Acerbis Linear Vented – open lever and hand guards for motocross and enduro

The Acerbis Linear Vented are open handguards designed primarily for motocross, enduro and other off-road riding. They help protect the brake and clutch levers against direct contact with branches, stones, soil and other obstacles while also providing a barrier in front of the rider’s hands against flying debris.

Their open construction keeps weight low, leaves plenty of room around the grips and promotes airflow towards the hands. The shape is designed to provide useful coverage without creating an unnecessarily bulky structure around the controls.

Polypropylene shields are combined with nylon mounting brackets and steel hardware. A standard mounting kit for the conventional 22 mm / 7/8" handlebar control area is included.

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Lever protection for off-road riding

Brake and clutch levers are exposed components of any off-road motorcycle. They may contact branches on narrow trails, hit the ground during a fall or be struck by stones and debris thrown by other motorcycles.

The Linear Vented guards create a first barrier in front of the controls. During lighter contact, this can help prevent an object from directly striking a lever and reduce the likelihood of damage.

Open handguards are not structurally identical to full-wrap systems incorporating an aluminium backbone connected to the end of the handlebar. During a severe impact or crash, they therefore do not provide the same mechanical resistance as a reinforced closed handguard.

Their advantages are low weight, reduced bulk and greater freedom around the hands, characteristics particularly useful for motocross.

Protection from stones, mud and branches

The shields do more than cover the levers. They also create a barrier in front of the rider’s hands against stones, soil, mud, branches and other debris encountered off road.

When following another motorcycle, the guards help reduce direct impacts from material thrown backwards by the rear wheel. On narrow tracks, they can also shield the gloves against lighter vegetation.

They may reduce some direct airflow onto the hands, although the highly ventilated construction is designed primarily for airflow rather than cold-weather wind protection.

Vented construction

Large open areas allow air to pass through the guards towards the rider’s hands. Material is concentrated where it contributes to the shape and protective function instead of creating a completely solid plastic surface.

This ventilation is useful in warm weather, slow technical enduro and physically demanding riding. The rider’s hands remain exposed to more airflow than they would behind a fully closed plastic shield.

The open structure also contributes to low weight and reduces the frontal area exposed to airflow.

Polypropylene protective shields

The main protective shields are manufactured from polypropylene. This material allows Acerbis to create a lightweight shaped component with the flexibility required for regular off-road use.

It is suitable for components regularly exposed to mud, water, dust and minor mechanical contact. Surface scratches do not expose a separate metallic substrate underneath.

The shape combines protective coverage with large ventilation areas.

Nylon mounting brackets

The guards use nylon mounting brackets. Nylon combines low weight with the flexibility and mechanical strength required to support an open handguard.

The brackets are designed to occupy limited space around the controls. Their mounting position sits behind the brake or clutch control area, allowing the original lever and control positions to be retained in many installations.

Before final tightening, make sure that the brackets do not contact hydraulic hoses, wiring or any moving control component.

Steel mounting hardware

Steel components are used within the fastening system to provide secure connections between the mounting parts.

Fasteners should be tightened evenly and with consideration for the nylon and plastic components. Excessive torque may damage these parts, while insufficient tightening may allow the guards to move.

Recheck all fasteners after the first rides.

For 22 mm / 7/8" handlebar control areas

Acerbis specifies the Linear Vented mounting system for conventional European 22 mm handlebars and the equivalent USA 7/8" dimension.

The guards attach around the handlebar control area and are therefore compatible with a wide range of motocross and enduro motorcycles using the standard control-section diameter.

Before ordering, check the arrangement of:

• the front brake master cylinder,

• the clutch lever or master cylinder,

• electrical switches,

• throttle housing,

• cables and hydraulic lines,

• any other accessories mounted to the bars.

Universal mounting does not guarantee installation on every possible cockpit configuration without checking available space.

Vertical adjustment

The mounting brackets provide vertical adjustment of the guards. Their height can therefore be adapted to the lever angle, handlebar position and rider preference.

A correctly positioned guard should cover the lever and the front of the hand without interfering with the complete movement of the clutch or brake lever.

After installation, operate both levers through their full travel several times and confirm that they do not contact the guards.

Full steering lock in both directions should also be checked.

Controls remain in their original position

The fastening arrangement is designed to mount behind the control or reservoir area. This allows the original position of levers, master cylinders and other controls to remain unchanged in many applications.

This is useful for riders who have already adjusted lever angle and reach to suit their preferred riding position.

The exact result depends on the motorcycle and its cockpit configuration.

Free space around the levers

The Linear Vented are open handguards without a backbone running from the inner mount to the end of the handlebar. This leaves the area around the grip comparatively open.

The rider can retain a normal grip and operate the clutch and front brake with one or more fingers according to riding style.

Once installed, the guards must never restrict lever movement or prevent either lever from returning completely to its resting position.

Straightforward installation

The construction is designed for installation without extensive modifications to the motorcycle, and the standard mounting hardware is included.

During installation, initially leave all components slightly loose. Set the required guard angle, check all controls and only then tighten the hardware progressively.

After installation, verify:

• full throttle movement and return,

• full front brake lever travel,

• full clutch lever travel,

• full steering lock in both directions,

• clearance from cables and hydraulic lines,

• secure attachment of both brackets.

The throttle must always return freely to the closed position when released.

Open design for motocross

Open handguards are particularly popular for motocross, where low weight, simplicity and unrestricted space around the controls are often prioritised.

Unlike closed handguards, they do not use a rigid backbone connected to the bar end. This simplifies the construction and leaves the grip area more open.

For dense woodland or extreme enduro where repeated heavy tree impacts and crashes onto the bar ends are expected, a reinforced full-wrap guard may be more appropriate. Linear Vented are aimed primarily at lightweight hand and lever protection with excellent airflow.

Recommended use

The Acerbis Linear Vented are particularly suitable for:

• motocross,

• enduro,

• cross-country,

• pit-bike riding,

• off-road training,

• recreational trail riding,

• other motorcycles with a compatible handlebar and control layout.

Care after riding

The plastic shields can be cleaned with water and a mild cleaning product. Mud and dirt should also be removed from around the brackets and fasteners.

Avoid aggressive solvents that could affect polypropylene or nylon components.

Following a fall, inspect:

• the plastic shields for cracks,

• the mounting brackets for deformation,

• all fastening hardware,

• guard position in relation to the levers,

• correct operation of every control.

Replace damaged parts before further riding.

Main features

• open lever and hand guards,

• primarily designed for motocross, enduro and off-road use,

• protection against stones, mud, branches and debris,

• polypropylene protective shields,

• nylon mounting brackets,

• steel mounting hardware,

• highly ventilated design,

• lightweight construction,

• open space around the grips and levers,

• vertical position adjustment,

• mounting designed to retain the original control position,

• fits the 22 mm / 7/8" handlebar control area,

• standard mounting kit included,

• straightforward installation,

• supplied as a left and right pair.

Material composition

• polypropylene: 45%,

• nylon: 32%,

• steel: 23%.