Hitchcocks Forum

I would like to wish Jools and his bike a speedy recovery, and was wondering what others thought of crash bars as I have the wrap around type fitted to Ammo, the main reason I have them is to help prevent damage if he falls over and I think the sight of them keeps other motorists at bay, but have others found them useful in an accident epically a minor nock

Yes, mine saved my exhaust.

I have two totally different views!



Thunderbolt, my EFI woodsman, does not have a crash bar. His favorite terrain of greenlanes, woods and lately, old railway track,could be a problem.



Tornado, my army iron bullet does have the crash bar, although last time we went offroad, he picked up a long stick like we were going jousting!.?



Generally, I feel they look odd on some bikes, but do protect the bike and hopefully your leg if you don't 'jump' at the last minute.

Jump at the last minute? I thought the recommendated procedure was to hang on to the bike until it's down... I've been 'offed' a couple of times and hanging on for dear life seems to have worked so far..


I'm considering a crashbar too... I'm interested to read more opinions.

Hi Exile, hope all well in Amager.




Trouble can be if you end up sliding over into the kerb, or other uneven surface, your leg does not really want to be between that and a heavy motorcycle!


I was taught that you make sure you get your leg out, before it touches down. But this is theoretical for me, I have not ever dropped one!



Anyone else have a different view? Would be good to ascertain different ideas.

Confusing-us say,
"Fingers crossed when hoping to see something good, Legs crossed when hoping to find a toilet."

Thanks Les. I had some, but took them off a couple of years ago. My bullet's a 350, and carries enough weight as it is!

I have contemplated removing the army bars from Bertie but they have saved him twice when I've dropped him on the floor so on they stay, besides that I'm thinking of fitting some leg wind shields on them made from the estate agents board currently standing in my front garden to keep me warm in the winter.

You could ask for a donation from the estate agent for advertising there business

Ever thought about using 6" upvc gutter as leg shields? Should be easy enough to fit, and would paint up easy enough I'd think.

Hi guys----------WILF, I seem to remember that someone posted a set of home-made legshields on here a year or two back, using that large black guttering as you suggest.............. Personally I don't like the fact most crash bars are mounted onto the main down tube and as such transmit twisting forces when the bike is dropped.... I prefer to let the footrests and handlebar ends take the damage instead.....