Barkbusters BHG-076 handguard mounting kit for Kawasaki Versys 1000 from 2019

The BHG-076 is the Barkbusters mounting kit designed for the handlebar of the Kawasaki Versys 1000 (KLZ1000) from 2019 onward. It is the structure onto which Barkbusters plastics are mounted: on its own, it protects levers and hands from impacts; with the plastics, it adds protection from wind, cold, and rain.

Main features

• Heat-treated aluminum bars, one right and one left.
• Two-point mounting: at the handlebar end and on a split-shell clamp tightened around the tapered section.
• Handlebar weights included: two Barkbusters BEW-35.
• Compatible with JET-003, VPS-003, STM-003, and BCF-003 plastics, sold separately.
• Official instructions with illustrated parts list and tightening torques.

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 Versys 1000, a long-distance touring bike, this means protecting the levers in stationary falls and, with VPS or STORM plastics, keeping your hands protected while traveling.

Materials and construction

Heat-treated aluminum bars (manufacturer code BAR-V-042), CS-02 split-shell clamps with right and left CP8 connectors. The manufacturer does not state the kit's finish or weight, so we have not included them.

Compatibility

For the Versys 1000 up to 2014, the manufacturer specifies another kit, the BHG-046. For bikes from 2015 to 2018, this code is not specified: write to us with the year before ordering. Do you have a Versys 650? The kit is the BHG-034.

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

Installation

Remove the original handguards and the stock handlebar weights, if present. Fit the clamp without tightening it: the machined rings inside the split shells must be aligned with each other and face toward the center of the motorcycle. Secure the bar at the end and to the connector, preferably in a horizontal position when viewed from the side, and tighten in the specified order: end bolt, bar-to-connector bolt, bolt securing the connector between the split shells, and bolt closing the clamp around the tube. Specified torques: 10 Nm for the M6 bolts and 28 Nm for the M8 bolts, using medium-strength threadlocker and checking again after the first 50 km. Leave approximately 3 mm of clearance between the throttle grip and the handguard. Barkbusters recommends professional installation.

What's in the box

• 2 aluminum bars, one right and one left
• 2 pairs of split shells and the right and left connectors
• 2 BEW-35 handlebar weights
• Hardware: 2 M8x35 countersunk-head bolts, 2 M8x35 button-head bolts, 2 M6x30 bolts, 2 M6x25 bolts, and 4 M6 self-locking nuts
• Official INS-BHG-076 instructions

What is NOT included

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

Plastics to pair with it

• JET-003: compact profile, for mixed use.
• VPS-003: two-position adjustable deflector, for touring. It is being phased out, and the catalog lists the VPS-203 as its replacement.
• STM-003, STORM series: more extensive coverage, for road use and 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 vehicle-specific kit is developed around the geometry of a specific handlebar, with a published parts list and an installation PDF specifying the hardware, sequence, and tightening torques. The structure and plastics remain separate: you can change the plastics series or color without changing the kit.

Why buy it from Endurrad

At 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.