Hi all,

I know that others have occasionally posted about their experiments with adding hand guards onto their GS500s to keep their hands warm during the cold winters that some of us have to ride through.
Here are some of the posts:

Scratches' installation
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=13493.0

Roadstergal's very elegant installation...
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22110.0

I want to finally do this, but here's the rub -- the installation seems to be dependent upon whether your bike has closed end or open ended handlebars.
My GS500E is a 1991 with the closed end handlebars -- there's a part welded into the end to hold the bolt for the bar end weight.

My question -- has anyone else made handguards work with the older closed end handlebars?
What handguards did you use?
What brand?
What model?
Where did you buy them?
Were they a hassle to install or did they need major mods to make them work?
Were they worth the aggravation?
I want to get the one's that Roadstergal installed but am not sure if they can be made to work with closed end handlebars. Has anyone done this?

Any suggestions are very appreciated.
It's getting cold here in PA and I want to install these ASAP.

Thanks folks,

Yours,
Todd

i think you want handshields instead of handguards... the shields are usually one sided, so you can use them with closed end handlebars.  here is a quick one i found.

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/productDetail.do?prodFamilyId=12896&navTitle=Control&webCatId=12&pageLinkUri=&vehicleType=&webTypeId=191&navType=type

I have the type that go in place of bar end weights, I really like them.

bump....
Come on, won't those of you using these things offer your advice?
Thanks!
Todd

When it's cold enough to need hand guards, it's time for a Plexi 2 type windshield with built in handguards.  Couldn't ride all winter here in NE Ohio without one.   

very nice bike Mr. GSJack.
very nice.

Thank you, I put a smaller shield on in the summer, just enough to take the load off the chest for comfortable 75-80 mph indicated freeway travel.

how about these:


They are from www.nationalcycle.com.

Quote from: Trwhouse on October 24, 2006, 09:36:30 PM
bump....
Come on, won't those of you using these things offer your advice?
Thanks!
Todd

When I went to alaska I rode the first year dl1000 and it had the handgaurds that were open on the ends vs. the newer ones that have the wrap around design.  THey worked well, but my hands were cold though when they were wet.  Riding through 40 degree rain is not a good idea I suppose.

Quote from: gsJack on October 25, 2006, 06:56:06 AM
When it's cold enough to need hand guards, it's time for a Plexi 2 type windshield with built in handguards.  Couldn't ride all winter here in NE Ohio without one.   

Nice looking windshield Jack.  Where did you buy that one, the smaller one in your next post, and what is the maximum width? 

Now that it's cold I need a windshield / handguards myself.  However, I have '89 clipons and dual headlights so fit is a little different.   

The smaller one looks like it would fit better with my dual headlights.  About what height does the wind hit you, and how tall are you?

Enough questions for the moment.   

I have heated grips without hand gaurds and they are sooooo nice and only $25 or so. They keep your hands nice and toasty even when wet. I was thinking about getting a windshield with handgaurds as well but that's 'cause I don't want to buy winter gloves.

Hi Jack et al,
I appreciate your thoughts so far, but I am not looking for a windshield. As you can see from my avatar, my bike HAS a fairing and windscreen that are great for what I want.
What I am looking for is advice from those who already have handguards or handshields so I can learn what models and brands of handguards can be made to work on our GS500s.
My bike has the early closed handlebars, so I'm trying to see who has already dealt with this problem.
Thanks all!
Yours,
Todd

I personally use these with my TL:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Red-Sporthech-Handguards_W0QQitemZ200038390147QQihZ010QQcategoryZ100459QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Quote from: GeeP on October 25, 2006, 02:43:21 PM

Quote from: gsJack on October 25, 2006, 06:56:06 AM

Nice looking windshield Jack.  Where did you buy that one, the smaller one in your next post, and what is the maximum width? 

Am I the only one who thinks that a windshield that high is potentially dangerous should you come to a sudden stop... i.e., when I crashed recently, the windshield left a mark on my private parts on the way over the bars. Had the windshield been higher it seems like I would have had to hit that with my hands/arms/face/chest before landing on the comparatively friendly pavement.

Quote from: ryusan on October 25, 2006, 09:02:12 AM
how about these:


They are from www.nationalcycle.com.

Check the wrist-breakers that RYUSAN showed above TRW, these bolt right on the mirror mount.
I've noticed difference in riding my fiancees DR-Z-400 with the acerbis brand guards on there, it does help when it's cold out!

S3

If I get the cash soon I'm going to give these a try. Should be easy to install on just about anything and they have an optional extension for more wind protection.

http://www.powermadd.com/products/starserieshandguard.html

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on October 26, 2006, 03:10:02 AM
So far, my Tourmaster/Cortech Cold Front Carbon gloves are doing well... but don't I remember someone using DL1000 (V-Strom) handguards on a GS?

I posted up my experience with them on a dl1000.  I wouldnt think it would matter either bike though as far as how well they work.