Essential Motorcycle Parts: A Guide to Crash Protection

No matter how powerful it may look, in reality, a motorcycle is a very fragile machine. Unlike cars, most motorcycles have all their vital components out in the open. With that being said, a bike can easily get damaged whether by a traffic accident (knock on wood) or something as simple as the bike falling off its side stand. So, if you want to avoid totalling your ride and paying thousands of dollars on repairs, it's really important to invest in some great crash protection.

But let's be clear, the role of crash protection parts isn't to make your bike 100% damage-resistant. They are just there to protect its most valuable and vulnerable components. Or in other words, this means keeping the engine, frame and gas tank intact. With that being said, here's what to consider when you buy motorcycle parts for protection.

Crash Bars, aka Engine Guards

Crash bars wrap around the engine to protect it in the case you go down sideways. Although referred to as engine guards, crash bars can protect a lot more than the engine. When applied to rear bars, they can also successfully prevent damage to foot pegs and brakes. In some cases, crash bars can also offer protection to cylinder heads, preventing them from accumulating debris from the terrain which can result in cosmetic damage. As a result, crash bars are the most valuable piece of crash protection gear you can own. As they are made from tubular steel and steel plate on their mounting points, crash bars are a very aesthetically attractive option which will enhance your bike's already powerful look.

Frame Sliders

Right after crash bars, frame sliders are the most common type of crash protection gear. They are made of nylon for optimal impact protection and are attached to the motorcycle's frame. In the event of a crash, frame sliders allow the bike to slide freely on the ground and prevent it from flipping over which is a situation in which bikes experience the most damage. Besides protecting the frame, frame sliders can also protect the wheels and suspension of the bike, and in some cases even the gas tank.

Brush Guards

Levers are the parts of the bike that are easiest to get damaged during a crash or if the bike falls off its stand. With that being said, many motorcycle riders make sure to invest in sturdy brush guards when they buy motorcycle parts for protection. Besides protecting the levers, brush guards can also protect the rider's hands. There are two types of brush guards: the plastic paddle type and the aluminium wraparound guard which is much tougher.