Which protection for drop?

[Obrianmcc]

Update: The stock engine guard (left) arrived at the dealer a few days ago. While swapping out the damaged guard for the new one I noticed that there was a rubber bumper that protrudes from the radiator and contacts the guard. That part of my radiator was slightly bent from the guard cracking and pushing upward into the radiator. Although the radiator is slightly bent, it still functions fine and no leaks. I still think the stock unit did a pretty good job all things considered. Just out of curiosity I did some checking and found that a replacement radiator is only about $300. Sheesh a similar item on my BMW would have prolly cost $1,500

If needed Mylers Rad repair can do wonders to otherwise smashed or bent rads..... It good that the stock guard did its job, but you have to wonder if all or any damage would have been avoided with a full crash bar?

 

[nwryder12]

If needed Mylers Rad repair can do wonders to otherwise smashed or bent rads..... It good that the stock guard did its job, but you have to wonder if all or any damage would have been avoided with a full crash bar?

True. I may look into the Givi bars down the road. Where's "Mylers" located?

 

[Obrianmcc]

True. I may look into the Givi bars down the road. Where's "Mylers" located?

http://www.motorcycleradiators.com/

Utah.... I've used their services once or twice.... fast turn around and they do a great job.... beats buying a new rad!

 

[nwryder12]

I think its okay, but if a problem develops. I'll definitely look them up. Thanks.

 

[AVGeek]

I'd be more concerned about the radiator fan than the radiator itself. In my one and only fall (so far; off road in a 180 bend in soft sand), the fan was pushed into the radiator enough to jam it and burn it out before the fuse could protect it. I now have the Givi bars, and have yet to test them!

 

[nwryder12]

I'd be more concerned about the radiator fan than the radiator itself. In my one and only fall (so far; off road in a 180 bend in soft sand), the fan was pushed into the radiator enough to jam it and burn it out before the fuse could protect it. I now have the Givi bars, and have yet to test them!

That was my concern as well. I pulled the whole side panel off and gave it a once-over. The fan spins freely.

 

[JaimeV]

I think stock guards are good in the low part: good protection to the engine but IMHO a bit to wide.
Mi concern is in the radiator area witch is not covered at all and can cause a damage if the ventilator doesn’t turn free. Finally, I don’t like the unnecessary big and heavy bars in front to the bike to fix the aux lights; it can have a better solution.

A good option to reinforce the OEM crash bars sides is what the south Africans did:

I prefer to have a good skid plate to cover the engine (narrower than the OEM bars) and some crash bars to the upper sides, so I choose the Touratech crash bars.

I like the design but the problem is the bars who are fixed to the frame in front to the bike bend quite easily.
I had several minor falls and they protect enough but I must pull them out each time I fell.
This is our next project with the skid plate manufacturers: some good crash bar that don’t bend do easily.

 

[nwryder12]

I think I would want the crash bars flex and bend on impact rather than having them be so rigid that that they stress or fracture the bike's frame at the attachment points. I sort of view crash bars and engine guards as a "consumable" item, designed to protect the big investment. Nice looking set up by the way.

 

[TommyBwell]

I ride off road a good bit but not very fast and not very difficult. Mainly fire roads. I was going to put Givi's on for a bit more protection but a buddy of mine has a set of Altriders that he is no longer using so I am going to hook up on those. Heck, I may even turn up the heat some after I put those on. Probably not though.

 

[Obrianmcc]

I think that with any brand of crash bars .... if you bend the frame you're having bigger issues. With that I don't think all crash bars are created equal.... I personally went with the Alt Riders and based my decision on their design and the reviews posted by users... I did consider the HT's (since they are local for me), but I was skeptical of their overall design, which was confirmed by multiple reviews of the bars bending. I don't buy into the theory that the bars bending is good... it only IMO reinforces a flawed attachment point in their design or inadequate material spec with a manufacurer trying to hit a price point.

 

[avc8130]

I have the Givi's. My bike fell off a motorcycle jack and all I have to show for it is a hole in my concrete garage floor.

ac

 

[JaimeV]

I think I would want the crash bars flex and bend on impact rather than having them be so rigid that that they stress or fracture the bike's frame at the attachment points. I sort of view crash bars and engine guards as a "consumable" item, designed to protect the big investment. Nice looking set up by the way.

Agree... but my bike was in a grass field in the centre stand, it fell sideways in slow motion and the bar bend... to me this is too flexible...

 

[Starcha007]

I dropped my bike in Monument Valley on a long deep sand downhill section. The bike slid a bit on the Givi Bars and the paint on the bars was scuffed a little, but that was about it. No bend no nothing.

 

[nwryder12]

Agree... but my bike was in a grass field in the centre stand, it fell sideways in slow motion and the bar bend... to me this is too flexible...

Yeah that sounds like those bars may be a wee bit too whimpy. After reading some of the posts here, it seems like Givi bars aren't such a bad way to go. They're price point is defiantly appealing.