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FAQ Radiator Guards How much do BPD radiator guards weigh? Weight is a major issue with off-road bikes these days. Weight up high on the radiator is especially noticeable. Honda made a major change to the way their bike handled just by lowering the radiators 10mm. Because our guards are machined from a solid block we can maintain strength but add very little weight. The standard KTM guards weigh 11.5 oz per side. Very light but very strong.
Why do your radiator guards cost more than other guards? Again, we start with a solid block of 6061 Aluminum , the block starts at over 6lbs and ends up being 11 oz. Costs of material and machine time are the major cost factors.
Do your radiator guards affect cooling: Yes and No, the guards have very large slots to minimize air restriction, the face of the guard is also very thick so this adds strength and gives the guard fins a cooling affect. Because the guards form fit to the radiator they pull heat from the radiator in slow speed riding and the heat dissipates through the fins actually improving cooling in some situations. What most people forget about cooling is that air flow through a radiator is affected as much (or more) by blocking the back of the radiator versus the front. Any brace, support, hose or even a fan will reduce air flow and cooling. KTM actually redesigned their fan and fan mounting in 2008 to streamline its air flow. The old style KTM fan was a self-fulfilling prophecy, as it blocked so much air it had to run more often to keep the air flowing. Be cautious about restricting air flow behind the radiators. You can read a testimonial about the cooling affects of our guards in Dirt Rider magazine LINK
Do your radiator guards have a back brace? No they do not, actually when we first started selling the guards in 2004 we did have a brace that bolted to the side of guards and ran back to the frame. What we found from customer feedback is most customers did not use the brace because: after installing the guard it was so rigid they didn’t feel it was needed, the brace blocked air flow behind the radiator, the brace added weight and the brace added to time of installation of guard and radiator removal, a lot of factory teams like to use the guards because the can stay mounted to the radiators for very fast radiator changes. Due to customer feedback, shear strength of the guard without it and an effort to cut cost we eliminated the brace.
Do your radiator guards offer side impact protection: YES, the solid billet design is very strong and bolts solidly to the frame. The guards protrude slightly beyond the max width of the radiator so the guard is the first thing to hit the ground. The guards are so strong we offer a Life Time Warranty against damage.
Does the anodize hold up well against chips and wear: We use a more expensive “Hard Coat” anodize process. This process actually impregnates the surface material for a very hard and smooth finish. I have seen anodized radiator guards over five years old that still look new. The anodized guards also clean up a little easier. Disk guards and swing arm guards are a different story, they get the crap beat out of them and no surface finish in the world will hold up to smashing into a rock at 40mph.
Rear disk guards Does the rear disk guard replace the brake carrier: Yes, the rear disk guard is one piece solid guard that incorporates the stocks brake carrier. On installation the stock carrier is removed and replaced by the disk guard.
How much does the disk guard weigh? 17.9 oz total weight but the stock carrier it replaces weighs 10 oz so net weight added is 7.9 oz.
Why is the fin not removable like other guards? The guard is built as one piece for strength. Anytime something is bolted together you lose rigidity and add weight. The reason other rear disk guards are two pieces is so they can sell you a new lower disk when you damage the original. If you damage a BPD disk guard we will replace the entire guard for FREE.
Swing Arm Guard Is the swing arm guard hard to install? It is harder than some accessories because you are required to drill and tap two holes in your swing arm. The drill and the tap are provided. A bike lift or laying the bike on its side helps so you can see what you are doing. A cordless drill will work for the drill and the tap. We will install for free if you are in our area. Link to youtube install LINK
Does the swing arm guard work with other aftermarket chain guides? Yes, the BPD KTM swing arm guard will work with the stock KTM guide, the KTM hard parts guide, BRP guide and the TM Designs guide.
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