Reviews of SW-Motech engine guards and skid plate

[Reverendbiker]

I just finished installing the SW-Motech engine guards (I prefer not to call them crash bars) and skid plate on my DL650. For the reviews with pics, see these pages:
http://www.reverendbiker.com/vstrom/vstrom650motechskidplate.htm
http://www.reverendbiker.com/vstrom/vstrom650motechguards.htm

[granitehead]

I added both these to my bike last night. It was a 2.5 beer/1 cigar job. I agree with the reverend, Twisted Throttle was good to deal with...no problems whatsoever.

The instructions were adequate, just.

The only real problem I had was loosening the kickstand bolts…holy crap, they must have a gorilla putting those things on. I read a review of an SW-Motech install on a Canadian bike web site and the guy wrote that he actually cracked a rib trying to loosen those bolts.

All in all, I’m very happy with the results.

Rich

[Reverendbiker]

I added both these to my bike last night. It was a 2.5 beer/1 cigar job. I agree with the reverend, ******* was good to deal with...no problems whatsoever.

The instructions were adequate, just.

The only real problem I had was loosening the kickstand bolts…holy crap, they must have a gorilla putting those things on. I read a review of an SW-Motech install on a Canadian bike web site and the guy wrote that he actually cracked a rib trying to loosen those bolts.

All in all, I’m very happy with the results.

Rich
Rich, you've restored my confidence in my manhood; I pulled so hard on the kickstand bolts that I slid myself across the floor. I finally got a 1/2" drive ratchet, a swivel and a breaker bar and went in from the right side of the bike to get 'em loose. If I ever meet the dude that tightened those bolts I'll be sure to call him "Sir."

[granitehead]

I used an old Craftsman internal ratchet and beat on it with a BFH while my son sat on the bike.

[Mac]

So with that skidplate does it increase the length of time required for changing the oil?

[Reverendbiker]

So with that skidplate does it increase the length of time required for changing the oil?
Yes, it does. It's possible to change the oil and filter with the skid plate in place, but it looks like it would take longer to clean up the mess than it would to drop it out of the way. It's about a 3-minute process to loosen the front clamps and drop the rear of the plate; it's a price I'm willing to pay for the protection. The Pat Walsh design will allow you to change the oil and filter with the unit in place, but I have two problems with it: 1) It looks like it doesn't protect the front of the engine as well as does the Motech plate and 2) IMHO it's ugly and doesn't go with the lines of the bike. Just my $0.02.

[Mac]

Thanks for the reviews. Been planning on making some upgrades to my strom. Currently planning sargent seat & mra vario touring screen. Adding that new skid plate and engine guards to the list.

[granitehead]

One more quick note on the skid plate...I deburred, filed, and sanded the upper edges to get rid of the tool marks. It has a much more finished look and reduced the chance of cutting myself on sharp edges if I have to reach in there for any reason. For what SW-Motech charges for a stamped piece of aluminum, it should have come like that.

[RECON]

I just finished installing the SW-Motech engine guards (I prefer not to call them crash bars) and skid plate on my DL650. For the reviews with pics, see these pages:
http://www.reverendbiker.com/vstrom/vstrom650motechskidplate.htm
http://www.reverendbiker.com/vstrom/vstrom650motechguards.htm

err, I will call mine "crash bars"! I um, er, "tested" them out a couple weeks ago and am happy to report they work! I dropped the bike twice on a BLM road that happended to be covered in snow. I haven't put any knobbies on yet so the front tire decided, against my will, to go side ways. Anyway, no damage to the plastic which saved me big dollars!

[revel22]

Rich, you've restored my confidence in my manhood; I pulled so hard on the kickstand bolts that I slid myself across the floor. I finally got a 1/2" drive ratchet, a swivel and a breaker bar and went in from the right side of the bike to get 'em loose. If I ever meet the dude that tightened those bolts I'll be sure to call him "Sir."[/

The dude that tightened those bolts is called a "factory robot". :D

[mike183]

I ordered the crash guards the other day. Got them two days later.
Put them on today. Neat little things.
Easy install. Perfect fit.
Ready for Florida trip. Starting in Northern NJ. Leaving on the 14 th and back on the 22 nd.
Going route 78, 81 to 75
Going with my riding partner who also has a 650.
Starting in 18 degree weather. Knoxville looks to be 48 degrees on Tuesday. Will try to get on the Dragon if there is no snow.
Miscalculated on my rear tire. Will be bald on the way back.
Figure to do 2,700 to 3,000 miles.

[granitehead]

I hit a piece of firewood today at about 45mph. It was either hit the wood, or swerve wildly and chance nailing an old Ford flatbed head-on or fly into the ditch. I opted for the wood. Fortunately it was laying straight across the road so I was able to aim the front tire right at the middle and, BAM!!! right up onto the skid plate.

Not to say it saved any vital bits, but it sure as heck wouldn't have done any good. And yes, I'll increase my following distance a little.

[805gregg]

I've got SW Motech crash bars, skid plate and centerstand, got to try them all out on camino cielo west in Santa Barbara on sun, the center stand hits most but has a large steel bar that hits and just gets gouged, the skid plate and cash bars both worked great, dropped it once in a base ball and soft ball sized boulder field scrached the crash bars no other real damage, also have Touratech Zega cases, the right case took all the weight of the bike with only a little scratch and small dent all good stuff. I would like to find a round head bolt for the back of the skid plate they took a beating.

[805gregg]

I have the SW Motech crash bars and skid plate, as a word of caution to the rest who you have this set up, I took my DL1000 out and thrashed it, I thought it was the center stand that was hitting but it turns out it was also the hex head bolts on the back of the skid plate, well it bent the frame of the skid plate about 1" out, I had to bend it back with a 2 lb. sledge hammer, I have since replaced the hex bolts with button head socket bolts, I think the smooth head will catch less, hopefully.