Hand guards? Are they worth the trouble on RX-1 mountains?

[Frostbite]

I have been contemplating installing hand guards on my sled for a couple years now. The problem is it looks like I don't have enough handle bar space left to mount the handguards to without removing something from the handle bar (left hand throttle or GPS mount) or I'd have to install a aftermarket (longer) handlebar.

Do the hand guards limit your turning ability?

I would think for guys that have done the rider forward mod or use a low windshield hand guards would be almost essential. What about the guys that just have a 2" riser? Is it worth the trouble?

I like the look of the Sportechs the best but I have read the mounting system of other brands are better. Personally I would like hand guards that attach to the handle bar AND come around and also attach to the bar ends for additional strength (like my motorcycles). Has anyone tried this type on a sled?

What are your thoughts on hand guards?

Thanks

Frosty

 

[AaronBND]

Wow........you are on a roll this morning! I have also been contemplating hanguards because of my latest setup, but have been concerned about the same thing. I have a "gold finger" on so their is not a whole lot of room left, but with my rider forward and now my new handlebar setup with heaters that may not work real well, I'm thinking I might really need handguards. One of my concerns was rolling the sled and how durable they are! I would love to see some pictures of guys setup if anyone has them!

Aaron

 

[Warden]

I have a set of Powermadd guards on my 04 RX Mt. and they're awsome! The only problem is that if you have the stock windsheild or anything higher when you turn the bars you slightly touch the windsheild. No big deal at all though. You'll love them once you put them on.

Mine are chrome but I painted the black inserts red. Looks cool!

 

[Trxster]

I like em but my bars are stipped down...no heaters, no electronics so I need them. If you have a stock windshield it will hit though. Heres some pix


http://www.snowest.com/fusetalk/message ... erthread=y


Rt

 

[AaronBND]

Todd, do they bolt on inside the switch housings or out on the grip side? I like the hood!

Aaron

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks guys!
Yes, perhaps I could clamp them on the inside of the grips and be ok?

Do the clamps expand large enough to allow one to do that?

Let's see some pictures?

Frosty

 

[Trxster]

Todd, do they bolt on inside the switch housings or out on the grip side? I like the hood!

Aaron

What switch housings...I don't have any!!!

Rt

 

[Frostbite]

I read in one of my latest snowmobile magazines (maybe near the back of the latest Snowtech) that Power Madd has some handguard mounts that mount on the curve of the bars well below the grips. That may be the answer. I wond if you can just buy the mounts and use the hand guards of your choice?

Frosty

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

Here's my sled with the Sportech Speedguards with the stock bars and with Fly bars. My Fly bars definately have more room for mounting them but, they still worked on the stock ones. The mounts were right at the curve and I just put a little twist in the billet alluminum mounts for the stock bars.

If you need to go past the bend in the bars; here is a link to mounts for Sportech guards made by TJ's Sports.
http://www.tjsportswy.com/catalog/seats.htm

Jim

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks Jim. That sounds like the answer.

Do you like the "chrome" colored Sportechs or the original color match better?

Frosty

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

Thanks Jim. That sounds like the answer.

Do you like the "chrome" colored Sportechs or the original color match better?

Frosty

I have never tried the non chromed Sportechs. Both sets were Red Chrome. The look nice unless you really abuse them (go over the bars, roll the sled to unstick it) like I do. That's why I'm on my second set. Once they get flexed really good from one of the two situation I mentioned; the chrome backing starts to peel. The standard colors shouldn't do this unless they're clear polycarbonate painted on the back side.

The Powermadds' on the wife's RMK look like new still after two seasons vs. my Sportechs after just last season. Only problem with the sportechs is; you only have about 1" clearance between them and the brake lever. If you got bulky gloves or large hands like me (size 11 or XL glove) it makes grabbing the brakes when needed a Pain In The A$$.

They both do a great job of wind protection though. I just wish the Chrome style (even the windshields) help up to abuse a little better. I guess in the meantime; I'll just replace when they get to looking too bad.

Jim

 

[culvert]

BlgsRX-1mtn-- So do the PowerMadd have more room for large gloves/hands. Wondering what set would work best on my 05 RXMtn.

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks Jim!

Have you seen a brand of hand guard you think may be a bit higher quality than others (and of course looks good too)?

Frosty

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

BlgsRX-1mtn-- So do the PowerMadd have more room for large gloves/hands. Wondering what set would work best on my 05 RXMtn.

Oops, actually I meant to say that the Powermadds only have a limited space. My Sportechs have plnty of room for bigger hands to access the brakes. On my wife's sled, I have problems getting to the brake lever when having to react quickly.

Here's a picture off both sleds from the side. It's not the brake side but, you can clearly see that the Sportech's have about 3/4" more room than the Powermadds. I've never tried the Powermadds on the RX-1 so I can't comment on what kind of room there is on the brake side. Also attached is a picture of the left side of just my sled with the stock bars. If this were the RMK/Powermadds; it would appear as if the brake lever was attached to the handguard.

Jim

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks again. Thanks to you, my list for this season is starting to come together nicely.

14.5 mm rollers
Sportech handguards
TJ hand guard mounts
New track?????
single pipe????

Surely, I must be missing a bunch of stuff?

Frosty