HDB Handguards – New Option for Husky's

[Muddy Waters]

Anyone who followed the “Santa wish list” thread might have noticed the interesting looking handguards that I had wished for...
Well after some back and forth with Paul, the owner of HighwayDirtBikes, a bunch of photos and a bit of measuring--I'm happy to say that he's in the final stages of offering us an alternative to your run of the mill handguards

I'm in possession of his prototype to test fit it to the 610 and well....it fits just great. Installation was as easy as any other handguard system that you can buy (although I might be wrong on that cause that's the first one I ever put on a bike...so maybe I should just say it was easy?...)

His setup replaces the top clamp with a unit that incorporates provisions for attachments of various computer gadgetry plus those three holes you see on the top are there to stream line your buttons...you know, stuff like auxiliary lights, road book resets, garage opener or just your “Rajo” brand ice cube maker...

The guard bar is uniquely shaped; it splits into a tear drop shape right in front of your hand, making that area of protection wider then a single bar, another plus to the tear drop shape is the possibility of running the guards in the summer without the plastic deflector to get maximum airflow yet retaining a wider protection surface than a singe band guard (that's only my opinion, you can try it at your own risk...)
The bar itself has provisions for auxiliary lights attachments and is connected to the top clamp through a swivel pivot with a stopper which lets you adjust the guard but keeps it from over rotating in the event of a good crash

The connection to the top clamp

The other end of the guard bolts to the handlebar with a threaded inserts, using a supplied tap in the kit

One of the neatest options for this guard is the flip out mirror; it lets you do away with the big rear view antennas and folds neatly into the tear drop when you're entering the woods, gone bush whacking or just lane splitting (I haven't got it yet but you can see this little wonder on the HDB site)

All in all to me it seems like there was some thought process put into the development of this guard that went a step further than any other handguard I've ever seen....heck, you can even engrave the damn thing...

There's a 250/450/510 version been tested by another member(Darkside) at this time, he might be able to chime in on his thoughts and findings?

This is the meat of the setup, without the plastic deflectors (summer time?)

What do you guys think?

 

[MOTORHEAD]

Those are slick.

I'll have to look into a set.

 

[BlueHusky144]

Looks like a very nice fit and finish!! Not sure it would work for HS or Enduro racing but Looks good for SM and DS...

 

[TripleW]

Those are sweet! Add some flush LED turn signals to those hand guards and they would be stylin' ! TW

 

[fitness2go]

I like the streamline mirror option that fold in flush to the inside of the guards!

 

[WoodsChick]

What do you guys think?

I think you need to get some dirt on that sexy thang!!



WoodsChick

 

[rajobigguy]

I think you need to get some dirt on that sexy thang!!



WoodsChick

You have such a dirty mind.

 

[Muddy Waters]

I think you need to get some dirt on that sexy thang!!

-->

Thank you Woodsy
I’m somewhat limited with my dirty options right now, till March 1st when things open up round here
Other then that… yeah you’re right , I did get myself a van for the toys so I really need to start looking for good places outside the islands to ride on…

Rajo; I hope you don’t mind me referencing your ice maker?

 

[Darkside]

Hey Muddy Waters, Great post. I was waiting to put on the mirrors before I posted. Good job.

 

[Motosportz]

I have a set of those here as well. Will be adding them to our site soon after a little testing and fitment solutions. Looks like real nice stuff.

- mine are bent a little differently than yours.

 

[Muddy Waters]

Hey Muddy, Great post......

Thanks Dark, I couldn't wait for the mirrors to come, just got too excited...
How do you like yours so far?

.......Not sure it would work for HS or Enduro racing but Looks good for SM and DS...

I don't have any experience in HS or enduro so i have no knowledge of what exactly do these handguards are failing to produce to meet the criteria?
If you don't mind shearing the knowledge it might be something they can change?
As this is somewhat of a prototype, now would be the time...

I have a set of those here as well. Will be adding them to our site soon after a little testing and fitment solutions. Looks like real nice stuff. - mine are bent a little differently than yours.

Kelly;
Funny thing, as I was posting I thought; damn, wouldn't it be cool if Kelly had something like that....( BTW I want to your site just to make sure you don't...don't went to step on any toe's...)
Are you testing fitment of your damper?

 

[meijerclassics]

those look awesome. Is there any estimate on price?

 

[Muddy Waters]

those look awesome.......estimate on price?

Looking at his site it seems that there's a flat fee for all makes and models so i would guess $145 for all of this:

Seems fair
you want the mirrors? (I would make another guess; YES !!! )
That's another $22.5 for one....

The question is what happens when a company like Motorsportz buy in bulk... (of course demand plays a big part in that...) I'm not aware of them sale it thru any other retailer so Motorsportz might be able to offer us a good deal?

 

[Motosportz]

The question is what happens when a company like Motorsportz buy in bulk... (of course demand plays a big part in that...) I'm not aware of them sale it thru any other retailer so Motorsportz might be able to offer us a good deal?

Quick story. I used to build hand guards. I designed the original Fastway FIT hand guards. Also did a design for the Fasstco Flexxbars. Was looking into building a new design which was very similar to the HDB stuff. Instead of tooling up and building a similar product I just called HDB and the owner and i hit it off well. i have decided to carry / offer them. Might be able to do some discount but not a ton as the margins are good but not huge.

I'll be testing and fitting these to a few models and going from there. Thanks.

 

[Nick Mac.]

Quick story. I used to build hand guards. I designed the original Fastway FIT hand guards. Also did a design for the Fasstco Flexxbars. Was looking into building a new design which was very similar to the HDB stuff. Instead of tooling up and building a similar product I just called HDB and the owner and i hit it off well. i have decided to carry / offer them. Might be able to do some discount but not a ton as the margins are good but not huge.

I'll be testing and fitting these to a few models and going from there. Thanks.

Would you send them O/S Mr. Motosportz?? If there is a yes to this, can you PM me with a "converted to Aust.$" with the mirrors and Postage costs included.......Pleeeeeeeeeease. ( to fit 07 610).

 

[Motosportz]

Would you send them O/S Mr. Motosportz?? If there is a yes to this, can you PM me with a "converted to Aust.$" with the mirrors and Postage costs included.......Pleeeeeeeeeease. ( to fit 07 610).

We ship internationally every day. No problem. Please send me an Email at motosportz@gmail.com and we can address this off the board.

thanks,
Kelly

 

[Muddy Waters]

A little update;
Got a package from HDB
In it were cut to the teardrop shape deflectors (Paul had decided to try it and liked it enough to send me a pair to see how it looks )
and a mirror ( It's a seconds that was used to test glues so disregard the dirtiness and scuffs.......)

The first thing that jumped at me was the size of the mirror
From all the pictures I have seen I did not realized that the mirror is actually a decent size.....
As you can see it's almost half the size of the factory ones

Check the details on the mirror;

The horse shoe ridge nest nicely in the tear drop opening and keeps it there

The thumb indentation is there for you to help pop the mirror out of it's nesting place and is big enough for winter glove use

Here you see what enables the mirror to swivel and the little bump at the end is there to hold the mirror open
And the mirror goes in to this hole here;

How dose it look on the bike you ask?
Well I think it looks awesome.......

--> Motosportz has started carrying them and might be able to offer nice deals
So if you want a pair drop them a line at motosportz@gmail.com

 

[Motosportz]

Thats for the update. It is really nice stuff. We are dealing them and updating our site soon to reflect this.

THANKS!

- BTW, your bike is beautiful.

 

[Muddy Waters]

- BTW, your bike is beautiful.

Thanks Kelly -->
One day I'll have to make time to yank that silly emission crap off of it........
And those passenger pegs are of no use......

Hope you'll do good with them guards

 

[Coffee]

Nice shirt!