I've been thinking about an engine guard for my Slim. The black HD mustache engine guard looks pretty good when I see it on other Slims here on the site.

However, I have to admit, I've always perceived an engine guard as an old guy's thing. Or something on a tourer, not a fairly stripped down bike.

No offense intended. Let's face it, I'm old at 45.

My main questions are: Is there any benefit to an engine guard beyond the possibility that it could keep your tank from getting dented in a fall?

Will it really protect your legs and feet in a low side? Would it offer any impact deflection if a cage hits you broadside?

Anybody ever have their bacon saved by an engine guard? Or just have your bike saved from a few dents?

 

Obviously our bikes are quite different, but I don't think I could pick my RK up if it didn't have engine guards. And where would I put my highway pegs?

 

Mine's a tourer, so I can't say for certain, but saves my tank from dents.

 

I have a mustache bar on my Heritage, I like that I can put my feet on the black pads but I also have highway pegs lower down, which gives me another option to rest my feet.

 

See above. Other will have more input maybe.

 

most bars are too thin for any sort of major impact. if you don't get your leg out of there, that thing will crumple and take the lower half of your leg with it, pinching it between it, and the bike. i've also heard in minor accidents (if there is such thing on a bike) that it tends to break the tab on the frame the bar mounts to, which totals your bike (according to insurance a-holes)

all that crap aside, even on a stripped down bike i still think they look cool, and it's nice to kick back on those long rides.

 

Best investment that you can make for yourself and your bike.

We have four bikes and all of them have engine guards and they've come in very handy a few times.

 

I low sided a Kawasaki in 1975 at about 60mph, the crash bars, as we called them at the time, saved my leg and protected the paint.

 

If for some reason, you drop your bike, it might save you some money. I'm not talking a wreck. Good luck.

 

Well let me say I can't remember as far back as being 45 so take whatever I say as an old geezer rambling.

I would bet that most times bikes are dropped, damaged, crashed or whatever words you want to use are at very slow speed or stopped. Think parking lot type stunts. Somewhere in the 90% bracket.

If you could prevent damage to your scoot 90% of the time, it seems like a good idea.

My percentage figure is not based on any scientific data. It is based on 29 years of police observation. Hey, just sayin'.