Crash bars, handguards, and bash plates are among the first accessories many of us add to an adventure bike. But when it comes to engine protection, there’s vulnerable area that’s surprisingly easy to overlook: the engine cases themselves.
Clutch, alternator, and timing covers often sit exposed at the sides of the engine, exactly where they can meet the ground in a fall. And it doesn’t take a dramatic off-road crash to cause damage. A low-speed spill on a rocky trail, a topple on gravel, or a slide on wet tarmac can all scrape, crack, or even wear through an engine casing.
Suddenly, what should have been a bruised ego and a bent lever has the potential to bring a ride to an abrupt end. That’s the problem GBRacing’s secondary engine covers are designed to solve.
Why adventure bikes need engine case protection
Rather than replacing the motorcycle’s original engine cases, GBRacing’s covers bolt over them to provide an additional layer between the engine and the ground. Depending on the bike, protection is available for areas including the clutch, alternator, pulse cover, and water pump.
The idea was originally developed for racing. When GBRacing arrived on the scene back in 2007, track riders generally relied on expensive replacement cases or glue-on carbon and Kevlar protection. The British company instead developed bolt-on secondary covers designed to withstand the impacts, heat, and abrasion associated with high-speed crashes.
Almost 20 years later, GBRacing products have been used by championship-winning teams across Moto2, World Superbikes, and endurance racing.
That might sound a long way removed from adventure biking, but the principle is much the same. If protection is designed to withstand a motorcycle sliding along a racetrack, there’s obvious value when an adventure bike lands on a rock-strewn trail or skates across the road. And GBRacing’s covers are made using a patented 60% long-glass-fibre material designed to resist abrasion, high temperatures, and heavy impacts.
Not just for riding off road
Importantly, secondary engine covers aren’t only relevant to riders who spend every weekend tackling technical trails. Most adventure bikes cover far more miles on tarmac than they ever will off it. And whether an engine case hits a rock on a green lane, a kerb in a car park, or the road during a low-speed spill, the potential result is much the same.
That makes engine case protection relevant to touring, commuting, and everyday road riding as well as off-road adventures. With this in mind, GBRacing is also increasingly turning its attention to adventure bikes. Its range already covers machines including the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Honda NX500, while new products continue to be developed for more adventure models.
Trail and motocross heritage
There’s an off-road link within the company, too. GBRacing director Tim Banks grew up racing motocross under the guidance of his father and company founder Graham Banks, and has since spent time riding adventure bikes, including owning a Ténéré 700.
The covers themselves are designed to bolt directly over the original cases, making them straightforward to fit without replacing major engine components. Their close-fitting shape also means they add protection without dramatically changing the appearance of the bike.
Ultimately, engine protection is one of those upgrades that’s easy to ignore because you hope you’ll never need it. But if your adventure bike does hit the deck, protecting one of the most vulnerable parts of the engine could be the difference between picking the bike up and carrying on, or waiting for recovery.
You can find out more about GBRacing’s engine protection HERE.
