[nasirkaka]

I wouldn't install anything besides SW Motech on this bike. Those guys really know how to make a good crash bar.

I have used some foreign-branded accessories/guards from the likes of SW Motech, Hepco & Becker, etc., and also some locally made accessories from the likes of ADV tribe, Zana, Carbon Racing, etc. In retrospect, I feel the answer is not as simple as that imported accessories are really better, especially when we bring the cost into perspective.

For, e.g., in 2016, when we got the Versys 650 from the first lot, the only crash guard option available was from Hepco & Becker, costing 18,000 Rs. I upgraded to Versys from Classic 500, where crash guards were available for 800 Rs. So this price difference felt huge and unfathomable but we had to bite the bullet out of lack of options. Later, Zana and other local guys started making crash guards for one-third the cost, and many new Versys riders started buying them. There were many cases of falls/crashes in the group where the locally-made guard did fairly well in terms of providing protection. And there were some instances where imported guards also damaged the bike, depending on the nature of the fall.

I had SW Motech guards on my Bonnie and had a crash, and the bike was fairly damaged, including the guard. I have Pune-made ADV tribe guards on the 310 GS and have fallen uncountable times, and the guards have done fairly well providing protection.

The same holds true for accessories like handguards. I have Barkbusters costing close to 13K on the Interceptor and an Aerbis replica costing 1200 Rs on the Xpulse, and they have crashed multiple times. They both have done fairly well. However, on a friend's 310GS, even with the original Barkbuster, the clutch lever was damaged and the handlebar bent in a regulation drop on the trail.

While it's good to go for imported brands as their quality, fit, and finish would definitely be much superior, some Indian brands also have decent products, especially when we compare their cost. A lot also depends on the design, attachment point to the bike, etc.

Look at the price of crash guards for NX500 at Rs. 35430. Now, 35K is a lot of money for a crash guard, whereas a Zana may make a guard for 6k for the same bike. So OEM is definitely good, but when we consider this huge price difference and look at the eventual purpose, design, etc., the choice becomes complex.

So I would look at available options if at all, compare their design, mounting points, etc., and take a call. But for certain other critical parts like brake pads, tyres, lights, etc., I would try and go for the best available option, even if it's expensive.

[Sebring]

There are plenty of fake BARKBUSTERS in the market, cant discount that. SW Motech was a revelation when I installed a few items on the ADV 390. Moving forward I'll only consider this brand

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Same holds true for accessories like handguard. I have barkbuserts costing clost to 13K on the interceptor and Aerbis replica costing 1200 rs on the xpulse and have crashed multiple times. They both have done fairly well. Where as on a freind's 310GS even with the original barkbuster, the clutch lever was damaged and handlebar bent in a regulation drop on the trail.

[nasirkaka]

There are plenty of fake BARKBUSTERS in the market, cant discount that.

The one on a friend's bike and in question was original barkbuster, bought from Sean of Big Bad bikes, Bangalore.
Like i said, Imported brands are good to have but when we bring 35K vs 5k in consideration, for a crash guard, is where mind starts playing game. I work in a metal industry so the acceptance is even more scrutinized.

[Aditya]

Imported Vs Indian brands for motorcycle accessories - Posts moved to a new thread.

[Senotrius]

I'm also on the lookout for handguards for the Speed 400. Does anyone know any universal fit Indian brands? That is considering its handlebar diameter.

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by Senotrius

I'm also on the lookout for handguards for the Speed 400. Does anyone know any universal fit Indian brands? That is considering its handlebar diameter.

The Barkbusters for the Adv 390 seem to fit the Scrambler 400 X. Maybe try those? Big Bad Bikes has these Polisport Hammer ones which they say will fit. https://bigbadbikes.com/product/for-...er-handguards/

[Bombastic]

I guess luck also plays a very important role in the damage that occurs - millimeters, speed, angles and even the stars need to be aligned perfectly lol. Or you could just swallow the bitter pill and declare that whatever you have is best for you. Like in my case, for instance. I recently purchased a CB300R, and I find that Zana is the only provider of accessories, and even then, most of those are already out of stock!

[Neo18]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

The one on a friend's bike and in question was original barkbuster, bought from Sean of Big Bad bikes, Bangalore.
Like i said, Imported brands are good to have but when we bring 35K vs 5k in consideration, for a crash guard, is where mind starts playing game. I work in a metal industry so the acceptance is even more scrutinized.

Hi NasirKaka,
This brings me back to my search for a helmet stand. I remember you had discussed in length about a local fabricator (could have been yourself in all probability!)who had designed a open helmet stand along with room for storing accessories like Bike Jacket and the likes. I am unable to find that thread and DM to you is not going through, quoting that your inbox is full.

[ridealong_vr04]

Indian accessory manufacturers have the ability to make these products in good quality with competitive pricing , but they face a challenge in getting access to newly launched vehicles for development. I reached out to companies like Zana, Carbon Racing and a few others, regarding a simple crashbar for my Tigersport 660 and they all mentioned they have difficulty in getting the bikes they need to create prototypes. I ended up spending INR21000 on SWMotech crash bar.

[maverick029]

I agree local manufactures have come a long way but i still feel they have ways to go. I purchased zana backrest for my adv 390 and last year in dec it gave away mid trip, the back support fell off when i was overtaking a truck and my wife got imbalanced as she was leaned on it. I thank my stars nothing happened but it certainly made me doubt the build quality of local manufactures and reinforced my belief that i should always go for factory made rather than from custom manufactures.

[gtx2]

I buy from reputed Indian brands wherever possible, the cost is high in both cases but Indian manufacturers keep it a bit lower that results in comparatively better value. But it's a hit or miss.

I have Zana guards + Barkbusters on my Versys. I have had 4 minor falls so far , and both products have saved my bike from damage successfully.

Same can not be said for the Zana radiator guard for which Zana gave cheap zipties to seat it. 'Cheapties' broke at some point in my last tour and the guard fell somewhere on highway . Searching for something else other than Zana in this case now, also will use separately purchased Zipties from now with whatever guard I buy.

[that_sedate_guy]

Originally Posted by maverick029

it gave away mid trip, the back support fell off when i was overtaking a truck.

That's super scary, especially when moving at an appreciable speed. I for one usually bought stuff for my bullet 350 from wherever I could find or whatever came first on a Google search and never gave anything much thought.
Bought a new crash
guard from Dug dug motorcycles which looks and feels sturdy. That has been the only proper purchase which took more than three minutes
I then was on the lookout for a nice back rest. I looked at the dirt cheap ones all the way up to the 18k worth ones and for some reason, all of them rubbed me off the wrong way in terms of build sturdiness.
I'm worked in a machine building factory and have good amounts of experience with machining, surface finishing, welding and such. From that perspective, I just couldn't digest the thin walled pipe construction, the laughable weld strength and the horrid design faults (stress resolution of the entire structure) of most of the ones in the market, so I set out to do what I usually do if something isn't to my satisfaction. I made it myself.
A length of 15 mm strip steel, a car headrest bought off boodmo, some bending skills, a bit of welding and some spray painting later, my custom carrier+backrest was done. And yes, this was fully designed and fabricated by me with the help of a family friend's workshop tools.

Did a 40kg weight resting test on the carrier first. Didn't even flex. Then I tested the backrest with both gradual loading by pulling on it with my full bodyweight and then with impact loads from hitting it with my fist with maximum force. No rattling, no loosening of the clamping bolts. All was solid.
Tested it with my wife on a 30km test run.
Fun fact: she hated motorcycle rides.
The result:
"Are we home already? Do I really need to get down? But this seat is so comfy like a sofa and unlike a car I get an unobstructed view! Can we please roam a bit more?"
And we DID!
Sometimes it's not about where the accessory comes from - A foreign land, our motherland or our own hands. The quality and the utility matters more than anything else.