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Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: ELC hunter on May 24, 2016, 09:42:19 am

Title: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: ELC hunter on May 24, 2016, 09:42:19 am
Just a query are barkbusters allowed on the MX track at CD. been a while since  I,v used them on a track .ELC hunter
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: skypig on May 24, 2016, 10:15:41 am
Interesting question.
Certainly NOT allowed while racing MX. (Plastic roost guards are common)
CD is not racing, and I'd be surprised if they were an issue.

Just my thoughts - no guarantee.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: mick25 on May 24, 2016, 11:23:29 am
I don't like bark busters full stop , say you go over the handle bars and your wrists / arms drop down between the bark busters and handle bars instinct broken wrists or arm  :'(
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on May 24, 2016, 01:06:15 pm
where does it say they are not allowed for MX SP?
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: micko on May 24, 2016, 01:13:56 pm
pretty sure the rules say no closed end handguards for mx/sx
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: skypig on May 24, 2016, 01:19:26 pm
12.25.5.6 Solo handlebar hand lever protectors: a) Must be single mounted for Motocross and Supercross, b) May be double mounted on machines in club and Inter-club natural terrain Motocross events.

There's the answer: should be no problem at CD.

See you there.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: HVA61 on May 24, 2016, 01:28:20 pm
Ask the event organisers.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: Nathan S on May 24, 2016, 02:08:59 pm
I don't like bark busters full stop , say you go over the handle bars and your wrists / arms drop down between the bark busters and handle bars instinct broken wrists or arm  :'(

Lots of "could happen" and "it happened to my ex-brother-in-law's son's mate's uncle" stories about this, but it doesn't seem to happen in the real world.
I do know a bloke who shattered his pinky finger after clocking a tree with it.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: ELC hunter on May 24, 2016, 02:40:43 pm
All good thanks for replies. ELC hunter
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on May 24, 2016, 02:54:38 pm
so full on barkbusters - mounted at end of handlebar and back at the base are not allowed - but single ones mounted at base would be - correct?

I am interested in this one as was looking at some myself - glad it came up actually.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: Nathan S on May 24, 2016, 06:18:57 pm
Ross, that is correct.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: 80-85 husky on May 24, 2016, 06:52:35 pm
when they first came out they were locally known as "Clark busters" as one of the Clark boys had flipped a bike and forgot to let go and broke both wrists. to date, that's the only time ive heard of anyone being hurt by them. as above, no end of mashed pinkys and busted hands from smaking trees rocks etc. I find them sensational. like body armour, riding without is not pleasant...
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: KTM47 on May 24, 2016, 07:51:48 pm
OK  I took the time to ask the SCMCC club secretary and he confirmed that they would permit barkbuster style handlebar level protectors on the MX track for CD.  Please also note they probably don't permit them at their normal club days because to track is no longer totally Natural Terrian.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: tymes on May 24, 2016, 08:14:24 pm
Lots of "could happen" and "it happened to my ex-brother-in-law's son's mate's uncle" stories about this, but it doesn't seem to happen in the real world.
I do know a bloke who shattered his pinky finger after clocking a tree with it.

You couldnt have said that better Nathan.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: HeavenVMX on May 24, 2016, 08:29:04 pm
I don't like bark busters full stop , say you go over the handle bars and your wrists / arms drop down between the bark busters and handle bars instinct broken wrists or arm  :'(

Lots of "could happen" and "it happened to my ex-brother-in-law's son's mate's uncle" stories about this, but it doesn't seem to happen in the real world.
I do know a bloke who shattered his pinky finger after clocking a tree with it.

Past No1 plate holder in Heaven VMX broke both wrists at Finke when he went over the bars and the bark busters broke both wrists as described by Mick. The breaks were very nasty as well :o
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: GMC on May 24, 2016, 09:23:09 pm
No doubt you could break your wrists when caught in barkbusters as that is the nature of freak accidents but I believe you can minimize the risk with proper set up of them.

Normally you would have your levers set slightly down at the front from level (approx15 degrees) so you can access the levers comfortably while standing.
Quite often the lever won’t fit inside the bark buster unless you use a shorty lever and even then it will be tight so if the lever won’t fit inside the bark busters then the busters should at least be slightly lower from level as well, not above the bars.
This will allow your hands to flow over the busters rather than through them in the case of a crash

I have seen a few bikes set up with the busters sitting higher than the bars which look to me like a recipe for disaster.


Side note; I remember a guy at a MX at Myrtleford in the 80’s broke both wrists when hitting a ditch in the track long before anyone was using barkbusters.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: James Lee on May 25, 2016, 07:12:14 am
I have some bark busters here,anyone can have them,Id be happy to have them out of my shed.Id like to see a complete ban for them in VMX.They ruin the look of any bike they are fitted too.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: skypig on May 25, 2016, 08:58:32 am
"Ruin the look." You could say the same thing about nylon race pants.  ;)

I always run bark busters on my trail bike. Often used in competition with trees. Saves levers in crashes.
I think they are largely banned in MX to prevent them being used to ram people out of the way.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: KTM47 on May 25, 2016, 09:10:58 am
"Ruin the look." You could say the same thing about nylon race pants.  ;)

I always run bark busters on my trail bike. Often used in competition with trees. Saves levers in crashes.
I think they are largely banned in MX to prevent them being used to ram people out of the way.
OK  I took the time to ask the SCMCC club secretary and he confirmed that they would permit barkbuster style handlebar level protectors on the MX track for CD.  Please also note they probably don't permit them at their normal club days because to track is no longer totally Natural Terrian.

I was just about to say what is above.  Barkbusters were banned in MX and SX years ago because of the risk of getting hands caught in them in a crash and because they could be used as a weapon by riders.

They are permitted at club and interclub Natural Terrian MX.  The full Conondale MX track is no longer totally natural terrain, but the shortened version for CD is considered suitable.  One other things no sidestands on the MX track.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: FourstrokeForever on May 25, 2016, 10:02:48 am
Beats me why anyone would want to use bark busters on an mx track  ???

If you want to ride your enduro bike on an mx track, it doesn't take long to remove the busters and fit up some bar end plugs. They are available at most MC dealers and fit up the same way as the busters with a screw and expanding lock set up.
Title: Re: Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt
Post by: 80-85 husky on May 25, 2016, 09:21:06 pm
the whole point about riding an enduro bike on a mx track is to prove it can be done....if your going to that level, the last thing you want to do is undo something on your bike to meet "rules".

Thus to ride at Conondale on your enduro bike with bark busters is great as its about riding there  not winning there. and bark busters aren't about winning on an mx track...