The 2024 GasGas EX350F came pretty bare bones. To get it ready for the 2025 NEPG Season, and the upcoming abuse from offroad riding, I needed to protect the parts that keep the bike running and moving forward. The protection parts for this video came from Bullet Proof Designs, Enduro Engineering, and Astra Handlebars.
Handlebars and Hand Guards
Before our crazy snow days last week, I swapped out the stock handlebars to the Astra Handlebars. While working on the cockpit, it was also time to add the Enduro Engineering Open Guards. The hand guards I’m adding are the aluminum moto arm that attach to the brake perches. Since the GasGas comes with BrakTec, these perches are much different than Brembo. I’ll admit, I’m worried about the BrakTec perches breaking in crashes, but we’re just going to have to run it and see what happens.
I also threaded the handlebars so I could attach some aluminum bar ends I found in my parts drawer. Enduro Engineering also make aluminum bar ends if you’re in the market. I like to thread the handlebars even for bar ends for better functionality. I’ve had the pinch bolts fail on me in the past, causing a lost bar end, which then caused a trashed grip and throttle tube. I like to think about functionality, and threading in your bar ends keeps them attached to the bars for longer.
Bullet Proof Designs Installations
Radiator Guards
Working radiators are a must have for a functioning dirt bike. So adding radiator guards to the GasGas is one of the first parts I planned on adding. I’ve run the Bullet Proof Designs Radiator Guards for years, on the Sherco and before, so making sure they went on the GasGas was a no brainer. The installation of the BPD Radiator guards was simple, with no need to juggle precarious bolts. The two bolts from the plastic louvers are swapped out for longer ones provided by BPD, and the plastic shrouds attach to the guards in the same fashion as the louvers.
Rear Brake Disc & Caliper
After radiators, you can pick and choose protection that makes sense to your pocket book and style of riding. For me, it’s making sure I have functioning brakes, and a chain that stays on the bike.
The rear brake disc protection replaces the caliper mount that the axle slides through. You remove the caliper, the floating arm, and the rubber protection and reattach them to the disc guard. From there, the brake caliper slides back on to the guard. Once you mount the rear wheel back up, you attach the caliper protection and you have a very well protected rear brake system.
Swingarm Guard
The chain guides on the KTM’s and GasGas’ don’t look to be the most robust. Regardless of that stock guide, the tabs on the swingarm that attach the guide also can stand to be protected. BPD makes a swingarm guard that helps keep stray debris from catching and damaging the swingarm chain guide tabs. These newer swingarm guides are a much easier install than they used to be.
Front Brake Disc & Fork Lug
As with the rear brake disc, you want the front brake disc to stay straight so it can stop the bike to the best of it’s ability. The BPD front brake disc guard attaches to the left fork lug through the brake caliper and the axle bolt. The right fork lug protection comes with two longer pinch bolts to replace the two you remove. Both guards are an easy install and keep the front of the bike protected and functioning.
Hard Enduro Clutch Cover
On the Sherco, I did have a clutch cover incident. I ran a plastic Polisport Clutch Cover piece to help keep the cutch cover from getting damaged again. For the GasGas, I decided to install the BPD Aluminum clutch cover as a way to keep future clutch cover issues to a minimum. These machined clutch covers have worked really well for hard enduro riders, so it should protect the GasGas from stray debris and my stellar ability to crash.
2024 GasGas EX350F
The Red Rocket is coming together. The BikeGraphix graphics are designed and on the way. The XCGear MAKO360 gets installed this week. The SXS Skid Plate has shipped. The Fastway EVO4 lower and back pegs are coming shortly. There’s only a few short weeks left before the 2025 National Enduro Season kicks off in Sumter.
0 Comments
Leave A Comment