My 08 RG does not have the guards, just the support bars. Will the front bar keep the bags off of the ground when layed over on it's side, or should I add the guards?

(Talking only about the loops here, not the rail that surrounds the bags)
(Yes, I do plan to lay it on it's side)





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I would think without the SB guards you would damage the bags......I have gone back and forth with the SB guards....I sure like the look with out em, but I also like the added protection of having them on..but there again, if I do lay it down and do some serious damage...I have good Insurance!...I'll buy new ones!! Just my .02

 

If you drop your bike on relatively level ground while stopped or it falls off its jiffy stand, you don't need the saddlebag guards. It will over fall over to about a 45 degree angle and will rest on the engine and rear guards only. If the bike fell violently or fell down an incline, then your saddlebags would be in danger without saddlebag guards.

 

+1 for what XTrooper said; the saddlebag guards make a handy grap point for lifting the downed bike.

 

Understood, my thing is I do not have the rear guards as on your bike. I need to know if the front guard will keep the bags off of the gorund in the falls on level ground., ( like in the motor officers course).

FWIW: The wrap around bars are good only for bumping into things, the bag protrudes enough out the botton to be damaged if the crash bars do not stop them from contact. I have done this on previous bikes.

 

The bike can be laid down and rest on the engine guard/crash bar in front without contacting the saddlebags--it's demonstrated on the Ride Like a Pro IV DVD--and, sadly, I've done this myself on my EG that doesn't have the saddlebag guards (I removed them a couple of years ago when I installed the SG facia/LED)--the bike rests on the engine guard--no saddlebag damage. At very, very slow speed, dropping the bike stays off the saddlebags without the rear guards.

 

ordered my SG 2008, was thinking of the sadle bag loops. anyone have a photo of the SG laying on its side ?? would be great help to see it and decide if its really functional or just for looks.

cheers - and ride safe !!

 

On your bike (orange in color), saddlebag guards would look real cool if they were painted gloss black.