GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Accessories & Tools => Topic started by: Mister Fishfinger on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 02:23 AM

Title: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 02:23 AM
Just canvassing opinions really. My bike came with a set of Renntec crash bars, which I am sure would protect a lot of stuff if the bike went over, but I'm not a fan of the looks.

I was thinking of getting a smaller set, like the ones in the lower picture, or fitting crash bungs, or just taking my chances. I always worry with these things that they might save your cases but bend the frame as a kind of unintended side effect.

What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 02:32 AM
Of all the crash bars and similar products I think the Renntec offer the best protection without much chance of secondary damage. In case of a crash they might even protect your leg.

Having said that, I won't get any of that stuff on mine.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Notty on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 02:35 AM
Rentec every time - search the forum and the general opinion is that they offer more protection - they are there for when you drop it not if !! :smile2:
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 02:49 AM
Quote from: Andre on Wednesday, 24 January  2018, 02:32 AM
Of all the crash bars and similar products I think the Renntec offer the best protection without much chance of secondary damage. In case of a crash they might even protect your leg.

Having said that, I won't get any of that stuff on mine.

What's your objection to them? The looks?
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: T 24 on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 03:09 AM
My crash bar saved my engine, when I crashed with a big dog. Then I only had to make a small stainless steel bar to cover those scrapes.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 03:17 AM
I don't like the looks of crash bars, luggage holders, wind shields, or anything of that sort on the 14.

The Rentec themselves look good and are good. The other one doesn't look good, doubt their protection value, and suspect them to be causing secondary damage.

I have not had a motorcycle accident in 42 years (knocking on wood). I have been riding with loads of snow and ice on the roads. (my 14 deserves better and I won't ride if there is even a chance of rain). I am not only lucky on the bike but feel very secure and comfortable on them. Always was that way. My dad packed me on the tank and drove me around to get me to sleep, after 5 km he could turn around and transfer me to bed.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 03:20 AM
Ha ha hardly noticeable on your bike T  :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 03:25 AM
i have ones like in the lower picture on my red/black 14 now as it came with the big crash bars including the side bars but they touch my leg when changing gear.
but use R&G crash buttons on my blue/white 14 .
:cheers:
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 03:48 AM
Looking at it logically, 14's are all over 10 years old now, so even the lightest spill will, in the majority of cases, cause them to be classified Cat C or even worse, Cat D unfortunately. As others have said, Renntec will protect your engine / engine cases the best, the other ones you are looking at (Givi style ones) work well, as do R&G crash bungs - although you may get some damage with those fitted.

To be honest if the accident is bad enough, its going to bend the frame or similar whatever bars are fitted. Bars or bungs will only realistically protect for low speed spills or if you fall over with the bike.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: taximan on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 04:25 AM
I fitted Rentec bars for protection and (mostly) the looks. I love them and they add a bit of chrome because lets face it, apart from the exhaust there aint much chrome on the 14.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: T 24 on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 04:48 AM
At the fist bike(ER-5) of my wife, she needed those crash bars three times during first three years.
So, when she bought her "new" XJR 1300, the first thing to me was to install crash bars to Yamaha.
She has not yet needed them (knock knock)
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: shanered6 on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 04:59 AM
Quote from: seth on Wednesday, 24 January  2018, 03:25 AM
i have ones like in the lower picture on my red/black 14 now as it came with the big crash bars including the side bars but they touch my leg when changing gear.
but use R&G crash buttons on my blue/white 14 .
:cheers:
I have the second set as well as i dont like the bulk of the bigger ones plus you dont have to take them off when you want to take off a casing .
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 05:08 AM
i had mine powder coated in black .
:cheers:
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Red Biker on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 06:34 AM
I don't like them at all, they break the lines of the design, same with wind shields for me naked means naked.

Apart from air vents and belly pans which are ok 🤘
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 08:05 AM
On balance then, I'll do the lazy (and cheap) thing - I will leave them on there for safety.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 09:03 AM
That may be cheap but by taking them off you could make some good money. I am certain some guys would like to have them :grin
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 24 January 2018, 07:19 PM
in a past thread, some will remember, i bought some givi bars in perfect condition, they werent. re did and hammerite grey painted. i think they look good. my only reason to fit bars was for slow off or tip over in shed. i like having them on, rather not but just a bit of security.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: VladTepes on Thursday, 25 January 2018, 11:14 AM

I have R&G crash protectors and case sliders on mine.  The black rubber covers blends in with the frame (and my black bike) and they are barely noticeable.  They have protected the bike itself from damage, other than some paint scraped off the engine cases.  I think they are the best of both worlds - offers bike protection while not looking naff.


I have these:


http://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Suzuki/GSX1400/All_Years/CP0111/
http://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Suzuki/GSX1400/All_Years/ECS0017BK/
http://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Suzuki/GSX1400/All_Years/ECS0018BK/


also available (though I didn't bother)
http://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Suzuki/GSX1400/All_Years/SP0024BK/
http://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Suzuki/GSX1400/All_Years/BE0017BK/



Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 25 January 2018, 07:39 PM
Nice, although not cheap.
Title: Re: Crash bars - or not?
Post by: seth on Thursday, 25 January 2018, 07:43 PM
its r&g buttons and sliders in my b/w and givi style on the r/b emma's has crash bars thes just a simple loop each side but there only to stop and fall over or low speed spills .
the r&g stuff is hard to spot when on the bike. 

:cheers: