We recently installed a set of Zeta PRO Armor Handguards on our 2021 KTM 690 SMC R project bike. We tried both the anodized Black and anodized Orange aluminum guards, along with their Black or Orange colored XC Protectors and the handguards look great on the bike. We were really pleased with the fit, using the 1 1/8" Zeta U-Clamp Mounting Kit to attach the handguards to the stock handlebars. We also plan to install the optional LED turn signals in the XC Protectors at some point.
Shown in the photo above is a photo from one of our customers who used the Zeta BC Mount Type mounting kit to mount his Zeta PRO Armor handguards. This mount kit will attach the handguards to the KTM's handlebar mounts.
These Zeta PRO Armor handguards should work well not only on the KTM 690 SMC R, but also the KTM 690 Enduro R, as well as the Husqvarna 701 dual sport and supermoto.
For more photos and details on the install, click the link below...
The standard CRF300L (non Rally model) comes from the factory with handlebars that have threaded inserts in the ends, so this means installing handguards on them will be a little more difficult than with a standard hollow end handlebar. Most aftermarket handguards come with insert kits that slip right in the ends of a standard hollow handlebar, but that threaded insert in the CRF300L's bars is in the way. And unfortunately the long bolts that come with handguards are too large to fit those threaded inserts, so you have a couple options (see below).
The stock CRF300L handlebars have threaded inserts that will accept an M6 x 1.00 bolt. Unfortunately many aftermarket handguards, like the Zeta Armor handguards we wanted to install, come with insert kits that have larger/stronger M8 x 1.25 bolts. So, you can't simply thread the handguard bolts into that insert. On our CRF300L project bike, we wanted to try and use those larger bolts that come with the Zeta handguards, so we decided to drill and tap the handlebar inserts so that they would accept the M8 x 1.25 bolts that come with handguards. The chart above gives you an idea of what size drill bit to use to drill them out, and the what size tap to use so that the handguard bolts will fit.
Once we drilled and tapped those inserts, we were able to install the Zeta Armor handguards using their included M8 x 1.25 bolts to attach the handguards to the end of the handlebar, and then used the included 7/8" handlebar clamps to attach the in-board part of the handguard to the handlebar. We also installed a set of the Zeta Adventure Armor handguards, which have slightly different style handlebar clamps than the regular Armor handguards. Both fit the bikes stock bars fine, but I think the standard Armor Handguards fit a little bit better overall.
The stock mirrors on the CRF300L provide descent visibility, but they are fixed mounted to the bike, and can do some potentially expensive damage if you drop the bike and one of them breaks off, especially on the front brake reservoir side. If you are riding your CRF300L off-road, you should definitely consider a set of mirrors like the Double Take Enduro's described below...
We use DoubleTake Enduro mirrors on all of our dual sport bikes, so that's what we've installed on our new CRF300L project bike. These mirrors are much more durable than the fixed mounted stock mirrors, and utilize RAM mounts so they will fold or move out of the way if you hit one of them during a crash or fall. This means they hopefully won't break off at the perch like a fixed mounted mirror could. These mirrors are also easy to fold down out of the way when you aren't using them, or even take off the bike if you are riding purely off-road and don't really need mirrors. Lots of flexibility with these Enduro Mirrors from Double Take. Visibility is also really good out of them and we've gotten very little vibration on the CRF300L.
Installation is super easy. No tools are required to install them, or remove them from the bike. The included ball studs thread right into the stock clutch and brake lever perches on the CRF300L.
Just a few teaser pics of our new 2021 Honda CRF300L dual sport. We've had one on order for a few months, and it finally came in. We have already started riding and tinkering with it, so stay tuned...
The Honda CRF450RL comes from the factory with cheap plastic hand deflector shields. One of the first things many new CRF450RL owners will do is replace those with a proper set of handguards, which will protect your hands and also the bikes controls from tree branches and other trail hazards, plus they can help prevent damage if you crash or drop your bike. Another side benefit is that they offer wind protection in cooler weather.
On our CRF450L/RL Project bike we've installed both a set of Zeta's standard Armor Handguards, as well as their PRO Armor Handguards. Both work great on the bike with the stock Renthal handlebars, and also work if you install aftermarket 1 1/8" bars. Our bike currently has the Zeta PRO Handguards, with red XC Protectors, the optional LED turn signals, and we're using the Side Mount Triple Clamp mounting kit. Here's our recommendations for handguards for the bike...
OPTION 1: Zeta PRO Armor Handguards
If you want the best handguard setup for your CRF450L/RL, Zeta's PRO Armor Handguards (shown above) are definitely the way to go. These handguards feature long and durable bar end inserts, protective plastic bumpers on the outside of the handguard, and a mounting kit that bolts to the CRF450L/RL's top triple clamp instead of the handlebar itself. They come pre-drilled for mounting of the optional Zeta XC protector shields and Zeta Integrated LED flashers/turn signals.
OPTION 2: Zeta Armor Handguards
If you're looking for an affordable handguard for your CRF450L/RL, the standard Zeta Armor Handguard is the way to go. These do a great job of protecting your hands/controls at a very affordable price. They come with handlebars clamps to clamp to the bars, and they come pre-drilled for mounting of the optional Zeta XC protector shields and Zeta Integrated LED flashers/turn signals. If you have the bikes stock Renthal handlebars, you'll want the 7/8" size, of you've installed oversize handlebars, go with the 1 1/8" size.
Handguards are one of the most popular modifications for the Yamaha Tenere 700. The bike comes stock with flimsy plastic "deflectors" that are not real handguards and offer very little protection. Proper protective handguards will protect your hands and the bikes controls from tree branches and other trail hazards, plus they can help prevent damage if you crash or drop your bike. Another side benefit is that they offer a bit of wind protection in cooler weather.
We recently installed a set of Zeta's new Adventure Armor handguards for the Tenere 700 on our Tenere 700 Project Bike, and here are our thoughts...
The Tenere 700's stock handlebars have threaded ends to accommodate the stock hand protectors, so if you want to install proper handguards, you will need them to have threaded inserts to fit the handlebars. Zeta Racing has their solution with the new Adventure Armor Handguard designed specifically for the Tenere 700. These utilize a special U-clamp handlebar mounting kit to attach the handguards to the in-board part of the handlebars, and also threaded inserts to fit into the ends of the stock handlebars.
You can optionally add Zeta's XC or XC PRO plastic protectors, which screw to the front of the handguard (for the Tenere 700, the slightly larger XC PRO protectors seem to be more popular). Integrated LED flashers/turn signals are also available that mount to the XC/XC PRO protectors. Additionally, if you want the LED's to work both as running lights and turn signals, running light adapters can be added.
Installation is very easy since these handguards are designed specifically for this bike and the stock threaded handlebars.
** NOTE: If you have installed aftermarket handlebars with hollow ends on your Tenere 700, you can use Zeta's insert kit for Armor Handguards to mount the Tenere 700 handguards to your hollow end handlebars.
We typically use Acerbis supermoto fenders on our bikes, but that particular fender does not fit the CRF450RL/L very well, plus the shade of red does not match the CRF's stock plastics. We happened upon the Polisport SM Line Universal Front Fender after seeing it on a few CRF supermoto race bikes from Europe.
These fenders fit the CRF450RL/L really nicely. Included with the fender is a stepped mounting bracket that bolts right up to the lower triple clamp, which the fender then attaches to. In addition to fitting the CRF450RL and L dual sports, these fenders should also fit other Honda CRF models like the CRF450X and CRF450R.
Installation is super easy, just remove your stock fender, install the stepped mounting bracket, and then bolt the Polisport fender on. Mounting hardware and stepped bracket are included.
We ordered ours in red, and the color is a perfect match for the CRF as well. The fender is also available in other colors like black, white, blue and so on. From a size standpoint, the Polisport SM Line fender is quite a bit smaller than the stock fender, and features slotted cooling vents at the rear.
