I put one on my wifes 1200L last week and just today she had a bonehead moment and dropped it in the driveway. Damage was limited to a scratch on the clutch lever, a scratch on the left rear turn signal housing, a scratch on the left mirror and, of course, a scratch on the engine guard. Could have been much worse.

I actually think they look pretty good on a Sportster anyway. Now...who has some spare take-off parts they need to get rid of???

 

I've got the HD set on mine. I think it gives it a kinda old school look. And if I ever need 'em to "protect the engine", they're there. Depends on what you want your scoot to look like right? A lot of folks feel like *anything* other than a seat and handlebars looks bad on a Sportster. Mine's a daily driver, so some bags, WS, more lights etc are what I need. If yer just bar hopping, strip it down... :-)

 

I put mine down in a curve. Saved my right foot, ankle, leg and a lot of damage. I almost took it off a few months earlier, due to the "look." Glad I didn't. I heal a lot slower at 53 than 23.

 

I hate the look of guards on a Sportster, kinda ruins the sleek look of the bike. I resisted putting a guard on mine until just two days ago, when I finally threw in the towel and mounted it just so I could get highway pegs. I regularly do a 180 mile trek to PA during Spring and Summer, and I really cramp up sitting with my legs in one position for more than a hour.

 

Prevented a lot of damage to my bike and injury to myself and a passenger when I had to lay my bike down due to being cutoff by an idiot who blew through a stop sign.