Composite head Cover vs. Bars

[sky_sailor]

Anybody have these head/valve covers. It there enough protection here for a minor driveway tip over. Not for a lay down at speed, just a simple tip over?
Lyle

[deilenberger]

Lyle - having tested mine several times - yes, they provide adequate protection for that sort of incident. They even work at 20MPH slides into a ditch (don't ask..)

[Ric]

Lyle - having tested mine several times - yes, they provide adequate protection for that sort of incident. They even work at 20MPH slides into a ditch (don't ask..)

Was that 20 mph slide into a ditch on the Dragon ?

[sky_sailor]

Don, would you recommend a drive shaft slider? I'm thinking of protecting this thing from "stupid" not major F...ups.
Lyle

[websterize]

Don, would you recommend a drive shaft slider? I'm thinking of protecting this thing from "stupid" not major F...ups.
Lyle

If you only drop your bike on the clutch side, then no. Otherwise, the slider is good insurance. (I think Don would agree. )

[sky_sailor]

I know....everybody drops them on the clutch side....how tough are the hard bags? I'm building an RT "light".
Don't why I'm so concerned, I've bee riding 30 years and I've dropped 3 bikes. All at zero mph. Knock wood.
Lyle

[Cubdriver]

That drive shaft slider looks like a good idea. I have not seen them before. Source?

[michael Tobias]

when I got my R12R I had Max install the BMW head protectors....at about 5 mph I dropped the bike when the edge of a pothole gave way while turning into a driveway in Kingston....the BMW protectors gaveway instantly and there was significant scratching to the right side valve cover. the bag(s), which had just been painted to match the bike got a decent case of roadrash but stayed on and did not collapse in any way. seems like the frame sliders will not be useful if you have bags on.....

I am using the machineart valve covers

http://www.machineartmoto.com/shopsite_sc/xhead.html

the cover 95% of the sctatches and look good as well.

I did try to make a claim against the city for their lack of road maintanance causing me damage to the bike but was told that since they were not notified that there was a pothole and it could be dangerous they were not responsible for any damage to my bike...interestingly it was repaired the day after I took pictures and statements to the claims office.......fwiw

[mogu83]

Those Machineart valve cover protectors look first rate. Wish I knew about them before I bought the Beemer ones. Machineart is located in Jersey (West side) and make some really nice products mostly for the GS crowd. Looks like their getting into Roadster stuff.
I think they should do a revaluation of where their advertising money is being spent because although they are local to me and make interesting products I was unaware of them till I stumbled on their small spot at a rally this year. Or maybe they are just concentrating on the off road folk.

[websterize]

That drive shaft slider looks like a good idea. I have not seen them before. Source?

Check out viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17035&hilit=slider.

[deilenberger]

Lyle - having tested mine several times - yes, they provide adequate protection for that sort of incident. They even work at 20MPH slides into a ditch (don't ask..)

Was that 20 mph slide into a ditch on the Dragon ?

No.. funny incident in Nova Scotia. Bike got it into it's head to slide out the rear and then hook back up and try to high-side. I muscled it back upright and basically rode it into a ditch with brakes full on. The ditch looked more attractive then where the bike originally wanted to go. And no harm/foul/whatever. I stepped off it, the lady who owned the ditch came running over asking if I was OK, my riding companions helped muscle it backwards out of the ditch. Luckily - the ditch was only about 8"-12" deep and was basically gravel lined. No big rocks.

That was more fun then I wanted. Never did figure out what caused the initial slide. Straight dry section of road, nothing on the road anyone could find (riding companions went and looked), and while I was accelerating, it wasn't agressive. One of those mystery things (the riders behind me got to watch the whole thing unfold..)

Lots'a'fun. Had to pry butt from the seat - puckered me right up.