Short video recorded when I installed my Cox guard. Just a couple quick notes, this technique requires the front wheel be raised, but also does not require removing any bodywork. At least bodywork is optional.

After reviewing the footage I recorded at the time I recorded it, I wasn't happy with how it turned out. This is the reason I never published it before. However it's come up recently, so I pieced it together as good as I could.

I noticed today that after only 600 km on my bike I already have a few dings in my rad and was gonna order one Monday morning. Glad You posted this Vid. Do you think the Cox guard is the best product out there or do you have some other recommendations?

This is what I have on my 2013
Excellent quality & fit
Radguard

* Last updated by: martin61 on 4/5/2015 @ 1:50 AM *

To be fair, many call radiator guards overkill. I'm not sure. What you noticed, is what I noticed, which is why I put one on.

Cox and RadGuard seem the most popular there are even a couple other brands. Either are up to the task. Cox are a little less expensive, hard anodized, and available in colors. RadGuards only come in clear or black, and powder coated (not as durable as hard anodizing). RadGuards come with a sticker on them, Cox's logo is anodized in and a little more subdued.

If you want to have a variety of colors, get a Cox. If using bolts instead of zip ties helps you sleep better at night, get a RadGuard. Me, I'm 100% fine with the design of the Cox and use of zip ties.

I ordered the Cox today!! Not a huge fan of zip-ties so I may lose some sleep but really it's not like anyone will see them........ And this is what I will tell myself over and over every night!!

just installed today a Cox Rad.Guard on my 2013 zx14r
being able to install it without having to mess around with fairings is a blessing...

however, i noticed that the guard interferes with the plastic bracket holding the horn
when the steering is going straight, all seems to be fine... but when doing a full left or right turn, the plastic bracket pushes the guard in, towards the radiator

followed exactly the installation instruction sent with the guard
this now seems odd to me... are you experiencing the same?

Yes...it will do that.It won't harm anything.You can tweek the guard shape a bit to minimize that.I just bent mine a shade(the radius)...that stopped the rubbing.

will try to that, thanks
must say that i am not used to such a loose setting for the top part of the guard
had radiator guards installed on my other Kawi bikes, but all had a positive locking system, top & bottom

Did you make sure the outer edges of the guard were INSIDE the radiator 'fin' that goes around the circumference of the radiator face? The edges should fit inside.This keeps it nice and snug.Once you tighten the lower bolt,it can't fall forward.You can ziptie it...but I didn't,and never had a problem.Same with my H2.Same deal.Those outer fins on the radiator keep it in place,and it can't get past that plastic piece in there.Takes a bit of adjusting the guard radius to get it to fit snug.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/12/2017 @ 12:33 PM *

I removed the triple tree cover. No problems being pelted with stuff off the road. COULD be a safety issue if you get something really big thrown up there but so far, so good. You have a fender.

LOL I removed the horn and it's bracket too. Living dangerously.

Gm14, thanks for this
indeed made sure the guard fits nicely within these radiator perimeter lips
the bottom bracket meets the bolt hole without forcing it... it all seems to be fine
... if it weren't for that horn bracket that spoils my fun

Rook, am now wondering whether to go naked again, but with a horn though ;-)
fitting a guard is always a compromise, at least Cox does not seem to affect air flow too much
... and doing quite a bit of touring in a country where roads often end up being dotted lines, with big size gravel
will probably leave the guard on for a while, and check for rubbing damage in a while

... and doing quite a bit of touring in a country where roads often end up being dotted lines, with big size gravel
will probably leave the guard on for a while, and check for rubbing damage in a while

I might leave the triple tree cover on too. You might find a used one on Ebay and try trimming it.

IMO if you're horn bracket is interfering with the radiator guard it is not installed optimally. Mine does not rub or come close to rubbing the guard. IMO you do not want anything potentially interfering with steering controls and this, again, IMO is a dangerous condition and should not exist. I realize the situation... still it's one of those things you hear about "geez who'd thought that would've caused the accident". Not worth the extremely remote chance.

Yes if you used my video as a guide here's my suggestion. You need to tighten the upper zipties enough to compress the sticky pads as much as possible. This is why you don't tighten the bottom first, because your zip ties create the pivot point and it's easier to compress the bottom sticky pads. At the bottom side then, when you slide the guard as far back as the adjustable bracket allows (I believe it bottoms out on my bike) it will compress the bottom stickly pads to probably 1/8" and the top sticky pads will be about 1/8" thick. This should clearance the horn bracket.

This is also why you put the sticky pads along the sides and not the center.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 1/14/2017 @ 1:44 PM *

VicThing, thanks for this... of course you are right
we are riding superb machines, and we ought to respect their engineering excellence

have fitted my guard as you recommend, and the top still doesn't clear that horn bracket
obviously the curvature of the guard doesn't match the radiator shape, the guard is a bit less curved

so next step is likely going to be dismantling the guard and bend it manually, for a better fit
... but i must say that the clearance between horn bracket and radiator is rather tight

Yes very tight and it's a matter a 1/4" probably. I'm fairly sure if I don't bottom out the adjustable mount it'll scrape the bracket. If I do, it clears.

Just installed my Cox Rad Guard last weekend. I DID remove bodywork to install, as just putting it in place with front wheel in the air and lower bolt loosely installed seemed I may have to trim some of the plastic screwed on under the horn bracket.
As it turned out yes it is close...but does not touch. I did not attach zip ties to fan brackets as that was a long stretch. I installed from Cox instructions..through the upper corners of the rad. just enough room there for zip ties.
Just my 2 cents...it does fit pretty nicely. Looks almost like a stock piece!
Ross

while sitting on the bike, watch the radiator guard from the top, with the steering swinging to a full right and then to a full left...
do you see the guard bending at some point?

No. I checked from underneath and from above before putting everything back on.
It does not touch anywhere. It is close mind you, but does not touch. I was ready to trim
the plastic deflector under the horn bracket, but did not need to in the end.

interesting... i guess you have fitted the small sticky foam pads, as per instruction sheet?
now i really wonder why my guard can't clear that horn plastic bracket

It will clear,you don't have the radius right.IF it does slightly touch,that isn't a problem either.If it's that frustrating,file off some of the plastic fin that's on there...on the steering stem there.I didn't use any stickies on mine...but that shouldn't harm anything with em on there.It will stay solid against the rad face if it's bent right.That's the key here.The sides will be snugged inside that outer lip,and the lower bolt will hold it there securely.It can't go anywhere anyway.Zipties are iffy anyhow with the heat in that area.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/27/2017 @ 8:06 PM *

If you do't fully compress the sticky pads it won't clear the horn bracket. Like Grn said you can clearance the bracket. Or just squish the foam pads as much as you can, the'll compress down to about a 3rd of their height.

Yup, once fully drawn in with the tie wraps those foam pads squish pretty far. As mentioned I had the lower fairing/side panels off to install. Once fitted it sits very nicely. Up on the stand (ABBA) I made sure that it did not rub on that plastic thing under the horn bracket.

got it, thanks
i reckon my foam pads are not compressed enough
must check them once i get back home...