Do you run crash bars on your airhead?

[dino1]

Had some on my bike but was missing a special bolt so I think I'm going to run with out for a while. I'm pretty tame as far as speed goes so I think I'll be ok. I was wondering if most people here run them or go nekkid...

[P B G]

W/O on mine. I figure they're best for protecting valve covers from low speed dropping. Don't drop it...

[fishkens]

Originally Posted by dino1

Had some on my bike but was missing a special bolt so I think I'm going to run with out for a while. I'm pretty tame as far as speed goes so I think I'll be ok. I was wondering if most people here run them or go nekkid...

Terrific question! I was thinking of posting the same question.

Here what I think about crash bars (R100GS):

- I hate extra crap/weight on my bike
- Crash bars can serve to protect the valve covers
- I hate removing extra crap when working on my bike
- When new, crash bars may very well serve to reduce impact to the valve covers, cylinders, case by absorbing some of the energy of impact when crashing.
- Once crash bars have absorbed one impact, their ability to absorb future crashes is significantly reduced or nill
- Crash bars can be a nice handle when you need to drag your bike out of a ditch or other off road hazard
- Motorcyles have plenty of other handles
- Crash bars hold the kickstand for an R100 GS
- That kickstand ain't the greatest.
- Crash bars...
- I hate extra crap/weight on my bike

I removed the crash bars from my GS years ago and haven't missed them for a second.

Oh yes, the single most important thing that crash bars seem to do is protect the valve cover in instances of a sliding get off. For this, I'd like to add a plate of aluminum to the valve cover. Until then, I'll just turn the valve cover upside down if the asphalt grinds a hole through the valve cover.

Interested in hearing alternative perspectives.

[boxerboy81]

Yes I do.



There is a train of thought that suggests the crash bars will encourage the bike to grab and pirouette, causing more damage. The above was a 720 degree spin down a road, from a slippery corner at 80kph.

I think they saved the heads in this one. Got home by turning the cover upside down, covering the holes with tape, then bogged it at the next servo with metal filler. Worked a treat.

[red bud]

i got em on some and not on others, i even got an gs with them on one side and not on the other (came that way) they are somewhere else to put your feet on a long day

[slartidbartfast]

They were on my RT when I got it. Look to have a few scrapes but nothing else does, which presumably means they saved the heads and/or fairing. They stay!

[crazydrummerdude]

Nah.

I had a set once but sold 'em without ever mounting.

[Uncle Pollo]

Head covers on the other hand would be nice.

Like the modern oilheads.

[McHaven]

I wouldn't mind them on my R80.

[Sniper X]

I do on the R100RS, not on the R60. It would take about 10mph top end off the little R60!

[Sniper X]

Or everyone just carry a extra valve cover in the panniers....HEY! What an idea!

[Hawk Medicine]

I had an incident many years ago wherein a car side-swiped me when I was going 3 mph and the pretty chrome crash bar bent back to the cylinder.

For me the extra weight isn't worth the 3 mph worth of protection. IMHO, the only reason Butler and Smith marketed those things because they were one more farkle that bike owners would buy and load down their bikes with.

I'll pass thank you!

[DaveBall]

The only reason I have ever had crash bars on any of my airheads was a simple place to mount driving or fog lights.

Have replaced a few valve covers due to slides, but have always been able to get them cheaper than a set of crash bars.

[Sniper X]

Mine on the RS were free and already there so now I read that bit abouta place to attache driving lights.......

[matteo]

Originally Posted by boxerboy81

Very nice.