Several people have told me I should install an engine guard on my bike. I haven't purchased one because I am not sure if I would like the way they look on the 1200C. What are your thoughts on engine guards?

 

There are only 2 types of riders -
1) Those who have dropped their bike.
2) Those that will drop their bike.

That being said, I don't plan on putting an engine guard onto my new to me 2017 Heritage. I'm feeling fairly confident that between it's low center of gravity and my overall upper body strength this won't be an issue! I'm liking the way I sit on this bike also so I'm not feeling any need to mount highway pegs as of yet.

 

I don't care for the way they look. But it is cheap insurance. My bike came with one, and I took it off. I believe I still have it if you are interested. Some people like them to mount highway pegs to like the above poster mentioned. It's really just personal preference.

 

3) Those who have installed engine guards on Dynas and Sportsters and dented the front fender when hitting large bumps that fully compress the suspension.

 

This is a discussion with no end! I have guards on my Glide (it came with them from new), my Sportster (I added one) and none on my Buell. Not sure I could have one on that if I wanted one! The first two have already earned their keep - don't recall dropping the Buell. Now what have I said......

 

Personal opinion- so, so horribly ugly! I get the other side but so, so ugly.

 

If you don't like the look of the big engine guards but want some protection you can get something like the bung king crashbar which doubles as a place to rest your feet on the highway. There are a few other companies who make them.

http://www.bungking.com/sportster-hi...peg-crash-bar/

 

whether they are ugly or not, depending on one's view, they work.
I had a mustache bar on my last bike and liked it for the extra foot position it offered.
But I prefer the standard HD bar. And I can vouch for it's effectiveness. Had to lay my Electra Glide down, quickly but gently, in an intersection once to abandon ship and avoid being run over by a lamebrain in a pickup truck who was obviously not aware that he was about to run a red light and run me down. I saw him coming, braked hard to a stop, turned the bars full left, laid it down, and ran out of the intersection. The guy blew threw, swerving to miss my bike, and eventually stopped a half block down the road...apparently I got his attention. He came back to check on me. All was good, I picked up the bike and drove on home. Once home a full inspection revealed not even a scratch. Bars front and rear did their job. Plus they provide a place to mount extended foot pegs.

 

The wife is still new to riding. she wanted one on her '17 superlow so i put one on. paid for itself the first month it was on. wife tipped it over on a curb. scratched the muffler and grip some but saved the air cleaner, gas tank ect from damage. the chrome is scratched and it's bent a little but it's still on there and served it's purpose well.

 

The bung king crash bar looks like an accident waiting to happen. I can actual see myself or someone tripping over that. Image washing your bike and as you walk backwards making your way to the front of the bike wiping it down - trip @#$%! lol


Seriously though, crash bars on touring cruisers look fine as if they are in integral part of the bike, but for many other bikes they stand out and are not appealing. One of the nice things about a Harley is buying bits and pieces that add to its' appeal and making it your own. The looks a crash bar adds is just the opposite. "Look away I'm hideous" . lol For those who like crash bars, please don't take offense it's just my POV. I am just struggle with the sensibility of putting one on my bike.