TECH TIP: ACERBIS X-FACTOR HANDGUARDS

Arguably the toughest handguard on the market

The Acerbis X-Factor handguards are not only strong they also look great on your bike

If you are looking for handguards that prioritize structural integrity above all else, the Acerbis X-Factor is arguably the most "over-built" option on the market. I bought these because I was tired of handguards twisting or bending every time I had a low-side on a rocky climb. After a season of abuse, here is why they are currently my top choice for aggressive dual-sport and hard enduro riding.

What makes these handguards so tough is the aluminum bar itself. Unlike most guards that use a flat strip of metal, the X-Factor uses a 35mm "C-shaped" Anticorodal bar. This "C" profile makes the bar incredibly stiff. I’ve dropped my 300lb bike directly onto these on a rock slab, and they didn't even budge. They also use a 19mm thick mounting bracket and steel bar-end expanders. Once you cinch these down, they feel like an extension of the handlebars. They don't rotate upward when you hit the ground, which is the main failing of lighter-duty handguards.

The plastic shields themselves are designed for the dirt, focusing on "roost" protection (deflecting rocks and branches). The dual-injected plastic is thick and slightly flexible at the edges, meaning it doesn't shatter when you clip a tree. There are pre-molded slits you can cut out for summer riding. Without the cutouts, they provide solid coverage, but they are definitely designed to allow for an aggressive, active riding style where you need some airflow.

Acerbis is the king of plastics. Their color matching for major brands (KTM, Honda, etc.) is perfect, giving the bike a very "factory" look. They come with a mounting kit for 7/8" and 1 1/8" bars. On my bike, the clearance for the brake lines and clutch cable was actually better than expected because of the offset in the mounting arms.

One thing to watch out for: because the "C" bar is so thick, you might have to move your clutch and brake perches inward by about half an inch to ensure the ends of the levers don't bottom out against the bar.

The Acerbis X-Factor is the guard I’d choose if I knew I was going to drop my bike ten times today. They are over-engineered in the best way possible. They look great, they provide excellent coverage from trail debris, and they provide a level of structural rigidity that makes you stop worrying about snapping your levers in the middle of nowhere.

 Acerbis X-Factor

Visit www.revzilla.com for all of your motorcycle, ATV and UTV gear and accessories!