AltRider Crash Bars System for the BMW R 1300 GS / GSA

The R1300 GS is a heavy, capable machine. It deserves crash bars built to match. AltRider's upper crash bars are part of the only stainless steel 1.25-inch crash bar system available for this bike.

The larger diameter matters in a real crash. On a bike this heavy, 1-inch bars flex under impact. The 1.25-inch tubing is more than twice as strong with only 10% added weight. That strength comes from how the bars are made — joints are 5-axis laser cut for a precise fit, then hand TIG welded. No crimping, no gaps filled with weld, no warping. The round cross-section stays intact at every joint, which is where most bars fail.

Mounting is equally solid. Four points per side, 3/16-inch flanges, and a custom machined M14 grade 8.8 through-bolt that replaces the engine hardware. No plastic spacers or bumpers to crack on impact. The rear upper mount sits in-line with the boxer engine to keep shin clearance intact.

The upper bars include plug-and-play mounts for auxiliary lights, built into custom machined aluminum clamps. Valve service is possible without removing the bars. All hardware is included.

This design has been developed over nearly 15 years, informed directly by the West Coast BMW Off-Road Training School — riders who depend on this equipment across multiple GS generations.

The R1300 GS is a heavy, expensive machine. Protecting it properly means the bars themselves have to be built to handle a real crash, not just look the part.

AltRider upper crash bars are designed to work as a system with the lower bars. The top rear mount sits in-line with the boxer engine to keep your shin clearance comfortable. Integrated OEM auxiliary light mounts are built into the custom machined aluminum clamps, so you can run lights without extra brackets.

Valve service and oil filter changes can both be done without removing the crash bars. All necessary hardware is included, with finish washers for a clean final look.

The West Coast BMW Off-Road Training School has used AltRider gear across multiple generations of the GS. That kind of long-term, high-use validation is not something you get from a catalog photo.

A tip-over on the R 1300 GS without upper protection means cracked fairings and a damaged radiator. The AltRider upper crash bars wrap around both, so a hard hit on the trail or a low-speed drop does not turn into an expensive repair.

The system mounts at four points — two custom stainless steel clamps to the lower crash bars and two brackets under the front beak. That spread of load keeps the bars firmly in place under serious impacts. An oversized crossbar connects both sides, preventing any twisting or inward collapse.

Auxiliary light mounting is built in. It works with OEM or third-party lights without extra brackets or wiring changes. The upper bars require the AltRider lower crash bars for the R 1300 GS, which together form a complete and extremely robust protection system for this bike.

The R1300 GS is one of the heaviest production adventure bikes on the market. In a real crash, standard 1-inch bars flex enough to allow contact with engine covers and electronics. AltRider engineered this system specifically around that problem.

The decision to go to 1.25-inch tubing came from nearly 15 years of production results and direct feedback from the West Coast BMW Off-Road Training School, which has run AltRider gear through multiple GS generations. The rear upper mount is positioned in-line with the boxer engine to keep shin clearance for the rider.

Joints are not crimped. Crimping breaks the round cross-section and forces a gap that is filled with weld — adding heat, causing warpage, and creating installation problems. AltRider joints are 5-axis laser cut to a perfect fit before hand TIG welding in a jig. Cylinder head covers can be removed for valve service without pulling the bars. All hardware is included.

The bead-blasted stainless finish resists rust on the road or through a river crossing. Pair these lower bars with the AltRider Upper Crash Bars for a complete system with integrated auxiliary light mounts.

The R1300 GS is a heavy, electronics-rich machine. When it goes down, weak bars flex, move away from the bike, and let damage reach the engine and frame. These upper crash bars are part of a system built to prevent that.

The upper bars mount directly to the lower crash bars, which use a custom machined M14 Grade 8.8 through-bolt at the rear — no plastic spacers, no weak points. The connection is narrow and solid, distributing impact evenly across the structure. The rear upper mount is positioned in-line with the boxer engine to keep clearance for your shin.

Integrated into the custom machined aluminum clamps are OEM auxiliary light mounts. If you run factory or aftermarket auxiliary lights, they fit without additional hardware or modifications.

Valve service does not require removing the crash bars. All necessary hardware is included, with finish washers for a clean installation.

AltRider offers a complete 3-piece protection package for the R1300 GS — upper bars, lower bars, and skid plate — at a bundled discount. The lower bars and skid plate are sold separately.

Your upper fairings and radiator are exposed the moment your BMW R 1300 GS goes down. These upper crash bars change that. They mount directly to the AltRider lower crash bars using custom stainless steel clamps, and add two more attachment points beneath the front beak. Four mounting points total means the system stays in place under serious impact.

The oversized crossbar linking both sides keeps the structure rigid. No twisting. No bending. The bars take the hit and hold their shape.

Auxiliary lights mount directly to the integrated plug-and-play system on the clamps. OEM or aftermarket — both work. No extra parts. No modifications.

The complete AltRider protection package for the R 1300 GS — skid plate, lower crash bars, and these upper crash bars — is available together at a significant discount. Built by riders, for the demands of real adventure riding.

The BMW R 1300 GS is built for serious adventure riding — but when a bike this expensive goes down, the repair costs can be massive. AltRider developed this complete protection system to help riders avoid trip-ending damage while keeping the bike easy to service on long adventures.

The integrated system combines the Lower Crash Bars, Upper Crash Bars, and advanced Skid Plate into one engineered package designed to work together. The narrow-profile crash bars protect the engine without making the bike bulky, while the upper bars integrate seamlessly using custom machined clamps with built-in OEM auxiliary light mounts.

At the center of the system is AltRider’s groundbreaking Energy Absorption System (EAS) — the first of its kind in a motorcycle skid plate. Instead of transferring impacts directly into the frame, the skid plate uses three distinct absorption zones to dissipate energy during hard hits and rough landings.

The skid plate mounts at four corners and connects directly to the subframe using a dual-material rear mount for exceptional strength and rigidity. It protects the engine, headers, and catalytic converter while maintaining near-stock ground clearance.

Built for real-world adventure travel, the system is also designed for easy maintenance. Oil changes can be completed without removing the skid plate, reducing downtime whether you're in the garage or deep in the backcountry.

Premium materials, precision-machined hardware, stainless steel construction, and available black powder coat or bead-blasted silver finishes deliver top-end durability and a factory-level fit and finish.

For riders pushing the R 1300 GS into remote terrain, this system delivers complete protection, easier ownership, and confidence to keep riding after the unexpected happens.

This is the complete AltRider protection system for the BMW R1300 GS — lower crash bars, upper crash bars, and skid plate together in one kit. It is the setup used by adventure riding schools and rental fleets that put bikes down regularly and need them back in service fast.

The upper crash bar clamps are custom machined aluminum with integrated mounts for BMW OEM auxiliary lights. No adapter brackets, no extra hardware — the lights fit directly onto the bar. The rear upper mount runs in-line with the boxer engine to preserve shin clearance.

The skid plate mounts at four corners with three EAS zones across the midspan. The dual material rear mount attaches directly to the subframe. The plate sits only millimeters from the lowest point of the bike so ground clearance is not sacrificed.

Ordering the full kit saves money compared to purchasing each piece separately. All necessary hardware is included.

The BMW R 1300 GS is built for serious adventure riding — but when a bike this expensive goes down, the repair costs can be massive. AltRider developed this complete protection system to help riders avoid trip-ending damage while keeping the bike easy to service on long adventures.

The integrated system combines the Lower Crash Bars, Upper Crash Bars, and advanced Skid Plate into one engineered package designed to work together. The narrow-profile crash bars protect the engine without making the bike bulky, while the upper bars integrate seamlessly using custom machined clamps with built-in OEM auxiliary light mounts.

At the center of the system is AltRider’s groundbreaking Energy Absorption System (EAS) — the first of its kind in a motorcycle skid plate. Instead of transferring impacts directly into the frame, the skid plate uses three distinct absorption zones to dissipate energy during hard hits and rough landings.

The skid plate mounts at four corners and connects directly to the subframe using a dual-material rear mount for exceptional strength and rigidity. It protects the engine, headers, and catalytic converter while maintaining near-stock ground clearance.

Built for real-world adventure travel, the system is also designed for easy maintenance. Oil changes can be completed without removing the skid plate, reducing downtime whether you're in the garage or deep in the backcountry.

Premium materials, precision-machined hardware, stainless steel construction, and available black powder coat or bead-blasted silver finishes deliver top-end durability and a factory-level fit and finish.

For riders pushing the R 1300 GS into remote terrain, this system delivers complete protection, easier ownership, and confidence to keep riding after the unexpected happens.

This three-piece kit covers your BMW R 1300 GS from every angle — lower frame, upper frame, and the engine underneath. Ordering the full system together saves $150 compared to buying each piece separately.

The upper crash bars include custom-machined aluminum clamps with integrated mounts for BMW OEM auxiliary lights. No adapters needed — your stock lighting stays in place. The bars connect to the lower crash bar system for a complete, rigid structure that handles hard off-road impacts without flex or failure at the joints.

The skid plate mounts at all four corners and attaches to the subframe through a dual-material rear mount, adding structural rigidity beyond what a standard bolt-on plate provides. The three EAS zones across the midspan work with the aluminum construction to manage energy on impact rather than transferring it directly to the engine.

All three pieces are designed to fit together from the start. This is a purpose-built system, not mixed parts.

The BMW R 1300 GS is built for serious adventure riding — but when a bike this expensive goes down, the repair costs can be massive. AltRider developed this complete protection system to help riders avoid trip-ending damage while keeping the bike easy to service on long adventures.

The integrated system combines the Lower Crash Bars, Upper Crash Bars, and advanced Skid Plate into one engineered package designed to work together. The narrow-profile crash bars protect the engine without making the bike bulky, while the upper bars integrate seamlessly using custom machined clamps with built-in OEM auxiliary light mounts.

At the center of the system is AltRider’s groundbreaking Energy Absorption System (EAS) — the first of its kind in a motorcycle skid plate. Instead of transferring impacts directly into the frame, the skid plate uses three distinct absorption zones to dissipate energy during hard hits and rough landings.

The skid plate mounts at four corners and connects directly to the subframe using a dual-material rear mount for exceptional strength and rigidity. It protects the engine, headers, and catalytic converter while maintaining near-stock ground clearance.

Built for real-world adventure travel, the system is also designed for easy maintenance. Oil changes can be completed without removing the skid plate, reducing downtime whether you're in the garage or deep in the backcountry.

Premium materials, precision-machined hardware, stainless steel construction, and available black powder coat or bead-blasted silver finishes deliver top-end durability and a factory-level fit and finish.

For riders pushing the R 1300 GS into remote terrain, this system delivers complete protection, easier ownership, and confidence to keep riding after the unexpected happens.

When your R 1300 GS goes down — and it will — this three-piece kit is what stands between the pavement and an expensive repair bill. The upper and lower crash bars work together as a complete system, protecting both sides of the engine while keeping the bike narrow enough for tight trail work. Pair them with the skid plate and you have full coverage: engine, headers, and catalytic converter.

The narrow bar profile distributes impact force evenly rather than concentrating it at a single point. The upper bars include machined aluminum clamps with integrated mounts for BMW OEM auxiliary lights — no extra brackets, no wiring changes. The skid plate sits only millimeters from the bike's lowest point, so ground clearance stays close to stock. The dual material rear mount attaches directly to the subframe for a more robust structure, and oil changes do not require removing the plate.

This kit is the choice of adventure schools and rental fleets because it holds up to repeated hard use. Available in bead-blasted stainless silver or black powder coat.

The BMW R 1300 GS is built for serious adventure riding — but when a bike this expensive goes down, the repair costs can be massive. AltRider developed this complete protection system to help riders avoid trip-ending damage while keeping the bike easy to service on long adventures.

The integrated system combines the Lower Crash Bars, Upper Crash Bars, and advanced Skid Plate into one engineered package designed to work together. The narrow-profile crash bars protect the engine without making the bike bulky, while the upper bars integrate seamlessly using custom machined clamps with built-in OEM auxiliary light mounts.

At the center of the system is AltRider’s groundbreaking Energy Absorption System (EAS) — the first of its kind in a motorcycle skid plate. Instead of transferring impacts directly into the frame, the skid plate uses three distinct absorption zones to dissipate energy during hard hits and rough landings.

The skid plate mounts at four corners and connects directly to the subframe using a dual-material rear mount for exceptional strength and rigidity. It protects the engine, headers, and catalytic converter while maintaining near-stock ground clearance.

Built for real-world adventure travel, the system is also designed for easy maintenance. Oil changes can be completed without removing the skid plate, reducing downtime whether you're in the garage or deep in the backcountry.

Premium materials, precision-machined hardware, stainless steel construction, and available black powder coat or bead-blasted silver finishes deliver top-end durability and a factory-level fit and finish.

For riders pushing the R 1300 GS into remote terrain, this system delivers complete protection, easier ownership, and confidence to keep riding after the unexpected happens.

When your R 1300 GS goes down — and it will — this three-piece kit is what stands between the pavement and an expensive repair bill. The upper and lower crash bars work together as a complete system, protecting both sides of the engine while keeping the bike narrow enough for tight trail work. Pair them with the skid plate and you have full coverage: engine, headers, and catalytic converter.

The narrow bar profile distributes impact force evenly rather than concentrating it at a single point. The upper bars include machined aluminum clamps with integrated mounts for BMW OEM auxiliary lights — no extra brackets, no wiring changes. The skid plate sits only millimeters from the bike's lowest point, so ground clearance stays close to stock.

This kit is the choice of adventure schools and rental fleets because it holds up to repeated hard use. Available in bead-blasted stainless silver or black powder coat.