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All Terrain Vehicle Product Tests ATV Technical Magazine
PowerMadd Handguards. All product used in these Field Tests and Reviews have been provided courtesy of PowerMadd.
We are field testing the PowerMadd Star Series Handguard System on our BRP 800XT Outlander and our Kawasaki Prairie's here at ATVPT. We have also installed the PowerMadd Star Series Hand Wrap to add extra side protection for your hands in case you brush up against something while trail riding.
PowerMadds ATV kit comes with two pre-bent aluminum
brackets which will angle the hand guards away from the end of the
handlebars to allow room for both the clutch and the brake lever. The
brackets can be mounted over the top or underneath of the perch and
lever, but both brackets must be mounted on top or both mounted
underneath. PowerMadd recommends installing them so they go underneath the
perch and lever, but you can decide which works best for you.
Installation Instructions for your PowerMadd Handguards
THROTTLE SIDE BRACKET
NOTE:
Many ATVs have a tab that protrudes from the throttle assembly which spaces the brake perch an exactdistance from the throttle (see picture). This is to speed up assembly at the factory and can be removed. You can either
move the perch over, or use a saw or grinder to remove the tab from the
throttle assembly to create enough room for the hand guard bracket. On
some models the bracket may work on the other side of the perch.
STEP 1
: Insert a strap on the handlebar in between the throttleassembly and the front brake perch mount.
STEP 2:
Attach the bracket (which angles towards the fronttire) to the strap by inserting the short button head
screw in a couple of threads.
STEP 3: Insert the long hex head screw through the bracket and
the strap and hold the square nut in place as you
tighten the screw a couple of threads. This screw is
used to adjust the tension of the strap to achieve the
desired tightness of the bracket.
STEP 4:
Once both screws have been started, completelytighten the short screw with a 1/8 hex wrench. Then
tighten the adjustment screw enough that you have to
tap on the bracket to pivot it on the handlebar.
CLUTCH SIDE BRACKET
NOTE:
On most ATVs you will have to move the clutch perch over tocreate a gap between the perch and choke to mount the bracket. On some
models the bracket may work on the other side of the perch.
STEP 5:
Insert a strap on the handlebar in between the clutchperch mount and the grip. Any wires should go
outside the strap and bracket.
STEP 6:
Attach the bracket (which angles towards the fronttire) to the strap by inserting the short button head
screw in a couple of threads.
STEP 7:
Insert the long hex head screw through the bracket andthe strap and hold the square nut in place as you
tighten the screw a couple of threads. This screw is
used to adjust the tension of the strap to achieve the
desired tightness of the bracket.
STEP 8:
Once both screws have been started, completelytighten the short screw with a 1/8 hex wrench. Then
tighten the adjustment screw enough that you have to
tap on the bracket to pivot it on the handlebar.
HAND GUARD MOUNTING
STEP 9:
The 4 pictures below show the options for moving thehand guards right or left. Hold the hand guards up to
the mounted brackets to decide which hand guard
mounting position you prefer. Also decide which of
the two bracket holes you will use. Some motorcycles
have the clearance to use the hole that is closer to the
handlebars which will in turn move the hand guard
closer to your hands.
STEP 10:
Attach the hand guards to the brackets with the ¼-20 screws, nuts and lock washersprovided. You must use a lock washer between every mating surface, for example:
between the hand guard tab and the bracket, between the hand guard tab and nut, and
between the bracket and nut.
HELPFUL HINT:
Use a small ratchet to thread the ¼-20 screw through the hand guard tabs andhardware components. Also, you can spread the tabs apart to make inserting the washers
and nuts easier by applying pressure to straighten the hand guards backbone.
STEP 11:
Tighten all of the ¼-20 nuts just enough so you can pivot the hand guard to adjust itsposition. Then pivot both the brackets and the hand guards to achieve the desired position.
STEP 12:
Finish tightening the adjustment screws on both brackets, so you have to apply a lotpressure to the bracket to pivot it. You want them tight enough that they wont move if
you land hard or hit a big bump, but you dont want them so tight that they wont rotate if
the motorcycle was to crash.
STEP 13:
Tighten all of the ¼-20 nuts from STEP 9 very tight. The lock washer needs to imbed intoboth the aluminum bracket and the tabs of the hand guard. These nuts may need to be
retightened after the first use due to the plastic of the hand guard taking an initial
compression set. If you have troubles with the guard loosening up, use Loctite on each nut.
06 Suzuki King Quad with out hand guards(Triple J, Kasson,MN) & 06 Suzuki King Quad with Power Madd Hand Guards(RIG, Idaho Falls, ID).
Powermadd Handguards Installation & Review by James Rigoulot (RIG)
Not only do these handguards look great but the installation was a breeze. The installation kit came with everything you need including little star washers, I guess thats what you call them, to keep everything tight and vibration proof. The installation kit comes with step by step instructions that make this a very quick and easy install. Like I said I have'nt had them out on the trail getting smacked with branches yet but they look like they will be able to withstand any reasonable abuse they might encounter. They seem to be strong, light weight, easy to install and very well designed. I would definately recommened Powermadd handguards.
Thanks,
James / RIG
Power Madds Installed and My First Impressions by Patrick Saunders:
- I have installed the PowerMadd Hand Guards after running several others in our field tests. This particular model appears to fit the BRP Bombardier like it was a factory item. It was very easy to install, without any modifications needed. When I had them installed there was plenty of room between the guards and the levers for my large hands to maneuver.
- I particularly like the built in air vents in the guards. For warm weather it is a snap to remove and replace the covers that go over the vent holes in the hand guards. So far the PowerMadd Hand Guards are doing their job.
- Fit and finish are fine. Their are plenty of colors to choose from. I have black but I find the yellow and black matches the BRP rather nicely.
- Long term testing will determine how durable they are. For now these will be my choice for the Outlander to wear while here at ATVPT test site X.
- Bottom Line:
- I would recommend the PowerMadd products to anyone that rides.
Product Review
Product: PowerMadd hand guards
PowerMadd wrap attachment
Introduction
Hand guards are one of those accessories that you dont really notice much after installing them. You obviously see them on the bars, but the benefits they offer can easily be forgotten. Prior to mounting the PowerMadds, I did not have any hand guards mounted on my machine I was eager to give them a try.
Installation
PowerMadd hand guards have a universal mounting system. The advantage to this type of system is that technically they fit everything; the disadvantage is that they may not fit ideal. My
Kawasaki Prairie test platform is one of the only ATVs on the market
with a differential locking lever on the left hand controls above the
break lever, this made the installation a little nerve racking. After a couple of hours of trial and error, I had them mounted in the position which best suited me.
First Impressions
The main benefits hand guards offer were noticed almost immediately.
First, after taking a short ride I noticed my hands were not cold. Spring in Minnesota can yield some bitter cold wind temperatures requiring one to wear awkward and heavy gloves. I was able to ride comfortably while wearing regular warm weather riding gloves. I
did not notice any cold effects; the PowerMadd hand guards perform very
well at redirecting the wind flow around and over your hands.
Second, after a full day of riding I noticed that my gloves and controls were clean. It is not very fun trying to manipulate hand controls after they have become covered with mud. I looked at the front of my hand guards and noticed how much mud and dirt was stuck to them. Obviously without the guards, all of that mud and dirt would have been stuck to my hands and controls.
And finally I only have one word protection. Some of the trails I ride are tree lined and contain a lot of rocks/gravel. If you have ever followed someone on this type of trail you will realize what I am talking about. Tree
branches seem to have a habit of jumping out and slapping you in the
fingers, and ATV tires have a bad habit of throwing rocks and debris
out the back. When youre riding competitively and trying to catch the person in front of you hand protection can be a necessity.
Overall
Obviously all hand guards serve the same purpose and offer similar advantages. So why choose PowerMadd you may ask. Here are some of the advantages I see.
· Universal mounting system
· Removable vent covers to aid in cooling on hot days
· Extenders to offer more protection for serious mudding or cold temperatures
· Available hand wrap attachment for the ultimate in protection and rigidity
· Available add on mirrors
· Variety of colors to match most factory machine plastics
Bottom Line |
|
| Ive used other sets of hand guards and these are my favorite so far, I really like the customizable set up, one of a kind. If youre looking for hand guards for your ATV, motorcycle or snowmobile, I recommend you check out PowerMadd. |
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