I've been a bit concerned about how vulnerable the water pump is, the Yamaha alloy skid-plate offers no protection, the pump hangs out the side... (the waterpump already has a couple of dings from rocks being thrown up by the knobbies)... Damage from dropping it in rocky terrain is also a concern....
I've got some SW crash bars on the way, I'll install them before deciding what to do about long term pump protection...
For a bit of short-term protection I've done this...
No doubt some paint will be worn off by dust/gravel/mud sitting between the pump and the rubber, but that doesn't worry me...
I've done 1 gnarly ride since doing this, the rubber is a bit scuffed so I think it is worthwhile protection for "me"... I dropped the bike a few times but it was always to the left, so the left case is a bit scuffed and missing paint... By the damage to the left I'm confident if I had fallen to the right the rubber would have helped reduce potential damage.. .
Paranoid? maybe
