V-Strom hand guards
 

Hi all,

Anyone have any experience of fitting V-Strom hand guards to an SV? I've heard it can be done.

In seach of a solution to my frozen fingers, and have decided it is the wind chill which is the problem - hence want to keep it off.

Info appreciated!

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

yes, DL650 handguards fit pointy SVs. I think they also fit curvy SVs with a small mod.

They obviously keep some wind off, but the effect isn't as noticeable as you might think. Heated grips will be more effective at keeping your hands warm in towns, and at higher speeds, muffs would be better.

Having said that, its a simple add-on that doesn't look too bad and it's easy to take off again in summer. They do tend to break easy in a fall.

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Try using the search

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...ng+hand+guards

just an example..

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Yea, it has been done. if you want to do it, get the DL650 handgaurds, not the DL1000 ones!

If you have a curvy, you will need to slightly amend the clutch side handgaurd to accomodate the choke lever (i.e. so that the choke elver isnt fouled). Some amend the choke elver itself, but I prefered to alter the handgaurds.

If you have a naked, you could probably match the handgaurds with some handlebra muffs to be even toastier...

Oh, and as for the baking easily in a fall - i found that my handgaurds prevented damage to my front brake lever in an accident I had back in may. They dont break too easily, I guess if its a high-speed spill they would but they do offer some extra protection

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Thanks guys. Mine's a curvy - slight mod then, shouldn't be a problem.

I've been fiddling with various solutions to keep my fingertips warm, and I'm convinced it's the windchill and that heated grips would not have much effect - my palms are plenty warm enough. Muffs would be great, but with clip-ons? And I don't like what I hear about taking your hand out to wipe your visor and being unable to get it back in!

Otherwise, I hear great things about those 3-fingered HG gloves...

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

I use muffs, I have no problem...and I have a curvy faired, so clip ons for me :-D the trick is to route the strap around the top of the fork leg, under the top yoke. For the clutch side this is ok, but on the throttle side you have a bit of bother with the brake fluid resovoir, but with my oxford muffs there is just enough strp length to get it attached.

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Alpinestarhero - could you possibly post a picture please?

Thanks

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

I'll get some pictures sorted out in a couple of days for the wholoe of the forum actualy, there is a surge of threads and posts about muffs so I guess some tips and things would be usefull :D

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Just done a bit of searching, it seems most retailers are quoting long lead times for bar muffs...... never have thought there'd be a rush on them in this weather!

Had to get the train today. -3 was just pushing it a bit too much, especially when my fingers had been much too cold for comfort at a little over zero yesterday. :-(

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

yea, i hear you. I stopped twice today on my ride home to warm up, and had to stop once this morning. A little dance by the side of the road to warm up :D

I hope the weather gets a little warmer next week, im riding to brighton from north london....

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

I don't do stopping! The reason I have a bike is to get to work and home again quickly! :D

And I'm not sure dancing on the side of the M3/M25/M4 is a good idea for me!! :thumbsup:

Plus regardless of the discomfort, I really wasn't happy taking the bike out in those temperatures. I've only been riding since September, and have this mortal dread of the front tyre just flying away to the outside on a gentle bend when it hits a slippery patch....

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

They're crap. Don't waste your time

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Thats fair enough :) My first rides on my SV were in cold tempuratures, I'm happiest when the temp is 5-10 deg.C :lol: the only bad thing is not having fully functioning heated grips to keep the cold hands away :D

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

5-10 Deg C thats summer weather up here..lol:confused:

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Ive got some bar muffs in stock although it took some begging as nearly every supplier is out of stock!. I havent sold any for a year and then bam six sets in one week LOL!.

IMHO bar muffs or heated gloves are far better than just the guards. The guards are not designed or there to keep your hands warm.

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

Not taken for artistic prowess, but CBA getting the SLR out and messing about in this cold.

Picture 4 has been edited for accuracy though. ;)

They do keep chill off - did 30 odd miles yesterday without heated grips, can feel the cold, but last year, wouldn't felt my fingers.

http://alpha30.com/images/hand_guard...m_Guards-1.jpg
http://alpha30.com/images/hand_guard...m_Guards-2.jpg
http://alpha30.com/images/hand_guard...m_Guards-3.jpg
http://alpha30.com/images/hand_guard...m_Guards-4.jpg
http://alpha30.com/images/hand_guard...m_Guards-5.jpg

Re: V-Strom hand guards
 

I wish that the ice would go away .... I've got a heated jacket crying out to be tested !! :-)