[Guest]

Some sport bikes have a after market option for frame extension or slider bars for the bike. When the bike goes down on it's side, they keep the bike from making full contact with the ground. This reduces the damage done to the side of the bike. They come in 2, 4 and 6 inch lengths. Jason Britton uses them as does his other riders because they are always dropping a bike. It would do nothing for mirrors or gear shift lever but most other items are damage free or minimal damage.



So are these or something like it available for the TW200 or any other dual purpose bikes?

 

[Rainman]

I haven't seen any, but a pair of bark busters (hand guards) and a Cyclerack sure works well. Mine has fallen over (or I have fallen over, depends on what way you look at it) many times with no damage.

 

[jbfla]

No sliders for the TW or other dual sport bikes.



Most have aftermarket engine guards available.



The only one I know of for the TW is from TCI Products:



https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=144_167_173&products_id=712



I agree with Rainman. The Cyclerack and Emgo hand guards have saved my TW more than once.



jb

 

[xdac]

Sliders are fine for roads that have no bowling ball sized rocks or tree limbs for the bike to fall on. Carry extra pegs, levers, cables, and try not to fall over!

 

[lizrdbrth]

The Az. guys swear by this stuff:



http://www.uline.com/BL_469/UPSable-Bubble-Wrap-Strong

 

[jbfla]

The Az. guys swear by this stuff:



http://www.uline.com/BL_469/UPSable-Bubble-Wrap-Strong

lizrdbrth,



Are you being facetious again?

jb

 

[lizrdbrth]

lizrdbrth,



Are you being facetious again?

jb

Just sayin'....

 

[secretStash]

That TCI plate is almost as bad as stock - go with the one from Ricochet.



-sS

 

[secretStash]

Also, I don't think it would be a big deal to weld some threaded tabs onto the frame for sliders. For your reference a professional weld will have a clean look and appear similar to overlapping coins. Lumpy welds are bad welds. Alternatively; you could drill and thread the frame itself; although technically this compromises the structural integrity, imo.



-sS

 

[Bagger]

That TCI plate is almost as bad as stock - go with the one from Ricochet.



-sS

Hey,

Have you had a bad experiance that you can referance with the TCI plate? I've been comparing for some time now and have about decided that TCI is the way to go, so if you have specifics relating to your remark I'd love to hear them. (or anyone elses before I spend 500 bucks on skidplates).

Thanks!



Bag

 

[lizrdbrth]

Apparently he's never seen one. If he had he wouldn't be badmouthing it.



It's easily TWICE the plate that the Ricochet (which ain't bad at all) is. Unfortunately it's also priced accordingly. I really don't know what it would take to hurt the TCI plate. I had it take a full frontal rock hit that brought the bike to a complete halt from about 10 MPH, 2 up. Barely scratched the paint and saved the right side of the motor from being torn off. As far as I'm concerned it's payed for itself.

 

[secretStash]

Ok, well I will start by saying that, in my haste, I did not realize it came with the side guards. But I was referring to 1)The Ricochet plate itself offers more coverage (wider up front) than the TCI (sans side-guards). And 2) as you can see the Ricochet plate has four mount points (2 front and 2 rear) wheres the TCI has but ?? 2? 3? Can't tell from the pictures other than just ONE up front. You have to assume that this would be less secure. Reviewing the options - what would be nice to see, is a combination of BOTH. A wider, more rigidly mounting plate that has an option for the side guards, for the more daring rock crawling fellas.



-sS

 

[Bagger]

Well, if I had to use one word to summerize our riding medium here it would be rocks. I've already had a couple of close calls, and I want the BEST protection possible. The TCI may be spendy, but it's loads cheaper than replacing an engine block, let alone getting a busted bike back home, or dumping a quart of oil out on the ground. (along with a gallon of tears!)

I've yet to hold a TCI plate in my hands. But bad pictures aside, it's hands down the most substantial I've been able to find/research.

I believe I'll get one for my bike, and then evaluate it. Then decide what to put on D's bike. But I'm already leaning toward the TCI for her bike as well.



I do appreciate the input. And will keep ya'll posted on the outcome.



Bag

 

[lizrdbrth]

The TCI has 3 forward mounting points. The plate itself is of a much harder alloy than the Ricochet and the side guards also become part of the plate itself, which adds to the rigidity of the unit and effectively creates a total of 7 mounting points. Tom builds them this way due to the tendency for a solid plate to bend at the edges doing case damage in just such impacts as we experienced, The rock was 2/3 buried and at a 45 degree angle. As I said, with a normal plate it would have torn the entire right engine cover completely off.



Sorry for rippin' on ya. I realize it ain't cheap. But it's one heckuva product and I'd hate to see TCI drop it due to misconceptions leading to poor sales. I wrote it up somewhere in here. I'll try to find the link so's you can get a better look at it.



http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/to...8884__hl__skidplate__fromsearch__1#entry18884

 

[secretStash]

Ok, reviewing Lizzy's thread, I'll concede. Someone should tell TCI to make their pages more informative. Although, they may be protecting their design by having less pictures. *shrug*



-sS

 

[Bagger]

Ok, reviewing Lizzy's thread, I'll concede. Someone should tell TCI to make their pages more informative. Although, they may be protecting their design by having less pictures. *shrug*



-sS

sS, well nice of you to conceed that your statement was pretty bold for not actually knowing anything about a product that you bashed pretty bad. As for the pictures being bad, I doubt they expected someone to tear 'em a new one based entirely on a pic!

When I get my TCI maybe we can get together and do a head to head comparo. And get a ride in!

LizBrth, thanks for the input. I have read your write up on here and put much stock in your opinion after you have established yourself as a source of info that can be trusted.



I'll post pics of the install.



Bag

 

[macbig2k1]

A engine protection bar is directly from Yamaha available.

Part number: 5EK-W0741-10-00

It could be, that this part isn't available in the US, but I can send it to you.

 

[lizrdbrth]

Another item we don't get here is the Yamaha AG200. It has an interestring set of "skid bars". Always wondered if they could be fitted to a TW.





http://www.farmpoint.co.nz/View/Article/Yamaha-AG200/1494.aspx







I think someone on the old forum built their own.

 

[Bagger]

Yeah, ZombieStomper built a wicked nice set on his killer Dub, however, I don't have his creativity or manufacturing abilities. The guy is a master bike builder.



So, for me, the TCI looks great!



Bag

 

[secretStash]

Another item we don't get here is the Yamaha AG200. It has an interestring set of "skid bars". Always wondered if they could be fitted to a TW.

SCREW THE BARS, HOW ABOUT THAT 6-SPEED GEARBOX???



-sS