Brittle plastics on newer bikes, why ?

My 2014 had about 10klms on it before a branch about Thumb thickness(same kind that wreck radiators in SEQ) whether through the side triangle plastic splitting it clean.
Today, 2nd ride, I hit a tree(yes I know, don't hit trees head on ) and it cracked and broke like glass !
Now I know that crashing causes damage, I do ride a bit on the loose side (like a flag at times) and I love it, thing is, I crashed and ditched my older wr Yamaha bikes left right and centre even harder than I do a new bike and never broke anything as easily as this.
Another bloke I know with a beta 498rr has came across same drama, front guard like it's made of Bakelite.

So, what's different now ? What aren't they adding into the plastic to make them give and bend without breaking into about 20 pieces....?

I don't know Rabs, but, MXA had issues with brittle plastics on the 2013 cr144
---
Q: WHAT WAS THE WORST THING ABOUT THE HUSQVARNA CR125/144?
A: The plastic is so brittle that during our test we broke the front fender, front number plate, both fork guards and the lower radiator winglets. It should be noted that we didn’t break the plastic in a crash; it either broke of its own accord or was cracked by roost. We’ve never seen this on any other bike, but it has happened with every Husqvarna we’ve tested. We put older model KTM fork guards on the forks?they fit perfectly. As for the front fender and front number plate, we replaced them when they broke.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/bike-...st-of-the-breed-or-the-first-of-a-new-species
---

I've dropped my 310, ran into trees, dumped on rocks ..multiple times.. crashed into the back of another Husky but the worst so far is gouges and scratches...

SEQ (Glassy) lantana smashed my fox goggles and they should be safety rated, so sometimes I guess it is just bad luck.

I'm having the same weak plastic issues with my 2012. Not happy at all with it. My guess is, the brittle plastics are cheaper than the tougher, flexible ones.

I'm wondering if anyone has had problems with the tabs that mount the headlight on the TE449/511. Both of mine broke, I assume from riding hard on rocky roads. Below is a pic of the fasteners with the plastic inside. What is the fix? Get the same part so it can break again?

That's weird. My 08' plastics ( except the lower radiator wings ) are very flexible. Same thing with my 06' honda. Did they change something in 2010 when they went to the plastics with the graphics molded in????

Ya ive had similar issues my new 14txc 310 that I got in march. And im on its 3 read fender 2nd front fender and need a set rad. Plastics.

I went down 4 times on the left side of my TE449 Saturday and no damage.

Aha, so it seems it's not just me.
I've ordered a 2014 yz450f front guard, not unlike the te449/511 style and feels a lot more flexible.
I'll retro fit and take pics, I need it to be flexible, I ride too widly(and badly at times) to have a guard made of glass.

Not trying hard enough !

Maybe different plastics ?

I've broken by share or lower rad guards. My issue is I have an oversized tank and the fits not the best. That said in the woods they break just riding along, something grabs one and they have very little flex. It's nice most of the dealers sell them for 10.00 but I'd pay 20 for one with a little better plastic.

I've been told UFO who makes some kits uses a better plastic but they were out of stock last I check.

Joe

ya, I broke a few lower rad plastics to on my old 09 te but to be honest the plastics might last longer if I'd stay on the bike more

whomever the OEM contracted to mold the rad lowers (the black ones) those were my issue plastics they cracked if you looked at them, my graphics basically held them together.
All the Polisport contracted uppers were good, but of course cracked if hit stuff.

Just happy I am not paranoid or hitting things harder

I've ordered a YZ one, will fit it tomorrow and crash test it on the weekend (as I often do )

What are wrap around rad guards? didn't see anything listed on the site.

on my TE250 year 11, plastics are hard enough to resist my constant crashes.. the only part I broke is a radiator shroud because the bike fell against a rock.. but on branches, roots, mud, gravel, they seemed to be very hard and resistant

Broke both lower rad guards and both fork guards. Replaced fork guards but rad guards are on back order. Halls said they have 50 sets on order and some from and aftermarket supplier but I've been waiting for months. Bent my subframe too and that was on backorder as well but I got a nice used one. Makes me very sad as I really like this bike 2013 TC250R. Hopefully I will get the aftermarket ones from Halls since they may be stronger. The rest of my plastics are durable.

Who is Stephan?