You need a Radiator Guard

contender23 · Feb 27, 2003

Hey R1 Forum....Here's a small follow up about my radiator guard caper!....

I provide this info to prevent you from spending $ on a new radiator...As depicted a couple of weeks ago, I got what appears to be a rock hole in my 03 radiator..facing the unit, it hit about 5 oclock about a 1/2 inch outside where the fan sits (the hole was on the front side obviously)...the debris killed several fins and spewed coolant on the cylinder and then down the fairing....

As previously said, I found out the hard way that Yamaha does not provide a guard from the factory...so I had to buy a new radiator....$180 to $271 list...(Pat Weekly from RIVA saved me big $ here)...plus coolant, plus disassemble and reinstall time...plus I cannot get the watermark off the fairing so far..

Now, for your consideration is the alternative...Buy a guard for about $65 from Cox or LP, spend about 45 min to install it and ride worry free...Just so you know...I had to wait a couple of days for the guard so I rode about 55 miles locally and on the interstate before I was able to get the guard on...an inspection revealed several dings to my radiator already...no significant damage though...DON'T WAIT...IT WILL COST YOU SOME BIG $ AND SOME BIG GRIEF....

HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE....AND MAYBE YAMAHA WILL TAKE NOTE!/////RIDE SAFE

mach5er · Feb 27, 2003

Hey, thanks for the input. Lets see a review of your product and some pics with it in the review section. I would say this product is worthy of it.

Later...

idoc · Feb 27, 2003

I responded to your first thread with my experience: two riding buddies getting holes on the same ride. I looked at mine and found dings but nothing major. Immediately sent off for the Cox guard. What I don't understand is why my wife's 2001 FZR 1000 comes with one from the factory but not the R1. What gives, Yamaha?

contender23 · Feb 27, 2003

Thanks for your reply....I said the same thing...my last bike was a FZ!....I also cannot believe that everbody at the local dealership said they never heard of losing a radiator this way....I cannot believe that I and you can be the only people to do this...the angle of the radiator and its location invites a hit ....thanks for responding...

Hot Rod R1 · Feb 27, 2003

I saw a 02 out riding one weekend that a rock had put a hole in his. He had to send for the truck!!

http://www.motorcycleguard.com/

windchaser · Feb 27, 2003

Just wondering if the guard will work with the Ram Air?????

Magnus · Feb 27, 2003

I was thinking about ordering one for my R1 soon.

HOW HARD IS IT TO INSTALL ????

contender23 · Feb 27, 2003

Install was relatively easy. but you have to remove the L fairing (mid)....plus chin...the lower radiator bolt holds the bottom of the guard....2 wrap ties hold the top to the top mounts....

You have to cut away a small amount of the flnge of the chin fairing near the lower mount to clear the holder....

None of this is difficult...Do it...

idoc · Feb 27, 2003

Just follow the instsructions that come with the guard (Cox)- no big deal to do.

contender23 · Feb 27, 2003

Their instructions leave alot to be desired...they say nothing about relieving the plastic at the mount...they say nothing about where to put the wrap ties...but you will figger' it out....

Have fun

Puppypushr · Feb 27, 2003

Contender23,

Can you post pics of your guard

contender23 · Feb 27, 2003

I could but I would suggest going to motorcycleguard.com....I got it installed now...their pics are great...its Cox racing

Big Daddy · Feb 27, 2003

I totally agree with you about preventing such damage with the rad protectors even if they are time consuming to install you'll be glad ya did.

BD

contender23 · Feb 27, 2003

Thanks...I wish someone would have told me....when I went back to the dealership and told them that they should tell buyers..they looked at me like I was nuts....Oh well....

Puppypushr · Feb 27, 2003

I looked at their pics, but since we have the same bike I wanted to check yours out, if you don't mind

Liv2Ride · Feb 27, 2003

Does using the guard have an impact of the running temp of the bike? I ask this because my experience with dirt bikes and aluminum radiator guards was that unless it was anodized it would retain heat and cause the bike to over heat. If this is an issue there is no way I would put one on my bike. Thanks in advance.

02R1guy · Feb 27, 2003

it was a little bit of a pain but WELL WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!

idoc · Feb 27, 2003

There has been no increase in temperature with mine installed. The manufacturer says it can actually help with dissipating heat because bent fins on the radiator cause heat retention.

LDHR1 · Feb 28, 2003

I made my own with a matching lower after sevaral good sized hits.

windchaser · Feb 28, 2003

ldhr1 said:
I made my own with a matching lower after sevaral good sized hits.

That look very nice can you show me how to do it since we live in the same area

THE MUFFIN MAN · Feb 28, 2003

yeah, post a how to and list the type of screen you used and where to get it.

Magnus · Feb 28, 2003

Well, I ordered my radiator guard today.

I'll do a how to on it if no one else does before I install it. I will do pics too.

Mark Wilkes · Feb 28, 2003

Last year (or it may have been the year before) myself, another guy on a '98 R1 & one on a 916 went for a blast. The guy with the '98 had his rad holed by a stone. I'd already fitted the COX guard to mine. You only have to look at the cox guard now to see how many "missiles" it's coped with. The guy with the 916 ended up fabricating one himself (looked pretty good too), which isn't difficult if you've got basic metal work skills.

The guy with the '98 ended up being recovered home.

My next new bike will have a rad gurad fitted asap!

Paul.R1 · Feb 28, 2003

they are a great idea.. i spent $5 on mine, i went to a local wreckers, and went through radiator gaurds that come stock with alot of the older bikes (mine is off a gpz900), that and a couple zip ties works like a treat

martinc · Feb 28, 2003

Guys,Cox racing is a sponsor on my private site;maybe if you mention my site,you may have free shipping or something.

(Idont know if I"m allowed to do this here though)

Puppypushr · Feb 28, 2003

ldhr1 said:
I made my own with a matching lower after sevaral good sized hits.

That looks really good, can you post a how to?

You need a Radiator Guard

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