Anyone making stronger motor covers yet? Cracked my stock one

[Theo]

Also all that beautifull cnc machined aluminium will get scratched so quickly it's not even funny .

It also looks black oxided and I'm afraid that such a surface treatment would be worn quickly even without accidents, because of the boot rubbing against the cover, especially if there is a foot operated rear brake.

 

[Torpedo]

On only my 2nd ride I damaged the side casing in a little 5mph tumble.
Ordered a replacement from Racetorx late on Sunday, it arrived today (Tuesday) and that's between Christmas and New year. Amazing service, thanks Racetorx

 

[Aleksandar13]

On only my 2nd ride I damaged the side casing in a little 5mph tumble.
Ordered a replacement from Racetorx late on Sunday, it arrived today (Tuesday) and that's between Christmas and New year. Amazing service, thanks Racetorx View attachment 12816

View attachment 12817

How much thicker is this ?

 

[Varg75]

Question on the RACETORX cover. Can I just lay the bike on its side to change or do I need to drain it, to change it? Also anyone now the torque spec on those little bolts as well?

 

[Border Dave]

Here's the cover I just bought for the Varg:

 

[SteveBaum]

Here's the cover I just bought for the Varg:

View attachment 14839

Is it thicker than stock? What are your overall impressions.

 

[Border Dave]

Is it thicker than stock? What are your overall impressions.

Yes, but I’m not sure how much thicker. Also, it’s made from 6061-T6 aluminum. I haven’t dropped the bike on the right side yet, so I can’t really tell how strong it actually is.

 

[Erwin P]

It will be stronger and stiffer. Nice CNC is very much into that. However if that leads to less damage is the question.
Forces might transfer to the rest of the way more expensive casing.

I stick to the OEM wich is quite affordable and life with any cracks etc. It's just one gear and very low oil level. That will life through riding back leaking.

 

[OpaTsupa]

There are few more offerings:

Stark Varg CNC Motor Cover

Upgrade your Stark Varg with a premium CNC-machined motor cover made from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum. Designed for riders who demand durability and performance, this cover is significantly stronger than the stock part and built to handle the toughest enduro conditions. Material: 7075-T6...

bulbaracing.com

Racetorx Stark Varg MX & EX right large motor cover - Racetorx

Stark Varg Large motor cover protection plate, Replace the OEM cover for the robust replacment unit.

racetorx.co.uk

Stark Varg MX EX Side Case Cover | American Panda

Stark Varg MX EX Side Case CoverWhy It MattersEvery Varg owner knows that electric performance comes at a premium, and protecting that investment should be a priority. A cracked or punctured motor cover can expose internal components to dirt and oil loss, potentially costing thousands in repairs...

www.americanpandadesign.com

Also much lower price for NiceCNC cover on AliX. Not sure if there is a catch.

NICECNC For Stark Varg EX For Stark Varg MX 2024-2025 Motorcycle Right Large Motor Cover Guard Aluminium Electric Dirt Bike - AliExpress 201355758

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

I agree with Erwin. OEM cover is cheaper and offers similar protection.
What I want is something that protects the profile and bottom of of the cover and the engine casing.

 

[Erwin P]

Nice CNC with Aliexpress i have nothing but good experience in build quality. Their offerings are often at the same or even higher level than other aftermarket brands.

However I look at the side cover as its own ''sacrifice part''. A part that is allowed to die to take one for the team.
I have done a lott of ADV riding in the past, there you see very strong stiff bashplates, rocksolid handguard etc etc. Often the effect of those over the top strong parts is that in a crash they remain intact. But the part they're bolted onto isn't. And that's a shame when that bashplate is connected to the engine casing of the frame.
Especially since, as i described, if this part starts leaking it will still get you home without too serious damage.

I think one of the best things you can come up with is damping like the bashplate of the Stark. The easy DIY would mean some thick rubber over the casing. Like from a ultra heavy duty tyre.

 

[Beagle]

Dowatek makes all sorts of protections for the Varg.
They know what they're doing, they raced it at Romaniacs.

STARK VARG

www.dowatek.de

 

[Erwin P]

That cover for over the OEM cover might be the best option.

 

[OpaTsupa]

That cover for over the OEM cover might be the best option.

Doesn't protect the motor casing, the bottom or the profile. Attached by glue to the cover. Costs as much as oem cover.
Still waiting for someone to make a more complete protection.

 

[drehwurm68]

There are plenty of stronger, thicker clutch covers available for the ICE bikes but I've never heard that any of them led to damage on the engine cases. Yes, you can run a 2T for quite some time without (or little) oil and the Varg without a clutch probably quite long but it is not desirable. Especially considering things like water, mud and debris can get into the gearbox as well I would always opt to fix it if possible before continuing. So I think a stronger cover like the Racetorx or NiceCNC is still the best insurance. I'm not a fan of the composite covers as we once had an incident in very muddy conditions where the clutch cover cracked under the composite protector, but the leaking oil was not spotted due to all the mud. Clutch finally burned up.

Michael

 

[Erwin P]

There are plenty of stronger, thicker clutch covers available for the ICE bikes but I've never heard that any of them led to damage on the engine cases. Yes, you can run a 2T for quite some time without (or little) oil and the Varg without a clutch probably quite long but it is not desirable. Especially considering things like water, mud and debris can get into the gearbox as well I would always opt to fix it if possible before continuing. So I think a stronger cover like the Racetorx or NiceCNC is still the best insurance. I'm not a fan of the composite covers as we once had an incident in very muddy conditions where the clutch cover cracked under the composite protector, but the leaking oil was not spotted due to all the mud. Clutch finally burned up.

Michael

I have, in Pascuet on a KTM 300.
Then again, all kind of weird and wonderfull damage happens there.

 

[Erwin P]

I'll try to describe what happened there (not my bike).

It had one of those more sqaure harder clutch covers. That found a way to hang on to a rock. Although the pieve itself had just a scratch it ended up transfaring so much force it was able to pull on the bolts wich cracked the right hand engine case backwards.

We are talking Pascuet here were all kinds of damage you never thought of occurs though.

 

[Theo]

However I look at the side cover as its own ''sacrifice part''. A part that is allowed to die to take one for the team.
I have done a lott of ADV riding in the past, there you see very strong stiff bashplates, rocksolid handguard etc etc. Often the effect of those over the top strong parts is that in a crash they remain intact. But the part they're bolted onto isn't. And that's a shame when that bashplate is connected to the engine casing of the frame.

I agree. The same thing has been said about the footpegs that some poeple have broken: be careful installing sturdier ones or the side plate may be damaged instead of the pegs.
I've also seen similar things with street bikes or supermotos: people install frame sliders that protrude from the frame, but what if they generate a leverage and bend the frame? Instead of replacing a fairing you may end up with a way more serious damage.

Besides, I am Italian and I have a strong belief: never dare to question the factory. If they have made something in a certain way, they know the reasons, you don't.
This concept is expressed beautifully here @1:56:

 

[Erwin P]

Besides, I am Italian and I have a strong belief: never dare to question the factory. If they have made something in a certain way, they know the reasons, you don't.

Yess and no. Sometimes you do know. Often things are done because of being cheap, or comply to laws etc etc.
However i don't think that's the case with the sidepanel.

 

[Theo]

I know, I know, I was just kidding.

 

[Erwin P]

I know, I know, I was just kidding.

Haha but you do strike a good point, often if something isn't build to a cheap pricepoint or regulation it's well worth it to take a very deep thought about what and why the factory didn't do what you are about to...