Scraping highway bars, it is dangerous?

[retro asian]

Just casually going through some twisties this arvo, and I hear a loud bang... my new crash bars hitting the road.

It didn't throw me off my line or anything, after the touch I guess the bike just got pushed back upright a little bit...

Anybody have any experiences with bar scraping?
Is it dangerous to push the limits here? Am I all good if the bars are only scraping on the odd occasion?


<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/picture.php?albumid=959&pictureid=30872">

[NighthawkNZ]

Anybody have any experiences with bar scraping?
Is it dangerous to push the limits here? Am I all good if the bars are only scraping on the odd occasion?


I use to replace the crash bars on my old XJ Special every 6 months due to the scrapping when cornering... didn't notice till one of my mates pointed it out that one was nearly in half...

I did answer by saying "that will be why it was getting easier getting round the twisties and I was scrapping the bar so much" :confused:

As for limits depends on the bike, the rider, and corner ie the camber etc...

I just ended up taking them off as the ones on the XJ did limit my cornering... once they were off... my mates noticed big difference

at the end of the day they come down to personal prefernce if you want them there or no... the positive side of the crash bar is the will fold and protect the engine a bit but can also end up breaking the cooling fins on the head

[retro asian]

I've heard of people binning because of scraping their exhausts and basically lifting their tyres off the road. Does scraping bars have the same effect? Or are they designed to take it?

[NighthawkNZ]

I've heard of people binning because of scraping their exhausts and basically lifting their tyres off the road. Does scraping bars have the same effect? Or are they designed to take it?


Technicallythe bars are designed to fold around the engine if you binned, so scraping them there is technically a bit of give... scrapping your exhaust there is no give..

But does depend on the bike the bars etc... My guess going by your description doing a little bit isn't going to harm it other than having scrap marks on your crash bars but I wouldn't do it to often... take it easy

[Big Dave]

Yeah mr retro - it's quite dangerous. You dig them in hard enough they will lever a wheel off the ground and the whole shebang lurches sideways.

Ugly sound and quite disconcerting till you know what is coming.

The bars look like they could do with bending to be closer to the engine.

Otherwise you are meant to stick some highway pegs on them and sit back and 'welax, you'll liff longer' - Arnie: Total Recall.

[FJRider]

They are dangerous if they touch in "casual" twisties. You would do well to check out engine guards that sit a little closer to the engine. That is what needs protection.

If you think the bars should be more for your protection, install a roll cage ... :whistle:

[slofox]

Scraping highway bars, it is dangerous?

If it makes you fall off, yes.

[vifferman]

What Big Dave said. :yes:
If you're just gradually leaning in, and they barely touch down (and the road is smooth), then it's no biggie. But if you lean over more quickly, or the road surface is uneven, they could dig in, take some weight off either tyre, and you could crash. Even if you don't, responding to them touching down (by adjusting your lean) could potentially be hazardous.

[retro asian]

OK, don't worry guys... I'll take it easy until I save up for new highway bars.
That's the risk of buying product off the internet I guess.:weep:
Guess they are more designed for looks, or Americans who don't corner...???


Think it's mainly the off-camber roads that will give me problems.


At least they'll hold the bike up if the stand breaks off...

<img src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e261/gunnybull/Bike%20Dumped/c05cd12b.jpg">

[retro asian]

Otherwise you are meant to stick some highway pegs on them and sit back and 'welax, you'll liff longer' - Arnie: Total Recall.

Haha, I have already.

They are HD pegs as well! :oi-grr:


<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/picture.php?albumid=959&pictureid=30928">

[AllanB]

I'd cut them down and join them back up with some slugs and a good weld. Or get something bent with a greater angle at the bottom to avoid scraping.

They are mega wide and asking for trouble!

Mind you you could hang a lot of lights off them!


I find it weird that for a bike that is designed around a physical look and image the only form of crash protection I've seen is a big fuggly towel rail. There's money to be made in a tidy design.

[Coldrider]

I bet they look cool scaping at night.

[george formby]

Once they hit the deck you have no more lean angle, push it further & your off. I know this coz I thought it was cool to scrape the bars on an old diversion until one day I lifted the front wheel. Sky grass sky grass. Thump.

[retro asian]

I find it weird that for a bike that is designed around a physical look and image the only form of crash protection I've seen is a big fuggly towel rail. There's money to be made in a tidy design.

These are aftermarket bars bought in the States.
I did "research" online, and read posts that said these bars wouldn't scrape before the pegs... :Oops:

Maybe I could add floorboards...then the floorboards would scrape first, giving me warning not to go any further...

[carbonhed]

Maybe I could add floorboards...then the floorboards would scrape first, giving me warning not to go any further...

Screw the floorboards what about a nice tasteful patio? :whistle:

[retro asian]

Screw the floorboards what about a nice tasteful patio? :whistle:

Since its a towel rail, maybe some bathroom tiles then? :wacko:

[ukusa]

:thud:
Am I all good if the bars are only scraping on the odd occasion?

Yep, only dangerous if it's body parts scraping :thud:

[musicman]

Buy my Raptor, bro, then you'll have twice the lean! :2thumbsup
(TOTO used my bike to do his knee-down carpark circles, it leans quite a bit more than his bike)

[scumdog]

I've heard of people binning because of scraping their exhausts and basically lifting their tyres off the road. Does scraping bars have the same effect?

They will do exactly that - and bin you when you least expect it.:pinch:

[scumdog]

These are aftermarket bars bought in the States.
I did "research" online, and read posts that said these bars wouldn't scrape before the pegs... :Oops:

Maybe I could add floorboards...then the floorboards would scrape first, giving me warning not to go any further...

ANYTHING that can take the weight of the bike in any way when cornering can cause a bin...:pinch::weep:

[cs363]

What you need is a wider engine to take up the space between the bars, this will also assist in drying the towels quicker. (see attached)



On a serious note, even though this is a different style of bike notice the more thoughtful design of these bars - providing engine/bike protection without interfering with cornering ability.

[FJRider]

What you need is a wider engine to take up the space between the bars, this will also assist in drying the towels quicker. (see attached)



On a serious note, even though this is a different style of bike notice the more thoughtful design of these bars - providing engine/bike protection without interfering with cornering ability.

But it's a honda ... and nothing more needs said :whistle:

[cs363]

But it's a honda ... and nothing more needs said :whistle:

So shuddup then! :bleh: :laugh:

[peasea]

ANYTHING that can take the weight of the bike in any way when cornering can cause a bin...:pinch::weep:

What you're saying is; if your missus is a lard-arse and is sitting on the back, with her butt-cheeks rolling over each side of the pussy-pad and you're giving it death through the Catlins, when her gluteous maximus makes contact with the ashpalt (ooh, I just had my ass felt) then you're gonna bin?

Nup.

No such woman exists.

Or, if she does, equip her buttocks with armour....available from............

[Big Dave]

Screw the floorboards what about a nice tasteful patio? :whistle:

Retro Asian -> Pagoda.

[Edbear]

These are aftermarket bars bought in the States.
I did "research" online, and read posts that said these bars wouldn't scrape before the pegs... :Oops:

Maybe I could add floorboards...then the floorboards would scrape first, giving me warning not to go any further...

The C50T has folding footboards with little warning knobs. Much better!

By the pic I reckon you must work where I did until last May. I remember you coming in on the 250 every day. Must say I approve of your upgrade. Nice paint job.

[Edbear]

They will do exactly that - and bin you when you least expect it.:pinch:

Hmmmm.... Sounds like a bit of personal experience coming in here...

[Edbear]

:thud:

Yep, only dangerous if it's body parts scraping :thud:

Especially one's own body parts...

[retro asian]

Must say I approve of your upgrade. Nice paint job.

Thanks, I actually had my heart set on a "custom style" bike at first. But when I saw this in the flesh, I had to have it...

[kevfromcoro]

Yeah mr retro - it's quite dangerous. You dig them in hard enough they will lever a wheel off the ground and the whole shebang lurches sideways.

Ugly sound and quite disconcerting till you know what is coming.

The bars look like they could do with bending to be closer to the engine.

Otherwise you are meant to stick some highway pegs on them and sit back and 'welax, you'll liff longer' - Arnie: Total Recall.

as he said... its dangerous allright..
i blasted of one time with my side stand down.. hung it into a left. and the back wheel left the ground... scared the shit outa me