Daniii's engine guard testing lab

[Nathang]

Hey Daniii-
Since you're casting about for a right side engine guard on the VRF,
I guess the question is, how did it hold up? This time?

I've got a new set of guards I'm ready to install on the B-Rod, and I'll have to say,
they are a good deal more stoutly made than I expected them to be.

Since I believe you're our most experienced engine guard stress tester,
can you give your impression of a couple of things:

Does it take a lot to bend them I hope?
When they do bend is it catastrophic folding,
or something more like controlled absorption of the forces?

If they aren't stout as a railroad rail, would it be a good thing if they were?
Or do they need to bend, to keep from flipping they bike end over end?

[EZE RIDER]

Did you get a chance to install these yet? If so do you like them?

[Nathang]

One of several projects I have the materials for, just need the gumption.

[EZE RIDER]

Yea I know that feeling. Got a few things almost in the works myself.

[DiamondLil]

Mine are at they dealership. They'll be installed soon, just have to get the bike there.

[Nathang]

Ha! Lil's been putting it off even longer than I have.

[Daniii]

Originally Posted by Nathang

Hey Daniii-
Since you're casting about for a right side engine guard on the VRF,
I guess the question is, how did it hold up? This time?

I've got a new set of guards I'm ready to install on the B-Rod, and I'll have to say,
they are a good deal more stoutly made than I expected them to be.

Since I believe you're our most experienced engine guard stress tester,
can you give your impression of a couple of things:

Does it take a lot to bend them I hope?
When they do bend is it catastrophic folding,
or something more like controlled absorption of the forces?

If they aren't stout as a railroad rail, would it be a good thing if they were?
Or do they need to bend, to keep from flipping they bike end over end?

I got a new set of guards from a dealer in Jax, on Ebay, for $100, and sold the one I didn't need to Baby Huey.

As an expert, I have the following comments:

The guards (and saddlebags) have saved me thousands of dollars of damage. Likely saved me from totalling the bike (twice).

If the bike slides, you get to replace the guard. Max cost $225. (E-Bay $100!) My last adventure sanded the sucker to a half round.


But it didn't catch anything. (Which is important). Baby Huey's adventure in June also managed not to hook anything, and there was minimal damage.

If it catches something, it likely bends the lower frame. Another $125. On the Left side, if you tweak the shift linkage, you may get to replace the transmission shift shaft a year later (guess how I know this).

Jerry Shane, however, in avoiding a dog at 20 mph, flipped the bike, using up both engine guards and both saddlebags.

But the guards protect the engine side covers, which are very expensive to replace, especially if the cases are damaged.

The guards also provide a place for engine guard chaps (or lowers, in my case), and are the only safe place to locate hiway pegs (if attached to the frame, they can have serious damage if the bike goes down).

I will be interested to see what the guards look like for the "F".

[scol]

Do you people recomend gaurds for a sportster?

[MrMarty51]

Originally Posted by scol

Do you people recomend gaurds for a sportster?

Yes!!! Engine guards are an inexpensive way to save expensive engine components in case of the rare chance that something such as a layover may damage.

[Daniii]

The wife has them on her Sporty. Saved a bit of cosmetic damage when she dropped it at a stop sign (forgot to put her feet down. Doh!). Also, again a place to hang hiway pegs.