Handguards?

[Yikes]

After setting out these last two mornings in weather below 20 degrees F, I’m finding that I need a little more protection for my hands.  My heated grips do a great job for the inside part of my hand that holds the grip, but the top side of my fingers that takes the wind blast just can’t generate the heat as fast as the air carries it away.  So I’ve been thinking I’d like to install some GS type hand guards to shield my chilly digits.

I see in the parts fiches that there are OEM hand guard sets that appear to be available for the R65GS (a model that seems to exist only in photographs, sort of like Bigfoot).  There is a white set, # 71602303496, which you can also find on the fiche for the R80GS and a black set, #71609062160 that appears only on the R65GS fiche.  Does anyone use hand guards on their R65 for winter use?  Will the OEM guards fit on non-GS handlebars?  Anybody use one of these or another hand guard from some other source?  Are they even effective or should I be saving up my pennies for some Gerbring heated gloves?  Any advice is welcome.

John Mc

[R65Guy]

Hi John,
I can only respond to your last question.  I have handguards on my 1200GS and they are a marginal improvement over heated grips alone but not dramatically so.  Then I added some ATV mitts over the handguards and saw a dramatic improvement!  They do a good job of trapping the heat around your hands. Heavy bulky gloves were no longer required!  I now have a pair of Gerbings heated gloves and they are very effective as well.  The gloves are platform independent... they work as well on the R65 as they do on the GS.
Neal

[Bob_Roller]

Rob Valdez had a set installed on his R65, I'm sure he'll post a comment on them later today .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

There is a motorcycle specific product called "Hippo Hands" that I have seen.  The guys that use them tell me they are excellent at keeping hands out of the wind.  Mrs. Phorqs, who has a very warm heart, oft complains of cold hands below 60 F.  I may look into the ATV covers.  I don't think that bark busters will do much good for you.

Check out these ATV "Grip Mitts" from Cabela's.  http://www.cabelas.com/product/Classic-Accessories8482-QuadGear8482-ATV-Mitts/716428.uts
While that isn't as good as free coffe and donuts from the funeral home, they are only $19.99.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

The guards for the G/S bikes will bolt right on if you have a rectangular master cylinder.  You can butcher one to get it to fit a round master cylinder perch.  I did it.  Everything is a really tight fit with the low bars.  http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/my_r65_stuff  (if that link doesn't work, click on my WWW at the bottom of my post).  There should be a gallery with accessories.  Check there.  I can't see photo-hosting websites here at work.
edit 14 Dec 2017: They have been removed from that website.  I have added them to the Forum on this thread:
http://www.bmwr65.org/YaBB2.612/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1513192714

But they won't really do much good for what you want.  But they are not really expensive, and are kind of cool, and Hippo Hands now makes covers for bikes that have the brush guards, so you can have the best of both worlds!

[bruce_launceston]

I also had black GS handguards on my R65LS for many years. They were a tight fit on th LS with the low (and short) bars but do look pretty neat.
They do cut the winter wind from blowing between the fingers, every little bit helps when it's sub zero degrees (C) and you are commuting 25km on country roads.

[suecanada]

I have used the Cabelas ATV 'Grip mitts" for years on all the bikes. Having Napoleon mirrors I had to cut a hole for them and use velcro to keep the slits closed after getting them on. The pockets for the chemical warmers have been used too to great success. Now I have wrap around grip heaters which also move from bike to bike. When they are turned on periodically, those mitts sure are extra toasty. I never have to use any glove other than my summer vented pair. To keep the Cabela's mitts easy to get in and out of (very impt) I velcroed in an unused 'cardboard' stiffener that came with a tankbag I had. Works a charm. I may sew a coated nylon raincoat for the Cabelas someday but generally spray them with tent waterproofing once in a while. The fleece lining is delightful!!

[Sergeant_Joe]

I cut up some old plastic oil bottles, made em look like the wind guards you buy. they work tops in winter.

[suecanada]

How did you attach the oil bottles, Sgt. Joe?