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Fitting Honda's Genuine Knuckle Guard Extension (08P72-MKS-E00ZB) to the X-ADV

The standard knuckle guards on the X-ADV are just an open frame.

There's nothing in front of the levers, so some of you may notice the wind on your hands in the colder months.

So I fitted Honda's genuine Knuckle Guard Extension (08P72-MKS-E00ZB) to my 2026 X-ADV.

The short answer

  • It fitted my 2026 X-ADV
  • Only two tools: a 5 mm hex and a ratchet
  • No interference even at full lock
  • Matt white, only slightly different from the bodywork
  • Don't forget the well-nut washers, and don't overtighten

What is 08P72-MKS-E00ZB?

It's a genuine Honda accessory extension for the knuckle guards.

It fits over the existing knuckle guard and covers the area in front of the back of your hand.

  • Part number: 08P72-MKS-E00ZB (white)
  • Material: PP plastic
  • Approximate fitting time: 0.2 hours
  • Requires the knuckle guards themselves (standard on the X-ADV)

About fitment

Retail sites list it for the Africa Twin and Transalp. I couldn't confirm the X-ADV as a listed model.

Please read this article as an example of it fitting my 2026 X-ADV.

The box of the genuine X-ADV knuckle guard extension, with part number 08P72-MKS-E00ZB on the label
The part number is on the box label

What's in the box

The left and right extensions, plus a small bag of fixings.

The bag contains two each of the 5 mm screws, well nuts and washers.

Contents of the knuckle guard extension: the white left and right pieces and a bag of 5 mm screws, well nuts and washers
Left and right extensions and fixings

The X-ADV before fitting

The standard knuckle guard is just a frame, open in front of the lever.

The X-ADV before fitting. The standard knuckle guard is only a black frame, open in front of the lever
Before fitting: the inside is wide open

Tools you'll need

I used a ratchet handle and a 5 mm hex bit socket.

A 5 mm Allen key will also do the job.

The ratchet handle and 5 mm hex bit socket used for fitting
Ratchet handle and 5 mm hex bit socket

Honda's fitting instructions specify a 5 mm Allen key and a torque wrench.

Fitting it to the X-ADV

Both sides are done the same way. Work on one side at a time.

Step 1: Remove the mounting bolt

Use a 5 mm hex to remove the bolt that holds the knuckle guard on the lever side.

This bolt is reused, so don't lose it.

Removing the bolt that holds the X-ADV knuckle guard on the lever side with a 5 mm hex
Remove the mounting bolt (reused)

Step 2: Put the washer on the well nut

Slide the thin plastic washer onto the supplied well nut.

The washer is small and translucent, so it's easy to leave it in the bag.Make sure you don't forget it.

The black rubber well nut with the thin translucent plastic washer fitted
Well nut with the washer fitted

Step 3: Push in the well nut

Push the well nut, with its washer, into the mounting hole on the outside of the knuckle guard.

Pushing the well nut into the mounting hole on the outside of the X-ADV knuckle guard
Push the well nut into the mounting hole

Step 4: Fix the extension in place

There are locating tabs on the back of the extension.

Line these tabs up with the knuckle guard and fit the extension over it.

The back of the knuckle guard extension, showing the locating tabs that line up with the knuckle guard
Line up the tabs on the back and fit it over

Secure it with the bolt you removed in Step 1 and the supplied 5 mm screw (on the well-nut side).

Tightening the bolts on the white knuckle guard extension with a ratchet
Tighten the bolts to fix it in place

Don't overtighten

According to the fitting instructions, the specified torque for the 5 mm screw is 0.4N·m.

The well nut is rubber, so if you tighten it hard it can squash or start to spin. Stop as soon as it just nips up.

For the reused bolt, follow the torque specified in the service manual.

Do the other side the same way and you're done.

Checks after fitting

No interference at full lock

I turned the handlebar fully to the left and right to check.There was no interference with the screen or the fairing.

My screen is aftermarket, but it's almost the same shape as the standard one.

The X-ADV with the bars turned fully to the right. No interference between the knuckle guard extension and the screen
No interference at full right lock
The X-ADV with the bars turned fully to the left. No interference between the knuckle guard extension and the screen
No interference at full left lock

From the rider's seat

When you hold the grip, the extension covers the area in front of the back of your hand.

Rider's view holding the X-ADV's right grip. The knuckle guard extension covers the area in front of the back of the hand
Rider's view, right side
Rider's view holding the X-ADV's left grip, with the knuckle guard extension and the switchgear
Rider's view, left side

Where it sits relative to your hand

From the side, you can see it covers the area in front of your hand on the grip.

The position of the knuckle guard extension relative to a hand on the grip (from the right)
Hand position when riding
The right side of the X-ADV after fitting the knuckle guard extension
Without a hand on the grip

Colour difference from the standard bodywork

The extension is matt white and the shade is slightly different from the bodywork.

But you'd have to look closely to notice. It didn't bother me at all.

Colour comparison between the knuckle guard extension and the X-ADV's standard bodywork
Front: the extension. Behind: the standard bodywork

The X-ADV after fitting

The white extensions change the look around the handlebar.

The X-ADV after fitting the knuckle guard extensions (front three-quarter view)
Front three-quarter view
The X-ADV with the knuckle guard extensions fitted, seen from the front
From the front

Summary

Honda's genuine Knuckle Guard Extension (08P72-MKS-E00ZB) fitted my X-ADV.

  • Only two tools: a 5 mm hex and a ratchet
  • Don't forget the well-nut washers
  • The 5 mm screw is 0.4 N·m. Don't overtighten
  • No interference even at full lock
  • Only a slight colour difference from the bodywork

I've written up how well it blocks the wind on the road in this article. The wind on my fingertips was gone, but it wasn't enough to keep my hands warm in winter.

*This is work I did myself on my own 2026 X-ADV (18 years of home maintenance, no mechanic's qualification). The X-ADV could not be confirmed as a listed fitment for this part. Work at your own risk, and follow the torque values in the fitting instructions and service manual.

-Custom, X-ADV