How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Hand Guards for You and Your Bike
Motocycle Hand Guards – Some riders still think of them as just a styling detail. If you belong to those, here’s some news for you: Hand guards are actually a proper piece of protective kit. Good handguards can block the wind, make your ride more comfortable, protect your controls, and give you a bit more peace of mind when the terrain gets rough. They are one of those accessories you don’t fully appreciate—until you need them.
Adventure riders in particular benefit from a solid set of handguards, especially when the road turns to gravel or the route includes a few tumbles. But even for touring bikes and everyday commuters, there’s real value in a bit of extra protection from wind, rain, and the odd flying stone.
In this guide, we’ll help you ask the right questions when choosing handguards: based on your riding style, the kind of protection you actually need, and the features that make the difference. We’ll also share a few workshop tips from our own experience fitting them to everything from R1250 GSAs to street nakeds and smaller trail bikes.
What will you find in this Handguards Guide? The Table of Content.
- Why Motorcycle Handguards Are More Than Just a Windhshield
- The Question to Ask Yourself
- Why Handguard Quality Matters
- Handguard Types Explained
- The 7 Things to Look For In Motorcycle Handguards: Key Buying Criteria
- Why We Recommend Barkbusters (Esp. for Adventure Bikes)
- Comparing Barkbusters Hand Guards
- Why Quality Matters
- Bonus Tips From the Workshop
- Final Thoughts: Ride Smarter, Not Harder
Why Motorcycle Hand Guards Are More Than Just a Windshield for Your Hands
Handguards are often underestimated—but they punch well above their weight when it comes to practicality. Yes, they deflect wind, but they do a lot more than that.
A solid set of handguards can:
- Keep your hands warmer and drier in bad weather
- Deflect branches, stones, or gravel kicked up from the road or trail
- Protect your levers and switchgear if the bike goes down
- Reduce fatigue on long rides by cutting wind pressure
For adventure riders, that means better comfort on road sections and more confidence off the beaten path. For commuters and tourers, it means fewer cold fingers and less worry when the weather turns or the road gets messy.
Good guards are one of those things that quietly improve your ride every single time—until the day they earn their keep by saving a lever or your knuckles. So it is no surprise that real good quality is one of the things you will want to keep in mind!
The Question To Ask Yourself: Where And When Am I Riding?
Before you even start looking at handguard types or features, take a moment to think about how, where, and when you ride. The best handguards for a commuter in central London aren’t the same as those for someone crossing Wales on gravel tracks. So getting this part right will save you time and money later on. We’ve broken it down into three broad categories to help you figure out what’s most important for your setup:
Which Handguard Style For Adventure & Off-Road Riding?
Adventure bikes are built for versatility—so it’s no surprise that most riders use them for a mix of tarmac and trail. Whether it’s a scenic B-road loop with a few unpaved sections or a longer trip involving forest tracks and gravel, your handguards need to keep up with changing conditions.
For mixed riding, the ideal setup offers a balance between comfort and protection. You want something that blocks wind and rain on the road, while still being strong enough to handle the occasional tip-over or low-speed drop when things get rough. It’s not about going full enduro—it’s about being ready for whatever the ride throws at you. A wrap-around style with a sturdy backbone is often the safest bet, offering real-world protection without going over the top.
If your riding regularly includes gravel tracks, green lanes, or more technical terrain, you’ll need a setup that can take a proper beating. Branches, rocks, and trail drops all pose a risk to your hands and levers. In this case, full-wrap handguards with a solid aluminium core and impact-resistant plastics are a must. Look for something that offers enough clearance for your levers, brake reservoir, and cables, especially if you’ve made other bar mods or upgrades.
In both cases, what you’re really looking for is peace of mind. Handguards for adventure and off-road riding aren’t just about protecting the bike—they let you ride with more confidence, knowing your hands and controls are covered if things get unpredictable.
Which Handguards For Long-Distance Touring?
If you’re racking up serious miles—whether it’s weekend escapes, European road trips, or year-round commuting—comfort and consistency become top priorities. On longer rides, it’s the small things that add up, and a good set of handguards can take the edge off wind, weather, and rider fatigue.
For touring riders, the ideal handguards offer reliable wind and rain protection. By deflecting cold air and road spray away from your hands, they help keep you warmer, drier, and more focused on the ride. This makes a big difference on motorway sections, early morning starts, or high-altitude routes where the temperature drops.
If you’re using heated grips, quality handguards can also improve their effectiveness by keeping warmth in rather than letting the wind strip it away. And if you’re riding with luggage or pillions, there’s even more reason to avoid unexpected problems—like a snapped lever from a simple tip-over while parked up on uneven ground. In these cases, some level of crash protection is well worth having.
You’ll want a setup that fits your bars neatly, works with your existing bar end weights or mirrors, and doesn’t interfere with comfort-focused mods like cruise control or larger touring screens. Strength matters here too, but the focus is more on durability and all-weather performance than extreme impact resistance.
Finally, Which Handguards For Urban Riding & Commuting?
If most of your riding takes place in town—navigating traffic, filtering between lanes, or doing the daily commute—your handguard needs are all about practicality. You’re probably not dropping the bike on a rocky trail, but you are dealing with unpredictable weather, tight parking spots, and the occasional close encounter with a car and van mirrors.
For urban riding, handguards that offer solid wind and rain protection are a game changer, especially in colder months. Keeping your hands warmer and drier not only boosts comfort but also helps with grip and reaction times when you need them most.
Weight and size also matter here. You’ll want a slimmer design that doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to your bars, making filtering easier and keeping your profile tight in busy traffic. A clean, minimalist guard can still offer plenty of functional protection from road debris and the odd bump—without making your bike look like it’s ready for Dakar.
And even if you’re not planning to test them in a crash, a well-fitted guard can still save a lever in the event of a low-speed tip-over or a knock in a tight bike bay.
Why Quality Matters: Insights from Real Riders and Our Team
Not all hand guards are created equal. From our years of speaking directly with riders at events like the ABR Adventure Bike Festival – which, by the way is UK’s biggest and coolest outdoor motorcycle gathering – one thing is clear: quality hardware matters. With bookable off-road trails on-site, riders frequently come to us looking for solid, no-nonsense hand protection. Unfortunately most of the time after they were out on the tracks. It might make sense to start thinking protecting hands and bike beforehand, before cracked levers or a bruised knuckle ruins the fun.
Built in Australia by Rideworx, Barkbusters kits are engineered with real-world conditions in mind. As one of their team once told us, “In the Australian outback, you simply can’t afford to lose a brake lever.” That mindset is baked into every kit – from the aluminium backbone to the bike-specific fitment options and top-quality hardware. This outback quote made sense to us, hence, we are proud to stock Barkbusters and recommend their gear over all other brands out in the market.
Hand Guard Types Explained
Full-Wrap Handguards
These are the heavy hitters. Full-wrap handguards attach at two points: the bar end and either the handlebar clamp or near the controls. This gives them the strength and stability to protect both your hands and your levers in a fall or impact.
- Best for: Off-road, adventure, and touring bikes where control protection matters
- Pros: Maximum protection, great durability, serious peace of mind
- Things to consider: Heavier, may require adjustment for lever clearance or bar-end weights
If you ride in rough terrain, or just want proper impact protection for all conditions, this is the style to go for.
Open-Ended or Flag-Style Handguards
These mount only at the inner end near the controls and don’t wrap around to the bar ends. They’re lighter and easier to install, and they still deflect wind and debris quite well—just don’t expect much help in a crash.
- Best for: Urban riders, light trail use, or anyone prioritising comfort over impact resistance
- Pros: Lightweight, minimalist, good wind deflection
- Things to consider: Limited crash protection, less durable in tougher conditions
A good option for those who want to keep their setup light and clean while still improving comfort.
Wind Deflectors
These sit somewhere between form and function. Wind deflectors are designed specifically to block airflow and rain, without much emphasis on impact protection. They’re popular among commuters and touring riders looking for a comfort boost—especially when paired with heated grips.
- Best for: Long-distance riders, winter commuters, anyone riding in cold or wet weather
- Pros: Improved comfort, warmer hands, less wind fatigue
- Things to consider: Minimal impact resistance, mostly cosmetic in a crash
If your goal is to ride more comfortably year-round, wind deflectors can be a simple but effective upgrade.
Whatever your riding style, there’s a handguard out there that fits the job. After fitting and testing many options over the years, we’ve found that Barkbusters consistently deliver the quality, fit, and durability needed for all types of riding—whether you’re commuting through town or tackling off-road tracks.
Their range covers all the main styles, to name a few you could use:
- VPS and Storm for full-wrap protection
- Jet and EGO for lighter, open-ended designs
- And Storm deflectors in non-backbone configurations for riders focused mainly on wind and weather protection
- And if it is for looks too, think about the Carbon version
We’ll break down each of these in more detail later on, but if you’re looking for a brand that’s proven, modular, and tough as nails—Barkbusters are hard to beat.
The 7 Things to Look For In Motorcycle Handguards: Key Buying Criteria
1. Protection Level
This is the big one. Ask yourself what you actually need to protect against: is it wind and rain on your daily commute, or the real risk of a crash or trail-side tip-over? The more exposed your riding is, the more robust your setup needs to be. Full-wrap guards offer serious protection for levers and hands, while lighter designs are fine for road-focused riding.
2. Weight vs. Handling
Heavier handguards, especially full-wrap ones with a metal backbone, offer better impact protection—but they can slightly affect handlebar feel or add vibration if not properly mounted. For street riders, a lighter setup may feel more responsive, but if you’re heading off-road, weight is a worthwhile trade-off for durability.
3. Materials
Look for high-quality materials—aluminium backbones for strength, impact-resistant plastics for the shields, and stainless or zinc-coated hardware to avoid rust. Avoid cheap plastic-only options; they may look the part but won’t stand up to much abuse.
4. Compatibility & Fit
Not all handguards fit every bike straight out of the box. Before you order, check compatibility with your handlebar diameter, bar-end weights, mirrors, and the space around your levers and switchgear. Some bikes may require spacers, alternate clamps, or minor adjustments to get the perfect fit.
Barkbusters offers a huge range of bike-specific kits, designed to bolt straight onto popular adventure, touring, and street bikes. But if your model isn’t listed, they also offer universal kits that can be adapted to fit a wide variety of handlebars. Either way, it’s worth checking the details before you buy—or drop us a message and we’ll help you find the right setup.
5. Ease of Installation
Some kits are bolt-on ready with everything you need in the box. Others require tweaking, trimming, or additional parts. If you’re fitting them yourself, clear instructions and high-quality hardware can make life much easier. If you’re unsure, consider professional installation—we do plenty of these in the workshop for exactly that reason.
6. Aesthetics
Alright, we’re getting it. Looks matter too. Choose a style that matches your bike’s lines and finish. Barkbusters, for example, offer colour options and interchangeable plastics that let you keep things subtle or make a visual statement.
7. Price & Long-Term Value
While there are cheaper options out there, the cost of replacing a lever—or worse, dealing with crash damage—adds up quickly. Investing in a well-made handguard kit usually pays off over time. High-quality systems like Barkbusters are modular, so you can replace individual parts—like plastics, clamps, or backbones—without having to buy a whole new set. That kind of flexibility makes them more cost-effective in the long run, especially if you ride a lot or tend to upgrade your bike but want to reuse your kit.
Why We Recommend Barkbusters (Especially for Adventure & Touring Riders)
After years of fitting, testing, and riding with different brands, there’s one name we’ve come to trust again and again: Barkbusters. Whether it’s protecting your levers on a green lane in Wales or keeping your hands warm on the M6 in January, they’ve consistently delivered the quality and versatility we look for.
What sets them apart isn’t just strength—it’s the thought that’s gone into the design:
- Modular systems mean you can replace individual parts instead of the whole kit
- Bike-specific fitting kits for a huge range of models, plus universal options if yours isn’t listed
- Options for different riding styles, from full-wrap adventure setups to slimline wind deflectors for commuters
- High-quality materials that stand up to real-world use, all year round
- Optional add-ons like LED indicators or auxiliary lighting on some models
We also like how easy it is to get spare parts—whether you need to replace a deflector after a tumble or switch to a different shield for your next bike. That makes Barkbusters not just a good investment, but a practical one. but see for yourself, which models they’ve got in the next paragraph.
Comparing Barkbusters Hand Guards
To assist in your decision-making, here’s a comparison of Barkbusters hand guard models:
| Image | Model Name | Best For | Mounting Style | Shield Size | Backbone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
VPS | Mixed Riding, Adventure, Touring | Full-Wrap | Medium | Aluminium | Modular design with optional spoilers; balances wind protection with off-road durability. |
 |
Storm | Touring, Commuting, All-Weather Riding | Full-Wrap or Non-Backbone | Large | Aluminium (or None) | Maximum wind and rain protection; popular for long-distance and cold-weather use. |
 |
Carbon | Urban, General Road Use | Full-Wrap | Medium | Aluminium | Lightweight, for wind protection and a sleek look. |
 |
JET | Urban, Light Trail, General Road Use | Full-Wrap | Compact | Aluminium | Lightweight, slim profile; works well with narrow handlebars or in tighter spaces. |
 |
EGO | Trail, Enduro, Compact Bikes | Full-Wrap | Compact | Aluminium | Designed for bikes with minimal handlebar space; solid protection for off-road use. |
 |
Blizzard | Touring, Commuting, All-Weather Riding | Full-Wrap | Large | Aluminium | Maximum Cold Weather Protection. |
Why Quality Matters: Insights from Barkbusters – and Real Riders
Not all hand guards are created equal. From our years of speaking directly with riders at events like the ABR Adventure Bike Festival – the UK’s biggest and best outdoor motorcycle gathering – one thing is clear: quality hardware matters. With bookable off-road trails on-site, riders frequently come to us looking for solid, no-nonsense hand protection before heading out.
We’ve had countless conversations at our stand with both experienced adventurers and riders new to off-road riding. Time and again, we hear how a cracked lever or a bruised knuckle can ruin a ride. And that’s why we always recommend Barkbusters.
Built in Australia by Rideworx, Barkbusters kits are engineered with real-world conditions in mind. As one of their team once told us, “In the Australian outback, you simply can’t afford to lose a brake lever.” That mindset is baked into every kit – from the aluminium backbone to the bike-specific fitment options and top-quality hardware.
Bonus Tips From the Workshop
After fitting hundreds of handguards across all kinds of bikes, we’ve picked up a few tricks that can save you time, hassle, and money. Here are some practical tips to keep in mind—whether you’re installing them yourself or thinking about having them fitted professionally.
Check Your Handlebar Diameter
Sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Most bikes use either 22mm (7/8") or tapered bars (28mm centre, 22mm ends), and getting this wrong means your mounting kit won’t fit. If you're not sure, drop us a message with your bike model—we’ll check for you.
Watch Out for Clearance Around Levers & Cables
Some bikes—especially those with larger reservoirs or switchgear—have tight bar setups. Make sure there’s enough space for the guards to fit without pinching brake lines or snagging cables. You might need to adjust lever positions slightly, which can also improve comfort while you're at it.
Don’t Forget Your Bar-End Weights
If your bike comes with OEM bar-end weights (common on adventure and touring bikes), you’ll either need to remove them or use a compatible kit that allows the weights to be retained. Barkbusters offers solutions for both.
Use Threadlocker for a Secure Fit
Always apply a drop of medium threadlocker (like Loctite Blue) to bolts when installing your guards—especially the bar-end mounts. It helps prevent loosening over time due to vibration.
DIY or Pro Install?
Installing Barkbusters handguards is genuinely easy—even if you’re not particularly experienced with tools. The kits are well thought out, come with clear instructions, and most riders can fit them at home with just basic tools and a bit of patience.
That said, if you’re unsure about fitment, have heated grips, or just prefer to have someone else do it, we offer a full installation service across the UK. We’re always happy to help—whether that’s fitting them for you or offering advice if you get stuck mid-install.
Final Thoughts: Ride Smarter, Not Harder
Handguards might seem like a small upgrade, but when chosen well, they add real value to your ride—whether you’re cutting through city traffic, touring through Scottish rain, or exploring unpaved trails. They improve comfort, protect your controls, and offer peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
The key is knowing what you need and not just grabbing the cheapest option. A proper setup—matched to your riding style and built to last—will pay off in the long run. And with Barkbusters, you’ve got a range that’s as versatile as the bikes we ride.
If you’re unsure which setup is right for your bike or how to fit it, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help fellow riders make smart upgrades—with no pressure, just honest advice. If you are ready to buy your handguards, here is a link to all Barkbusters Handguards.