Crash Bars on Motorcycles: Do they really work?

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“Crash Bars on Motorcycles: Do They Really Work?”

Introduction: Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience that comes with its fair share of risks. Motorcycle enthusiasts are well aware of the importance of safety gear, and one piece of equipment that often sparks debates among riders is crash bars. These sturdy metal frames, also known as engine guards or highway bars, are designed to protect the motorcycle and its rider in the event of a crash or tip-over. But the burning question remains: Do crash bars really work?

The Purpose of Crash Bars: Before delving into their effectiveness, let’s understand the primary purpose of crash bars. These bars are typically installed on the front and sides of a motorcycle, forming a protective cage around the engine and other vital components. In theory, their purpose is to prevent or minimize damage to the bike during a low-speed crash, tip-over, or slide.

The Controversy: Opinions on crash bars vary within the motorcycling community. Some riders swear by them, attributing their bikes’ survival to the protective embrace of crash bars in unfortunate situations. On the other hand, skeptics argue that crash bars may not provide significant protection and can even exacerbate certain crash scenarios.

Effectiveness in Low-Speed Crashes: Crash bars are generally more effective in low-speed crashes or tip-overs. They can prevent direct contact between the ground and critical components such as the engine, exhaust pipes, and fuel tank, reducing the risk of costly damage. In situations where a rider loses balance at low speeds, crash bars can act as a buffer, preventing the motorcycle from sustaining severe harm.

Limitations in High-Speed Crashes: While crash bars may offer some protection in low-speed incidents, their effectiveness diminishes in high-speed crashes. The physics of a high-speed impact can result in greater forces, potentially overpowering the protective capabilities of crash bars. In such cases, other safety measures, such as wearing appropriate gear and practicing defensive riding, become crucial.

Considerations for Installation: Proper installation is key to maximizing the potential benefits of crash bars. Ill-fitted or poorly designed crash bars may not provide the intended protection and could even contribute to increased damage during a crash. It’s essential to choose high-quality bars that are compatible with your specific motorcycle model and have been tested for durability and effectiveness.

Conclusion: In the debate over the effectiveness of crash bars on motorcycles, the answer is yes. While crash bars can be a valuable addition to your bike’s safety features, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Riders should weigh the potential benefits against the limitations, considering their riding style, preferences, and the type of terrain they frequent. Ultimately, crash bars can offer peace of mind in certain situations, especially for adventure riders, but they should be viewed as just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety.

The Advantage of Crash Protection Bars on Adventure Motorcycles

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Title: Enhancing Adventure: 

Adventure motorcycling has gained immense popularity over the years, attracting thrill-seekers and explorers eager to traverse rugged terrains and remote landscapes. As adventurers gear up for their journeys, one essential accessory that often finds its way onto their bikes is crash protection bars. These bars, also known as crash bars or engine guards, serve a pivotal role in ensuring both rider safety and bike longevity. Let’s dive into the advantages of crash protection bars on adventure motorcycles.

**1. Mitigating Impact Damage: When traversing off-road trails or unpredictable terrains, it’s not uncommon for motorcycles to take unexpected tumbles. Crash protection bars act as a shield against impact damage, reducing the likelihood of critical components like the engine, radiator, and fuel tank getting damaged. These bars absorb the brunt of the impact, leaving your bike’s vital parts unscathed.

**2. Preventing Expensive Repairs: Repairing or replacing damaged motorcycle parts can be a costly affair, especially when you’re far away from civilization. Crash protection bars can significantly lower the chances of your bike suffering substantial damage in case of a fall, potentially saving you from expensive repairs and ensuring your journey continues without a hitch.

**3. Preserving Aesthetics: Adventure motorcycles often boast impressive designs and sleek aesthetics. Crash protection bars, when designed well, seamlessly integrate with the bike’s visual appeal. They not only offer protection but also maintain the bike’s aesthetics, ensuring that your adventure machine looks as good as it performs.

**4. Enhancing Off-Road Confidence: One of the core aspects of adventure riding is conquering off-road challenges. With crash protection bars in place, riders gain an added layer of confidence. Knowing that a minor fall won’t result in catastrophic damage encourages riders to push their limits and embrace the spirit of adventure without constant worry about the bike’s well-being.

**5. Assisting in Luggage Mounting: Modern adventure motorcycles are often equipped with luggage racks and pannier systems to carry gear and essentials. Crash protection bars can serve as convenient mounting points for these luggage systems, distributing the load more evenly and enhancing the bike’s overall stability while carrying your belongings.

**6. Reducing Rider Injuries: In the unfortunate event of a fall, crash protection bars play a crucial role in minimizing rider injuries. These bars create a buffer zone between the rider’s legs and the bike’s components, decreasing the risk of entanglement and reducing the impact on the rider’s lower extremities.

**7. Easier Bike Upright: Navigating challenging terrains might lead to instances where the motorcycle topples over. Crash protection bars can be used as leverage points to easily lift the bike back upright, sparing the rider from unnecessary physical strain.

**8. Maintaining Resale Value: Adventure motorcycles often hold their value well in the resale market due to their durability and desirability. Bikes equipped with crash protection bars tend to maintain their resale value even better, as potential buyers recognize the added protection and reduced wear and tear.

**9. Customization and Personalization: Crash protection bars are available in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes. This allows riders to personalize their bikes according to their preferences while still reaping the benefits of added protection. Whether you prefer a sleek, inconspicuous look or a more rugged appearance, there’s a crash protection bar design for everyone.

About Rumbux crash protection bars

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Rumbux specializes in crash protection systems for dual purpose motorcycles. We manufacture crash bars for the front and rear areas of the motorcycle. The rear crash bars can also be used as pannier brackets for soft luggage.

Our products are Cad designed with safety and protection in mind. The styling of the motorcycle is followed to give you a product which complements your bike. We mount to the frame of the bike and as little as possible to the engine as this can result in engine damage in a crash situation. We design to protect you, the rider as well as your bike. Our products are available through motorcycle resellers worldwide for easy access and installation by professional technicians. Our products can also be installed by you, using our step by step fitment procedure supplied.

Technical:

These products are manufactured mostly from SAE 1010 cold rolled tube (diameter 25.4 x2mm), which is precision mandrel bent to exact sizes. Laser cut brackets are welded to manipulated tubes in jigs to give repeatability of product.

Our flagship product is the Full Spec Endurance crash bar system (FSE / 3 Part). This system comprises of an upper crash bar and an engine crash bar with an integrated bash plate. You will notice the following form and functions:-

Upper crash bars:

This part of the crash bar is for front and side protection. We realize that a snug fit around the upper area (traditional tank area), might look neater, but this does not give adequate protection for your legs, the radiator, and the tank area. Access to the tank panels becomes problematic with the snug fit. The wider wing also creates the necessary lift of the motorcycle when it lands on its side in order for the handlebars to move freely without any damage. This is not always possible, as in the case of the KTM690R.

Engine crash bars:

These bars are mounted to the frame of the motorcycle as far as possible and as little as possible to the engine. This gives adequate protection for oil filters, side covers, water pumps, gear levers, foot brakes, side stands etc. The original ground clearance is maintained.

Bash plate:

The 4.5 mm aluminum bash plate is mounted to the engine crash bars and not directly to the engine. This gives protection of the lower parts of the engine and the exhaust system. Traditionally, bash plates are mounted directly to the engine, whereby engine damage can still occur as mounting points takes the brunt of the impact. With the integrated Rumbux crash bar, this is not the case.

We design with the following in mind:

– Follow the styling of the motorcycle, to give you a nice looking product.
– Easy access to motorcycle components.
– Easy fitment and removal of systems.
– Adequate protection of the motorcycle.
– Adequate protection for the rider.

The crash bar, carrier & bash plates coatings are as follows:

  • Specialized cleaning of the finished product.
  • Zinc phosphate plating.
  • E -Coat
  • Powder coat.
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