Barkbusters BHG-088 handguard mounting kit for Moto Guzzi V85TT 2019-2023 and V85TT Travel 2020-2023

The BHG-088 is the Barkbusters mounting kit designed for the handlebars of the Moto Guzzi V85TT from 2019 to 2023 and the V85TT Travel from 2020 to 2023. It is the structure onto which Barkbusters plastics are mounted: by itself, it protects levers and hands from impacts; with the plastics, it adds protection from wind, cold, and branches.

Main features

• One left and one right heat-treated aluminum bar.
• Two-point mounting: on a threaded insert at the end of the handlebar and on a two-piece clamp tightened around the tube.
• Compatible with the original heated grips, with the additional spacer already included in the kit.
• Handlebar weights included: two Barkbusters BEW35.
• Accepts JET-003, VPS-003, STM-003, and BCF-003 plastics, sold separately.

Protection and use

Barkbusters clearly distinguishes between the two mounting configurations, and the two-point configuration, anchored both at the end and at the center of the handlebar, is the one the manufacturer specifies for impact protection. On the V85TT, a classic enduro that is well suited to unpaved roads, this means keeping the levers protected from falls, stones, and branches, even with the heated grips installed.

Materials and construction

Heat-treated aluminum bars (manufacturer code BAR-V-054), CS-00 two-piece clamps with CP6-V4 connectors, and BESF4 threaded inserts. The manufacturer does not state the finish or the kit's weight, so we do not report them.

Compatibility

Do you have a V85TT or V85TT Travel from 2024 onward? For the new version, Barkbusters specifies the BHG-127.

Barkbusters states this compatibility for motorcycles in original factory configuration. Fitment on aftermarket handlebars must be checked before purchase.

Installation

Remove the handlebar weights and any original handguards. Mount the clamp next to the handlebar mount, without tightening it, paying attention to the connector's orientation. Screw the threaded insert into the end of the handlebar and tighten it to 21 Nm. With the original heated grips, add the spacer included in the kit. Then secure the bar at the end and to the connector, position it horizontally when viewed from the side, and tighten the end bolt. Tighten the clamp in the specified order; the nut fits into its recess and does not need to be held with a wrench.

Specified torque values: 10 Nm for the M6 bolts, 28 Nm for the M8 bolts, and 21 Nm for the insert, using medium-strength threadlocker and checking everything after the first 50 km. Leave 2-3 mm between the bar weight and the throttle grip: if more space is needed, add the washers included in the kit. Barkbusters recommends having it installed by a workshop.

What you will find in the package

• 1 left and 1 right aluminum bar
• 4 half-shells and 2 connectors for the clamps
• 2 threaded inserts for the handlebar ends
• 2 BEW35 handlebar weights and 2 M8 washers
• 2 spacers for the original heated grips
• Hardware: 2 M8x45 countersunk screws, 2 M8x25 pan-head screws, 2 M6x30 screws, 2 M6x25 screws, and 4 M6 self-locking nuts
• Official INS-BHG-088 instructions

What is NOT included

• Protection plastics. The kit is the structure only: the plastics must be purchased separately from those specified by the manufacturer.
• Threadlocker and tools.

Plastics to pair with it

• JET-003: compact profile, for off-road and mixed use.
• VPS-003: two-position adjustable deflector, for touring. It is being discontinued, and the price list indicates the VPS-203 as its replacement.
• STM-003, STORM series: more extensive coverage, for the colder months.
• BCF-003, CARBON series: made of carbon fiber.

Why choose Barkbusters

Barkbusters is an Australian brand owned by Rideworx Pty Ltd, specializing in motorcycle handguards. Each application-specific kit is designed around the geometry of a particular handlebar, with a published parts list and an installation PDF specifying the hardware, sequence, and torque values. The structure and plastics remain separate: you can change the plastics' series or color without replacing the kit.

Why buy it from Endurrad

On Endurrad, every Barkbusters product page states the exact code, the years covered, and what is actually in the box, with the official instructions available for download before purchase. You can find the full range in the Barkbusters collection.