Radiator Braces. Anyone use these? Or have recommendation?

[95jersey]

These look really good and the price is right. I am not looking for frontal protection, but side impact. I like how they attach to the frame for added strength. Anyone use them? Any downsides? Do they make the plastics stick out further?

http://www.motocrosscenter.com/shop/...14-ax1295.html

[john r b]

jersey, I looked @ these units for my new bike. didn't like the design though. I went with the emperor guards and grills. Great stuff..not to mention the shrouds bolt to the grill guard, not the rad.

[phoenix]

Those look a lot like the enduro engineering braces that I had on my 2013 300. I managed to bend the whole contraption and collapse in the side of the radiator. I'll have to go out and see what is on my 200 because they have taken a lickin' with no radiator damage.

[Dirt Dud]

The ones from Mattos are real nice not sure what I paid but they are solid with a shield in front of the radiator .

[memphis2857]

Unabiker! $100 and they will not bend....ever! Brian is also a great person that builds braces and skid plates because he loves the sport. I have been to his house/world headquarters and it is amazing the products he makes in his little tiny shop full of WWII era machinery


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[NZMark]

https://forceaccessories.com.au/

[pigpen966]

another vote for the Unabikers. I have put them thru some serious abuse the last 2 years

[FDB]

Just maybe check that you can fit a fan later if you want. Some braces prohibits that.

[95jersey]

So I am looking at each design and here are my thoughts after looking at each. The goods news is there are more options that I thought there would be!!

I ride in Sandy/Muddy conditions and the OEM slanted fins do a great job of deflecting mud and dirt. It seems to me without the fins and using the grill type brace, the radiator could easily pack with mud and dirt, unless I am missing something. Most options fall into this category (Emperor, Unabiker, Bullet Proof).

The Emperor and Unabiker are similar in design and affordable around $100. Matto sells the Bullet Proof design and they are expensive $199 and don't seem to have all the side bracing of the other models.

The design that strikes me the most is the motocross center's enforcer. Instead of using the standard radiator mounts to secure the radiator, it braces the radiator against the actual frame (see picture). In a side impact if the brace does nothing other than use the OEM mounts to secure the radiators, I could see some twisting occur at the site of the mount. The only downside to this brace is lack of frontal protection, but I think the OEM fins do a fine job of that.

To me using the frame to brace the radiator looks like a superior design and should be rock solid against any impact. The downside is international shipping that is 1/2 the price of the guards themselves.

[john r b]

Meca systems also makes nice stuff. On the AXP 's looks like a lot of restricted air flow from the photo, also looks like a wrap around clamp at the frame close to the regulator.?