I have them, and they saved my bike when I laid it down.

 

I have this same gaurd on my bike, was on the bike when I got it. I took it off last fall and then put it right back on as the bikes looked odd without it. Plus is adds to all my chrome.

 

I have the black OEM bars for years on my Nightster.

Bike is still thin enough for lane sharing.

Only pros.
If there is a con...some do not like the look.

 

2 weeks ago I got a chrome one from ebay for $89.90 new. But I can't get the screws off the bike frame (they're the ones that hold the horn mount and some other stuff together). :-( How do you guys get such things out?

 

I used to have a guard on my bike. I went down on it twice (deer and oil spill), both times on the right side. It did save some damage to the bike however it tweaked the bottom mounting plate which is welded to the frame. So, I can conceivably see how frame damage could occur if you put it down hard enough.

I carry a $50 deductible so if the bike goes down again, I'm not really worried about potential damage now that I don't use the guard.

 

Hey, My bike ain't complete without the engine guard. I thought the Lindy would be kind of weird but after having it for a while I can say it adds to the road sofa effect.

When on the HW I put my feet up on the bar, my ankle sits comfortably in the flat spot and I kick back riding like I own the road.

Lastly, the last bike I had got flattened by a really bad truck driver, the delivery truck 5-Ton type, without the crash bar (that took a real beating) and the bags I would of been seriously hurt, I suggest as much stuff as possible.

 

Had the Lindby Unibar on my 1200 Low, gave it a much more substantial look than the round guards and the ability to move my highway pegs alot more without weird angles.

http://www.lindbycustom.com/cart/pro...cat=289&page=1

 

Looks like you can't use the Lindby on my 2011 XL1200C

 

Prone to dropping it or new / small / female / clumsy riders it's prob. cheap insurance, but the downside is appearance, cost, and weight. First thing I removed from my Nightster was the wrinkle black crash bar, followed by front fender and sprocket cover. I couldn't believe how much it weighed, and it was all to the front of the bike. At the time it also had 13.5" shocks and worthless fork springs so it was all sorts of skittish, (nose down) especially on the highway.

[rant]
I don't really care for the looks of the non-48 bikes as they come from the MOCO until stripped down and personalized. Say what you will about appearance...but to me, life is too short. I honestly could care less about what anyone thinks, so that one won't work either. I'm pretty anti-leather, fringe, chrome, vest, chaps, and super fatties embellishing themselves and their bikes like they "took and got it at the wall-marts", so they can putt around town getting something they missed out on in high school. Don't tell mreed, but I'm also not a fan of trikes unless there is a handicap or something. I just don't get it.

...at the same time I tend to keep it to myself...to each his own and all. When I say anti, I mean I don't personally want to portray any part of that image myself. I have some riding acquaintances that fit that description, but fortunately they are too afraid to get their bikes dusty to ride with unless it's a 20+ bike leather parade. Same goes for the nerdy power ranger dual-sport image or no eye protection downtown scooter tard flip-flop hipster mods. Just not my thing, but if it's yours...OWN IT I guess.
[/rant]

If my wife ends up with an Iron or 48, she will definitely be getting the crash bar.