disappointing crash protection
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: fort worth, tx
disappointing crash protection
I was recently taken down on the highway by a moron cage that was texting. I was going approx. 45mph when i got hit. The cars in front were braking and the dude behind swerved to the left, lost control, and took out my front tire putting me down on the left side. I had an engine guard on and still sustained over $2700 in damage to my '07 XL883R, trashed h-bars, controls, trashed tank, grinded derby cover, peg, and primary cover, bent fork tubes, grinded left side-rear suspension, grinded-and-gone left tail light. I can excuse the forks cause that was the cars fault but the rest seems excessive for what the guard was supposed to protect. I want to protect my future ride cause my bike is my baby/beast and anyone who would risk trashing their bike when they don't have to is an idiot. does anyone have similar experiences/thoughts on protection and maybe solutions?
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 10
From: St Louis, MO
I was recently taken down on the highway by a moron cage that was texting. I was going approx. 45mph when i got hit. The cars in front were braking and the dude behind swerved to the left, lost control, and took out my front tire putting me down on the left side. I had an engine guard on and still sustained over $2700 in damage to my '07 XL883R, trashed h-bars, controls, trashed tank, grinded derby cover, peg, and primary cover, bent fork tubes, grinded left side-rear suspension, grinded-and-gone left tail light. I can excuse the forks cause that was the cars fault but the rest seems excessive for what the guard was supposed to protect. I want to protect my future ride cause my bike is my baby/beast and anyone who would risk trashing their bike when they don't have to is an idiot. does anyone have similar experiences/thoughts on protection and maybe solutions?
They aren't made to protect against all crashes.
Maybe I should get a custom made one...
Hey, hope you came out of it ok.
Engine guards are really more for tip over protections, not impact.
They can also be helpful in a slide (but you will still catch the Derby cover and exhaust).
45 mph is plenty fast enough for a totaled bike to be not a surprise and for major injuries not to be a surprise.
Years ago I was on an Ultra that had an engine guard and rear bag guards. Texter came around a corner in my lane. I low-sided in my swerving to not get hit head on. I was maybe going 20-25 mph. If I remember correctly it was around $1300 in damage. Insurance paid for it.
2.5 years ago I was hit at a 45* angle going about 65 mph. Engine guard folded like a piece of paper. Highway peg on engine guard hit my leg and broke it. Floorboard folded up and broke 9 bones in my foot. When I came to a stop 240 feet down the road, I had 20 broken bones, bike was totaled. Helmet saved my noggin, boots, kevlar jeans and armored mesh jacket prevented any road rash.
Not letting anyone hit you, and having good insurance in case they do...that's about the best you can do solution wise.
Engine guards are really more for tip over protections, not impact.
They can also be helpful in a slide (but you will still catch the Derby cover and exhaust).
45 mph is plenty fast enough for a totaled bike to be not a surprise and for major injuries not to be a surprise.
Years ago I was on an Ultra that had an engine guard and rear bag guards. Texter came around a corner in my lane. I low-sided in my swerving to not get hit head on. I was maybe going 20-25 mph. If I remember correctly it was around $1300 in damage. Insurance paid for it.
2.5 years ago I was hit at a 45* angle going about 65 mph. Engine guard folded like a piece of paper. Highway peg on engine guard hit my leg and broke it. Floorboard folded up and broke 9 bones in my foot. When I came to a stop 240 feet down the road, I had 20 broken bones, bike was totaled. Helmet saved my noggin, boots, kevlar jeans and armored mesh jacket prevented any road rash.
Not letting anyone hit you, and having good insurance in case they do...that's about the best you can do solution wise.
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Last edited by DK Custom; Mar 12, 2013 at 12:51 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: r.i.
not for nothing but if i crashed at 45mph i ould hope it was totalled and i was ok....i would not want the bike back...bars ar great for parking lot tip overs and such but when your bike hits that hard....let it go...be thankfull that you are ok and go shopping for a new one to modify....thats just my opinion but like i said its a good thing that you are ok.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Your engine guard worked to save as much as it could, and it could have been much worse. Be thankful you're still here to type about it.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
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From: Southern Oregon
I low sided a CB750 with bars to avoid a cage. Those inline 4's are wide, I grinded a hole thru the left case and my leg received a hot oil treatment but I lucked out and didn't have a scratch on me. It was the longest 5 seconds of my life.
My suggestion is always think ahead and play your best defense
My suggestion is always think ahead and play your best defense
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Man that sucks but HD do specifically say the bars won't prevent damage in a crash... although I'm sure your bike would have been a lot worse without them.
They're just for stationary or very very low speed tips where you can just pick the bike up and be on your way again. But they would save your legs in a crash IF they didn't fold. And those are the reasons I have them on my bike.
Be thankful you're okay
you were very lucky!
They're just for stationary or very very low speed tips where you can just pick the bike up and be on your way again. But they would save your legs in a crash IF they didn't fold. And those are the reasons I have them on my bike.
Be thankful you're okay
you were very lucky!