Fork Gaiters - buyer beware

[12cb96vfr_imp]

Hey guys, just wanted to share this since I've seen some posts about the fork gaiters from british customs falling apart - well mine did the same thing.

My bike is garaged at all times, I pulled it out to wash it today and noticed the rubber was completely deteriorated. They literally fell apart in my hands, they felt like they had sat the sun for 20 years.

Thats not even the bad part- they also got a thick melted rubbery mess all over my forks. Thankfully it was mostly on the top half of the fork so i don't think I have to worry about it getting down in the seal and really wreaking havoc.

Overall I'm disappointed, but I should have known better and went w/ the Kawi ones (which I'll do next).

Be careful, the $25 price is really enticing, but the mess they caused wasn't worth it.

[Blockhead_imp]

Strange timing with the start of this thread. I just installed the Kawi Gaiters on my bike this afternoon. They seem sturdy although the $100 price tag is a little high IMHO...love the look though.

[the Ferret]

I put the Kaw gaiters on my Triumph Bonnie in 2003. As my brother has the bike I get to see it frequently. The gaiters on it still look good and that was my primary reason for going with the pricy Kaw gaiters this time around too. You are right the price is hard to swallow, but in this case appear to be a worthwhile investment.

[Rocky_imp]

This is a timely thread because I'm about to spring for the gaiters too.
I firmly believe in you get what you pay for most of the time so I was going with the Kawasaki gaiters.
They're even pricier up here at around $125.00 CDN, but with the Canadian dollar at 80 cents US, I'll bite the bullet get them here from a local dealer.
I should have bought them last year when our dollars were near par, sigh

[ss2wheels_imp]

Ferrett,myself,and others warned about the Taiwanese junk Gaiters back in april. You get what you pay for and it has always been that way!

[Ack-CB11_imp]

The White House gaiters are quality rubber with the perfect amount of ribs. Pricey but nice $155

[Blockhead_imp]

I put the Kaw gaiters on my Triumph Bonnie in 2003. As my brother has the bike I get to see it frequently. The gaiters on it still look good and that was my primary reason for going with the pricy Kaw gaiters this time around too. You are right the price is hard to swallow, but in this case appear to be a worthwhile investment.

By the way, your tutorial in the How-To section was very helpful with my install...I'm not the most mechanically gifted guy on this forum by any means.

[NightRider_imp]

Gaiters? Is this another rubber thingie I need to run faster? So, now my ultra super amazing CB1100 needs another rubber thingie that Honda forgot to put on her? But this one is now from a Kawasaki? I know that has to be just plain wrong. Wrong I tell you. No wonder they start melting after a while, the Kawa gaiter thingie will melt too given time, cause it's being rejected by the Honda. You know, back in the 70s losing the gaiter was all the rage, nice clean forks, especiall the one like on a Kawasaki 500 Mach III were gaiterless so they would cut throught the air without gaiter turbulance, that's what we called it, "gaiter shakes" we called it. I know that's right.

[Blockhead_imp]

'Twas a fun little winter project.

[the Ferret]

Looking good Blockhead.