SW-Motech’s KLR 650 Crash Bars and Guards Review
Beef up your KLR's toughness with precision engineered crash protection.
People often praise the Kawasaki KLR 650 for being a versatile Adventure Bike with better than average off-road performance. But there’s a caveat: The second-generation KLRs have fragile plastic bodywork and minimal off-road protection.
Sure, the stock KLR 650 goes pretty good in the dirt but one light fall can quickly result in a broken lever, hanging turn signals and cracked bodywork. You need to ride with caution in rocky terrain as well, because a solidly planted rock can penetrate the flimsy plastic skid plate and end your day with a cracked case.
Getting your beloved KLR 650 crash bars, wrap-around handguards and an aluminum skid plate is a must if you have any intentions of going off-road. These essential off-road accessories allow you to ride with confidence, in harsh terrain far from home, without worrying about seriously damaging your bike. It’s also nice not having to come home from every ride with body parts dangling off your bike in need of repair.
Having had good experiences with SW-Motech’s line of off-road accessories in the past, we decided to give them a try on our KLR 650 test bike. We liked the heavy-duty design of their KLR 650 crash bars and we were intrigued by their Kobra hand guards with integrated LED turn signals. SW-Motech’s KLR 650 skid plate, with it’s tough 4mm aluminum welded plating, appeared more than capable of guarding our KLR’s vulnerable cases and sump.
Installation
SW-Motech Handguards with Integrated LED Turn Signals:
Assembling the handguards revealed the precision craftsmanship SW-Motech is known for. Every screw and bolt lined up perfectly and the handguards were installed on the handlebars without any modification. The mounting points on the handlebars have a secure fit that keeps the handguards solidly in place during falls.
Our KLR650 test bike already had a set of oversized 1-1/8″ diameter handlebars which required us to use an oversized handlebar mounting kit to install the handguards. These mounting brackets have an u-shaped channel that allows throttle, clutch and brake cables to be routed unimpeded.
We also installed the optional integrated LED turn signals. The plastic turn signals are well protected with a durable plastic housing, and the LED bulbs don’t use filaments, so they are able to handle big impacts as well. The wiring comes with connectors already attached to make it a plug and play operation. However, LED indicators have a lower wattage than conventional halogen bulbs. Your flashers will flash at a faster rate than usual unless you install a resistor on each turn signal. Our 2008 KLR 650 used the 21w resistor but older KLR’s use the 10w resistor. A simple check of your turn signal bulb’s wattage will tell you which resistors to order.
One issue we encountered with our installation was caused by our previously installed aftermarket rear LED turn signals. If you run LEDs turn signals front and back, the wattage is much lower than the stock halogen bulbs and the flashers pick up interference from the dashboard turns signal indicator bulb. This causes all four turn signals to flash at once.
An easy fix is to remove the indicator bulb on the dash (not the safest) or install a diode on the dash indicator light’s wiring. Check out the KLR650.net forum for more details on the diode installation. Also note that if you run the stock rear turn signals, you will not encounter the problem with all four flashers blinking at the same time.
SW-Motech Skid Plate:
Installing the skid plate was a breeze. We really liked the rubber grommets on each attachment point that help isolate vibration. The skid plate is installed quickly with just four screws. We were impressed with how every bolt lined up perfectly for a precise fit.
The 4mm welded-aluminum skid plate wraps completely around the engine and has the strength to protect against frontal or side impacts. There is also plenty of protection underneath and an oil drain plug hole for easy oil changes.
SW-Motech Crash Bars:
The SW-Motech crash bars are robust. One look at the 27mm steel tubing and you can tell they mean business. There are a total of three mounting points on the frame to help spread the load more evenly and the lower crash bar tubes provide additional protection for the engine side cases. Just like the skid plate and handguards, the SW-Motech instructions were clear and all bolts lined up perfectly.
Trail Tests
We’ve been testing the SW-Motech crash bars, skid plate and handguards over the last six months under harsh conditions. We started by sending our cameraman to off-road school where the SW-Motech protectors came in handy during countless falls and tip overs. The bike was then put to the test over 2-days of torturous trail riding in the Mojave Desert on the LA-Barstow to Vegas ride. Our KLR 650 also made it through the rocky trails of the Taste of Dakar without issue and many more photo shoot rides over months of testing.
After all the abuse, the handguards, skid plate and crash bars have only minor scratches to show for it. The top crash bar tubing is high enough to protect the upper plastics and strong enough to resist bending inward on impact. The bike still looks great and the LED turn signals continue to work flawlessly with excellent brightness and visibility, day or night.
Product List
Product | Purchase Options | Price $USD | ||||
SW-Motech Skid Plate | Twisted Throttle | Revzilla | $154.99 | |||
SW-Motech Crash Bars | Twisted Throttle | Revzilla | $239.95 | |||
SW-Motech Kobra Handguards | Twisted Throttle | Revzilla | $153.95 | |||
SW-Motech Kobra Handguard LED indicators* | Twisted Throttle | Revzilla | $69.95 | |||
SW-Motech 21W LED Resistors (x 2)* | Twisted Throttle | Revzilla | $20.95 | |||
1-1/8″ Handlbar Mounting Kit* | Twisted Throttle | $57.95 | ||||
Indicator Light Diode* | SuperBrightLeds.com | $2.29 | ||||
ADVPulse.com |
Photo by Bill Lieras
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The Sw Motech Engine crash bars I bought for my 2003 KLR were pure crap. The bolts did not line up perfectly and in a less then 10 km/hr fall up hill the left side bar buckled at one joint and tore in half at another. Pure crap, I do not recommend buying these other than for their beefy appearance.
Hi Stephen.
Surprised to hear about your bad experience with the SW-Motech crash bars on the 2003 KLR 650. Our experience was far different with the Second Gen (2008+) KLR 650 crash bars, which have a different design. Was this a recent install? I would expect SW-Motech would offer a refund or replacement if you contact them.
Hi, I`m new to your site. However I have a new `14 KLR now with 12000kms. I replaced the std. plastic bash plate with an Oz “B&B”(6mm) one. There are no holes or slots in it as are with the plastic. These I found on forest tracks picked up every twig and branch in sight. I thought of replacing the plastic fairing, partly because I questioned the strength and I think it looks like a pregnant cow from behind. However it does shed rain letting only below the knees get wet. I`m off in two days for something like 14k kms here through the Gibson & Gt. Vic deserts, then north to Arnhem Land. My mate (with a DR650), was with “Norforce” and adopted by an Indigenous family, so we get in where others can`t. It`ll be a once in a lifetime trip. So, the plastic will be sorely tried and we`ll find out if it`s up to it.
Welcome to the website Alec. Sounds like an amazing ride you are going on. Let us know how your new bash plate holds up.
Got the handguards and crashbars on my KLR 2012. Have taken many hard falls and they’re still going with only a few scratches. Love them!
I have the crash bars on my 2011 and they have saved my bike many times. The bars have some scratches in the paint now, but they have stood up to a lot of punishment. I would buy them again.
Hi Mr.Dabney,
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Best regard,
Herman Leung