Need Suggestions on a Good Engine Guard 800 Intruder?

[thezukiman]

I'm looking for the best deal on a "nice" and good size crash bar...from all i've seen so far i'm looking at about 120.00 in price...I would really honor some good advice before I spend my bucks here...anybody had a great experience out there? Help...I'm getting no responses here...I'm really anxious to find out what is best...it's going to be my next purchase.

[Uncle Bob]

We prefer Engine Guards. LOL

Sorry can't help but if you stick with a known name you shouldn't have any problems.

[thezukiman]

Good point Uncle Bob...as you can tell I modified my request...when I first started riding years ago that is what I always heard them called...I guess I have heard "engine guard" more frequently lately. I am very tired of having no place to put my feet when on a long ride with the Southern Cruisers (which is several times a month). Plus I think it will nicely accent the bike and serve for good leg protection in case of an accident. I've notice that you are very good to respond to people's requests...speaks highly of your character...look forward to talking with you more on here! Thanks!

[c50tiger]

Hey Florence... depending on whose research you read, engine guards offer a little leg protection, no leg protection, or might actually make things worse. But... only ones I've looked at were at the dealer already installed on another bike. Main thing was there were several different options on foot peg attachments - some will fold up out of the way, others won't. The folding type looked infinitely preferable, though a bit more expensive.

[Uncle Bob]

Engine guards, great place to install highway pegs, although I personaly don't like them ( highway pegs ), that position just puts my butt to sleep.

Engine guards are mainly cosmetic add ons, in the proper situation they will protect the engine from scratches and dings and may also protect your pegs,brake and shift levers but the engine is usually not what gets damaged when you drop your bike.

Have read that in some cases the guards actually work as a pivot point that'll slam the top of your bike harder into the pavement than without.

And as for leg protection, I seriously doubt than in other than a one in one thousand situation they will help.

[c50tiger]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Engine guards, great place to install highway pegs, although I personaly don't like them ( highway pegs ), that position just puts my butt to sleep.[snippage]
Have read that in some cases the guards actually work as a pivot point that'll slam the top of your bike harder into the pavement than without.

And as for leg protection, I seriously doubt than in other than a one in one thousand situation they will help.

Helps me on longer rides to be able to shift a bit. My butts gonna be a bit on the numb side anyway after a couple of hours, so anything to change pressure points is welcome.

As to the other - yep, that's pretty much what I've read, just more eloquently stated

[thezukiman]

Thanks for all the good advice guys...I really like the way everyone tries to help each other out on here...I'm on a forum for the group I ride with called the southern cruisers...but most of those guys have Harley's. It's nice to be chatting with some Suzuki folks. I had heard from a friend that if you have the engine guard and you have to "lay your bike down" it does help give you some clearance to get your leg out from under the bike..that was more what I was referring to...I know in a head on crash they are going to be useless (from experience!...hit an open manhole at night...engine guard folded up into my crankcase and smashed my crankcase not to mention how I folded up after being thrown over the bike) I just hear how everyone likes to put their feet up on the highway pegs...but I can see how it would put more pressure on the backside as well as Unc was talking about ...I wondered about that really being comfortable for very long. I'm just looking for a good source for a "strong" but affordable guard ...I did find one today called Customized Cruizers...looks like they are going to be a good source for Suzuki Third Party Accessories. ...but I'm still open to suggestions...thanks again for your input! ....Joey

[c50tiger]

Originally Posted by thezukiman

I'm on a forum for the group I ride with called the southern cruisers...but most of those guys have Harley's.

Most of the Southern Cruisers down in this part of Alabama ride Harley's, too, but they are much more open to riders of other manufacturers than some other groups.

[thezukiman]

yeah they are definately not bike bashers...as a matter of fact even the Harley riders really like my Suzuki and a couple have even bought the Intruder for their wives because the know it's a good quality bike and the like the low profile and weight. I've been more than pleased with my Intruder..one of my buddies I ride with in the Cruisers has a Volusia (probably the reason we hit it off so good from the beginning) and another young guy has a 1400 cc Intruder. I wish I had a heavier bike sometimes when we do long cruises...wind gusts can really blow you around on the 800 especially when you are trying to stay in formation. Are you going to the big "Peanut Festival" that is coming up in Dothan? I think some from our group are planning on riding down for that?

[c50tiger]

Originally Posted by thezukiman

Are you going to the big "Peanut Festival" that is coming up in Dothan? I think some from our group are planning on riding down for that?

Probably, but not definite. It runs from November 5th through 13th, and I haven't really talked to any of the Cruisers from around here as to what their plans are. I'm thinking it'd probably be sometime the weekend of the 5th if I do.