I remember reading this thread when I ordered my Alt Rider crash guards in April 2016 and debating whether I needed the upper guard. I couldn't envision a scenario that I would need it. Well, if you need a little persuasion, here it is.
I was on a greasy mountain road and as I attempted to exit a rut I found myself an immediately skid to the side of the road where I hit a tree with the impact at the corner of the headlight and the left corner in front of the air intake. Everything in front of the triple tree except the computer shattered from the impact, resulting in an insurance claim of $2,500. Forks, wheel, handlebar, radiator all undamaged. The repair is fairly straight forward, nothing bent, just replace plastic.
I believe I may have escaped with no damage if I had the upper guard which is now on the way from Revzilla.