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HAND GUARDS

If you plan on doing any sort of off-road work at all, a set of solid hand guards is a must-have. They’re hardly a high-tech item, but they provide protection to both you and your bike at both high speeds and low speeds. In fact, they’re likely the best bang-for-your-buck accessory you can install.

Most off-road bikes come with a set of wimpy plastic hand guards in place; chuck ‘em, and install a set of wraparound guards with an aluminum core. If you install them correctly, a set of hand guards will not only protect your knuckles, but your brake and clutch levers. Even if you aren’t riding fast, a minor spill can destroy your clutch or brake lever, making it harder to get home. A good set of hand guards ensures your controls stay intact, while also protecting your hands from brush along the side of the trail. If you ever smash your hand off a large branch while at speed, you’ll quickly figure out why savvy off-roaders install hand guards.

Another benefit of hand guards: Not only do they offer protection for your hands and controls, they also cut wind while highway riding. Some manufacturers even offer extra-large wind deflectors to bolt to your hand guards, to really cut down on windblast.

Hand guards are available from many different aftermarket sources; European, American or Australian manufacturers usually offer finer fit and finish, and will likely easily fit over your bike’s levers. Less expensive units from China usually offer adequate protection, but you might have to trim the ends off your brake and clutch levers to install the hand guards.

SKID PLATE

Although they aren’t necessary if you plan on sticking to the beaten path, a skid plate will prove its worth quickly when on rocky trails or any other terrain with rocks jutting out. A case-cracking collision with a boulder can mean a long delay to repair your motor, at best. At worst, it can mean the end of your engine, and maybe your trip.

With skid plates, there’s usually a trade-off. Affordable units are often relatively light, as they saved money on the materials used, and often the cheaper metal plates offer more than enough protection (if your bike came with a plastic skid plate, ditch it). On the other hand, some manufacturers offer skid plates with a lot more protection, even doubling as engine guards, but they tend to be more expensive and much heavier.

Our recommendation? Think carefully about how likely you are to need that extra protection, as everything is a trade-off, and you might find yourself regretting the extra expense and weight. However, if a gnarly crack-up far from home seems likely, that extra bulk and hefty price tag might be worth it, especially on a bigger bike that carries the weight well.

RADIATOR GUARDS

There are still some air-cooled adventure bikes out there, but these days, liquid cooling is the norm. And while liquid cooling means your engine should last longer and offers peace of mind when you’re buried in a hole full of sand or mud, manufacturers often leave those radiators with little more than a few scraps of plastic to protect them.

Thankfully, the aftermarket is usually quick to come to the rescue on this, and when an adventure bike or dual sport comes to market, someone’s usually cranking out rad guards a few weeks later.

Don’t underestimate the power of a holed radiator to ruin your day … or your trip. If your bike has liquid cooling, or even oil cooling, look into adding radiator guards that not only protect you in a drop, but also stop a trailside branch from poking into your rad and making a mess.

Sometimes, a larger aftermarket fuel tank will also double as a rad guard.