Recent riding experience brought some reality back into my life when I punctured a mate's (Scale) Vmax radiator. As mighty as these beasts are, a single rock catapaulted from the rear tire can cost you $1500 for a replacement radiator if unrepairable. More importantly it can cost you your life is the coolant gets onto your rear tire and you lose traction. Not something many of us think about.

See this thread for details of what happened: www.starvmax.com/forum/12-general-vmax-d...re-the-240-they-bite

This experience got Rick (Scale) looking for a solution apart from the obvious one (staying in front of me )

He came accross a product made by OzzieMoto ( www.ozziemoto.com.au ). Australian company that builds custom radiator protectors and did so over the past 24 months. They haven't done a 09 Max yet, so in the spirit of the VMAX community I offered to ride my bike down there. So I rode my bike down to OzzieMoto to get the radiators properly measured up and assesed by the expert himself

This guy is a top bloke. I can defently recommend his product to anyone that is safety contious. If you do contact them mention Rick or Kris.

I've attached some photos of the fitted product. I've gone with the anodised red as it goes with the theme of my bike and I like the bling in addition to what it really is for, but you have many choices in colors including anodised and powder coated.

Cheers, Kris

Hey OZ
Your bike looks fantastic! Just wondering what that protector is made out of. Is it flexable plastic or a solid steel mesh? Did it fit in two pieces one for the top and one for the bottom radiator? And what did it set you back if you don't mind me asking? Peace and ride safe

Thanks TD.

Its made of solid mesh. I am not 100%, but I think its either aluminum or steel. One of the two. Then its anodised or powder coated based on your preference and color choice.

It comes as two separate pieces that fit in-between the radiator and the plastic cover on top of the radiator as pictured.

The mesh itself if bordered with a 5mm ruber edging. It does push the platic cover out some, but as seen in the photos you wouldn't even notice unless I told you about it. You can always modify the plastic cover for a perfect fit if you are fussy.

As I said I took a 2 hour ride back home and watched the temp closely for air flow impact. My temp operated as per usual, but more riding is required to be certain.

I'd rather not discuss price as I received a discount for riding my bike 2 hours each way to get it properly measured up and he put some of the cost towards R&D. He spent 3 hours measuring, re-measuring, looking at different fit options. I do belive his website has some pricing information, but best email him directly ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) as the VMAX has some big radiators comparing to most bikes

Kris

Thanks for posting it up Kris, and this maybe something i will do myself, but the red looks good..And the bike is looking good too.

Mate your bike is like a good wine it just gets better with age or the more money you throw at it lol.
Your red theme just got better, lovin it!
As for cost will be the cheapest mode you've done to our max seeing the Aussie dollar is rock bottom.
Man I love your bike. Maybe max of the month soon. I did say maybe lol!

Hey VmaxOZ,
Just wanted to say Thankyou for posting this string. Used the address you left and no sweat I ordered a set just like yours ! Annie was very quick at getting back to me and making the deal real easy. Can't wait to see how cool they look on my Red 2010. Thanks Again, Mark PS I told'em you sent me !

Marks9222 wrote:
You are welcome Mark, but it was a team effort.
The real credit needs to go to Scale (Rick) for finding them. I've done my part by going down there to get it all measured up for the rest of us that might be interested. I am sure it will be a great mod to your 2010 and keep you safe on the roads mate.

Annie and Rob are fantastic people to deal with.

Cheers, Kris

I have made a similar modification to the lower radiator. It's clear that the lower radiator is vulnerable to impact damage from objects that make it through the ABS plastic "grid" on the cover.

However, I used a finer mesh stainless steel that is thinner than what appears in the photos. It is important that the metal not make contact with the radiator, as vibration will cause the harder metal of the mesh to damage the softer material in the radiator, over time. In addition, you want a wire fabric that is well over 50% open while providing protection. I used the unmodified plastic cover, with a network of 3M foam tape cut with a razor roller knife into narrow lengths. The screen intercepts small missiles thrown into the radiator by the front tire. To prevent radiator contact, I used small strips of foam in three strategic locations.

If the ready-made solution is not available to you, a do-it-yourself option is possible with good results.

VmaxOZ wrote:
Hey Kris, I'll give my Thanks to Rick also. However, I think you owe him a dinner or two, Seeing how your Max ended up on the Front Page of their website. Your Welcome Scale. And Thanks to You Both Again, Mark

vmx12.2 wrote:
I agree as I am mostly a DIY guy. However why reinvent a wheel when somebody already did it a thousand times and perfected the process, materials, and applied lessons learned.

This product doesn't contact the radiator due to the edging used which stops it from vibrating also.
Ozziemoto Also tried different mesh styles, width of openings and did air flow tests to find a best possible protection without airflow restriction. Us DIY guys typically don't do this.

this protector us designed to intercept everything being thrown from traffic in front of you and not only your front tire.