a money-saving tip

[xprof]

If you have not yet installed crash bars, I suggest that you do so now, before the crash. To replace my damaged valve cover (and associated bolts and seals) cost $408, with labor included. At the same time I had them install a set of SW Motech crash bars, which cost $324, labor included. If I had installed the crash bars before the crash I would have saved considerably more than the cost of the bars! Just saying...

I'd also like to note that the SW Motech version, in black, is quite unobtrusive visually, and in fact looks perfectly OEM. Also, they make a much comfier perch for my legs than just resting them on the cylinder heads, due to less heat transfer and less tendency for the legs to drift outward. Plus they will make a nice perch for future lights. I wish I had installed them the first day I bought the bike!

[MTBeemer]

I have "crash" bars installed as well and they have paid for themselves several times over in preventing damage. It is noteworthy, however, that using crash bars is not without danger. I have seen a couple of reports online of damage done to the engine block when a crash bar struck an immovable object while the bike was at parking lot speed. Would there have been significant damage to the bike and/or rider had these bikes not had crash bars??? I don't know and in the end I think they are a good idea.

[dbrick]

Nice, Mike. Glad you're back aboard.
How about a pic or two?