Aluminium PowerParts handguards [760.02.979.000 / 28] for the 690 Enduro

KTM PowerParts aluminium reinforced hand guards [760.02.979.000 / 28] on 2014 690 Enduro R

The OEM handguards provide zero protection in case of a fall. They are basically there just to enhance the looks of the bike. They do provide some level of wind protection for your fingers, but that is pretty much it. I learned this the hard way when a teeny tiny drop resulted in a snapped clutch lever. Levers are easy to replace, but cost a bundle. Plus I rather have good rugged hand guards than carry around tools and spares in case I go down on the road. (or off).

I had the guards installed while the bike was being fixed after the latest crash as it is starting to look like the crashes will continue in the future.

The PowerParts come in orange, black and white.

The PowerParts guards have reassuringly thick aluminium bars and removable plastic "ears" of varying colour. In theory you can switch the plastics to new ones in case of a spill, but they are not sold separately. There are lots of other manufactures out there for good guards, but I rather not take the chance of them not fitting and went with PowerParts again.

OEM hand guard for comparison

KTM 690 Enduro R radiator protector [76535940000]

KTM 690 Enduro R radiator protector

Better to have it and not need than to to not have it and find your self with a leaking radiator in the middle of nowhere. I now talk from experience. As the bike was mended back to health by the local KTM dealer, I really can't say much about the installation, but from the looks of it it can't be too laborious.

UPDATE

After closer inspection it seemed that the radiator hose was now pinching the regulator wires. This was not the case before the crash (see here for reference). Pinched wires become exposed wires after a while (especially on thumper) so this was a problem. Since the side fairing fit fine and the radiator guard seemed to also fit without a problem I concluded that the radiator / radiator hose had to have bent during the crash.  After worrying about it for a day I decided to take a chance and try to bend the pipe&hose back a bit. I snuck a piece of nylon strap behind the pipe and pulled outwards till it started to give. Few gentle pulls and the problem was solved. Nothing cracked or started to leak so I was lucky. Bending aluminium back and forth is generally a very very bad idea.

This is what you get when you buy the protector

Below the lower right corner where the radiator started to leak after the crash. Judging from the marks on the side panel and the radiator, the tree stump hit the radiator exactly in the middle knocking out the temp sensor. The hard hit then bent side panel attachment bracket which in turn ripped a hole on the radiator.

radiator welded back to health

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A better view of the weld / damage spot