I had always intended to get myself a headlight cover for my Sprint ST but had never quite got round to it, then one day I was out for a ride with a few friends when suddenly I saw a large stone fly up from the bike in front of me and strike my bike, when we stopped I checked the bike and found a very large stone chip about 1 inch below my headlight, if the stone had struck any higher it would have smashed one of my headlights and that would have hurt... phew!

This encounter reminded me how expensive replacement headlights are and how cheap headlight covers were, so a quick scan of my trusty MPS catalogue showed that Ventura produce a high quality headlight guard to fit the ST for £19. (This version is a one piece unit that covers both the headlights and the middle running light, unlike other makes that are just 2 disc shaped pieces of plastic that only protect the main headlights.

A few clicks of the mouse on the MPS website and my headlight guard was ordered (It's a shame that you cannot browse their catalogue online, you need the paper version to find out the part number, this can then be entered into the website and your order placed) With the normal superb delivery, 2 days later I had my headlight guard and was ready to install it.

Installation is a very simple approach, first you need to clean the headlight glass so that you can attach the Velcro pads securely then clean the inside of the cover, line up the Velcro pads and voila! (I used a little spot of Tipex of the cover to help me align the Velcro pads)

Once attached the headlight cover is secure and not too obtrusive and is easily removed to enable you to clean your bike.

Just two months after fitting I was on another group ride around the Peak District when one of our merry band noticed that the headlight cover was cracked, upon inspection it was noticed that the cover had taken a very hard knock and cracked. The important issue being that the headlights were unmarked and still in perfect condition. The headlight guard had done it's job perfectly and saved the day (and my wallet!) the next day another order was sent off to MPS and a few days later I had my second headlight guard fitted.

After seeing what could happen and the cost of replacement headlights I don't think that I will ever have a bike without a headlight guard fitted, it ain't worth the risk!

New	Used

Good Points
  Protects your headlights from stone chips and low flying antelope

Bad Points
  Plastic is a little thin compared to other makes.
  Detracts from the look of the bike. Ugly?

How much?
  £19

Available from
  Direct from MPS