Wunderlich hand protectors for the BMW R 1300 R

The new hand protectors are designed to protect hands and gloves from the elements as well as stone and insect strikes. Transparent and smoke grey are available immediately, with black and white set to follow.

When it comes to hand protectors, many riders initially think of adventure bikes. However, the practical benefit of additional wind and weather protection on the handlebar is not tied to a specific type of bike. Wunderlich is therefore expanding its accessory range for the BMW R 1300 R with hand protectors specifically designed for the model. The focus is on protecting hands and gloves from the various influences they are exposed to while riding. These include wind, cold, moisture, wet conditions and road grime. At the same time, the protectors are meant to shield against stones and insects hitting the hands. Wunderlich does not see the new protectors merely as accessories for individual tours or the transitional season. They are intended for everyday use in every season.

The weather protection is not purely a matter of comfort. Especially at low temperatures or in the rain, the condition of the hands can directly affect the operation of the bike. Anyone who has ridden for extended periods with cold, wet gloves knows the problem: the fingers stiffen and mobility decreases. This can also affect the fine motor control needed to operate the controls. Wunderlich explicitly points to the operation of the instruments and the Multicontroller on the BMW R 1300 R in this context. Cold, clammy or wet hands and gloves can make handling them more difficult. With soaked gloves, another factor comes into play. The wind increases heat loss and can cool the hands down even further. The hand protectors are therefore positioned directly in front of the hands, shielding them from the wind and other external influences.

One of the tasks of the new Wunderlich hand protectors is protection against water. For this, they not only feature an appropriately sized protective surface. An outward-projecting collar is designed to deflect spray and rainwater. Water that hits the protector while riding is thus channelled outward. The design is therefore aimed not only at direct wind, but is also meant to help shield hands and gloves better in wet and damp conditions. In daily use in particular, conditions can change within a short time. Anyone who uses the bike regularly is not exclusively riding on dry roads in summer temperatures.

In addition to wind and weather, Wunderlich names other influences the protectors are meant to guard against. These include road grime, stone chips and insects. The protectors form an additional surface in front of the hands for this purpose. This is particularly relevant because the hands are permanently positioned on the handlebar while riding and are therefore correspondingly exposed. The scope of function thus combines two areas: on one hand protection against climatic influences such as wind, cold and rain, and on the other hand protection against foreign objects striking the hands.

Wunderlich uses acrylic as the material. For durable use on the bike, the manufacturer names several material properties. The acrylic used is thermally resistant as well as scratch- and break-resistant. In addition, the material is resistant to fuel. Alongside function, Wunderlich has also taken the design of the protectors into account. The design is deliberately kept understated, so that the additional components integrate into the appearance of the BMW R 1300 R. Depending on the desired look, different versions are available.

At launch, Wunderlich offers two variants of the hand protectors for the BMW R 1300 R. The transparent version carries part number 15386-000. Alternatively, the hand protectors are available in smoke grey under part number 15386-003. Both variants are available immediately. The price is 159.90 euros per set for each. The two currently available versions thus do not differ in price, but primarily in their visual appearance.

Those who prefer a completely dark or light version are also set to get a suitable option in the future. Wunderlich has announced the hand protectors additionally in black and white. Both variants are expected to be available shortly. This means a total of four colour variants are planned: transparent, smoke grey, black and white.

Riders who have already equipped their BMW R 1300 R with heated grips do not need to forgo them because of the new protectors. The Wunderlich hand protectors can be used both with and without heated grips. The combination of heated grips and additional hand shielding in particular is aimed at riders who use their R 1300 R even at lower temperatures or in changeable weather conditions. The protectors themselves form the outer barrier against wind and weather, while any existing heated grips can continue to be used independently.

Compatibility with other components on the handlebar was also taken into account. The hand protectors can be used in combination with bar-end weights. This means there is no fundamental need to remove these components for installation. Wunderlich also describes the installation of the hand protectors as simple and quick. The additional hand protection can therefore be fitted to the BMW R 1300 R without extensive modifications.

In addition to heated grips and bar-end weights, Wunderlich names another compatible component from its own accessory range. The new hand protectors can be used together with the Wunderlich Cruise Control. Owners of a correspondingly equipped BMW R 1300 R can therefore add the hand protectors without having to remove the cruise control solution. Heated grips, bar-end weights and Wunderlich Cruise Control are thus among the explicitly named compatible equipment.

Wunderlich explicitly designs the hand protectors for use in different weather conditions. In winter and during the transitional season, cold and wind are the main concerns. In the rain, the protectors are meant to shield hands and gloves from moisture and spray, or deflect it via the outer collar. In the warmer months, road grime, stones and insects remain the relevant areas of use. As a result, the protectors are not intended solely as classic winter accessories. The manufacturer instead positions the hand protection as an accessory for everyday use in every season.

Hand protectors inevitably change the look of the handlebar area. On a naked bike like the BMW R 1300 R, this area is particularly visible. Wunderlich has therefore designed the protectors in an understated way. The various versions at the same time offer the opportunity to adapt the look to personal preferences. Transparent represents the more restrained option here. Smoke grey brings a darker tint. With the announced versions in black and white, the selection is set to grow further in the future.

With the new hand protectors, Wunderlich adds protection for a particularly exposed area to its range for the BMW R 1300 R. Wind, cold, moisture, rain, road grime as well as stone and insect strikes are the main focus here. The outward-projecting collar serves to deflect spray and rainwater. Acrylic is used as the material, which is thermally resistant, scratch- and break-resistant, and resistant to fuel. At the same time, heated grips, bar-end weights and the Wunderlich Cruise Control remain compatible with the protectors. Installation is designed to be simple and quick. Transparent and smoke grey are available immediately for 159.90 euros per set each. Black and white are set to complete the range shortly. This means four different visual variants of the Wunderlich hand protection will be available for the BMW R 1300 R in the future.

The hand protectors are part of Wunderlich's accessory range for the BMW R 1300 R. In addition to the new hand protection, the company offers further protective and ergonomic components for the naked bike. Information on the hand protectors as well as the complete accessory range for the BMW R 1300 R can be found directly on the Wunderlich website.