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Nobody wants to lay down their beloved bike. So most of us jump through loops trying to protect our babies. Frame sliders, crash bars and protector films are usual choices. Will it actually help in case of a mishap?
Recently I picked up clean 2011 Multi that has been lowsided at approx. 30mph. Here is what it looks like, I marked damaged areas with red:
![]()
As I was trying to analyze the damage I noticed that area usually covered by crash bar was not even even affected. This raises a question - what is it protecting then? And this was probably the most typical crash.
Side plastic is worn through, pretzeled shifter, broken hand guard, passenger peg / bracket is bust and of course top case is scuffed. So from what it looks like with proper protection damage could really be limited.
First of all we need some kind of tank slider where the side panel is ground through. Similar products are available for most sportbikes. Here is example:
![]()
Next would be proper set of handguards. Twisted Throttle already offers a solution in form of Multi specific Barkbusters. Not the most elegant remedy, but better than nothing. I'm myself leaning towards Zeta hanguards with carbon fiber shields.
We are desperate for better shifter. Stock aluminum shifter bends or breaks even in the smallest of falls, we need to source something metal and preferably folding. Anyone?
Top case alone is great for protecting your bike. It's definitely doomed when you crash, but it's quite good at absorbing the impact and usually remains functional while protecting the rest of your bike.
One last thing that would work great would be solid passenger footpeg that acts like a slider and doesn't fold. Any ideas?
Nobody wants to fall, but if you do it's better to be prepared. Usually if you are fully insured all protection efforts may seem in vain, but if you are able to continue a trip without any substantial repair that alone would be worth it. What do you guys think?
Recently I picked up clean 2011 Multi that has been lowsided at approx. 30mph. Here is what it looks like, I marked damaged areas with red:
As I was trying to analyze the damage I noticed that area usually covered by crash bar was not even even affected. This raises a question - what is it protecting then? And this was probably the most typical crash.
Side plastic is worn through, pretzeled shifter, broken hand guard, passenger peg / bracket is bust and of course top case is scuffed. So from what it looks like with proper protection damage could really be limited.
First of all we need some kind of tank slider where the side panel is ground through. Similar products are available for most sportbikes. Here is example:
![](http://image.motorcyclistonline.com/f/gearbox/new_products/122_1111_get_tanked_up_with_rg/39494145+w620/122-1111-01-z+rg-tank-slider+.jpg"]http://image.motorcyclistonline.com/f/gearbox/new_products/122_1111_get_tanked_up_with_rg/39494145+w620/122-1111-01-z+rg-tank-slider+.jpg)
Next would be proper set of handguards. Twisted Throttle already offers a solution in form of Multi specific Barkbusters. Not the most elegant remedy, but better than nothing. I'm myself leaning towards Zeta hanguards with carbon fiber shields.
We are desperate for better shifter. Stock aluminum shifter bends or breaks even in the smallest of falls, we need to source something metal and preferably folding. Anyone?
Top case alone is great for protecting your bike. It's definitely doomed when you crash, but it's quite good at absorbing the impact and usually remains functional while protecting the rest of your bike.
One last thing that would work great would be solid passenger footpeg that acts like a slider and doesn't fold. Any ideas?
Nobody wants to fall, but if you do it's better to be prepared. Usually if you are fully insured all protection efforts may seem in vain, but if you are able to continue a trip without any substantial repair that alone would be worth it. What do you guys think?
