Well, when I got my Tiger, I got lots of advice on this forum telling me to put on engine guards first thing. I asked the same question you just did. The answer: "Just put them on, you'll drop it sooner or later". I didn't believe it, so I put up a poll on Yahoo Groups asking how many had dropped their bikes. You can see the answer at:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...eys?id=1179300
Believe it or not, 65% of us have dropped Tigers in low speed or parking lot type incidents (I excluded wrecks). This information caused me to run right out and order a set of Thunderbike bars.
Very shortly afterward I joined the club by dropping mine going over a narrow wooden plank into a steep gravel driveway. Not a scratch on the bike other than a little chip out of the footpeg.
True story. Put them on, you won't regret it.
