Engine Guards & Highway Bars
About Engine Guards & Highway Bars
Engine guards and highway bars are tubular frames that bolt around the front and sides of the engine. In a tip-over they take the impact so the cases, covers, cylinders and fairing stay off the ground. On many cruisers the same bar is also a place to put your feet on long rides, using highway pegs. Riders come here for protection on adventure bikes and standards, to add highway pegs to a cruiser, or to replace a guard that was bent in a fall.
Pick the type for your bike. Adventure and standard bikes use engine guards shaped to the frame, and the listings here include models such as the BMW F850GS, R1250GS and F750GS, Honda NC750X, Yamaha Tenere 700 and Triumph Tiger Sport 660. Cruisers use bars such as the Multibar for the Yamaha V Star 950, Harley-Davidson Softail and Honda VTX models, in chrome or black.
Check whether a bar has mounting points for highway pegs, since some are crash protection only. Look at tube size, finish and material. Make sure it clears your exhaust, luggage and any saddlebags. A guard is meant for tip-overs and slides, not for a high-speed crash. Most are bolt-on, so follow the maker's torque instructions.
Brands in this category include Cobra, SW-Motech, GIVI, Puig Hi-Tech Parts and S&S Cycle. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. Related protection is in Frame & Crash Protection, Skid Plates, Sliders & Spools and Radiator & Oil Cooler Guards, all part of Guards & Protection.
FAQs on engine guards and highway bars
What is the difference between engine guards and highway bars?
Both are tubular bars around the engine. Engine guards are mainly crash protection on adventure and standard bikes. Highway bars are the cruiser style, and some include a spot for highway pegs so you can rest your feet on a long ride.
Can I use highway bars as foot rests?
Only if the bar is made for it. Some have mounting spots for highway pegs, and others are crash protection only. Read the listing, and fit pegs that the maker states are suitable for that bar.
Will engine guards fit with my exhaust and luggage?
Often, but not always. Clearance depends on the guard, the luggage system and the exhaust, and some guards are made for specific accessories. Check the listing's fitment notes.
Do engine guards protect the bike in a high-speed crash?
They are designed mainly for tip-overs and low-speed falls, where they keep parts off the ground. In a high-speed crash the forces are much greater, and no guard can promise protection.
Can I install engine guards myself?
Many are bolt-on and need hand tools and the maker's torque values. Some require removing fairing panels. Read the instructions first, and if you are unsure, have a shop fit them.
