how do you reinforce radiator?

[tremens]

I had relatively low speed crash off-road on my ktm 500 exc and managed to bend lower part of radiator backward, no leak though. Anyway wonder how do you reinforce radiator to prevent something like that? Not talking about radiator guards against stones etc but maybe some braces or something like that.
Bike seems to be relatively solid for throwing around except the radiator...

p.s.
wish exc were sir cooled

[TBR-China]

Plenty of solid KTM-EXC radiator protection options around, some general options here = http://www.ktm-parts.com/AOMC/category/PPBODRG but Google: https://www.google.com will show a much broader and detailed selection thats for sure....

On another sidenote, very informative Thumper forums incl. the brilliant and fantastic KTM-EXC bikes....
http://ktmtalk.com
https://thumpertalk.com
http://advrider.com/index.php?forums/thumpers.15/

[Squily]

About the only thing I've seen that works in the long run is crashbars around the radiator. Eliminates any direct knocks to the soft allu of the radiator. If you are concerned about the weight, you can always go for allu, but the extra few kg's is worth the security of not being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken radiator.


I hit an upright tree stump at 50k/h or so. Completely destroyed the front rim, the bar work, the lights etc. The radiators were intact, with the left one only slightly bent. Without the bar work, the stump would have just torn through the radiator and the engine behind it. If it wasn't for the ambulance ride, I could have ridden it home LOL

PS: tried to post some photos, but Photobucket has 'frozen' my third party hosting despite several emails from them saying it won't happen. Go figure...

[tremens]

Originally Posted by Squily

About the only thing I've seen that works in the long run is crashbars around the radiator. Eliminates any direct knocks to the soft allu of the radiator. If you are concerned about the weight, you can always go for allu, but the extra few kg's is worth the security of not being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken radiator.


I hit an upright tree stump at 50k/h or so. Completely destroyed the front rim, the bar work, the lights etc. The radiators were intact, with the left one only slightly bent. Without the bar work, the stump would have just torn through the radiator and the engine behind it. If it wasn't for the ambulance ride, I could have ridden it home LOL

PS: tried to post some photos, but Photobucket has 'frozen' my third party hosting despite several emails from them saying it won't happen. Go figure...

I'd like to see ktm exc with crashbars never seen one.
You can try e.g. free imgur.com for posting images.

[Tomkat]

There are various radiator braces/guards available, here's one example: https://www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk/bik...s__and__guards

If the model you want isn't there or you just want to brace the rad itself try a specialist such as GMX Radiators - The UK's Number One for Alloy Motocross Radiators , Cooling and Starting Systems who may be able to make something up for you.

[Squily]

Originally Posted by tremens

I'd like to see ktm exc with crashbars never seen one.
You can try e.g. free imgur.com for posting images.

LOL Sorry for misleading you - my crash was on an Africa Twin. Some photos of the aftermath.





For the KTM exc you will probably have to make something yourself. There are some bars out there, but they don't really do too much to protect the radiators IMO, such as these for the 690:



Personally, I'm more into the external type of bar work for radiator protection as opposed to the internal frames listed earlier:

[tremens]

hey! nice crash on the old africa twin, I believe the new one would not survive this