I ordered Cobra crash bars, $170 shipped, seemed fair to me, and they have decent opinions around the VR forum. I was surprised to see the bars were welded by a person, not a robot but the weld quality is sufficient and the look and feel of the bars was very nice.
The box showed up via fed-ex. Parts were well packed and in good shape when I opened it up:
![Image]()
The hardware, pretty basic, but complete.
You will need:
14mm socket/wrench (upper L/S)
11mm hex head (upper R/S)
17mm socket (lower left and right)
![Image]()
Out in the garage:
No crash bars:
![Image]()
I took the top bolts out first. The R/S has a rubber cap in it, which just pulls out, the L/S has a 14mm bolt in the hole.
Right Side:
![Image]()
Once both upper bolts were removed I hung the bars loosely inserting bolts (don't forget to use the washers) to allow some play to align the lower bolts.
![Image]()
I started both lower bolts (17mm socket).
Then torqued everything. I considered using lock-tite, but I figured with the massive vibration the bolts should get checked every few weeks or before and after a long ride, so I passed on lock-tite. I might go back and find a way to safety wire the hardware, but for the time being these should be reasonable secure.
The finished product; it took longer to make this post, than it did to install the cobra bars:
![Image]()
Fit to the bike is really nice, and I was able to do the install by myself.
The box showed up via fed-ex. Parts were well packed and in good shape when I opened it up:
The hardware, pretty basic, but complete.
You will need:
14mm socket/wrench (upper L/S)
11mm hex head (upper R/S)
17mm socket (lower left and right)
Out in the garage:
No crash bars:
I took the top bolts out first. The R/S has a rubber cap in it, which just pulls out, the L/S has a 14mm bolt in the hole.
Right Side:
Once both upper bolts were removed I hung the bars loosely inserting bolts (don't forget to use the washers) to allow some play to align the lower bolts.
I started both lower bolts (17mm socket).
Then torqued everything. I considered using lock-tite, but I figured with the massive vibration the bolts should get checked every few weeks or before and after a long ride, so I passed on lock-tite. I might go back and find a way to safety wire the hardware, but for the time being these should be reasonable secure.
The finished product; it took longer to make this post, than it did to install the cobra bars:
Fit to the bike is really nice, and I was able to do the install by myself.
