Touratech MTS1200 handguard kit installed (photos)

[Dr. Greg]

First of all, thanks to Sock Monkey for alerting me that these handguards were finally available.

Anyway, after my SILT episode back in June, the stock handguards were completely broken and useless. I executed a "temporary" repair with some Barkbuster-style guards and bolted the stock turn signals to them, but not very nice-looking at all.

Received the Touratech handguard kit about a week ago and finally got around to installing it. I opted for the "black" spoiler extensions since I didn't know if Touratech's "red" would match Ducati's red.

Some issues:

1. The bolts supplied for the bar-ends are just SLIGHTLY too short...I've gotta get longer ones. Kind of a pain. I actually used the bar-ends supplied by Kaoko, since I use a Kaoko throttle lock (since stupid Ducati neglected the S/W for a cruise control). I drilled/tapped the throttle lock out to accept the M8x1.25 bolts (somewhat larger than the original Kaoko bolts). The bar-ends supplied by Touratech are bigger (and the mount looks stronger) than these Kaoko that are shown. When I get a longer bolt I may swap out the left Kaoko bar-end for the Touratech, but I hafta keep the right Kaoko, cuz of the throttle lock. Got that?

2. They are not gonna be as strong as the metal-spine Barkbusters, but a heckuva lot better than stock. I think they'd have survived my "silt" crash. They DO look reasonable, IMHO. And, hey, now I've got the Touratech logo on the bike, so by definition it's ADV-competent.

3. Their supplied turn signal hardware is a little cheesy, but the lights are fairly bright (although not nearly as bright as the stockers). I covered the turn signal wires with shrink tubing to camouflage them as they enter the bodywork (coulda drilled holes, but not sure I'm keeping the bike much longer and don't wanna do anything permanent like that). The flashing frequency is just fine.

4. Haven't tried 'em out yet CUZ IT'S TOO BLASTED COLD, EVEN IN BALMY NEW MEXICO!! Or I'm just getting soft. Maybe later this week; temp is supposed to get in the 40s.

Dunno if this is that great a replacement, but it's about all I could do at this point. Be happy to answer any questions for anyone.

Here are some photos from my shop.

--Doc

[Turbo]

I took a close look at these hand guards at the Seattle IMS in the Touratech booth. I think I'd like to try them, but the kit they sell is no good for me! I just want the hand guards. I already have the DP Enduro hand guards and the DP mirrors with built in turn signals. I Also have Rizoma reservoirs with Rizoma mounting arms. I don't need the brackets for the reservours nor the turn signals sold with the Touratech kit.

Since Touratech have a shop in Seattle, I'll pop up one day and see if we can come to an arrangement on just the parts I need. The Sales guy I talked to at the show said it should be possible.

[Sock Monkey]

Thanks for post and pics Doc.

Just so I'm clear, does your Kaoko still work, or is it just attached but no longer turn? I ask because I have the Throttlemeister and plan to keep it but I'm not sure it will still turn once I mount my hand guards (which I still haven't done....too many "honey do's" and not enough garage time ).

Also, after looking at the turn signals/mounts that came with the kit, I decided to go for the DP mirrors w/ integrated signals, so I'll be using those instead of the supplied mounts/signals (I had some store credit to burn at my dealer anyway). I used the exact same turn signals that came in the kit on my off-road bike ($30 at Cycle Gear) and they're good, but I think the DP mirrors will be 1) brighter, and 2) will fix my vibrating mirror issue that I have with the stockers.

FYI, the red extensions match the Ducati red exactly...... Also, I had similar plastic hand guards on my old KTM 520, which hit the ground numerous times and they held up, so I expect these will be OK too.

-SM

[Dr. Greg]

Originally Posted by Sock Monkey

Thanks for post and pics Doc.

Just so I'm clear, does your Kaoko still work, or is it just attached but no longer turn? I ask because I have the Throttlemeister and plan to keep it but I'm not sure it will still turn once I mount my hand guards (which I still haven't done....too many "honey do's" and not enough garage time ).

I completely understand. Yes, the Kaoko throttle lock works fine; it was just a matter of enlarging (drilling/tapping) the center bolt hole.

Also, after looking at the turn signals/mounts that came with the kit, I decided to go for the DP mirrors w/ integrated signals, so I'll be using those instead of the supplied mounts/signals (I had some store credit to burn at my dealer anyway). I used the exact same turn signals that came in the kit on my off-road bike ($30 at Cycle Gear) and they're good, but I think the DP mirrors will be 1) brighter, and 2) will fix my vibrating mirror issue that I have with the stockers.

Yes, the mirror-based turn signals should be better. I feel limited in the $$$ I can spend on the thing based on its uncertain future.

FYI, the red extensions match the Ducati red exactly...... Also, I had similar plastic hand guards on my old KTM 520, which hit the ground numerous times and they held up, so I expect these will be OK too.

-SM

Good to know. Maybe (though I doubt it) I'll spring for some red ones to complement the gorgeous (?) red bodywork

--Doc

[Timthai]

Thanks for the detailed post and photos Dr Greg...

The only thing that turns me off is the added width to the handlebars. The bar ends seem pretty long, can you measure how much overall width it adds? (I assume the throttle lock adds a little more over stock Touratech RH end?)

(Splitting lanes in Bangkok peak hour is an everyday occurrence so the extra width would be a major pain.)

Turbo, can you tell me how much do the DP Enduro Guards add to the width? How substantial are they? It's hard to tell from the catalog pictures. I am considering the same solution as you.

Cheers.

[Turbo]

Originally Posted by Timthai

Turbo, can you tell me how much do the DP Enduro Guards add to the width? How substantial are they? It's hard to tell from the catalog pictures. I am considering the same solution as you.

Cheers.

The DP Enduring Guards don't add anything to the width. Maybe a few millimeters since they bolt to the end of the bars. They are much more substantial than the stock guards, but they wont stand the punishment the Touratech Guards will.

I had to modify mine since I have Rizoma Reservoirs and mounting hardware. The DP Guards have extra plastic to mount the reservoirs. I had to cut it all off to make room for the Rizoma gear.