I'm with bikergirl40. Having wrecked a bike due to my own stupidity this summer, I can safely say the engine guards were not my problem. They probably were my knees' salvation. They kept me from hurting myself worse than I did. Just an observation: the pick tangeloglide posted has the wheels on the ground...but then the rider is too! I don't see where the engine guards are causing the problem. And just because no one else has said it, they're called touring bikes for a reason.
*Dang. dhincc beat me to it while I was responding....

 

I'm a "function" over "form" kind of guy. I even added the rear ones since the 09 didn't come with them.

 

This might be a good time and place for me to ask a question that I have had for a while. I will keep my front crash bar on and I also will keep my rear crash bar on but for looks I would like to take the bag guards off to look more like the SG.

Does anyone know if the bags will touch the pavement in a simple drop or layover if the bike has the front and rear crash bars on but not the guards that wrap around the bags?

 

I believe it will lay right down on the engine guard and the guards in front of the bags....

 

Thanks Brett. Experience or best guess?

 

It depends on several conditions, how hard the bike falls over adn how level the ground is. I have seen some bikes fall over with no damage, some break the clutch lever, one damage the edge of fairing, and one damage the hard bags. Depends on how much risk you want to take for the look.

 

It really doesn't make much difference either way. You either like the looks and have one or you don't and take it off. But if you want any type of lowers for protection from the elements the engine guards are mandatory.

 

I dropped my RK once at a standstill, one of those agonizing slow motion tip-overs...

The engine guards saved the bike from getting any damage, and the soft lower saved the engine guard from getting scratched. I was a happy camper.

I ride fairly aggressively in the twisties and have only scraped my floorboards a few times (I try to choose good cornering lines). Engine guards don't even come close to touching down.

 

When I get my Roadglide, I think I'm putting the Lindby bar on- looks much better that the stock engine guards, plus has the built in foot rest, so no need for highway pegs. Looks like they make soft lowers to fit them as well.

 

According to my local MC/LE guys the floorboard mounts hit first then the floorboards.Engine guard way later.I'll go lean my 09 RG over and let ya'll know!
Big Block