Are barkbusters allowed on MX track at C Dirt

[GMC]

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.

[James Lee]

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.

[skypig]

"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.

[KTM47]

"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.

[FourstrokeForever]

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.

[80-85 husky]

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...