Barkbusters handguards for motorcycles: how the system works (and when LOBOO aluminum is worth it)

The Barkbusters system consists of two pieces, not just one

Someone searching for "Barkbusters handguards" in an online shop often expects a single item, like a pair of mirrors. That is not the case, and understanding it before ordering prevents you from finding yourself halfway through the job.

There are two ways to achieve the same result. The first is the complete universal kit: a single product, such as the JET-001 or the versions in the STORM series, which already includes everything in the package — aluminium bars, plastics, and hardware. Here, compatibility depends not on the motorcycle but on the diameter and type of handlebar: straight 22 mm, oversized straight 28.5 mm (the BSS-00 clamp set is also required), or tapered, which requires the JET-002 instead of the JET-001.

The second option is the motorcycle-specific kit: a BHG or BLG code dedicated to the make, model and year (for example, the BHG-050 for BMW R1200GS, R1200GS Adventure, R1200R, R1250R and S1000XR), which includes only the aluminum structure, clamps and hardware. Plastic guards are not included and are chosen separately from the JET, VPS, STORM or CARBON families, depending on how you use the bike.

The complete universal kit: one box, the handlebar decides

It is the quickest solution if your handlebar meets the standard dimensions and the grips have open ends. It costs less than a specific kit plus separate plastic guards (the JET-001, for example, costs €112 all-inclusive) but requires more care during installation because it is not tailored to your bike's exact geometry.

The motorcycle-specific kit: precision, but in two purchases

It is the cleanest solution for modern adventure bikes, with a windscreen, display and controls close to the handlebar: the structure is designed around the model's exact dimensions, reducing the risk of interference at full steering lock. The compromise is that the structure alone protects nothing: it must always be paired with a plastic guard.

Two points withstand an impact, one only protects against the wind

It is the most important technical distinction in the entire Barkbusters catalog, and the easiest to miss when looking only at the price.

With two-point mounting kits - such as the JET-001, JET-002 or motorcycle-specific BHG/BLG kits - the heat-treated aluminum bar connects the handlebar end (with an internal expander system) to a second anchor on a clamp along the straight section. According to the manufacturer, this triangular geometry is designed for impact protection.

With single-point kits - such as the universal STM-001-NP or the single-point STORM versions (STM-001, STM-002) - the structure is anchored only to the handlebar end. The manufacturer specifies them exclusively for wind and weather protection, not for protection against falls or impacts: they are the right choice if the problem is cold fingers on the highway, not a lever that risks bending on a dirt road.

Choose plastics for their intended use, not their color

Once the frame has been chosen, the plastic determines how the handguard actually performs while riding: how much still air remains around the hand, how bulky it is in the woods, and how well it withstands a sharp impact.

The VPS is the family closest in concept to what the LOBOO CHS081 offers: a deflector that is raised for cold weather and lowered for ventilation, without tools. On Endurrad, the VPS-203 with deflectors is sold for €54 per pair, but does not include the frame: that must be selected separately from the BHG/BLG or universal kits.

What to check before ordering

The most common mistakes with this type of accessory are not about choosing the brand, but about mechanical details that are only discovered by reading the instructions all the way through.

With motorcycle-specific kits, the most common constraint is the production year: on the same model, a generation change may require a different part number. The BHG-050, for example, covers the BMW R1200GS only through 2017, while the GS Adventure continues beyond that date with the same part number - two ranges that do not coincide under the same model designation.

The ready alternative: LOBOO aluminum for the GS range

With every Barkbusters part number out of stock, anyone riding a BMW from the GS family does not have to wait: the LOBOO CHS081 is a complete handguard, available now.

The body is made of high-strength aluminum alloy, with two-point mounting - handlebar ends and clamp - designed according to the same principle as two-point Barkbusters kits: to absorb an impact, not merely block the wind. Above the shield is an adjustable deflector with three positions, raised on the highway in winter, lowered when less protection is needed, or removed entirely off-road for more ventilation and visibility - all quick-release and tool-free.

Installation is 100% bolt-on, with no drilling: the original handlebar bar-end weight is not discarded but reinstalled on top of the bracket using the supplied spacer. The manual specifies the tightening torque for each screw - 25 N·m for the M10, 20 N·m for the M8, 10 N·m on the arch clamp, and 1.5 N·m for the M4s - and the package includes hardware and threadlocker. On the sides, individually replaceable impact pads take the scratches instead of the shield.

Compatibility covers 12 models and model years in the GS family: from the liquid-cooled R 1200 GS (from 2013) through the R 1300 GS and R 1300 GS Adventure, including the F 750/800/850/900 GS and their respective Adventure versions. The paper manual included in the package dates from December 2024 and lists seven of them: this is not a shipping error, but predates the extension of compatibility to twelve models. The complete list by year should still be checked on the product page before ordering.

The two stated limitations should be read carefully. The LED turn signals are not included: they appear in some of the manufacturer's images for demonstration purposes only, are a separate accessory, and a dedicated version exists for the R 1300 GS designed to preserve the bike's integrated indicators. LOBOO also does not state either the weight or an IP protection rating for this item, unlike what it does for other accessories in its catalog.

Installation requires removing the motorcycle's original handguards and temporarily removing the mirrors. Available in matte black and alpine white at €148.50 for the complete set: today, September 25, 2026, Endurrad has 2 black and 2 white sets ready for dispatch.

Modular Barkbusters or all-in-one LOBOO: which should you choose

It is not a question of absolute quality, but of what you need right now: total customization or immediate availability.

Those who ride motorcycles outside the GS family, or want to choose from six different plastic designs, are tied to the Barkbusters system and will have to wait for the codes they need to be restocked. Those with a BMW GS who want to get started immediately will find the CHS081 the most straightforward choice.

Will it fit my motorcycle?

The three questions that matter before ordering, for both systems.

Will it fit my motorcycle? With the Barkbusters system, the answer depends on the option you choose: for a specific kit, you need the correct BHG/BLG code for the make, model, and year; for a universal kit, the handlebar diameter and type matter, not the motorcycle. With the LOBOO CHS081, the answer is binary: your BMW GS is either among the 12 listed models and years or it is not, and this must be checked on the product page before ordering.

What do I receive? With a complete universal Barkbusters kit or the CHS081, you receive everything you need in one box. With a motorcycle-specific kit (BHG/BLG), you receive only the frame: the protective plastic is a separate order, to be chosen based on how you use the motorcycle.

How do I install it? Both systems are designed to be reversible and avoid major permanent modifications, but they require careful attention to the specified tightening torques and, on some handlebars, a more technical procedure (drilling the grips or the solid insert). You will find the general procedure in the next section.

What you receive in the box and how to install it

The procedure varies from one code to another, but the key points are always the same.

A complete universal kit like the JET-001 includes two heat-treated aluminum bars, two plastics, U-bolts and joints for the clamp, expanders and collars for anchoring at the handlebar ends, plus all the hardware. The original bar-end weights, which must be removed, are not included, nor is any optional oversized U-bolt set for 28.5 mm handlebars. The specified torques are 10 N·m for M6 hardware and 28 N·m for M8 hardware, with approximately 3 mm of clearance between the grip and handguard so the throttle can close freely.

• Fit all the parts without fully tightening them, check the alignment, and tighten only at the end, following the order indicated in the kit's official instructions.
• Check the steering's full range of movement, from lock to lock, before considering the job finished: on motorcycles with a windshield or closely positioned navigation mounts, contact may only become apparent with the handlebar turned.
• Check that the brake, clutch, throttle, and engine stop switch move freely through their full range before setting off.
• Recheck the tightness of all screws after the first 50 km, as indicated by Barkbusters, or after the first few kilometers on the LOBOO CHS081.

Frequently asked questions about Barkbusters and LOBOO handguards

What is the difference between a Barkbusters mounting kit and a complete handguard?

The mounting kit (BHG or BLG codes) includes only the aluminum structure, clamps, and hardware, specific to a motorcycle model: the protective plastic must be chosen separately. The complete handguard (JET-001, JET-002, STORM series) is instead a single universal product that already includes the structure, plastic, and hardware.

Are Barkbusters plastic guards interchangeable among all backbones?

They are interchangeable among Barkbusters BHG, BLG, and universal backbones. They are not compatible with the EGO backbone, which requires its own plastic guards, and this incompatibility applies in both directions.

Why do some Barkbusters handguards protect against impacts while others only protect from the wind?

It depends on the mounting points. Two-point kits (handlebar end plus a clamp on the straight section) create a triangular backbone that the manufacturer states is designed to absorb an impact. Single-point kits are anchored only at the handlebar end and are intended exclusively as protection from wind and weather.

Which grips are needed to install a universal Barkbusters kit?

Open-ended grips, because the backbone is anchored inside the handlebar tube with an expander system. Closed grips must be cut open with a utility knife before installation.

What happens if the handlebar has a solid insert welded at the end?

Barkbusters specifies drilling and tapping the insert to M8x1.25: this is a more technical job, so it is best done by a workshop if you have no experience with this type of work.

How much does a complete Barkbusters system, backbone plus plastic guard, cost?

A model-specific backbone costs approximately €94-118, while separate plastic guards start at around €54: a complete system tailored to the model therefore costs approximately €150-200, depending on the plastic guard family chosen. A complete universal kit such as the JET-001 costs €112 all-inclusive, but requires compatible handlebars and grips.

Are the LOBOO CHS081 handguards suitable for my BMW GS?

They cover 12 models and model years in the GS family, from the liquid-cooled R 1200 GS (from 2013 onward) through the R 1300 GS and R 1300 GS Adventure, including the F 750/800/850/900 GS versions and their respective Adventure models. The complete list by year should be checked on the product page before ordering.

Can the LOBOO CHS081 deflector be removed?

Yes, it adjusts to three positions and can be removed completely without tools using a quick-release system: raised for cold weather, lowered for less bulk, or removed off-road for greater ventilation and visibility.

Are the LED indicators included in the LOBOO CHS081 kit?

No, they are an accessory sold separately. They appear in some manufacturer images for demonstration purposes only. A dedicated version is available for the BMW R 1300 GS, designed to protect the bike's integrated indicators.

Why are so many Barkbusters codes shown as out of stock on Endurrad?

Because the availability reported in this article was checked against the actual warehouse stock on the publication date, September 25, 2026, and at that time every Barkbusters code showed zero units. Where applicable, the link leads to the correct collection instead of an empty product page.

Do reinforced handguards always prevent the lever from breaking in a crash?

No. They significantly reduce the risk, but in a heavy crash the structure can still bend, rotate, or transfer some of the impact to the mounting point. No protection can eliminate the risk entirely.

What tightening torque is needed to install a Barkbusters or LOBOO kit?

For the JET-001 universal kit, the manufacturer specifies 10 N·m for the M6 hardware and 28 N·m for the M8. On the LOBOO CHS081, the specified torque values are 25 N·m on the M10, 20 N·m on the M8, 10 N·m on the arch clamp, and 1.5 N·m on the M4s. In both cases, a torque wrench and a recheck after the first few miles are required.

Can I install Barkbusters or LOBOO handguards if I already have risers or heated grips?

In most cases, yes, but with risers, heated grips, or aftermarket levers, the free space around the controls changes: always check the full steering movement after installation before considering the job complete. If you're also considering a riser for your motorcycle, the verification logic is the same as explained in our handlebar riser guide.

What is the practical difference between Barkbusters and LOBOO CHS081?

Barkbusters offers more choice — six plastic families, almost one hundred model-specific kits, coverage for most motorcycles on the market — but today every code is out of stock on Endurrad. The LOBOO CHS081 is a single product, less customizable, but available immediately and limited to the BMW GS family.