Confessions of a born again noob

[emptysea]

My bike has been dropped twice, once on each side and both causing damage to the engine covers. The second drop caused enough other damage to justify an insurance claim which is paying for the repair to the crankcase cover. Frankly, I would have left the scratched covers alone if I was paying for them out of pocket. I weighed the cost of repairing them against the cost of the engine guards, added in that I haven't yet to see engine guards that I find particularly attractive, and have come to the conclusion that I don't really need them. Now I just call the scratches "character marks".

[Cormanus]

My bike has been dropped twice, once on each side and both causing damage to the engine covers. The second drop caused enough other damage to justify an insurance claim which is paying for the repair to the crankcase cover. Frankly, I would have left the scratched covers alone if I was paying for them out of pocket. I weighed the cost of repairing them against the cost of the engine guards, added in that I haven't yet to see engine guards that I find particularly attractive, and have come to the conclusion that I don't really need them. Now I just call the scratches "character marks".

+1

[Houtman_imp]

I am at a loss why people do not put some kind of protection on their bikes to prevent damage to the engine.
There are many different types available, just look at Samuriders website.
They might not always prevent damage in a bad crash but help a great deal with fall overs etc.
Character marks , some times called stupidity scratches

[emptysea]

Well, here's my reason, Houtman...engine guards cost about as much as the engine parts they are protecting. Some other look good to me on some bikes, but I don't like the way they look on my bike. When the engine guards get scratched, those scratches are more noticeable on them because the guards are more noticeable than the undersides of the parts they are protecting. In the event of a drop, I'd just be replacing a different part.

[ClassicVW_imp]

I am at a loss why people do not put some kind of protection on their bikes to prevent damage to the engine.
There are many different types available, just look at Samuriders website.
They might not always prevent damage in a bad crash but help a great deal with fall overs etc.
Character marks , some times called stupidity scratches

I agree with you Houtman. It kind of reminds me of the people who, as soon as they buy a motorcycle, spend 2K on accessories and then refuse to buy a good helmet or boots, or other protective gear.
EmptySea, My feelings are different. I'd be more embarrassed with permanent scratches in my engine side cases than in my engine guards. I chose the black guards from Samurider not only because I felt they'd look good with my black engine paint, but because if I did have a minor drop and they got scratched, i coud always lightly sand them and repaint them a gloss black and you wouldn't know they had been damaged. With the chrome ones, I figured once scratched or gouged, you'd have to live with the scratches, and then the inevitable rust in those scratches.

[Houtman_imp]

[quote='EmptySea' pid='66298' dateline='1416150828']
Well, here's my reason, Houtman...engine guards cost about as much as the engine parts they are protecting. Some other look good to me on some bikes, but I don't like the way they look on my bike. When the engine guards get scratched, those scratches are more noticeable on them because the guards are more noticeable than the undersides of the parts they are protecting. In the event of a drop, I'd just be replacing a different part.

Hopefully you will not drop your bike too often !

[emptysea]

That's the plan, Houtman.

And, in my opinion, protecting my person is not at all similar to protecting my property, Classic. I don't see where the engine guards I've seen for this bike provide any significant protection to my person, although I've seen some on other bikes that might protect an ankle from getting pinned.

Engine guards are great if you like them and if you are worried about drops (like if you have to park often on slopes), for me, though, they are not worth the cost.

[Houtman_imp]

Protecting your bike AND yourself are different matters.
I think what Classic was saying was not meant for you but in general, I agree with him and spend the first money on yourself to protect yourself from injury.
With a motor cycle it is not only protecting the engine cases (and they can be very expensive) but in a fall the engine bars also often result in less damage to the indicators, levers ,handle bars etc.
But each to its own, I only have to pay for the damage to my bike in a fall and nobody else's bike.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Yes, I was speaking in general about what some people choose to do first, without regard for what should really come first.

But it does have some parallel with what you chose, EmptySea. If you had purchased engine guards, you wouldn't have had the aggravation of damage to your cases, and the hassle of an insurance claim. Yes, comparing the dollar amounts of guards and what you have spent on repairs may be a wash at this point, but one more drop and you're in the red. And what if your insurance company raises your rates? And you must have an out of pocket deductible, no? And they probably will protect a lower leg/ankle/foot when the bike goes over. If you really don't like them, that's fine. I'm just giving my view.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

After those nice chrome engine guards are fitted then it would be appropriate to fit protection for those. Timidity tape is also available to wrap them.

Cheers