Question Re. Radiator Protectors

[AzBob_imp]

Guards such as these heavily impede airflow. If I recall, drag increases by the square of velocity. So, you're looking at some huge air impedance at 60mph. The oil cooler is up very high and unless you're riding off-road somewhere that your stock tires probably won't take you anyway, you're probably never going to have any kind of problem with rocks.

If you're curious, take the guard and have someone drive you at 60mph in a car, and stick it out the car window. That blast of air you're struggling to hold the thing up against is the force being impeded by the guard.

Bikes with guards from the factory have already had their math done and the radiator is larger than it would otherwise be without the guard.