Rad Guard Australia - FAIL

Emailed response from RAD GUARD Australia on 1199 radiator guard

"Due to the minimal tolerance between the front wheel and the radiator core when the forks are compressed at speed and also the lack of access to key attachment points, we are unable, at this stage to manufacture a guard that we feel would be safe enough to attach. If this changes, I will contact you immediately."

Thats interesting, EvoTech have one listed on their site?

Frasers fitted one for me - does that mean I'm running around with a potential safety hazard??? Don't know what brand.

Iceman, Thanks for the heads-up on the Radiator Guard. I imagine if the bike really needs one and there is enough demand than Ducati Performance will produce one.

CaliDuc said:

Iceman, Thanks for the heads-up on the Radiator Guard. I imagine if the bike really needs one and there is enough demand than Ducati Performance will produce one.

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hope so Cali...I think evotech and R&G do one. I can only assume RAD GUARD put it in the too hard basket...disappointing although RAD GUARD do quality stuff so would make you wonder on the evotech and R&G...

I have been talking to Paul from Rad guard and he was saying that not only did he think it would be unsafe during full wheel compression, but they couldnt find any what they could call safe connection points.

He said that during all their years of making them none had come back or where there any complaints and that was the way they wanted to keep it....shame really because as iceman said they make quality guards.

So Frasers fitted a Warp Speed guard.

Have emailed them them to get their input!

WAfatboy said:

So Frasers fitted a Warp Speed guard.

Have emailed them them to get their input!

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I just sent them an email too. What colour did you get WAfATboy ?

do you mind telling me how much it was

cheers

bradp51 said:

I just sent them an email too. What colour did you get WAfATboy ?

do you mind telling me how much it was

cheers

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I had black fitted (didn't really ask about colour) and they look great.

Great response from Warp Speed below.....

"there's* several main differences between Warp Speed radiator guards and Rad Guards products.
*
Rad Guards are attached by bolting to the radiator mounts - that causes them to sit*OUTSIDE the radiator gutters creating quite a*distance from the radiator core.
*
Warp Speed guards*have protective rubber edging and *fit snugly*INSIDE the radiator gutters - the distance between the Warp speed guard and radiator core is only 4mm*
They *are attached by cable ties for added security
*
On the Panigale 1199 there are tight tolerances on fairing to*radiator core *fit. Warp Speed radiator Guards fit WITHIN the space between the two.
This is the same situation with the Desmosedici for which we have made many guards
*
My opinion is that this extra space needed by the Rad Guard product by way of design* cause it to be fitted OUTSIDE the fairing to radiator core space could possibly protrude into tire travel under full compression.
I would say this*could possibly be why they wont be making one for the Panigale 1199.
*
Warp Speed radiator guards are tough 316 stainless steel mesh vs Rad Guards soft wide alloy mesh
*
In conclusion the Warp Speed radiator guard fits 4mm from the radiator core. Doubt even Rossi could compress the forks far enough to get near it."

BenF04 said:

Thats interesting, EvoTech have one listed on their site?

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iceman said:

hope so Cali...I think evotech and R&G do one. I can only assume RAD GUARD put it in the too hard basket...disappointing although RAD GUARD do quality stuff so would make you wonder on the evotech and R&G...

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Wallaroo said:

I have been talking to Paul from Rad guard and he was saying that not only did he think it would be unsafe during full wheel compression, but they couldnt find any what they could call safe connection points.

He said that during all their years of making them none had come back or where there any complaints and that was the way they wanted to keep it....shame really because as iceman said they make quality guards.

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The top guard follows the contours of the tire dimple. I dare say that popping wheelies and smashing it back down and expecting everything to keep clear is a bit much to ask for. What are the thoughts on the lower?

My R & G one just arrived yesterday and I must say it is very good quality and seems to allow for plenty of airflow.

I really cant afford to not have any guards on as the roads around here after the floods are like a patchwork quilt and so much loose stone.
Ill just have to take the chance of it not hitting the wheel under compression.

Wallaroo said:

My R & G one just arrived yesterday and I must say it is very good quality and seems to allow for plenty of airflow.

I really cant afford to not have any guards on as the roads around here after the floods are like a patchwork quilt and so much loose stone.
Ill just have to take the chance of it not hitting the wheel under compression.

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I am going to try the Warp speed one.

bradp51 said:

I am going to try the Warp speed one.

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I looked at these, but I am not really a zip tie type of guy. It is 1km from my front gate to the house and it is not sealed, so I like things that bolt down.

If they had bolted down I would have gone with them.

I did mine with mesh from Autobarn and cable tied it looks fine and cost $25.

I have just ordered the R&G ones for my bike.

DucSyd said:

I did mine with mesh from Autobarn and cable tied it looks fine and cost $25.

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I am sure Duc and I would have done the same if I rode straight out onto a nice sealed road.
One of my favourite runs is from Grafton to Glen Innes and for me not to go on a straight boring road for about 120kim's I have to do 40km of gravel....another reason for bolt down.

Just ordered the ET one. Looks tight.

Have also had Warpie's guards before on the 749, and had no issues with them being zip tied on.

RadGuard looks solid (have one on the 848) but I've hit it with the tyre. Too bulky and I want something that doesn't look like a cheap add-on. The ET one looks stock.
Can't image it'll affect the heat too much.
And I can deal with a bit of a rise instead of a damaged rad/cooler.

I've done 4,500km with the warp speed guards with no problem despite some of WA's gnarliest roads.

WAfatboy said:

I've done 4,500km with the warp speed guards with no problem despite some of WA's gnarliest roads.

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I am sure they are all good and do the job.....I just have to find some guards for my rear stop lights as I have holes and chips in both of them from the roads around here

R&G is solid as hell, Evotech looks easier to apply, but R&G are solid.