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I was fully in the Ferret camp until a few years ago. I wasn’t concerned about the cost of repairing damaged side cases or about them getting scraped/scratched. I’m still not, but I read about someone who had a relatively low-speed drop that did enough damage to the engine to leave the rider stranded (I think he lost fluid, but I don’t recall now).
I don’t care for the chrome Honda guards because they’d be too noticeable on my bike (black engine, black exhaust). I was lucky enough to find a set of SW Motecs for sale on the forum. They’re black and relatively unobtrusive so they fit my aesthetic needs while reducing (ever so slightly) the likelihood of me becoming stranded far from home.
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See it in action ! Do not wonna influence anybody, the poll is to see your preferences before discussion. Yet, the following video (an advert from sw-motech) I think might be able to show what a crash bar can and /or cannot do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_iRCdnsKQ
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(12-09-2020, 08:38 PM)Lord Popgun_imp Wrote: (12-09-2020, 03:38 PM)Mercurysilver_imp Wrote: I installed them after the reading the thread on the forum!..never before on 50 bikes previously owned.
I really wanted to belong here...I thought they were mandatory 
Mercury, You are more than welcome here and you do belong. If you look at your poll, more voters have installed them than not. Over the life of this board a LOT of members installed engine guards. Some of us not. No biggie either way. Do what you like and enjoy your bike. And if you post a pic WE will enjoy your bike.
But RLETs are another discussion 
RLETs can be construed as an enlightened entity whose presence can advert resulting damage, particularly to sensitive, enameled sheet metal surfaces.
The bike doesn't even need to fall over for 'em to be effective.
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the other side of the coin
https://advrider.com/f/threads/crashbar-...me.580249/
Many stories about bent frames from case guards in forums
At least one forum member here said his case guards caused him to crash in a turn.
Like I said weigh the option and decide for yourself
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I don't care for the look of engine guards on the CB so I have sliders instead. Will they protect as well as the engine guards? No, but I'm willing to make that concession.
I also don't care to have highway pegs on the CB. Again, I don't like the look but also I don't do that type of riding on my CB. I'm fortunate to have two other bikes that give me different riding styles and usually choose which bike I'm going to ride on a particular day based on the type of ride I'm doing.
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Ferret, to be fair is was one brand of engine guards. I'd have to look to see which ones, but many have been warned about those.
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(12-09-2020, 11:43 PM)j3gq_imp Wrote: See it in action ! Do not wonna influence anybody, the poll is to see your preferences before discussion. Yet, the following video (an advert from sw-motech) I think might be able to show what a crash bar can and /or cannot do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_iRCdnsKQ
The link is not working, mind sharing again?
'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed
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When considering crash bars one needs to see how they attach to the frame/engine and how ponder how the forces would affect said parts if the crash bars were called into action. Some engine designs really hinder a proper case saver/crash bar design (Moto Guzzi Griso comes to mind, a friend had a set and it was a monstrosity - never did add them to the Griso). The one time I crashed the Griso it was bad enough the valve covers were holed and life blood came out. Since I needed to take a ride in the ambulance anyway the bike got transported from the scene.
Boxer engines are not a big help either but I have less experience with those.
Now on my big single, the XR650L, I've added armor plating to the cases because folks have found the brake or gear shift lever can hole the cases if the drop is violent enough. Ugly, but hey, it's a dual sport. Ugly comes with the territory.
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Tod, here's the link again,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_iRCdnsKQ Worked all right for me.
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(12-10-2020, 10:32 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: When considering crash bars one needs to see how they attach to the frame/engine and how ponder how the forces would affect said parts if the crash bars were called into action. Some engine designs really hinder a proper case saver/crash bar design (Moto Guzzi Griso comes to mind, a friend had a set and it was a monstrosity - never did add them to the Griso). The one time I crashed the Griso it was bad enough the valve covers were holed and life blood came out. Since I needed to take a ride in the ambulance anyway the bike got transported from the scene.
Boxer engines are not a big help either but I have less experience with those.
Now on my big single, the XR650L, I've added armor plating to the cases because folks have found the brake or gear shift lever can hole the cases if the drop is violent enough. Ugly, but hey, it's a dual sport. Ugly comes with the territory. 
(12-10-2020, 11:36 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: Tod, here's the link again, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_iRCdnsKQ Worked all right for me.
Das auto.