars for R1200GS 2012 - Triple Black Build quality is good, but installation time was way longer than expected due to rear bosses not fitting into sleeves due to the powder coating. I measured the interference at 20 thousands of an inch, so the coating had to be filed off. They masked the powder coating on the front bosses, but not the rear ones. I bought the 18mm sockets at HomeDepot, they fit fine. I also needed two torque wrenches for the range of torques. Leave everything loose until all hardware is in. They are fiddley to install, not looking forward to setting the valves, when they have to come off. Oh, I think the 4 screws in the crossbar are plated steel, don't know why they didn't use stainless steel for those.

• Wed 30 Jan, 2013 by Bernd

  R1200GS Triple Black crash bars I was shopping around for a while before deciding for the Altrider crashbars. I first saw them on a bike at Las Veags BMW Motorrad store, and they were evangelists. The ratings, together with the Stainless Steel, all USA made, and lastly the only available crash bar in the Triple Black frame color made my choice easy, though the price seemed somewhat hefty. The kit arrived nicely boxed, and wrapped in bubble wrap without any damage. Installation of the kit was pretty straight forward, especially with the paper and online manual, as well as the install video as a fallback option (none was needed since this is just too straight forward). When installing the crashbars, I was real impressed with the nice fit, without large tolerances. The only thing I felt missing was a warning label for the 18 mm sockets as the sockets need to be built thin. The 18 mm sockets from AutoZone for instance did not fit any more since the material strength made the sockets too big. The ones from Sears were thinner and completed the job easily. I love the look and finish of my bike now, and just hope that I will never really need these bars!

• Sun 16 Sep, 2012 by Peter

  Altrider Crash Bars did their job! I installed these bars on my '08 R1200GS about 8 months ago. I had visions of off-road adventures when I bought this bike, but in reality, I ride 110 miles a day commuting on LA freeways. Last week while lane-splitting a fellow commuter to my right decided to occupy the lane to my left. He collided with my right side directly on the crash bar. He shoved me about 5 feet to the left and miraculously, I didn't go down. I pulled over and inspected the right side and saw a scrape on the right crash bar, but, no other damage. Later that week I realized that the bars had shifted a good 3 inches back on the right. The bottom mounting flanges on both sides were tweaked at the mounting points, but the mounting points on the bike showed no tweaking. The bars design and choice of metal for the parts allowed them to take the hit and spared the frame and engine. About to order my second set.

• Sat 12 May, 2012 by Daniel

  Altrider Crash Bars for 2005 R1200GS I replaced a set of bent BMW bars. The Altrider product makes the BMW crash bars look " cheesy." Beautiful Crafstmanship. Installed easily--and I did it by myself. Followed the the suggestion of setting the bike upright (kick stand on a brick ) to compress the suspension a bit--worked fine. Did not have an 18mm socket for the large nut on the rider left side so one trip off to the tool store. Instructions were clear and easilly followed. Highly recommend this product. Dan Crabtree, Ridgecrest, CA.

• Wed 25 Jan, 2012 by Gary

  BMW R1200GS Crash Bars I have a 2012 GS that needs crash bars. The AltRider bars looked to be the best choice and came highly recommended by my local BMW dealer. The problem is they don't fit! I contacted AltRider before buying these crash bars asking if they will fit the 2012model. The answer I got was "we have not been informed of any changes..." Another words; let the buyer find out for himself. After the dealer assured me they will fit I made the purchase only to find out the right side does not fit into the hole it is designed for. I had my son, a mechanical engineer, look at it and he determined the tolerances are too close and did not allow for paint and other variations. After an hour of hand filing and fitting I finally got them on. They look great and seem to be strong and purpose built however this lack of attention to detail is concerning!

• Mon 15 Aug, 2011 by John

  Altrider Crash Bars (Black) for 2011 BMW R1200GS (Triple Black) Pros: * Fit's 2011 * Better mounting points then the leading competitor * Better coverage of valve covers then the leading competitor * Great instructional video and install instructions * Come in black (Well maybe, read on) Cons: * The black coating cracked and chipped as I tightened the hardware down * Little more difficult than the video depicts Notes: The instructions are great, but I would like to reiterate a few things. 1) The lower mounting screws are a 70mm and a 60mm. I just assumed they where the same size, as I installed each side one at a time. My mistake they are not. 2) Do not tighten anything down until you get everything all together. It's a tight fit, which is a good thing. 3) Only the nut on the riders left-side comes off, NOT the bolt on the right side. This was clear in the written instructions, but not the video. It was very difficult to get this nut off and back on. 4) Not sure if I should have gotten black, since the coating seems easily chipped. But they're crash bars, so get use to it!

• Mon 01 Aug, 2011 by Dave

  Altrider Crash bars R1200GS Absolutely love them!!!! Craftmanship and fit is top notch! Made in the USA!!!! Fairly easy to install, even easier if you have all the right tools! I will definitely only buy Altrider from now on! Dave Hardy Brillion, WI

• Sat 04 Sep, 2010 by Reg

  Altrider Crash Bars for BMW R1200 GS After a recent rainy night slide through a construction zone, I decided that crash bars might be a prudent addition to my 2008 GS Standard. Although my right side valve cover was not ground completely through and I was able to ride on home, the whole episode gave me a taste of what it might be like to end up stranded on the side of the road with oil all over the place! And so I began the web search that led me to AltRider. At first glance, their bars looked good. I thought the bend angles of the bars tied in well with the lines of the bike. They also looked "meatier" than other bars I had viewed and the AltRider mounting system promised to be robust. I liked the idea of the shot-peened finish on the stainless steel and I especially appreciated the on-line installation video with its references to fabrication and fit. And so the order was placed. All arrived with no issues. The bars looked great in the box; I called up a friend; set my laptop up in the garage; popped in my BMW Repair Manual disc and opened the on-line AltRider installation video. The bottom line; installation was a breeze, the fit was bang on, the bars look fantastic and AltRider has gained one very satisfied customer! Reg LeBlanc Quesnel, BC Canada

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