Kawi VN900 Engine Guards

[rod2625]

Last week my engine guards that have been on order since March finally came in. I must say I am very please with them. I love the shape, not bowed like the Cobras or a "D" like the MC Enterprise guards. They attach like most under the floorboards and then there is a heavy "C bracket that fits over the frame down tubes on both sides and it attaches to that. It does not interfere with the placement of the stock horn so there is no need to move it (although I replace my stock with a Fiamm AM80 and moved it previously). It makes for a very clean look under the frame. Those of you that have attended the Intern. Motorcycle Show have seen the VN900s on display with Kawi Engine Guards. I am somewhat confused because those bike have the engine guard listed at $225 (Part #K32000-045), while in the catalog they are listed at $180 (Part #K32000-044). I do not see any difference in the two. My biggest issue in installing them was getting the stock bolts loose below the floorboards. I just about rounded off the head of one of the screws before I finally purchased an impact wrench and the required socket. I was trying to use my standard metric wrench and could not get it off.

As a side, the bike show was in Seattle this past weekend and I really liked the Kawi short sissy bar and luggage rack they had on the VN900 Custom. If I did not have my Custom World bar/rack I would definitely make that purchase. They are much more stylish and built with superior quality. I came away from the show still loving my 900 (Thank goodness!).

Here are picts:

Kawi VN900 album | Rod2625 | Fotki.com

[2WheelFun]

The bar looks good Roger as does the bike.

It looks like your ready for another long run now.

[Toni]

Those are nice looking. I want some for my new 900. Can you give me a link to where I can find them?

[rod2625]

Toni, they are in the Kawasaki accessory catalog, part #K32000-044. I am wondering now if this part number is only for the Classic and the K32000-045 is for the Custom? I ordered mine through my local dealer and I would suggest that you call the 800 number for Beartooth Kawi and they will order them for you (tell them you are a forum member and get a discount). They are great to do business with.

Roger

[Toni]

My dealer told me January and said that he couldn't promise anything even then.

[MrClean]

You could go to Ebay and purchase these Cobra bars eBay Motors: Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Cobra Engine Guards Crash Case Bars (item 370000988287 end time Dec-09-07 13:36:23 PST) and have them on next week. Or go to Meancycles MeanCycles - KAWASAKI - VN 900 - HIGHWAY BARS- ENGINE GUARDS - FREEWAY BARS FOR VN900/CLASSIC LT / CUSTOM where the bars are more expensive initially, but they are over the free shipping limit and there is a 5% discount for Delphi 900 group members. Again, you're bike will be wearing them next week, not sometime in March after a January maybe promise. Take a look at them both and see if you don't think they're pretty close to the same. They mount the same but I'll warn you, the cheesy little horn that is stock on 900 probably won't work unless you relocate it using the bracket it's mounted on and putting it up under the tank on the right side of the engine. If you do that, might as well stop off at Napa and buy a FIAM 80 horn type horn for 15 bucks. Might as well go up about 30 decibles too.

[ks_greg]

Looks like they stick out a good bit farther than the MC bars, well past the floorboards and brake pedal. Better protection in the event of a tip over. Looks like they may not come up as high, but that may be an illusion from them being wider.
I'd ordered the Kaw guard when I bought my bike last pril. Gave up after 4 months and canceled because Kaw had no idea when they'd be available.
Don't care much for their upper mount, but like you said, it's probably so you don't have to mess with the horn.

[CycleDude]

Mr.Clean makes a good point, but the MC Enterprise bars at MeanCycles are only 150, not 175, and you'll get the same 5% discount and free freight and immediate delivery.

I have the MC bars and they are great. They saved my silver sweetheart twice from stupid parking lot drops. They mount cleaner than the Kawi bar, too. They use the horn mount rather than the clamps around the downtubes which to some could be unsightly. The Cobra's are the same way.

Relocating the horn is ridiculously easy, so don't sweat it.

I installed it with my 3 year old as a "helper" in under 20 minutes.

[rod2625]

Ks Greg, yes they are not as tall as others on the market. The last picture I posted, on the left side, you can see they are a couple of inches below the horn mount. When I first saw the C-brackets I was not sure how I would like it, but they are nicely chromed and the bolt in the rear has a chrome sleeve that it goes through. I have to think that these two mount points on the down tubes makes for a more secure fit than just the single horn mount. The thing that does not show up in the picts is that from the bottom mount the tube angles out and up, then goes vertical.

As far as availability, I expect I got one of the first shipped. But at least now they are really a product instead of just a picture in their catalog. I was also keen to see the new Baron's guards, thinking they would look like their other Kawi models. They had said they would be shipping by the end of the year the last I heard.

Anyway, just another option on where to spend your money this winter

[cruisedownunder]

be carfeul if you buy a light bar. I had to remove my engine guards to fit the light bar. The indicators hit the bar. Not happy

[CycleDude]

Originally Posted by cruisedownunder

be carfeul if you buy a light bar. I had to remove my engine guards to fit the light bar. The indicators hit the bar. Not happy

Shouldn't be a problem. Most lightbars available for the VN 900 use the stock blinkers in the stock location, rather than dropping them down like some other bikes do, so you shouldn't have a problem. Click my sig line to see pics of my bike with both light and engine bars installed.

[rod2625]

Originally Posted by cruisedownunder

be carfeul if you buy a light bar. I had to remove my engine guards to fit the light bar. The indicators hit the bar. Not happy

Because I have the Memphis Fats shield the only light bar that will fit is the Big Bike Contour. I will probably order it soon. I expect that since the Kawi guard mounts a couple of inches lower than MC/Cobra that it will not be an issue. Thanks for the heads up though.

[CheriAnn]

I have the Cobra guard and really like it!
Personally, what I like the most right now with the weather changing, is that it is taller and larger for my engine guard chaps!!!!

[CycleDude]

Originally Posted by CheriAnn

I have the Cobra guard and really like it!
Personally, what I like the most right now with the weather changing, is that it is taller and larger for my engine guard chaps!!!!

Show off....