Why aren’t radiator guards standard?

[Esceptico]

Took my Tuono to the dealer for new tyres last week. Mechanic checked over the bike and said it was fine but recommended a radiator guard as could see some damage from stones. To be honest I had meant to get one earlier but not got around to it. But basic question is why don’t bikes come automatically with radiator guards?

Perhaps I’m spending too much time with the front wheel on the ground - obviously need to man up!

Or need to slow down (presumably the faster you go the more damage is caused by st being flicked up by the front wheel).

[StreetDragster]

This is my pet hate, expensive motorcycles which then have a catalogue of accessories that should be standard fit.
Wheel arch extensions? Just make it the right size to start with.
Radiator guards, huggers, accessory ports, etc.

[Krikkit]

Cost is always the answer - this way they can sell you an official accessory or a new radiator.

[Zarco]

Do they make the radiator less efficient? Must block the air flow to some extent.

[V8RX7]

Zarco said:

Do they make the radiator less efficient? Must block the air flow to some extent.

They must do but unless you were thrashing it across the desert you'd not notice.

[Bungleaio]

The BMW GS Rallye comes with rad guards as standard but the rest of the range doesn't.

[NS400R]

Zarco said:

Do they make the radiator less efficient? Must block the air flow to some extent.

A road bike radiator has excess capacity to deal with ageing/road crap blocking IT, soa guard is well within design parameters. Unless it us a BMW K12/13.....

[anonymous-user]

I also think those small plastic fork protectors should be standard too. Money saving by the manufacturers I guess.

[podman]

Its a good question biut of course its down to cost...There expensive for what they are as well .

I have just this afternoon knocked up a rad and oil cooler guard for my 996, a bit of B n Q mesh and some heat temp rubber "U" chanel at a total cost of £8 ...Looks pretty good as well I think.

[podman]

Zarco said:

Do they make the radiator less efficient? Must block the air flow to some extent.

Not enough to notice in the UK thats for sure...Ive ridden my bikes in 45 degree of heat in the south of france with rad guards in place with no evidence of them making a difference or the engine getting over temp.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Zarco said:

Do they make the radiator less efficient? Must block the air flow to some extent.

highly unlikely, depending on design, of course
the ones looking like relatively fine mesh would hardly block any air flow

[Jazoli]

They should be standard

Brand new bike, second day of ownership

[Chris32345]

It's not different then most cars

Looks at the rad/AC condenser on car a few years old usually find at least one stonechip

[Jazoli]

Chris32345 said:

It's not different then most cars

Looks at the rad/AC condenser on car a few years old usually find at least one stonechip

Its completely different, in a car the rad or ac condenser is hidden behind a bumper and grill and 6 inches of plastic, on the bike they are directly behind the front wheel directly in the firing line from everything.

[Steve Bass]

Jazoli said:

Its completely different, in a car the rad or ac condenser is hidden behind a bumper and grill and 6 inches of plastic, on the bike they are directly behind the front wheel directly in the firing line from everything.

Which is why the first thing I do is fit a rad guard.
A friend bought a brand new Fireblade in 2014. I kid you not, 25kms later and it's pissing coolant from a stone strike.
A stload of money later AND a rad guard and he's back in the game.

[Jazoli]

Steve Bass said:

Which is why the first thing I do is fit a rad guard.
A friend bought a brand new Fireblade in 2014. I kid you not, 25kms later and it's pissing coolant from a stone strike.
A stload of money later AND a rad guard and he's back in the game.

I have bought one, I'm just waiting for the boat from china to deliver it I wasn't paying £70 quid for a folded bit of steel (although I appreciate its cheaper than a new radiator)

[Steve Bass]

Jazoli said:

I have bought one, I'm just waiting for the boat from china to deliver it I wasn't paying £70 quid for a folded bit of steel (although I appreciate its cheaper than a new radiator)

You can do what Podman did, bit of B&Q mesh and some slim cable ties.
But, anything is only so good. Another friend hit a bird in Wales last week on his MT10 including rad guard.
Still punctured the rad. Cost him over a grand to get sorted!!

[Jazoli]

Steve Bass said:

You can do what Podman did, bit of B&Q mesh and some slim cable ties.
But, anything is only so good. Another friend hit a bird in Wales last week on his MT10 including rad guard.
Still punctured the rad. Cost him over a grand to get sorted!!

I can but it will look st as its a naked bike, I'll wait as I'm almost done for the year now anyway, the same thing happened to BN this year on his MT10, despite weighing fk all birds do a lot of damage.

[Esceptico]

Jazoli said:

Steve Bass said:

You can do what Podman did, bit of B&Q mesh and some slim cable ties.
But, anything is only so good. Another friend hit a bird in Wales last week on his MT10 including rad guard.
Still punctured the rad. Cost him over a grand to get sorted!!

I can but it will look st as its a naked bike, I'll wait as I'm almost done for the year now anyway, the same thing happened to BN this year on his MT10, despite weighing fk all birds do a lot of damage.

I’ve been pretty lucky (in that damage wasn’t worse). Hit two pheasants (not at the same time!) First on S1000R. No damage as hit front wheel. Second on GSXR 750. Warped front disk and broke mud guard. Was a pain as had to get bike recovered.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Steve Bass said:

Jazoli said:

Its completely different, in a car the rad or ac condenser is hidden behind a bumper and grill and 6 inches of plastic, on the bike they are directly behind the front wheel directly in the firing line from everything.

Which is why the first thing I do is fit a rad guard.
A friend bought a brand new Fireblade in 2014. I kid you not, 25kms later and it's pissing coolant from a stone strike.
A stload of money later AND a rad guard and he's back in the game.

Exactly, I have started fitting radiator guards to bikes as well.

Though I must also say, my CBR600F, which is 18 years old, 95000km, lived in Germany for a few years and I rode it here in every atmospheric condition, the radiator looks battered but it cools the bike no problem.