Barkbusters BHG-055 black handguard mounting kit for BMW F 800 GS, Honda CB, KTM Duke, Aprilia Shiver and Suzuki Gladius

The BHG-055 in the black powder-coated version is the Barkbusters mounting kit with one of the widest compatibility ranges in the lineup: twelve models from Aprilia, BMW, Honda, KTM and Suzuki. It is the aluminum structure that supports the handguards and protects hands, levers and controls from branches, gravel and low-speed falls.

It is not a universal kit; it is the opposite: it is designed for a precise handlebar geometry shared by those twelve motorcycles. As with the entire range, the structure and protective plastics are two separate items: here you are purchasing the structure only, with hardware and handlebar weights.

Key features

• Two-point mounting — anchored at the handlebar end plus a clamp on the straight section. This is the configuration the manufacturer specifies for impact protection.
• Heat-treated aluminum bar, with a wraparound design.
• Black finish — powder coating, specified by the manufacturer for code BHG-055-BK.
• Handlebar weights included — they do not need to be purchased separately.
• Twelve motorcycles, five brands under the same code.
• Interchangeable plastics — compatible with JET, VPS, STORM and CARBON, each sold separately.
• Made in Australia by Rideworx Pty Ltd.

Protection and use

The two-point mounting system is the one Barkbusters designs for more demanding use: the bar forms a cage around the hand and transfers the impact to the structure instead of the lever. On an F 800 GS used for touring and on gravel roads, it can mean the difference between a scratch and a bent lever far from home; on a Duke or a CB in the city, it is what prevents you from having to replace the lever, mirror and switchgear after a stationary fall. The manufacturer clearly distinguishes the two configurations in the range: the single-point version, attached only at the handlebar end, is intended for protection from wind and weather, not impacts.

Materials and construction

Heat-treated aluminum structure, a process the manufacturer uses to increase strength and impact-absorption capacity, with black powder coating. The design is wraparound: it starts at the straight section of the handlebar, curves around the hand and closes at the end.

Compatibility

Compatibility stated by Barkbusters for motorcycles in original factory configuration. Aftermarket handlebars may have different diameters and wall thicknesses: mounting must be checked before purchase. For the CB 125 E and CB 650 F, the manufacturer does not specify a year range. Not sure about your model? Contact us with the model and year.

If you have a BMW F 800 GS, check the year

The F 800 GS uses three different kits over fifteen years because the handlebar changes. BHG-055 is the code for the 2016-2023 model years. For the others: BHG-032 for the 2008-2012 model years, BHG-040 for 2013-2015 and BHG-117 from 2024.

Installation

Installs on the original handlebar, with no drilling or modifications to the motorcycle. The stock handlebar weights must be removed because the structure anchors directly at the handlebar ends, and the supplied weights are used in their place.

Before fully tightening, check that the throttle, front brake, clutch and engine-stop switch operate freely and that the steering turns from lock to lock without interference. Recheck the tightness after the first 50 km. The complete procedure and warnings are provided in the official INS-BHG-055-BK instructions, attached to this product page in the Manufacturer documents section.

What is included

• Two black-painted heat-treated aluminum bars
• Clamps for the straight section of the handlebar
• Complete mounting hardware
• Handlebar weights

What is NOT included

• Protective plastics. They must be selected and ordered separately from the JET, VPS, STORM and CARBON series. EGO plastics are not compatible with this structure.
• LED lights and other accessories in the range, which remain separate items.

Why choose Barkbusters

Barkbusters is a Rideworx Pty Ltd brand, an Australian company that has designed and manufactured motorcycle handguards since 1984. The range is built around a precise idea: the structure is motorcycle-specific, while the plastics are universal within the system. Buy the right structure once, then choose the protection you need, replacing it if it becomes damaged or if your type of use changes, without replacing everything.

The same structure is also available in a natural aluminum finish, with identical compatibility. However, it is being discontinued, and the manufacturer now publishes only the black version.

Why buy it from Endurrad

Endurrad supplies accessories for touring, adventure and enduro motorcycles: compatibility checked against the manufacturer's documentation, official instructions attached to the product page and assistance before purchase if your model is unclear. Free shipping in Italy over €100 and in Europe over €250, returns within 14 days, 1-year warranty. See the entire Barkbusters range.