Do I need Tank Knees Pads for Off Road?

[Tanere]

I am planning to do the MA-BDR late summer early full and some shake down rides off-road before the. I hear folks saying all the time when you are standing and turning you should be driving the outside knee into the tank pad.
Which leads me to (2) questions

1) Do we really need them or is that just something that has lingered on from the days of old
2) Which ones do you guys use? I have seen them from a couple bucks on amazon to quite a bit more on some named sites.
Thanks
Tanere

 

[SkunkWorks]

I find myself instinctively bracing my body against the tank with my knees, while I'm standing.
If you don't put something on there to protect the tank, you will eventually be grinding dust and fine grit into the paint.
If you get something with "Grip" to it, like the tech-spec pads, they provide a tiny bit of cushion for your knee while also providing some grip so your knee doesn't slide around.

 

[SHUMBA]

I am planning to do the MA-BDR late summer early full and some shake down rides off-road before the. I hear folks saying all the time when you are standing and turning you should be driving the outside knee into the tank pad.
Which leads me to (2) questions

1) Do we really need them or is that just something that has lingered onfrom the days of old
2) Which ones do you guys use? I have seen them from a couple bucks on amazing to quite a bit more on some named sites.
Thanks
Tanere

Yes, absolutely, you need tank pads on the sides of the gas tank.
Here's why: If you are standing up with your feet firmly planted on the footpegs and you hit a bump and one foot slides off the footpeg, you will instinctively try to save yourself from falling by pushing on the handlebar on the side that your foot slipped off. This could likely result in a crash.
So, when standing on your footpegs don't place all of your weight on your feet, pinch the gas tank between your knees and the pads prevent you from slipping.
Another reason is to protect the tank from scratches and dents.
Who can add to my explanation?
SHUMBA

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[Tanere]

Okay. So it’s worth spending the $50-$80 for
Something like TechSpec snake skin vs a cheaper option? Not trying to be cheap, just don’t want to spend $60 on a $20 solution.

 

[SHUMBA]

I find myself instinctively bracing my body against the tank with my knees, while I'm standing.
If you don't put something on there to protect the tank, you will eventually be grinding dust and fine grit into the paint.
If you get something with "Grip" to it, like the tech-spec pads, they provide a tiny bit of cushion for your knee while also providing some grip so your knee doesn't slide around.

Yup you got it.
SHUMBA

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[SHUMBA]

Okay. So it’s worth spending the $50-$80 for
Something like TechSpec snake skin vs a cheaper option? Not trying to be cheap, just don’t want to spend $60 on a $20 solution.

Shop Ebay or Amazon
Just make sure you get a decent size and fit.
SHUMBA

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[Tanere]

TechSpec Snake Skin Knee Pads

 

[jeckyll]

Never used them.

But if you think they'll help, go for it.

 

[Tanere]

Okay.. Next Noob question. Should I remove the OEM decal or just put the pad right over it. Gut says remove it and clean tank well, but then something says leave them on to protect the tank even more.

 

[SHUMBA]

Never used them.

But if you think they'll help, go for it.

I bought the Yammy OEM tank pads...not stylish, but effective and serve their purpose.
SHUMBA

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[Dougbug]

I bought my 14 used last summer and the po had already installed the tec-spec pads. I really like them for bracing myself away from the tank when coasting no handed down mountain grades, motoring along with the cc and other times using my knees to help control the bike. Don't be a cheap arse, get the good ones.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I use the TechSpec and yes they will keep you from slipping around when standing. One big disadvantage to this bike (other than the weight) is you only have a limited amount of space to move around on. Just a simple thing like removing the tank bag makes a huge difference when tackling rough terrain.

There are a lot of different techniques to turning. I simply press down on the peg that is on the side I want to go. By doing this your knee on the other side pushes the bike to the direction you want to go. I feel way more natural standing up than sitting on this bike when the pavement ends.

Good luck on your ride!!

 

[Sierra1]

Okay.. Next Noob question. Should I remove the OEM decal or just put the pad right over it. Gut says remove it and clean tank well, but then something says leave them on to protect the tank even more.

"I" would install them over the OE. So when the Tech Specs wear out, you can remove them and still have the OE. I also think that removing the OEs will be difficult to do so, and possibly end up inflicting damage to the paint.

 

[SHUMBA]

I bought my 14 used last summer and the po had already installed the tec-spec pads. I really like them for bracing myself away from the tank when coasting no handed down mountain grades, motoring along with the cc and other times using my knees to help control the bike. Don't be a cheap arse, get the good ones.

Yup, good advice buy sumpthin decent.
Don't go cheap
SHUMBA

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[Tanere]

Just ordered the TrueSpec. Hopefully they can get here Saturday and I will have them installed to go riding Sunday/Monday.

Thank you all for your wisdom and advice.

 

[s.ga.rider]

I got a set of tech spec pads for mine. Still haven’t installed them but I noticed on my last group ride that the bike was covered in dust and dirt. You could see exactly where my pants were rubbing the dirt on the tank. It looks like an easy was to scratch the tank in that area.
we are heading to the mabdr on June 22nd for 11 days total trip.