What is the function of motorcycle hand guards?
2 Answers
Motorcycle hand guards serve to protect the rider. Here is relevant information about hand guards: 1. Reasons for installation: Installing protective devices before the handlebar levers originated from motorcycles used for off-road and woodland riding. In the usage environment of these models, besides numerous road potholes, there are also plenty of sand, stones, and woodland debris. These harsh road conditions not only pose risks of gravel and dirt kicked up from the ground potentially breaking the brake and clutch levers, but also may injure the rider. Additionally, environmental debris like branches can hook onto the motorcycle, creating riding hazards. Therefore, for off-road, rally, and multi-purpose motorcycles that face complex riding environments, hand guard kits are installed on both left and right handlebar levers to protect the rider. 2. Origin of racing hand guards: As for closed circuits with simpler road environments, it wasn't until 2011 that MotoGP officially mandated in its rules that racing motorcycles must be equipped with brake protectors (Brake Protecor). The sudden requirement was due to multiple accidents caused by brake master cylinders during the 2006 season, as reported by retired DornaSport safety consultant Loris Capirossi.
That day after the rain, I rode over a gravel road, and the small stones clattered against the hand guards like firecrackers. This thing is truly a must-have for riding. Last time, a pebble kicked up by an oncoming car hit the metal bar of the hand guard, and my gloves didn’t even tear. During mountain rides, they also block branches. Once, when I braked hard and the front wheel slipped, the handlebars swung out, and the hand guard directly hit a rock—the plastic shell cracked, but my palm was completely unharmed. Later, when I took it apart, I realized it uses a fiberglass layer to disperse impact force, much better than bare handlebars. Actually, hand guards are also great for wind protection. In winter, my fingers don’t freeze while riding, and after installing them, I didn’t even need to add extra wind deflectors.
