Do Engine Guards Protect Tank and Fairings?

Carbon

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Folks: I purchased a 2008 FZ6, joined the forum and started researching the engine guard vs. frame slider topic and soon found myself down a rabbit hole. As a newbie, it seems like the frame sliders do a better job protecting the tank (possibly fairing) but I'm uncertain whether they'll protect the engine case. Engine guards seem like they'd do a great job protecting the engine but I'm not certain they'll protect the tank and fairing. My primary concern is minimizing damage in a zero to low speed drop. I welcome anyone's first had experience with the protection provided by engine guards or frame sliders. Also, I curious if anyone has successfully mounted both engine guards and sliders? I realize that both guards and sliders compete for the same mounting point on the frame but perhaps someone out there has worked it out. Thanks!
 

trepetti

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2 years ago I had the unfortunate opportunity to test the protection of frame sliders (I don't have engine guards). https://www.600riders.com/threads/might-be-getting-another-fz6.59671/ I hit some diesel fuel in the middle of a 270 degree on ramp. The bike was really leaned over so it didn't 'fall' far, but I was going about 40, so it slid. I also have the FZ1 bar installed and I have it adjusted with maximum drop without the controls touching the tank. And it is an S1 2005

My impression.... If the fall is hard enough and the bars are at full lock towards the falling side, the bar will bend down and the controls will dent the tank at the forward corner. Maybe the stock bar with the kick-up would fare better. Also the fairing stay will bend if the fairing touches down. I don't think there is any way to prevent that. I have the bigger 'HVMP' bar ends that acted as a slider and saved the forks. My stator cover got some minor scratches at the very bottom.

Of course, the best way to prevent damage from a zero-speed drop is to not drop it :)

Good luck
 

FaZerNed

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Thread revival.
Lowsided at about 50kph(30mph) in torrential rain on my way to work. Slid for about 10m(30-odd feet), at the very least. The slider exploded, but very minimal damage to the bike. Superficial scratch on the oil pump cover. A corner of the rear peg is scratched. Rear side cover is also scratched, but as you can see on the pictures, you can barely tell. Managed to straighten out the brake pedal a bit, might not even replace it.
Left slider pictured, I think both were the same size.
 

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If your bike goes down, damage will be done. There isn't much any slider or guard can do to stop it. Tanks and upper fairings usually get some and sometimes the lower covers (stator and clutch) as well as handle bars, mirrors, and hand levers (Three things I would recommend people to keep an extra set of around)
What these guards do is keep damage to a minimum though, dents and scratches instead of breaks, usually.
I have not used an engine guard personally, but frame sliders have saved my bike from becoming salvage material. They break and / or grind down when they are used, but they are inexpensive and easy to replace when needed, especially compared to the cost of the components that would otherwise get damaged.
Let's just say I'm the type of person who does things that begin with "Hey! Watch this!!
 
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