Cylinder head protection?

[famousperson]

Is this in any way comparable to the Motech engine protector that wraps around the engine, or does it serve a different purpose?

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=44459

[famousperson]

Ok, nobody had an opinion about the crash guard above, how about this one? It lacks the horizontal bar of the SW-Motech but that transvers bars seem to stick out just as far. Does anybody have an opinion or experience? In addition to crash protection, does it look as if it would make a reasonable mounting place for highway pegs?

I am desperately looking for a guard that is not as obtrusive as I feel the Motechs are, but equally effective. Per Bill's recent objections to detracting from the clean, lean look and lines of the bike, although I disagree with him about the slider, the Motechs are egregious (imvho).

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=47656

[Sassa]

I used to feel exactly the way you do about the Motech bars. UGLY. But, I had a low speed drop and scraped up the right side head cover. Ouch. Reluctantly purchased the SW Motechs (too bad i didn't buy them before the drop) and was pleasantly surprised at how well they actually look in person. Maybe it is because i have a black R12R, but they look like they came with the bike. Not obtrusive at all. For what it's worth.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[AmostThere]

IMO the Motech is overkill but I wish I had the version posted at the beginning. I just have the little plastic piece and while it did take the brunt of the damage in my parking lot tipover during the first week of ownership, I do have a tiny scuff on the cylinder head itself. That is what prompted me to jump in on the sliders. I am certainly not hanging off the bike in some Ricky Racer stuff but the ultra-low speed oops can really do some cosmetic damage ($$$). I'll put some pics up later.

[mvk]

I have the Verholen protectors as in your first post -got these rather than anything else because the RR has a mnimalist look which I love and the clinders are a work of art (in a brutal sort of way). Anything more would ruin the look for me. I have had one stationary drop and the protector worked perfectly - got scratched and bent but, because it is stainless, could be strightened and scratches polished out. I imagine these would work OK in low speed falls. At higher speeds, I figured that there would be all sorts of damage to various parts of the bike, and if this included the engine so be it. At that point I would be more worried about myself...

Once again as with most of these things it comes down to personal preference and if you don't mind the bulkier look then go for the heavier duty bars.

[ka5ysy]

Is this in any way comparable to the Motech engine protector that wraps around the engine, or does it serve a different purpose?

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=44459

BEFORE: They look good but do not work.




AFTER: This is about a 5-10 mph crash I took, and the result:






They mount to the rocker arm cover bolts and resulted in sheared bolt heads. IMHO not worth the cost. The SW-Motech bars are way superior protection that actually looks OEM because they use the same diameter tubing and are black powder coated, matching the frame bars on the RR.













The Hepco-Becker bars have a crossover bar across the front of the engine that I thought looked like crap in person. You can see it as the small tube going over the oil cooler in the photo on the A&S website. I also believe that in a crash, that thing will probably take out the oil cooler. They also give no protection in the situation where you roll the wheels into the air on a crash like mine did. Notice the scrape on the upper right edge of the rocker arm cover and you see that the top front of the cover made major contact with the asphalt . The coverage of the SW-Motech bars fully protect the entire rocker arm cover area. They also are very useful as highway pegs that you can rest your boots on without effort, or mount lights to.

[celticus]

I getting mine as soon as I scrape together the dough.

Mark

[famousperson]

Is this in any way comparable to the Motech engine protector that wraps around the engine, or does it serve a different purpose?

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=44459

They look good but do not work. This is about a 5-10 mph crash I took, and the result:

Wow, that answers that question! And thanks for the comprehesive views of the Motechs. I love the thought of the protection they give, but am still of two minds about the esthetics. I suppose I could put 'em on and if I didn't like them sell them to Celticus.

[mogu83]

[/quote] I suppose I could put 'em on and if I didn't like them sell them to Celticus. )[/quote]


WOW - Now there's a man that thinks ahead. It would be a nice ride to Eastern Tennessee from Pittsburgh, then you could sit in the shade and drink beer (or the beverage of your choice) and watch Celticus move the bars from one bike to the other. What a great plan.

[celticus]

Yep, I've got to say I like the sound of that plan myself. While you’re here I can show you some very very nice roads. Camping season is upon us here and I'm ready to go!

Mark

[Bheckel169]

Get the Motechs. They actually work if you drop the bike and after awhile, you'll hardly notice they are on the bike.
Bruce

[ka5ysy]

BTW: If you happen to drop the bike on the Motechs and they scratch the powder coat, you can sand the rough spot smooth and patch it with liquid plastic for dipping tool handles, and it is a dead match when dry !

[famousperson]

Yep, I've got to say I like the sound of that plan myself. While you’re here I can show you some very very nice roads. Camping season is upon us here and I'm ready to go!

Mark

Now that's a fine thought! Is that Eastern Tennesee as in the Smokeys? Wherever, The trip down would be a looong day on the slab (a good test of the fortitude of my butt), or a couple of enoyable days meandering on the back roads. I'm packing!

Peter

[hjsbmw]

I'd probably like to start out with the black plastic or fiber baskets to at least have protection against scrapes from maneuvering in the door. Are they effective for that purpose? I realize that they are probably not too useful for drops, especially if some kind of speed is involved.

[famousperson]

I'd probably like to start out with the black plastic or fiber baskets to at least have protection against scrapes from maneuvering in the door. Are they effective for that purpose? I realize that they are probably not too useful for drops, especially if some kind of speed is involved.

I dropped mine at 0 mph (never mind how ) and the plastic BMW guards did their job. I shall be forever grateful to the dealer who made me buy them by telling me, "you WILL drop your bike."

[AmostThere]

Results of a parking tip-over. I knew it wasn't a good spot but there was no level ground that could be seen from the only establishment in a remote location. I was not careful enough when I got back to the bike and BOOM, it was on the ground.



If you look closely there is a small scuff on the cylinder head in spite of the plastic guards. I think it will reduce a bit with some rubbing but I'd have to rate these guards pretty poorly after my experience.

[RonR]

We all do it sooner or later. A couple of weeks ago I did a 0 MPH slow-motion left-side lay-down as I was getting back on the bike after lunch at Mt. Baldy Lodge (LA locals know it). Sloped parking slot and lack of attention on my part contributed. I have the Verholen "protectors" which I would not have bothered with if I had seen the photos earlier in this thread. But this time they were good enough. Before I picked the bike up I looked carefully to see what else might be touching down. Nothing. Not my Wunderlich bar-end mirror or any part of my Parabellum Scout fairing or any part of the rear of the bike. The mark (I hesitate to call it a scratch) on the protector is so minimal it can be ignored.

My first reaction to the Motechs was that they are too GS. I'm starting to warm up to them, though, if only on a functional level. Aesthetically, well....

In another thread, Don raised a question about undesireable forces on the engine case that may be exerted by the Motechs in a crash, and whether this has been adequately addressed. Does anyone have any info on this issue? I wouldn't want to cause more serious damage than what I was trying to prevent

[deilenberger]

In another thread, Don raised a question about undesireable forces on the engine case that may be exerted by the Motechs in a crash, and whether this has been adequately addressed. Does anyone have any info on this issue? I wouldn't want to cause more serious damage than what I was trying to prevent

The reason I questioned this is that BMW has what appears to be specific break points on the protection bars on the GS. I've heard people complain when the bars break at these points - but I suspect BMW has them there for a reason, and the only reason I can think of is to prevent enough force being transfered from the bars from a certain direction that might damage the engine cases. Ones like the Motech look much sturdier - but sometimes that isn't actually the best thing.

[lewellen]

In another thread, Don raised a question about undesireable forces on the engine case that may be exerted by the Motechs in a crash, and whether this has been adequately addressed. Does anyone have any info on this issue? I wouldn't want to cause more serious damage than what I was trying to prevent

The reason I questioned this is that BMW has what appears to be specific break points on the protection bars on the GS. I've heard people complain when the bars break at these points - but I suspect BMW has them there for a reason, and the only reason I can think of is to prevent enough force being transfered from the bars from a certain direction that might damage the engine cases. Ones like the Motech look much sturdier - but sometimes that isn't actually the best thing.

Indeed.

And I find it interesting that BMW doesn't offer crash bars themselves, only (as far as I can tell) the wimpy plastic cylinder head thingies.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[tobes]

You can get the metal GS headguards. I haven't 'used' them yet (knock wood) but they seem pretty sturdy. And still good clearance when going through the twisties. The pegs still drag first.



***correction*** I went and took a peek under the valve cover guards and was really surprised to see that the left side had in fact scraped along with the peg. Didn’t realize this at the time. Still not bad clearance though.