Softail Custom Highway Bars/Engine Guard?
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Softail Custom Highway Bars/Engine Guard?
Howdy, This is my first post and I need some advice.
I picked up my first Harley (07 Softail Custom) about this time last year.
I always liked the look and love the ride.
I don't remember seeing a Custom with highway bars or an engine guard.
Anyone have any good suggestions for either?
I've seen the mustache bar and that's one choice.
I also gotta say that I'm thinking about this because I got tagged a couple of weeks ago.(A woman REALLY needed chicken and turned in front of me to get into a KFC parking lot).
The gas tank got a nice ding and I'm wondering if an engine guard or highway bar would have protected the tank as well as the engine.
Thanks.
I picked up my first Harley (07 Softail Custom) about this time last year.
I always liked the look and love the ride.
I don't remember seeing a Custom with highway bars or an engine guard.
Anyone have any good suggestions for either?
I've seen the mustache bar and that's one choice.
I also gotta say that I'm thinking about this because I got tagged a couple of weeks ago.(A woman REALLY needed chicken and turned in front of me to get into a KFC parking lot).
The gas tank got a nice ding and I'm wondering if an engine guard or highway bar would have protected the tank as well as the engine.
Thanks.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
I wouldn't ride a bike w/o an engine guard. All it takes is one low speed or even stationary drop to cause hundreds in damage.
Don't see much difference in protection levels between the various style bars. When my wife had the moustache bars on her Deluxe she dropped it once while practicing in a parking lot. Bike went over far enough to dent one of the aux lights and gouge up the clutch perch. Not a scratch anywhere else though.
I did wonder at the time whether the taller standard bars would've stopped the bike from going as far over.
I got the moustache bars for my Heritage because I thought I'd be able to use the foot pad section to stretch out a bit instead of buying highway footpegs. However I didn't find them very useful, mostly because they are in too far.
Ended up getting highway pegs anyway. They work fine because I like a lower mounting but for someone who prefers a higher mounting they should go with the standard bars.
Don't see much difference in protection levels between the various style bars. When my wife had the moustache bars on her Deluxe she dropped it once while practicing in a parking lot. Bike went over far enough to dent one of the aux lights and gouge up the clutch perch. Not a scratch anywhere else though.
I did wonder at the time whether the taller standard bars would've stopped the bike from going as far over.
I got the moustache bars for my Heritage because I thought I'd be able to use the foot pad section to stretch out a bit instead of buying highway footpegs. However I didn't find them very useful, mostly because they are in too far.
Ended up getting highway pegs anyway. They work fine because I like a lower mounting but for someone who prefers a higher mounting they should go with the standard bars.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,162
From: SE Michigan
If I had an engine guard, I would have had a scratched up $300 engine guard!
That said, I am thinking about getting one, I think a mustache guard, but imho, they are all fugly...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Well...or not - I dropped mine once - very stupid, I admit, but all I had was a $20 passing light trim ring to replace and that was literally it.
If I had an engine guard, I would have had a scratched up $300 engine guard!
That said, I am thinking about getting one, I think a mustache guard, but imho, they are all fugly...
If I had an engine guard, I would have had a scratched up $300 engine guard!
That said, I am thinking about getting one, I think a mustache guard, but imho, they are all fugly...
Fortunately we had wrapped the wife's bars with radiator hose for her practice session so there were no scratches on the bar.
In Sept someone backed into her bike and knocked it over on it's right side. Engine and saddlebag guards did their jobs and minimized the damage. Saved the insurance company alot of money
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
How tough to install engine guard bars? Seems like it should be one of the easier jobs out there, but what do I know?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
You got that right. 3 bolts and you're done.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Paola, Kansas
I've had the adjustable Kuryakyn bar with stock harley pegs since I bought mine new. I'm planning on going to a full highway/crash bar so the pegs are out a little further.
Don't tell anyone, but mine slipped back in Oct. 08, and all I had to do was bend the shift lever back. The Boss Bags also helped, answered my questions about the strength of fiberglass backing. Bottom line, buy the good quality stuff, and when you f up, you'll be glad you did.
Don't tell anyone, but mine slipped back in Oct. 08, and all I had to do was bend the shift lever back. The Boss Bags also helped, answered my questions about the strength of fiberglass backing. Bottom line, buy the good quality stuff, and when you f up, you'll be glad you did.