Barkbusters Jet Handguards

Track Tested Review

Read our in depth on-bike test and review of the Barkbuster Jet handguard. We give you the run down on how the new hand guards really perform.

What, Why, How

It seems Barkbusters have been around forever - but its only been 27 years...

Barkbusters and any other handguard protect your hands from mud, roost and rocks while riding. Depending on the type of guard they can even protect hands and levers from damage or injury from impact. Wrap around guards offer the best protection.

I've personally run Barkbusters handguards on every enduro bike I've ever owned. Barkbuster EGO have been used for the last 10 or-so years. For the simple reason I like my fingers as they are.

Over the years I've smashed and bashed many pairs of Barkbusters. Not only have they saved my fingers they've also saved brake and clutch levers. How many I can't tell, as I've never broken one!

There is some argument against wrap around guards, as in accidents there is a risk of them causing further damage. However I've never had any issues and I've had plenty of stacks! If using the bike for motocross I run a open ended guard - like Barkbusters VPS-MX or Barkbuster EgoX guards.

Checkout the scar tissue on these EGO guards

What about this product?

As a long-term Barkbuster user, when we heard there was a new handguard out we were keen to trial and review it.

The Jet handguard is a new product to the line-up. It is at the entry level price point - not for lack of quality however Barkbusters claim "clever design features and production methods have allowed us to manufacture the JET handguard for less so we have been able to sell it for less".

Looking over the Barkbuster Jet design, finish and included mounting kit, it all looks the same great quality as we've seen in their products over the years. So those clever features and methods are not easily noticeable.

Improved expander design

What did we think?

Inital review inspection

Fitting is simple. Handguard fitting is a little fiddly and can take a little time if you've never fitted them before, however good clear instructions are included. Being a long-time Barkbuster user I was interested to see what changes had been put into place with the Jet.

One of the first things I noticed when fitting Jet was the expander design has been improved. This was improved some time ago however it was the first time I've seen it. The expander is the bit that goes inside the bar-end. This will make it easier to keep them tight over the long-term. It will also allow you to swap them onto another bike easily.

The spacer that goes between the Jet guard and bars is now countersunk to help it lock into the expander. We discovered if you flip it when you take the guards off its an instant (dodgy) bar-end. Barkbusters do sell a quality bar-end for a great price! But this is good if you need one then an there...

The next part I noticed was due to the fact the Jet handguard was being fitted to a bike with a hydraulic clutch. The initial line coming out of the master cylinder is a solid piece, this then joins a braided line which is fairly inflexible for the first 5cm's. In the past this has been something the guards needed to be adjusted around. However the mounting kit now has a curved mount, which contours around the hydraulic clutch perfectly

Curved mount suits hydraulic clutches perfect!

The Jet hand-guard does not have the large wrap around style of the Ego's, more of a 'plate' look of open ended guards. The plate protects from roost while the alloy backbone of the Jet protects from large impacts with tree, rocks and anything else you come across (riding buddies).

On the bike review

Just like any good hand-guard, you never even notice its there.

I love tight fast single trail. I also love being able to commit to tight tree hugging lines worry free. Sometimes this can result in some tree 'tapping', Sometimes straight-up bashing - but that's another story... With a good set of solid braced guards fitted I know that my fingers are safe and my front brake isn't going to get jammed.

I also know that if I happen to have an 'off' the clutch and brake levers are not going to snap. This can be good when picking your way up a snotty rock strewn hill-climb in the middle of no-where.

The Barkbuster Jet guards gave me this ability and knowledge instantly while riding with them.

Overall

We liked the design of the barkbuster Jet mounting kit. There are a couple of nice simple little changes that refine a great design. Fitting is improved and will suit any bike easier. On the bike we noticed no difference to any other guard used in the past. In theory the smaller 'plate' style may not offer as much protection from mud and roost as the Ego, however it has the same solid protection and at a better price.