Barkbusters BHG-136 handguard mounting kit for Kove 450 Rally from 2024

The BHG-136 is the Barkbusters mounting kit designed for the Kove 450 Rally from 2024 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 also provides protection from wind, cold, and branches.

Main features

• Heat-treated aluminum bars, one right and one left.
• Two-point mounting: with an expander inside the end of the handlebar and on a split clamp tightened around the tube.
• Bar-end weights not included: the parts list includes only expanders and nuts.
• Compatible with JET-003, VPS-003, STM-003, and BCF-003 plastics, sold separately.

Protection and use

Barkbusters clearly distinguishes between its 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 450 Rally, a motorcycle built for off-road riding, this means keeping the brake and clutch levers protected from falls, stones, and branches.

Materials and construction

Heat-treated aluminum bars (manufacturer code BAR-V058), CS-01 split clamps with CP5 connectors, and BBE17 expanders. The manufacturer does not state the kit's finish or weight, so we have not included them.

Compatibility

Have a Kove 800X? The kit is the BHG-139.

Barkbusters states that compatibility applies to motorcycles in original factory configuration. Installation on aftermarket handlebars must be checked before purchase.

Installation

Remove the bar-end weights and any original handguards. Install the clamp and connector without tightening them, aligning the reference rings on the split shells. Secure the bar at the end with the expander and to the connector, preferably in a horizontal position when viewed from the side, then tighten in the specified order: end bolt, bar-to-connector bolt, connector locking bolt, and bolt that closes the clamp around the tube.

Specified torque values: 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 included

• 2 aluminum bars, one right and one left
• 4 split shells and 2 connectors for the clamps
• 2 expanders with two-wing nuts
• Hardware: 2 M8x45 countersunk screws, 2 M8x20 button-head screws, 2 M6x25 screws, 2 M6x30 screws, and 4 M6 self-locking nuts
• Official INS-BHG-136 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.
• Handlebar weights: they are not included in the parts list.
• Threadlocker and tools.

Plastics to pair with it

• JET-003: compact profile, for enduro and off-road riding.
• VPS-003: deflector adjustable to two positions. It is being phased out, and the catalog lists 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 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 specifies the exact code, the model years covered, and what is actually in the box, with the official instructions available for download before purchase. You can find the entire range in the Barkbusters collection.