Gen 3 - Tusk Crash Bars…..Finally!

5816 Views 41 Replies 12 Participants Last post by pdwestman, 8 mo ago

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago (Edited)

Get ‘em while their hot! Out of all the available crash bars, I feel this brand looks the best.
I’ve been patiently waiting a friggin year for these to finally become available

Hopefully they have the same build quality as the gen 2 Tusk CB’s. I remember those suckers being indestructible on my previous 2018 KLR.
Order placed. Cheers fellas!

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21 - 40 of 42 Posts

Restless

· #21 · 10 mo ago

KLR-Mule said:
They are bolted at the center joining point, using the supplied bracket that comes with it

That bracket is shown in the RMATV pics and was my assumption that it bolted to the crossbar.

Reveille

· #22 · 10 mo ago (Edited)

Yes I understand they bolt together. My question is do they mount to the bike at the middle or just float there?
Edit: I downloaded the install directions and there is indeed a bracket with 1 bolt hole attaching by the headlight and also joins the 2 sides together. I ask because I have a rigid led bar I could mount there if it was solid enough. Seems it would be.

Restless

· #23 · 10 mo ago

Reveille said:
Yes I understand they bolt together. My question is do they mount to the bike at the middle or just float there?
Edit: I downloaded the install directions and there is indeed a bracket with 1 bolt hole attaching by the headlight and also joins the 2 sides together. I ask because I have a rigid led bar I could mount there if it was solid enough. Seems it would be.

KLR-Mule’s picture at the bottom of the first page show’s where it bolts to the fairing bracket.

Reveille

· #24 · 10 mo ago

Restless said:
KLR-Mule’s picture at the bottom of the first page show’s where it bolts to the fairing bracket.

Yep thanks. Looks like he added a nice picture now. Pretty slick crashbars.

Restless

· #25 · 10 mo ago

Reveille said:
Yep thanks. Looks like he added a nice picture now. Pretty slick crashbars.

Agreed, they appear to be a great value. They could’ve pushed them a little further forward IMO. I like my T-Rex slightly more but they’re more expensive and I need to get black hardware for the crossbar. They blend decent with the headlight and fog lights but they really should’ve been black and a type of screw/bolt that’s lower profile.

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #26 · 10 mo ago

Still contemplating on whether or not I’ll need the Tusk lower crash bars…..if they ever become available for purchase.

I had the Tusk CB’s on my previous 2018 klr. I dumped that sucker at least 2 dozen times on all sorts of crap….and nothing ever happened to the engine, skid plate, shifter lever, and rear brake lever. Tusk also never made a “lower crash bar” option for the gen 2 klr.

I’m thinking these upper CB’s might be sufficient.
Thoughts?

Trevorburk

· #27 · 9 mo ago

I just ordered the tusk crash bars for my base pearl sand and Al ant wait to get them. At this price I couldn’t pass it up. They should be here in a few days and I will post a pic when I get them installed.

b.brandonwells

· #28 · 9 mo ago

Reveille said:
Yes I understand they bolt together. My question is do they mount to the bike at the middle or just float there?
Edit: I downloaded the install directions and there is indeed a bracket with 1 bolt hole attaching by the headlight and also joins the 2 sides together. I ask because I have a rigid led bar I could mount there if it was solid enough. Seems it would be.

That bracket bolts to the bike under the headlight. There is a short bolt with the kit to use. I just installed mine yesterday. A spacer goes between the bracket and the mount on the bike. It is the spot the factory light bar connects too.

Reveille

· #29 · 9 mo ago

KLR-Mule said:
Still contemplating on whether or not I’ll need the Tusk lower crash bars…..if they ever become available for purchase.

I had the Tusk CB’s on my previous 2018 klr. I dumped that sucker at least 2 dozen times on all sorts of crap….and nothing ever happened to the engine, skid plate, shifter lever, and rear brake lever. Tusk also never made a “lower crash bar” option for the gen 2 klr.

I’m thinking these upper CB’s might be sufficient.
Thoughts?

I'm having evil thoughts of ordering the Tusk bars, chopping the engine mount portion and welding them to the oem lowers I have installed. It's just crazy enough it may just work out perfectly!

Reactions: 3

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #30 · 9 mo ago

Reveille said:
I'm having evil thoughts of ordering the Tusk bars, chopping the engine mount portion and welding them to the oem lowers I have installed. It's just crazy enough it may just work out perfectly!

Make sure to include the pics if you do!

Reveille

· #31 · 9 mo ago

Just spitballing a bit. I think it's a solid idea.

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #32 · 9 mo ago

I came across a set of Tusk lower crash bars on eBay last night. They were selling for ~1/2 price because of a small scratch on one of the bars. Paid $70, but think they will be retailing for $130….which is ridiculous to me.

I haven’t been able to locate these lower CB’s on RMATV, so they must not be available to the public yet.

For anyone curious about them, here they are.

Product Font Material property Automotive tire Motor vehicle

Auto part Bicycle part Metal Rectangle Nickel

Bicycle part Tool Font Auto part Stonemason's hammer

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KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #33 · 9 mo ago

Well we got bad news. I received the Tusk lower crash bars and attempted to fit them onto my klr. The right side fits perfectly, but the left side is not even close. It appears that the left side bar needs to extend another 3/4 inch for proper fitment to the lower portion of the upper crash bar. The skid plate might be interfering with fitment. One might think they would’ve designed these bars around the ricochet skid plate….since it seems to be the most popular skid plate option for the klr.

I feel this eBay stunt may have been a trial run for RMATV, since they don’t even have this product available on their webpage.

In addition, there weren’t any scratch marks on the bars. It looked like someone deliberately smeared silver anti-seize compound on one of the bars. Wiped right off and they were in perfect condition.

Office supplies Wood Bumper Material property Tool

Tire Wheel Motor vehicle Automotive tire Crankset

Wheel Bicycle Tire Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Bicycle wheel

Hood Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive design

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RC6

· #34 · 8 mo ago

Mine came in on Wednesday. I installed them Saturday morning (2hrs I'm slow) and laid the bike down (while setting still) Sat afternoon. They look good and work.
RC

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #35 · 8 mo ago

RC6 said:
Mine came in on Wednesday. I installed them Saturday morning (2hrs I'm slow) and laid the bike down (while setting still) Sat afternoon. They look good and work.
RC

Did you install the lowers, uppers, or both?

RC6

· #36 · 8 mo ago

Just the uppers. The rear came in yesterday.

RC

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #37 · 8 mo ago

Been going back & forth with RMATV in regards to the Tusk lower crash bars I purchased.
These lower bars don’t seem to be compatible with aftermarket skid plates, other than the enduro engineering plate they advertise.
Their website description of the product is vague, and it doesn’t seem like they are going to change the description. I have a feeling RMATV will be seeing lots of returns because of this.
Hopefully potential buyers will read this before ordering. What a bummer

Reveille

· #38 · 8 mo ago

KLR-Mule said:
Been going back & forth with RMATV in regards to the Tusk lower crash bars I purchased.
These lower bars don’t seem to be compatible with aftermarket skid plates, other than the enduro engineering plate they advertise.
Their website description of the product is vague, and it doesn’t seem like they are going to change the description. I have a feeling RMATV will be seeing lots of returns because of this.
Hopefully potential buyers will read this before ordering. What a bummer

I have the enduro engineering skid plate and factor frame sliders installed. All I did was notched the skid plate to allow clearance for the lower frame slider tabs to fit the frame anchors. Looking at the Tusk lowers, the same technique can be used. Food for thought.

KLR-Mule

Discussion Starter · #39 · 8 mo ago

I would need to cut off a large chunk of the left-side skid plate for it to properly mount onto the lower portion of the upper crash bar.
IMO, the Tusk lower CB is poorly designed.
They should’ve designed the bars to “flare out” more, to better accommodate other types of skid plates.

Reactions: 1

Reveille

· #40 · 8 mo ago

Ahhh, I understand the full issue now. The lower mounting portion is small potatoes compared to cutting wings off.

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