Handguards - 2012 Model

[Thesim]

I have just taken delivery of a 2012 model, which I believe to be the first incarnation of this wonderful bike. I would really like to fit hand guards. I rang my local Honda dealer and it would appear that Honda do not make for this model. Does anyone have experience of fitting aftermarket, and if so what make and what problems fitting if any?

[Si Click]

I put a pair of Acerbis guards on mine.  Easy to fit and they are fairly stylish, I like the fact that you can remove the main hand guard and just ride with the lever guard.  But if you are buying them to keep your hands warm in winter look elsewhere - Givi look more protective.  They do keep some wind and rain off, but not enough to keep hands toasty.  Heated gloves are a much better alternative.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271996774579?hash=item3f544568b3:g:piwAAOSw0HVWAWrZ

[Skids]

Originally Posted by Thesim

I have just taken delivery of a 2012 model, which I believe to be the first incarnation of this wonderful bike. I would really like to fit hand guards. I rang my local Honda dealer and it would appear that Honda do not make for this model. Does anyone have experience of fitting aftermarket, and if so what make and what problems fitting if any?

Hello, and welcome to the site. 

Do you have any pics of your bike you could upload? It's normal practice on here when you join.

What do you want the handguards to achieve? Is it brake lever/finger protection from branches when riding off-road or are you after wind/rain protection for your hands?

I'm sure you are aware the generic plastic guards are not very good at weather protection and offer no rain protection at low speeds. They were originally designed for off-road use to protect the brake lever and fingers from being hit by branches etc. and as the Crossrunner is absolutely NOT an off-road bike, I'm guessing they are offered as a Ewan-Wannabee lookeelikeee accessory. 

If it is weather protection you want, then the best are complete cover ones like the Oxford Muffs

With these and heated grips, you can wear summer gloves in sub-zero temperatures and your hands will stay bone dry. However beware they often impinge on the levers and switches making them difficult to activate quickly. And they're not very aesthetic.

A less intrusive option are the Barkbuster Blizzard universal handguards.


They almost enclose the hands so keeping the rain off even at slow speeds and do an excellent job of keeping the wind off too, but you still need heated grips in the cold weather. I have had these fitted to both my Crossie's for my daily commute and I wouldn't be without them.

Another option, as Si Click mentioned, are heated gloves. They generally work well but there is no extra rain or impact protection.

YMMV

[Corringdon]

  Welcome Thesim. I have the Givi handguards. They are easy to install and offer good wind protection when on the move.

[Thesim]

Thanks for all replies. I'm looking purely for aesthetic reasons. I am a fair weather biker, and only for pleasure.
Corringdon - are you referring specifically to the GIVI Hand Guards HP1139? If so they specifically state the 2015 model. Will these fit my 2012?   I do like the look of the Givi guards.

[Corringdon]

Yes I am referring to the HP1139 guards. These guards are listed for the 15 - 19 models but not for the 11 - 14 machines. I honestly cannot see why there would be any difference in the handlebars for all the models I've mentioned but, to be sure, you could ask Givi or Motorcycle Planet for advice or check your bars against any 15 - 19 Crossrunner models on display at a Honda dealership.

[motoman]

I have Barkbusters Storm guards on my 2011 model,they were easy to fit but they slightly touch the clocks on full lock which I can live with.

[Old biker]

I too had Barkbusters Storm guards on my mk1 and have now got them on my 2015 mk2 (needed slight modification to fit mk2).