RadGuard - Radiator Protection

First topic message reminder :

I reckon that fitting some sort of radiator guard to any water cooled bike is very important. Obviously this is something people with an air cooled Bandit need not worry about (same as my old GS500F).

Getting a hole in your radiator will not only ruin your day and leave you stranded but it will cost heaps if it needs replacing. I fitted a RadGuard to my bike and I'm really happy with the effectiveness and the look. It's a really strong cover that shouldn't affect air flow too much. It's not the cheapest product but considering the km's I do I think it's worth it in the long run.





Check them out at www.radguard.com.au

holly crap. is that a humming bird or something.
it's huge

These radiator guards seem to be saving people alot of $ in damage repair bills from insect / rock / small animal impacts. You would think something this useful would be standard equipment. How is it different to, say, the chain guard?

Full Throttle wrote:These radiator guards seem to be saving people alot of $ in damage repair bills from insect / rock / small animal impacts. You would think something this useful would be standard equipment. How is it different to, say, the chain guard?

chain guards are for rider and passenger safety and radiator guards are safety for your bank account .

Suzuki save money and weight by not making it standard, and can sell the bike for less.

Oh. New radiator from the U.S. with out delivery. retails for $677

If you have to have a radiator, you could do worse than consult our friends at Beowulf.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GSF1250-BANDIT-RADIATOR-COVER-GUARD-GRILL-S026-/370293886825?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item56373c4f69

Works out cheaper than a lot of local companies.

I've got one of those .Being so shiny my eyes kept getting drawn to it .Radiators not the prettiest of things so painted it black.To me there
seems enough space between the mesh so not to look TOO much. Quality first class.Bike fell over once (O.k. dropped it ,hurried u-e ) No crash
knobs,came to rest on front edge of pipe and bottom edge of radiator guard . With my foot stuck firmly under the bike.Could see the funny side ,the road was SO off camber, what was i thinking Being strong stainless it took the weight o.k. and sand & polished out.
I think the 1250 would look great without a radiator but that's progress?
I paid $150 so i paid to much.I was just sitting there looking at me.

I have just ordered a Beowulf radiator protector - don't know if that was the right thing to do as I am new to Bandits and water cooling.... It seemed to have smallish holes and now I'm wondering if the bike may get too hot! Anyway, I can try it and see. Anyone else had experience with this type?

Got one , good . Your right mesh is a bit BIGGER ( or should that be smaller ) anyway MORE air through.Painted mine back.



Answered below by P.M.

Did you use auto spray paint?

Just a quick note to say that even though my last ride was at max. LEGAL speeds for about an hour in 32 degree heat up hill and down dale I had no over-heating issues with my Rad Guard - I did a close check when I fuelled for any expelled coolant. I also only noticed a brief hot blast of air once on my left leg during the ride - which I think would be expected guard or no guard.
Happy with the Guard - happier that there were NO locusts!

I've just ridden 600 kms frm Melbourne to Merimbula with a Beowulf radiator guard. It was high 20s and no overheating either.

Countess wrote:I've just ridden 600 kms frm Melbourne to Merimbula with a Beowulf radiator guard. It was high 20s and no overheating either.

I've been debating throwing a rad guard on my '10 1250. I do a lot of commuting in slow traffic and have been concerned about the extra heat the guard would cause. I think I've read enough to convince me that the bike not going to die using one.

Got my Radguard today for my Bandit 1250sa. Looks good, here are some pics:

They put a decent size rub pad on don’t they!

O.K. i'll ask ,whats the rub pad ? going to rub on .Looks like the front guard will connect with the cross bar before the Rad-guard .

That hose clamp needs to be trimmed and spun around so the screw part is on the inside. It would bight me the first time i washed it.
And the second ,third ect. Excuse me ,i have a thing about those bloody clamps.

While your at it spin the horn so the connecter are on the inside (hidden )I know i need to get a life.

Dont just hate it when you have to pay $4oo to fix the washing machine .Thats a set of tyres

gus wrote:O.K. i'll ask ,whats the rub pad ? going to rub on .Looks like the front guard will connect with the cross bar before the Rad-guard .

That hose clamp needs to be trimmed and spun around so the screw part is on the inside. It would bight me the first time i washed it.
And the second ,third ect. Excuse me ,i have a thing about those bloody clamps.

I thought the same thing Gus. (thats scary )
The hose clamps have always annoyed me but I cant find a better solution

TRY this .Same clamp should be black though. Thats not much better now i look at it.

Looks like RadGuard has gone back to the open mesh screen which looks like it would provide better airflow than the slotted design.

The radguard looks alot thicker than the Beowulf guard. The Beowulf slots in behind the radiator side bits (whatever they're called) and they screw back over the guard. It's quite a bit thinner.

Countess wrote:The radguard looks alot thicker than the Beowulf guard. The Beowulf slots in behind the radiator side bits (whatever they're called) and they screw back over the guard. It's quite a bit thinner.

The frame actually sits flush with the end guards and the mesh sits behind that, roughly flush with the side tanks, bit hard to tell from the angle of the photos.

Has anybody had a problem with their Radguard vibrating? Mine buzzes like buggery between about 2,900 and 3,300rpm.

Worth getting on to Radguard about it or is there a simple "fix"?

A few dabs of silican here and there might help .Not too much or you will never get it off .Silkaflex might be better as it has more "give". Also
cleans of with petrol .

DaveA1963 wrote:Has anybody had a problem with their Radguard vibrating? Mine buzzes like buggery between about 2,900 and 3,300rpm.

Worth getting on to Radguard about it or is there a simple "fix"?

The Warpspeed came with 2 strips of sponge rubber that sticks top and bottom.
Head to your fav hardware store. Its like a weather seal strip.

2wheelsagain wrote:The Warpspeed came with 2 strips of sponge rubber that sticks top and bottom.
Head to your fav hardware store. Its like a weather seal strip.

Doesn't that melt? Well, obviously not.....

DaveA1963 wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:The Warpspeed came with 2 strips of sponge rubber that sticks top and bottom.
Head to your fav hardware store. Its like a weather seal strip.

Doesn't that melt? Well, obviously not.....

Not in 24k at least
I've had stickers on my radiator and washing the bike has worn them off not heat.

I made mine using some black SAAS universal mesh from the speed shop . I just cut it to size , put a piece of pinch-weld top & bottom , & fastened it under the two end covers . I also put a couple of zip ties top & bottom in the middle to the radiator mounting brackets just to be safe. Because it`s black you can hardly notice its there & cost bugger all to make !