The heat shields are there for 2 main reasons.
1. To hide the blued pipes.
2. To keep you from a trip to the Emergency Room when you cook your shin or calf from contact with the header pipe instead of just an Owiee from the shield itself.
I've thought about it. I think they're there more to channel air into that area for cooling. There's definitely nothing on the right side that would burn me if I removed it. The left side isn't covering anything either, but is right above the head pipe on my MGS true duals.
The heat shields are there for 2 main reasons.
1. To hide the blued pipes.
2. To keep you from a trip to the Emergency Room when you cook your shin or calf from contact with the header pipe instead of just an Owiee from the shield itself.
hahaha You should be old enough to look before you leap too !! OP talking about PLASTIC heat shields or mid frame deflectors.
DOH !!
I've been debating about removing them from my RG. Although, I had them added to my old RK, due to the excessive heat from the motor...they seemed to help a bit.
Well, the FLHX does not have them, so I put some on. My right leg was cooking in the summer. I can't really say that adding them made a world of difference so taking them off probably won't either.