Handlebar Guards & Protection
About Handlebar Guards & Protection
Hand guards fit over the handlebar ends to shield your hands and levers from branches, roost, stones, wind and rain. Dirt and adventure riders fit them, and many also use them in cold weather. Riders come here to replace guards that were broken in a fall, to add protection to a bike that has none, or to find the mounting kit that fits their handlebar. Handlebar riser kits are listed here too.
The first choice is the style. Full wraparound guards cover the levers and add the most protection, and minimal brush guards are lighter and mostly deflect branches. The listings include Moto-X, K-Linear, Rally Pro and Cyclone guards, in colors such as red, white and black. Some mounting kits are aluminum. Next is the mount.
Handlebar diameter matters, since standard dirt bike bars are 7/8 inch and oversize bars are 1-1/8 inch, and mounting kits are sold for particular guards and bar types, including kits that mount through the bar end. Check that the kit fits your bars and that the guards do not touch the levers. For risers, match the clamping diameter and rise, as in the listings here for 1 inch and 1-1/8 inch bars.
Brands in this category include Domino, UFO, Zeta, ODI and Slyfox. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. For other protection see Fork Guards & Covers, Frame & Crash Protection and Skid Plates, Sliders & Spools, all part of Guards & Protection.
FAQs on hand guards and handlebar protection
What handlebar size do hand guards fit?
That depends on the guard's mounting kit. Many dirt bikes use 7/8 inch bars, and oversize bars are 1-1/8 inch. Check the diameter of your bars and choose a kit that is listed for them.
Do I need a separate mounting kit for my hand guards?
Often yes. Guards are sold separately from the mounts, and the mount depends on your handlebar and the end of the bar. The listings here include mounting kits, so check which one is made for your guard.
Do hand guards keep my hands warm?
They block wind, rain and spray from your hands and levers, which helps in cold weather. They do not replace proper gloves, but wraparound guards can make a noticeable difference to comfort.
Will hand guards protect my levers in a fall?
They can help, especially the wraparound type with a bar behind them. They do not make levers crash-proof, so check the levers and the guards after a fall.
Will hand guards fit with bar-end weights?
Sometimes. Some mount through the bar end or use a separate kit, so check the listing's notes. Plan on making sure the bar end, the guard and the lever all clear each other.
