Radiator Guard Review

[char393]

Product
Radiator guards made by Flatland Racing: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Installation
Installation was a little bit of a pain because the bolts that go to the frame are hard to get to. Of course, I didn't realize this until I tried to remove the guard since I wasn't the one to install them.

Price/Value
They retail for $85 from the Flatland site. It's a bit more than other guards and close in price to the DeVol guards that look to be similar in construction (from what I've seen in pics). At any rate, it's money well spent, IMO.

Fit/Finish
They seem to fit with no issues and for a little extra bling, I had mine powder-coated red.

Impressions
In the crash that broke my kneecap last month, the only apparent damage to my bike was a ripped/torn grip. I was in the garage the other day and noticed the right-side shroud looked a little funny. After looking a little closer, I noticed the guard was bent.





For being that tweaked, the radiator is mostly straight. In fact, it's barely noticeable, except when you're looking down from the top of the radiator. (I couldn't get a good pic because I didn't feel like climbing the ladder.)


I am fairly certain that had I not had these guards installed, I'd be shopping for a new radiator, rather than looking at a little bit of time to straighten the guard. I could be wrong, but I really believe these are well made and they've certainly stood up to my field testing. I would highly recommend these to anyone that's looking for some radiator protection.

Where can I get one?
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[KKXR400R]

The desert racers swear by flatland and unabiker guards. After Tracys unfortunate take out and radiator carnage at 100's MC's last year we put the Unabikers on....WOW, these things are tough! If Tracy ever destroys her guards (which probably won't happen) we'll look at the Flatlands. BTW: we got the skid plate for her bike from Flatland but it didn't fit and was hitting oil filter cover. I called them and explained to them that no matter what I did it just wasn't fitting right. They apologized assured us a new a whole complete setup on the way. He asked us if we could wait a few days for the new one to arrive which was not a problem. The owner called and informed us that he asked the welder to "make sure the jig was perfect and test fit it on an 06 CRF250." This is the reason it took a few days to receive it. 3 days later it arrived and fit perfectly. About a week later the owner called us and wanted to make sure everything fit. Talk about customer service. These guys tookm care of us and even recognized Tracy's name from D37, which was surprising.

-Kevin-

[crfjedi393]

Flatland Racing is a GREAT company! They really do give personal attention when you have a problem. They sent me new bolts and brackets for my skidplate when I stripped one of 'em during an engine removal. No charge and no questions asked.
But the main issue on radiator guards is to just make sure you have some installed. Even a cheap set of Works Connection has saved my radiator before. The guards were toast but the radiator was fine. I've been running Flatland ever since. They have saved me hundreds of dollars!
It's crazy to ride without some sort of braces. Just call it cheap insurance.

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

Flatland Racing is a GREAT company! They really do give personal attention when you have a problem. They sent me new bolts and brackets for my skidplate when I stripped one of 'em during an engine removal. No charge and no questions asked.
But the main issue on radiator guards is to just make sure you have some installed. Even a cheap set of Works Connection has saved my radiator before. The guards were toast but the radiator was fine. I've been running Flatland ever since. They have saved me hundreds of dollars!
It's crazy to ride without some sort of braces. Just call it cheap insurance.

I have been looking for a "cage-like" radiator brace for the 01 and no one makes anything that would hold up too well. The Devol cages look flimsy and I'm not sure of spending money on them. Just out of curiousity I talked to someone at Flatland and the informed me that they didn't make anything for my bike. Bummed, I kinda went about my bussiness and forgot about it. A day later they called me and informed me if I sent them my radiators and shrouds they could fabricate something very similar to what they are building for the more "modern" bikes for about $75. I have been seriously thinking about do this. Just another pat on the back for flatland.

-Kevin-

[pjg351]

Trying to save radiators on a Yamaha is not easy, because the way the main frame is on the bikes. It's almost impossible to get a good back brace effect on a guard, factory connection type ones will not save your rad's, but the one Char is displaying looks a lot better design and offers a more robust look for a perannial crasher, right Char!

[pjg351]

You say bulletproof TB, but what stops the radiator from bending forward or backwards on the outside edge on a Yamaha, and don't say the plastics

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by tirebiter

The guards are securely fastened to the chassis, no need for flimsy braces.
They are machined out of a solid block- very rigid after their bolted on.
When my wife tipped over her WR, the side brace on the Flatlands crumpled like a wet noodle, far worse than Char's example. On my KTM, the back brace blocked air flow.

I've USED, liked & crashed Flatlands for a long time.
Just my opinion,
but the Bulletproof's are the next step in the chain.

Don't believe me? Do a search- Some day you might need a set..

Here's quote from a reputable source..

"Ours lasted through a 500 ft. off a cliff bike drop, they work.
And on the WR, no cooling issues, ever. Which is a first for non-louvered design for me"

Jimmy Lewis
Editor Dirt Rider Magazine

Not likely i won't be going backwards on a Yama...ha..ha! I don't disbelieve your theory i just can't see how it's 100% proof without some sort of brace holding the outside edge 500 foot drop! and lived to tell the story that's a reputable source, your a funny guy TB

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by tirebiter

I can see your one of those "Show me" type fellas.
Well, I here Quantas flies non-stop to the west coast..get your Emu pluckin' fingers on over here & check'm out fer yerself.

I tried to catch one of them darn Emu's the other day in my yard, i jumped on it's back and nearly got a 10 second ride on that sucker. But the dog ran in and upset it Bucked me off big time, so i kicked the dog instead!

[DUDEONAYZ125]

the devols are pretty beefy too my dad runs some on his yz 250 they seem impossible to break