Best Motorcycles Lever Guards for Track Days: Picks and What to Look For

For a track day, a machined aluminum brake lever guard from a racing brand such as Bonamici, Driven Racing, Graves Motorsports, GB Racing or Zeta suits most riders, while a clip-on-only expansion-collar design suits riders who already run hollow clip-on bars. The right pick depends on your handlebar type and bar-end diameter, your organizer’s rules, and how much you want to spend. This guide explains how lever guards work, what the makers state, and how to fit one without interfering with throttle or brake travel.

What a Brake Lever Guard Does

A brake lever guard is a fixed aluminum or composite bar that sits in front of the front brake lever. If another rider’s bike touches yours in a close pass, the guard takes the contact instead of the lever. This stops the front brake being pulled by accident, which could otherwise lead to a sudden front-wheel lock. Moto-D Racing, which sells Bonamici guards, describes the part as protection against accidental lever activation in a collision with another machine, and says it can also shield a hand during an impact.

The racing background explains why track-day riders hear about them so often. According to the same source, the FIM made brake lever protection mandatory in MotoGP in 2011, and the rule is also in force in World Superbike and many national series. Graves Motorsports states that most sanctioned racing bodies require one, including AMA Pro Road Racing. Track-day rules are more varied. A forum thread on PistonHeads reports that at tracks owned by MSV the guard is mandatory and is checked in the first session and periodically through the day, while another circuit in the same discussion did not require one. Because rules differ, read your organizer’s rider briefing before you buy.

Lever Guards at a Glance

Materials: Aluminum Versus Plastic and Carbon

Most racing guards are machined aluminum. Bonamici lists 6061-T6, Motoforza lists 6082 and Zeta is reported to use an A7009 T6 alloy. Aluminum resists bending and holds its shape in a knock. A general buying guide (which looks AI-written, so treat it carefully) says plastic can be brittle and may bind the lever, and that aluminum resists deformation better. That matches what makers imply by building race-spec parts from metal.

Carbon fiber appears in the Driven Racing range, usually with aluminum tips. Daredevil Motorsports lists carbon models at the top of the price range of the guards it sells. Carbon saves a little weight but is rarely necessary for a first track day. Lower-cost cast alloy pieces exist too, and forum riders report mixed experiences with them: one rider used an inexpensive guard for years with no problem, while another compared a cheap cast alloy part with a more expensive R&G plastic guard. The consistent message is that fit and secure mounting matter more than the label.

Fit: Bar Diameter Comes First

Lever guards attach in one of two ways. Some clamp around the outside of the bar end, and some insert into the bar end with an expansion collar. Which works depends on your handlebar.

• Clip-on bars. Many aftermarket clip-ons are 7/8 inch, which the Bonamici guard is built for. Graves states that its guard fits Graves clip-ons, or any hollow tube bars with a 0.640 inch inner diameter.
• Stock clip-ons or one-piece bars. Read the bar-end diameter and the thickness of the wall before ordering. Motoforza lists a range of 13.8 to 17 mm for its eye, which gives a sense of how tightly guards are matched to bar sizes.
• Adjustable models. Daredevil Motorsports notes that some guards use interchangeable adapters for different bar diameters and adjust up to about 171 mm in total length.

Look at the replacement-tip options too. Bonamici sells replaceable front tips in several colors, so you can swap a worn or scratched tip rather than the whole guard.

Installation and Safety Notes

Install the guard carefully, because a mistake can affect throttle or brake feel. Riders on the PistonHeads thread warn to make sure the guard is fitted correctly and does not impede throttle travel. Moto-D Racing recommends thread-locking glue or tape to stop the guard loosening.

1. Remove the bar-end weight or plug if one is fitted, and clean the inside of the bar.
2. Test-fit the guard before applying any thread lock, and set its length so the tip sits in front of the lever without touching it.
3. Pull the brake lever through its full travel to check for rubbing or binding at any point.
4. Turn the bars lock to lock to make sure the guard does not hit the tank, fairing or mirror.
5. Roll the throttle fully open and closed to confirm that the guard does not restrict it.
6. Tighten to the maker’s stated torque and re-check after the first session.

If you are unsure about any step, ask a qualified motorcycle mechanic to fit it. Brake and throttle controls are safety-critical.

Street Use Versus Track Use

Graves says its guard is intended for closed-course use only. That is a maker statement worth taking seriously: a guard that projects past the lever can catch on traffic, clothing or a parked vehicle, and it can be an injury risk to pedestrians. Moto-D Racing notes street riders sometimes fit guards for lane-splitting, but this is a decision for the rider to weigh against local laws and the maker’s guidance. Many riders fit the guard only for track days and remove it for the road.

Budget, Mid-Range and Premium Tiers

Budget. Zeta aluminum and similar machined sets start around the lowest price level at specialist retailers. Forum users say a basic guard is adequate for novice sessions, as long as it is secure and does not touch the lever.

Mid-range. GB Racing, R&G and Driven Racing aluminum models give you adjustable length, replaceable tips and brand support.

Premium. Bonamici, Graves and Gilles Tooling are the names that appear most often in racing contexts. Carbon fiber options from Driven Racing sit at the top of the range. You pay for refined machining and a strong reputation among racers, not for a measurable benefit on a novice track day.

Pick the Guard If You

Alternatives and Related Gear

• Clutch lever guards. Daredevil Motorsports lists clutch versions in several brands, which some riders use on the left side.
• Hand guards. Woodcraft offers hand guard systems for both sides, per Daredevil Motorsports.
• Replacement levers and tips. Shops list replacement lever arms and tips, useful if yours is scraped after a low-side.
• Back protector. The PistonHeads thread says some organizers require one in addition to a lever guard, so budget for both if you attend those events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lever guard for a track day?

It depends on the organizer. Some, such as MSV circuits according to a forum report, make it mandatory and check it, while others do not. Read the rider briefing or ask the organizer before you arrive.

Can I use a lever guard on the road?

Graves states that its guard is for closed-course use only. Others sell guards for street riders, but a protruding bar can catch on objects, so many riders remove it after the event. Check local rules and the maker’s instructions.

Will a guard stop me from braking normally?

A correctly fitted guard sits in front of the lever and should not touch it. Pull the lever through full travel after fitting to confirm. If the lever rubs or the guard blocks movement, readjust or replace it before riding.

What is the difference between an expensive and a cheap guard?

Premium guards offer precision machining, replaceable tips and adjustable length. Cheaper aluminum guards do the same basic job when fitted correctly. Riders on forums report using budget guards without problems, though quality varies.

How do I know which size to buy?

Measure the inner diameter or outer diameter of your bar end and compare it with the maker’s stated range. Bonamici is built for 7/8 inch clip-ons, and Graves for a 0.640 inch inner diameter. If you are unsure, contact the seller with your bike model.

Should I use thread lock?

Moto-D Racing recommends thread-locking glue or tape for the Bonamici guard. Follow the instructions that come with your guard, and re-check tightness during the day.