Hello trials riders,
I just finished my first trials competition, having competed in the novice class at the spring splash. Had a wonderful time and thanks to my friend Jim Haynes, I got to exercise an old fantic 301 which I enjoyed immensly. While riding on Sunday, I encountered a man riding a sherco or scorpa, no sure which, but what I do remember is that he had a special handlebar clamp setup that held his renthal fatbars with a really sturdy looking set of steel barkbusters. Does anybody know of whom I'm speaking, or who makes those handguards or where they may be purchased? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and by the way, if anybody has a nearly mint Scorpa Sy250 they just feel compelled to sell CHEAP, the wife says I can have one. hahahah. Thanks for a great time, everybody. And a special thanks to all you checkers, I'm sure you would have preferred riding instead.

Jimbo

Hey Jimbo,
Your fantic sure looked cool!
I was on an 07 125 Beta.
Those barkbusters are made by Fastway. They are sold by Tucker Rocky, and are in their new 07 offroad catalog. The clamps and barkbusters come as a set. The 7/8's size for regular bars is part number 14-6711. The 1 1/8 for fatbars is part number 14-6710. Both are $125.99.
I rode all last year without them. But I seem to be hitting a lot of small saplings this year. I have used them for so long (since 1982)riding enduro's and hare scrambles. I just don't even look at small brush, and my vision's going!
I felt like I rode sloppy this weekend, I thought I could feel the weight of the handgaurds affecting turning. Like the front end was twitchy. But I may be using that for an excuse.
If you can't find those locally, let me know.
paulthistle@hotmail.com

Paul,
Hey thanks, guess I just lucked out on you scanning the board. I'll check w/tucker rocky when I get home this evening.
I rode pretty sloppy too, but that's just because I'm a knuckedragging goon on a trials bike right now. I had a blast though. It was good to meet ya. Hope to see ya at TTC again soon.
Jimbo

... just be aware that those barkbusters could become wrist busters, or arm breakers. If a rider with those attached to his or her handlebars had a common trials get-off, I could see the hand being forced off of the handle grip and the forearm pushing down between the grip and the barkbuster. Think about your arm being jammed halfway through there and then the handlebar falling with great force against the ground, then the forward motion of your body weight cracking the bones in the wrist or arm.

I think I will take my chances with a bruised knucle!

Jeff,
I rode all last year without them. I have ridden with bark busters since 1982. I am constantly catching Trees saplings etc. Racing offroad I worked for years to not even notice small stuff. It is a habit I have had difficulty breaking. At the CTC event at Frank's place I crashed three times catching my levers on small saplings. I am trying to limit my time on the ground as the blood thinners I'm taking make me bruise badly.
The "Break your arm on those things" is an old wives tale, much like "Loud pipes save lives". I'm sure you could do damage if you got your arm through and applied a little pressure. And you can cut a finger off in your sprocket, puncture your body with a handlebar( less likley with a bark buster) footpeg etc.
I'm sure it can happen, But come on! "You'll shoot your eye out kid"!!
Just say what you think....cool trials riders don't use.....bark busters....gag!

I'll take my chances with them.

I have thoroughly tested them for 25 years. Using extensive crash techniques.

... easy there, Paul!

The point I wanted to make is the same one you eluded to in the post above, "I'm sure you could do damage if you got your arm through and applied a little pressure".

Not a personal attack, I did not say you were not cool... just writing my opinion.

I bet Paul heard the same thing Jeff said 100 times that weekend. I know I over heard it once at Harry's section.

Paul, just saw about a foot and a half off your bars, then you'll fit through the trees.

The information Jeff brought to the thread is just the other side of the discussion. Weigh the options and take your chances.

Jeff, I am neither angry or offended. I would welcome any discussion.
I just like to see the use of facts. Could you get your arm in the gaurd and break it? Of course you could! In twenty five years of participating in events where hand gaurds were used by 95% or more of the riders, I have never seen one injury like that.

Now that I've said that, I hope I'm not the first shining example!

So have you ever mashed a finger? Or maybe caught the clutch or brake levers on something?

Yeah me too!

Brian, I did take about 3 inches off the bars. I am used to running much narrower bars, but I am reluctant to take much more off of my trials bike. Even at thirty one inches, they still seem pretty wide compared to what I am used to.