Frontlight protector, just for rally looks? - Horizons Unlimited

**bijsterbosch** · #1 4 Jun 2003

Hello,
Preparing my Africa Twin for a Europe to India overland trip I was doubting the needs of a frontlight protector. Of course it will look fancy. Anyway, has anyone actually experianced the need of it?
If not, it will safe me costs and drilling into the fairing of my beloved motorcycle.
The same goes for the radiotor protection, I can't imagine stones ignoring gravity suddenly and hitting the upper level of the motorcycle. Because if they do, will I be safe sitting on it?

Any experiance welcome.

Kind regards,

Guido

**kcfire** · #2 4 Jun 2003

Guido,
Several companies,(Aeroflow, Cee Bailey) make protectors that adhere to the lense itself. They use a hook and loop connector to hold it in place. It is much easier to use than the grill type protectors. They are just a piece of plexiglass or lexan cut to the shape of your lense. That give you any ideas?
John

**Tom81** · #3 5 Jun 2003

Hi Guido

You can also you the DIY method. Some pieces of velcrotape and a bit of plaxiglass.

**bijsterbosch** · #4 5 Jun 2003

Unfortunately I am not familiar with the phrase 'DIY', but I presume It has got something to do with lowbudget solutions.
Sounds interesting, preparing for an overland trip is already a challenge for the wallet without even passing one border!
Thanks!

Guido

**Simon Kennedy** · #5 5 Jun 2003

Not familiar with DIY..you will be soon enough.
It means Do It Yourself, the English shorthand for non-professional home improvement.
Don't be too precious about your bike. If you enjoy yourself it's going to take some knocks.
The stick on solutions are good enough on the route you propose.

**bayonet** · #6 10 Jun 2003

Touratech make an Africa Twin headlight protector that requires no drilling and bolts on through one of the fairing bolts. It is clear acrylic, weighs hardly anything and is removable with an Allen key in about 5 seconds. Mine cost about £20. When it is dirty it cuts down on light output and during last winter I took it off because I was riding a lot of unlit country roads. Within 20 miles I had a stone put a hole in one of the headlamps and take out the bulb. I've not taken it off since. A good bit of kit and cheap as well. (It was good in Morocco too, when the stones were being thrown at me from my co-rider's bikes)

**gozell** · #7 14 Jun 2003

Hello,

On the road in Afika for about 7 months now and to be honest i do not really see the need for a headlight protector.... The glass bit of my headlight unit is still in good shape, unfortuanly the headlight mountings are not that strong... Welded many times, corrugations kills everything...!

**bijsterbosch** · #8 16 Jun 2003

Hey Gozell,

That's what I was looking for, advice from an experianced traveller. Sometimes, reading story's in order to prepare for a overland trip, I've got the idea that only customized bikes will fulfill the job, and additional gadgeds are absolutely needed.
Anyway, I will not blame you if something bad happens to my frontlights. Azia may differ from Africa.

Guido

**gozell** · #9 20 Jun 2003

Hallo Guido,

Basicly you can do it on any bike without mods but will it be fun? Drop and email to Corne his driving an AT through africa at the moment as well... Im sure he has some straightforward real Afrikan travelers experience tips on the subject.

Corne:

http://www.motorbikes2africa.nl/

and

http://www.krid.de

Grtz
Meindert

**omar mansour** · #10 1 Jul 2003

hoi guido
how are you
i lve your city,i had the best time in my life there
i have africa twin too,so tell me at the end what you gonna do with the front light protector,cause i need to have one on my bike too
have a good ride
doi