Crash bars

[Petrus]

What is it with 'crash' bars?

They are ubiquitous, all but obligatory it seems. BMW (boxers) even more so than most brands.

Currently looking at buying a older solo bike, BMW. Something easy and gentle. Per example an R27 or an R45.
The striking thing is that no R27 has crash bars but all, and I mean ALL!, R45s do.

Looking at the way the bars are mounted I have yet to see ones that would withstand anything more serious than a topple over. Worse still, probably cáuse extra damage in case of a more serious mishap.
I totally get why the mountings are flimsy because if sturdy it would damage the frame.

Mind, I do get the worry about toppling over. Been there, done that, did not like it. Twice with the lardy R18. Once to the left, once... you get it. Being just a topple, did not leave a mark on the valve covers.
So under the motto of better prevent than repair, instead of fitting protective crash bars mounted a sidecar

Next 'issue' is they add width. Again striking that the narrow mono cylinder has none and the wider boxer is made wider still. Confirming it is the perception of cylinders sticking out being vulnerable?

Ok, I get that there is no discussing taste. Fair enough one fits them when liking the look. But... normally preferences differ and are the root of the different facets of making the world a varied place. Not so the crash bars on boxers apparently.
It must be a boxer thing because on Moto Guzzis it is almost exclusively limited to the California models and even than 50/50.

Obviously I could simply take them off to solve this peeve.
One would think so but even the last of the R45s is 40 years old and all mounting points have tried become one with the frame tubes. There is no way they remove without leaving a scar.

Rant over.
Thanks for your time

 

[Petrus]

Nicked from Facebook.
The bars...dunno. The valve covers on the R18 are already also protective covers on the real covers.
I get it, the psychology, but it adds another hand width either side.

 

[Petrus]

Here is one with sidecar fitted. I am about what they did there but the top front support is compromised (lowered) because of a crash guard on a rig...

 

[Noelpolar]

I added some.... really as "topple bars" not crash bars.... think foot slips on leaves/oil/owner stupidity. I got them probally because of the extra weight of this bike (220kg was my normal bike weight at most), along with my expected aging decline during it's life with me. I preffer the look from the saddle with them now.... go figure.

When going through my narrow gate I have to work the handle bars left and right a bit to get them through.... that is with the bar end weights removed and shorter brake/ clutch levers, the protection bars fit through without an issue.

 

[Petrus]

I added some.... really as "topple bars" not crash bars.... think foot slips on leaves/oil/owner stupidity.

Really??!! Does that happen?

As I observed I think the valve cover covers do a job. Been there, done that, did like thát part.

As to looks there is no 'opinion' even as it is simply personal preference.

'Opinion' does apply to the honorable proof of a useful life, read scratch-n-dent, which can also be perceived as fugly wear and tear

 

[LBV]

I personally wouldn't want the bike landing on the valve covers. Not because of damage to the covers themselves but what damage could happen to the cylinders under those covers.

 

[Petrus]

I personally wouldn't want the bike landing on the valve covers. Not because of damage to the covers themselves but what damage could happen to the cylinders under those covers.

Yes, thank you. The psychological factor of sééing the cylinders sticking out.

It has btw been force fed by several generations of motoring journalists. Remarkably only sixties onwards did it become a 'thing´.

 

[Petrus]

Remember the R80GS Paris Dakar desert bombers being flown by Gaston Rahier?

Even he did not always sport them. Most times though he did and it was to protect the exhaust pipes. One year he had a second very compact set protecting the CV carbs.

 

[Judge]

What is it with 'crash' bars?

They are ubiquitous, all but obligatory it seems. BMW (boxers) even more so than most brands.

Currently looking at buying a older solo bike, BMW. Something easy and gentle. Per example an R27 or an R45.
The striking thing is that no R27 has crash bars but all, and I mean ALL!, R45s do.

Looking at the way the bars are mounted I have yet to see ones that would withstand anything more serious than a topple over. Worse still, probably cáuse extra damage in case of a more serious mishap.
I totally get why the mountings are flimsy because if sturdy it would damage the frame.

Mind, I do get the worry about toppling over. Been there, done that, did not like it. Twice with the lardy R18. Once to the left, once... you get it. Being just a topple, did not leave a mark on the valve covers.
So under the motto of better prevent than repair, instead of fitting protective crash bars mounted a sidecar

Next 'issue' is they add width. Again striking that the narrow mono cylinder has none and the wider boxer is made wider still. Confirming it is the perception of cylinders sticking out being vulnerable?

Ok, I get that there is no discussing taste. Fair enough one fits them when liking the look. But... normally preferences differ and are the root of the different facets of making the world a varied place. Not so the crash bars on boxers apparently.
It must be a boxer thing because on Moto Guzzis it is almost exclusively limited to the California models and even than 50/50.

Obviously I could simply take them off to solve this peeve.
One would think so but even the last of the R45s is 40 years old and all mounting points have tried become one with the frame tubes. There is no way they remove without leaving a scar.

Rant over.
Thanks for your time

For me, I want to participate in some low-speed skills training, which I have been warned will result in some tip-overs. I want the bars to keep as much of the bike off the ground as possible. I'd rather beat up on some bars that I can easily add or remove as I wish, rather than replace the cylinder covers every time I take a skills lesson.

 

[Petrus]

For me, I want to participate in some low-speed skills training, which I have been warned will result in some tip-overs. I want the bars to keep as much of the bike off the ground as possible. I'd rather beat up on some bars that I can easily add or remove as I wish, rather than replace the cylinder covers every time I take a skills lesson.

ok, fair enough, seems like a good plan. Would do that too actually.

 

[Petrus]

wow!! found a classic R45 all original, paint and all, and even without the vanity bars...



It has the optional second disc up front and is on 'historical' plates.
Seems quite a good buy.
I have the slush fund a few times over and ample space in the man cave.
May make an offer
But every hour I ride it, not riding one of the rest. Not like women but still...
Tomorrow out on a ride with a friend. First take Giacomo up in the rig to his novia. Then to the farm feed the horses and off enjoying back roads.
If I share my thought he will not get it because NO! and she will get it and YES.
Saturday out on a date to whom it is all alien.
Leaves my childhood friend in the Netherlands but he still is with the first and only girl he went out with in 1976 and also still has his Honda CB500Four of those days.
I am on my own with this luxury 'problem'