I'm considering a set of Renntec bars but I'd like to know what other options are out there that folks like and feel comfortable with. It would be nice if they look nice also.
I'm not familiar with those but my overall view of engine guards is that they are one of the ugliest things you can do to a bike, right after long forks and sissy bars.
I'm kind of with you on this. Love the functionality of them but hate the execution most times as they do detract from the bike's look. That being said, the best investment I ever made on my old Ducati was a set of frame sliders that saved my bike during a low side slide once. There are a couple options for the bonneville including ones by AxlJak and R&G. Also smaller crash pads made by LSL.
I put Dresser Bars on my T100 to give balance to the look of the bike after putting bags on it. I don't think they would do a whole lot to protect anything.
I put the Hepco Becker ones on my T100 as "cheap insurance" in case my tired legs and back let me down (no pun intended). They don't look all that bad and the way they taper down a bit seems to help the "look". Anyway, if I ever want to install auxiliary lighting, that's where I'll put it.
I had the bike go down in a greasy patch going through an intersection, and again when releasing tie-downs on trailer. That damage is expensive, and bars would prevent it.
But the Hepco Becker bars are huge, on what is actually a quite small and elegant bike, and the Renntecs only slightly less so. This has caused me to procrastinate and delay.
NewBonneville carries a new set though, that have the least foot-print of any bars that I have seen so far.
The SW-MOTECH Crashbar comes in black only, and is priced quite well. If you double the price for getting them chromed by a third-party, I guess they are competitive with the others, and to my eye look better.
Yeah, those would look good, chromed. That is why I went with the Triumph bars.....not bulky looking and they do afford some protection, but these offer coverage to the lower extremities.
I realize I took the pictures and it's my bike and I would seem biased (and I am), but taking an "outsiders" view, with the bags I have, I don't think it detracts at all. Take a look for yourself.
I realize I took the pictures and it's my bike and I would seem biased (and I am), but taking an "outsiders" view, with the bags I have, I don't think it detracts at all. Take a look for yourself.
That is exactly why I put the Dresser Bars on my bike....to kind of offset the bags at the rear....for me it was a visual thing, with the added benefit of some engine protection. I think your bike looks sharp.
Those are about as small as I can imagine would still do any good in a drop. I'm not against protecting a bike from a drop, but the aesthetics suck, except on maybe an Ultraglide or big Guzzi. Those bikes don't look right without them.
I have the Triumph dresser bars. I think they're fairly subdued, especially compared to some other crash bars out there. I realize that they're not going to be particularly helpful when I come off at 80 mph, but I mostly got them to stop scratches and dings to the engine and tank during the inevitable parking lot drop.
Most engine protection bars are just dresser bars and might protect your bike if it falls over, but if you come off, they just fold on to your engine and can cause more damage than a road rashed engine cover.
The only ones which offer any amount of protection are the Renntec style bars which have reinforcement going round the back of the engine to help them not fold in.
Had crash bars, once, on the first bike I ever owned. Didn't like them at first, but grew to like them a little better after I pulled off the mangled remains of the bars resulting from blowing a corner and chucking my bike down the road...at a relatively low speed it must be said...and was still left with an intact engine and not bad looking bike.
Now I'm older, and slightly lower risk, and would not dream of sullying the beautiful lines of a Bonneville with crash bars. That's what insurance is for.
Another consideration (which of course has to be controversial) is highway pegs. If you don't mind the look of the dresser bars to begin with then it does give you the opportunity to place the alternate leg position. I know, every curvy mountain purist is gonna call us out on it, but I've done many a 300 mile day getting to and from the twisties and at my age, my butt needs some shifting around points. TO EACH HIS OWN......I'm just sayin.......
....every curvy mountain purist is gonna call us out on it, but I've done many a 300 mile day getting to and from the twisties and at my age, my butt needs some shifting around points. TO EACH HIS OWN......I'm just sayin.......
Curvy mountain purist. It's got a noble ring to it and would be a nice way to be remembered..."Sure he could be a right prick but he was a curvy mountain purist."
Right on about the rest of your post. I usually set the Go-cruise, lay down on the tank (bag) and put my ankles on the passenger pegs when I need a reposition rest.
It's not how we ride it's that we ride. And those pics on this thread look fine for the way your bikes are styled.
I'm glad I have them on my Bonneville. I dropped my bike once and the engine guards protected it from serious damage. I have the Triumph factory engine guards and centerstand. Worth every penny.
Crash, or Engine Dresser bars won't help much in a real crash. They're most useful for low speed or parking lot tip overs. Might be worth it for those situations.
They're not really a vintage look though. I don't remember seeing them mounted on typical British twins back in the 50's and 60's. That's not to say that no one had such devices, but certainly they weren't common. At least not in my neck of the woods in those days (New England, USA). With this in mind, I'd probably go for the black instead of the chrome. The chrome will make them more obvious.
Watch out for the bars when you navigate in tight spaces.
quite useful in a real crash. please take your lies somewhere else.
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