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

The Barkbusters system consists of two parts, not just one

Anyone 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 this before ordering helps avoid 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 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 section at 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 the 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 motorcycle.

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 a separate plastic guard (the JET-001, for example, is €112 all included) but requires more care during installation because it is not calibrated to your motorcycle's exact geometry.

The motorcycle-specific kit: precision, but two purchases

It is the cleanest solution for modern adventure motorcycles, 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 lock. The compromise is that the structure alone protects nothing: it must always be paired with a plastic guard.

Two points stop an impact, one only keeps out 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 as 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 based on use, not color

Once the structure is chosen, the plastic determines how the handguard actually performs on the bike: 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 raises for cold weather and lowers for ventilation, without tools. On Endurrad, the VPS-203 with deflectors is sold for €54 per pair, but does not include the structure: 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 related to choosing the brand, but to mechanical details that only become apparent when you read the instructions all the way through.

For 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 match under the same model designation.

The ready alternative: LOBOO aluminum for the GS range

With every Barkbusters part number out of stock, BMW riders in the GS family do 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 end and collar — 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 with quick release and no tools.

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 bolt — 25 N·m for the M10, 20 N·m for the M8, 10 N·m for the arch clamp, and 1.5 N·m for the M4s — and the package includes the 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 printed 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 deserve careful attention. The LED turn signals are not included: they appear in some manufacturer images for demonstration purposes only, are a separate accessory, and a dedicated version is available for the R 1300 GS, designed to preserve the motorcycle's integrated indicators. LOBOO also does not state either the weight or an IP protection rating for this item, unlike its information 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 shipping.

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

This 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 styles, remain 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? For the Barkbusters system, the answer depends on the route 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. For the LOBOO CHS081, the answer is binary: your BMW GS is either included in the list of 12 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 second 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 attention to the specified tightening torques and, on some handlebars, a more technical intervention (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 such as the JET-001 includes two heat-treated aluminum bars, two plastics, U-bolts and clamp joints, expanders and collars for anchoring at the handlebar ends, as well as the complete 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 torque values are 10 N·m for the M6 hardware and 28 N·m for the M8, with approximately 3 mm of clearance between the grip and handguard so the throttle can close freely.

• Install all the parts without fully tightening them, check the alignment, and tighten everything only at the end, following the order specified 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 windscreen or closely positioned navigation mounts, contact may only become apparent when the handlebars are turned.
• Check that the brake, clutch, throttle, and engine kill 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 selected separately. The complete handguard (JET-001, JET-002, STORM series), on the other hand, is a single universal product that already includes the structure, plastic, and hardware.

Are Barkbusters plastic guards interchangeable among all backbones?

They are interchangeable among the 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 against 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?

Grips with open ends, because the backbone is secured inside the handlebar tube using an expander system. Closed grips must be pierced with a utility knife before installation.

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

Barkbusters recommends drilling and tapping the insert to M8x1.25: this is a more technical operation, so it is best carried out by a workshop if you do not have experience with this type of work.

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

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

Will the LOBOO CHS081 handguards fit my BMW GS?

They cover 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. Check the complete year-by-year list in the product details before ordering.

Can the LOBOO CHS081 deflector be removed?

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

Are the LED indicators included in the LOBOO CHS081 kit?

No, they are an accessory sold separately. They appear in some of the manufacturer's 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 products listed as out of stock on Endurrad?

Why the availability reported in this article was verified against the actual warehouse inventory on the date of publication, September 25, 2026, and at that time every Barkbusters part number showed zero units. Where applicable, the link leads to the correct collection rather than 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 may still bend, rotate or transfer some of the impact to the mounting point. No protection completely eliminates the risk.

What tightening torque is required to fit 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 M4. In both cases, you need a torque wrench and a recheck after the first few miles.

Can I fit 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 available 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 process is the same as the one explained in our handlebar risers guide.

What is the practical difference between Barkbusters and the 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 part number is out of stock at Endurrad. The LOBOO CHS081 is a unique product, less customizable, but available immediately and limited to the BMW GS family.