Foolish or Reasonable: R&G Oil Cooler Guard

[rdprdp01]

I may have errored on the side of caution and possibly over-reacted a bit. I am prone to both when it comes to my motorcycle. Here is my situation.

In my neighborhood, every piece of ground which is not designated as a park or a memorial will eventually have a townhome built upon it. The level of construction is both astonishing and concerning, because it appears that California no longer requires contractors to cover trucks or make any effort to prevent gravel and stone from falling onto the road and taking flight. Trash and nails appear to also no longer be a concern.

Between my home and work, it appears that COSTCO is building the Mother of all COSTCOs. A steady flow of trucks and workers are ripping up the streets, installing conduit, pouring cement, and doing all things which make for a great discount shopping experience but also adds plenty of debris on the road.

At my office, the landlord has opted to install solar panels in all the parking lots which surround our building. Although I will be delighted to park underneath them, I find myself now dealing with more gravel, more sand, more debris, and more stuff which could possibly damage the oil cooler on my CB1100EX.

Despite the taxes we pay to maintain them, California highways are often less than pristine.

As I review prior posts, there is a divide amongst the brethren of the Forum. Some believe that a modest investment in a mesh oil cooler guard is reasonable when the exposure merits special consideration or the aesthetic strikes a chord with the owner. Others are astounded that someone who has the good judgment to buy a CB1100 could be lulled into waisting money on an oil cooler guard which has absolutely no value other than separating a fool from his money.

Today, I may have been foolish because I did install a R&G Oil Cooler Guard on my motorcycle. It arrived properly packed and took about 15 minutes to install. It is made of pressed aluminum, has a lovely finish, and has been customized to fit the profile of a CB1100. It reuses the bolt currently holding the oil cooler along with some foam and zip ties to secure the guard and protect the oil cooler:











What follows are before and after pictures:





I welcome your feedback on the oil cooler guard. Do you think it has some practical value? Do you like how it looks? Does it enhance or detract from the appears of a CB1100EX? Have I yet again been foolish?  Or did I help protect a motorcycle from a road which can be unkind? 

https://www.rg-racing.com/browsetype/Oil...da/CB1100/

It is on the motorcycle now. I welcome your help in determining if it will remain so after all the construction is completed at year’s end. Feel free to have some fun at the expense of what little dignity I have left! Tell me what you think and please have a great weekend with friends and family. David

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2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.

[Lord Popgun]

I think it looks bad.  If you send it to me I will dispose of it for you 

Actually it looks good.  And if it keeps your cooler safe I’d say it was a good investment.

[deuce17EX]

Yeah, that looks pretty good, I must say! I had a coworker who's radiator got punctured from a rock, so I've been looking for one of these as well, and didn't just want to get the eBay special. I'll check out your link! Thanks!

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And ordered.....