Good Sportster Engine Guards
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
IMO engine guard on ANY sporty just don't look good. Most "Guards" are used for touring bikes due to their heavy weight, Sporty don't suffer from such weight gains, they sit super low to the ground, and quite simply it's not needed. Wonder why many take them off their sporty's and selled them on eBay? That show something, doesn't it. Lastly, engine guard just gives you a "false sense" of security and if you suffer from that then maybe you shouldn't be riding.. Just my 2cents~
Like I said, I've never dropped a Sporty, and I have no idea what parts touches down first or how much good the guards really do, but, styling choices aside, anything that minimizes damage is a good thing, IMO.
You can see the scrapes the guard left on the asphalt...
If not for the guard there would have been more vital, and costly to replace, motorcycle parts doing the scraping.
Of course the engine guards on the GS are designed to actually do something.
If you look closely you can see the left side lateral support bar just below the header. This bar runs from the guard's main loop to another mounting point at the rear of the engine, and prevents the loop from just folding back in a crash. These guards are hell for stout!
Can't say about the HD versions but in a simple, and very common, parking lot drop, I'd think they'd help prevent some damage.
.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 523
From: USA
There is a caution.
Many on this forum have had issues removing the two upper torx bolts.
So make sure you have the right size torx, insert the torx socket, hammer it a couple times into the bolt, maybe apply a little heat and remove them.
Many on this forum have had issues removing the two upper torx bolts.
So make sure you have the right size torx, insert the torx socket, hammer it a couple times into the bolt, maybe apply a little heat and remove them.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 20
From: Kafar Hanusi
I'm new, just finished the paperwork today for a 2013 1200 sportster model 72, red big flake
Looking for some guidance selecting a nice chrome engine guard, Harley has them, some aftermarket stuff too. Will anything on the market for post 2011 sportsters fit my bike ?
Any preferences or cautions ?
Thanks
Looking for some guidance selecting a nice chrome engine guard, Harley has them, some aftermarket stuff too. Will anything on the market for post 2011 sportsters fit my bike ?
Any preferences or cautions ?
Thanks
The most common problem is buying the wrong guard for the bike, IE; it don't fit. I suggest ebay or amazon although HD has the right one and can install in seconds (you will need minutes).
Mine was from Amazon, fit easy enough, as noted in a real 80KM + crash your not gonna have much use for this as it folds (my KLE crash bent the bars but saved the leg) but the residual resistance is good for you.
Keep it on the rubber,
.
Crash Guard Advice: used to protect gas tank, forks, etc., for parking lot type of of low speed or stopped loss of balance tip over. Also helps you to pick up the bike as it will not fall all the way over usually keeping the tires still on contact to pavement (not high in the air which makes lifting the bike hard to do). One day, you will drop your bike from low speed sand or loss of balance, especially as you get older your legs can get weak or knee can suddenly give out. That's the purpose of the crash guard; protect the bike and make it easier to lift the bike if it falls over.
Harley-Davidson sells a crash bar for Sportsters, but it costs about $200. Too much to pay. I saw them on E-bay, chrome or black powder coat for about $120 and some as low as $65. Read the E-bay seller's buyer complaints as some see to have poor fitment issues and look for any return policies that have restocking fees.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 294
Likes: 54
From: Missouri
I just put one on today got on ebay new $31 + $10 shipping. My jiffy stand is trickey I got to hold it down till the bikes weight is on it damn near fell over on me when I first got it. I will see how it looks when I take it out of the shed. Hope it aint too fugley.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Originally Posted by jrpub2002
Crash Guard Advice: used to protect gas tank, forks, etc., for parking lot type of of low speed or stopped loss of balance tip over....That's the purpose of the crash guard; protect the bike and make it easier to lift the bike if it falls over.
Last edited by RKZen; Jun 27, 2016 at 08:32 AM. Reason: typo
