Tiger 800 900 Rally Pro Tank Protection Bars

I just picked up my Tiger 900 GT Pro over the weekend. I was planning on installing top and bottom crash bars, mainly to protect the tank. It's disappointing to know that the factory crash bars are weak. How did your repair work go? Has your opinion changed on crash bars now that it's been a month since the drop? Looking forward to hear your thoughts on crash bars.

 

2 days ago I had a very low speed (no more than 10mph) accident. The front wheel went on black ice and I went down instantly. It hurt so bad I went to hospital, and yes I have cracked ribs.
Like you, I have upper and lower bars fitted, and like you I now have a dented tank.

 

Not sure where you are based as I saw a $ sign in one thread but in the UK I would consider looking at the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and mentioning that in any correspondence. I am not a Solicitor but if they were factory fitted and cause damage they are “ not fit for purpose “ which is part of this legislation.

 

Hey Y'all. Here for the same reason, for fear that my upper crash bars are in fact counter-intuitive. I however have Touratech uppers. The one time i crashed. The upper bars pivoted in towards the gas tank, no damage, but certainly does not inspire confidence. I was thinking about installing a lock washer to avoid having the bars pivots on impact. Thoughts? Has anyone had any luck with other crash bars, it would be great to have something we could all just trust! Outback Motorek? Hepco And Becker ? Also does anyone have photos of the damage from the crash, i'm curious to look at how and why tanks were damaged. Is it because the stockers come up higher on the tank ? Refer to images touratech uppers vs stock uppers,

 

ive ordered the outback motortek - I can let you know once they're installed

 

If you look at the upper crashbars from Touratech, OEM Triumph, the original H&B V1's, they all feature;

-One high attachment point (they join under the "beak") (X)
-One low attachment point (usually clamped onto the lower OEM guards or 1 hardpoint at most) (Y)
-A "triangle" of protection in the middle with a point right next to the pointy corner of the gastank (<=>)

So like this;

X-----<=>-----Y

When a force is applied to any area of the "triangle", with only two attachment points at either end, it is going to pivot most likely. Hopefully in most cases the force will be just low enough that the triangle bends inwards a bit, but doesn't hit the tank. If the force is high enough, triangle pivots more, and as it happens with most of these style of bars they go up all the way to the part of the tank that is the widest.

When I read about the issues with the OEM uppers I originally ordered the H&B V1 style bars. I quickly realised they have the same flaws. 1. Only two attachment points and 2. the triangle is right next to the widest part of the tank. When H&B released their "solid" version of their crashbars (those have a crossbar in front of the radiator) I decided to return my uninstalled V1's and get the Outback Motortek ones. I installed those this week and I can really recommend them. They feel way stronger compared to OEM or H&B, they don't mount only on 2 points, they don't sit right at the widest part of the tank but below, and they have a crossbar in front of the radiator.

Ofcourse there are also posts of bikes with Outback bars that have tank damage...in one case the bike slid, then dug in and rolled...no bar is going to protect from that. Crashes have lots of variables, but in my personal opinion this is the best protection:

1. Ride conservatively within your limits
2. Keep your eyes open
3. Outback Motortek bars
4. Barkbuster handguards.

I don't get crashbars to protect me from a massive accident at speed. I get crashbars to prevent doing massive damage when accidentally dropping the bike in my garage or on the driveway, or when maneuvering at very low speed like when I'm getting gas. And I think Outback+Barkbuster give me the best chance of avoiding damaging the bike in that case.

 

The same has happened to me. Low speed (10mph) drop on the left side, in a soft muddy rut. The tank bars have absorbed the impact (although my broken tib and fib would say otherwise). The bar has compressed towards the tank and scratched it. In these circumstances on soft ground, I would say they are not fit for purpose. Triumph website states;

"Satin polished fuel tank protection bars made from stainless steel give added protection and functionality as they fit in conjunction with lower engine protection bars and also house the auxiliary LED lamp kit if fitted. These are a must-have accessory for the serious adventure rider looking for that increased level of protection."

Question is, should I contact Triumph and ask them if there is anything to be done about and how do I go about it? Register a complaint based on a misleading sales pitch, or complain about them being weak. In this case with a scratch on the tank, they haven't done the job. Any advice welcome. I need something to do while I'm laid up!

 

Hi all, new to forum. Recently had a low speed drop with my 900 GT, hepco & becker tank bars fitted. They bent and some damage to side panel , but main concern is that the front subframe under the beak where the bars are bolted has cracked through on one side. I am interested in contact with anyone who has had similar damage with H&B, Touratech or OEM as all use this mounting. I would also urge anyone who has had even a minor spill to check this part for damage. Photo attached.

 

UPDATE: My dealer looked at the issue and sent it all off to Triumph - no deal! Apparently, the bars are working within tolerances. His advice was to raise a complaint to Triumph after-sales and see what they say. This is based on his experience whereby a complaint will have more weight attached to it than a request. I've emailed a letter of complaint, listed the advertising blurb of the upper bars 'advanced protection' (my arse) and also the consumer rights act. I'll let you know what the outcome is, if I get nowhere, it'll leave a sour taste in my mouth, but I'm expecting sod all so it wont be a surprise.

 

I got nowhere doing that. Consumer rights is something you use against the retailer, not the manufacturer.

 

Its a shame - Triumph is very quiet on the matter. I've sent my email/letter twice with no reply. It's ironic that I may have to send a letter of complaint because nobody answered my letter of complaint...

In update though Darren in Christchurch Triumph got back to me as I CC'd him into the emails to Triumph After sales and he said that its pretty rude of them not to answer and to bring the bike in and he will see what he can do to help - top man.

 

Thansk for the update, sorry you arent getting anywhere. Im forwarding my forwarded emails once a week to the aftersales team at Triumph, who do go to at a higher level? The issue clearly isnt getting through - perhaps MCN or Ride Mag could help...

 

Will the Outback Motortek Bars protect the tank if bike falls in garage ect? Looks like they do not come up close to the tank.

 

Update. Triumph replied after 4 forwarded emails. Same answer from the technical dept - all testing has been positive blah blah. Carl from Triumph UK has assisted after I explained the problem and he and Darren at Christchurch Triumph have sorted it. The bar had moved with no damage and pressed the back of the foglight against the plastic fairing. So bars have been moved to symmetry again and the panel replaced under warranty. Took a while but very happy with the outcome. Darren at Christchurch has been a star!