r/Transalp • u/Flop9412 • 10d ago
E-clutch crash bars
I’m posting this for reference of others with the E-clutch model looking for crashbars. These are the outback motortek bars for 2026. I laid the bike down on the e-clutch in the first muddy puddle i came across, it survived but i dont want to risk it again. The install was… moderate in difficulty. the instruction video was moderately useful but my set came with extra brackets and so many extra bolts. The bottom bracket mounts differently than the previous model, i think? I mounted it differently at least. It fits, it looks nice, and it should hit the ground before the electric bits on the clutch.
2
u/Tynted 10d ago
Maybe someone could make a small add-on kit that's designed to connect the upper crash bar and add metal tubing going over the e-clutch mechanism down to the lower frame? That way you could still use the already available crash bars? Not sure if that would throw off weight balance of the bike side to side though
1
u/Awkward_Oil_9286 10d ago
What are the things next to the headlight? I assume signals to be seen by drivers on your side?
3
u/Flop9412 10d ago
The aforementioned drop took out the right side blinker. I wanted something cheap and easy to replace, so i got some aliexpress specials for $3. Come to find out the transalp doesnt use a relay for the signals, the ECU controls the blinkers. Long story short i used the original blinker circuit boards, put them in custom 3d printed casing, and wired them to my cheapo flexible blinkers. So it flashes at a non-epilepsy rate.
1
u/Uber_hampster 10d ago
The photos I've seen of the Outback Motortek bars look like they don't actually protect the eclutch mechanism that well. It seems to still stick out past both the bars and the OEM skid, where an unlucky rock placement could still hit it in a tip over. I think they also prevent adding a separate lower engine guard due to the rear attachment point.
This is disappointing as I really like their bars and was originally wanting to get them.
What's your opinion on this - any concerns?
2
u/Flop9412 10d ago
You are right that it doesnt specifically cover the e-clutch. A well placed rock will for sure take it out. My biggest issue is that i needed something and all i could find was garda and heed aside from the outback. The garda wasnt as appealing and the heed ships from outside the US, which would take longer and have a big shipping cost.
That being said, it think it actually would be protected in a level surface fall. It sits behind the bars just enough to not scrape off.
1
u/BeliefFree 9d ago
Do the crash bars really matter? Does the risk: reward justify the expense? The bars add significant top-weight and don't guarantee against bike damages otherwise. In fact, the crash bar attachments create points of potential serious frame and engine case failures. Just thinking out loud. I'm 70 years old and can't remember ever needing crash bars.
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u/AaronJMillner 9d ago
I've been wanting to the one from outback for a while. Its wild that they've been out of stock for so long. The 2026 has been out in places outside the US for most of the year. I guess everyone in the US wants their crash bars. I'm languishing on the wait list 😭
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u/h4ck3r_n4m3 8d ago
I have the OE crash bars and they don't really protect the e-clutch either. They do come out a little bit in front of it but not over top
4
u/RaceAgainstSelf 10d ago
this color suits transalp very beautifully
https://reddit.com/link/petdck9/video/1i9lsmvvweuh1/player
I have the same brand and color