Crash protection

What are the advantages/disadvantages of crash bungs versus engine bars?

As far as I can see, engine bars are more likely to do the job of
protecting the engine, but they don't exactly enhance the look of the bike.

Whereas some crash bungs don't look too bad (although I'm not convinced
about billet aluminium), but aren't they more likely to dig in and flip
the bike as it slides along?

Of course, with either of them there's also the chance that the force of
the impact could end up bending the frame where they attach, so rather
than just replacing, say, the timing cover, you end up having to sort
out the frame, but I guess that's not so likely.

Any thoughts?

And yes, I know that not crashing in the first place is the best plan.

 

I was always told that big sticky out crash bars an do nasty things to your
legs in the event of a crash. I did see somewhere once some crash bungs that
had the ends set on bearings - like roller skate wheels - so they would turn
as the bike slid and hence be less likey to dig in and flip the bike.

 

Aye, that's a good idea - should have thought of that.

 

This was from my stepdad who at the time worked as a doctor attending RTAs
in an ambulance. This was way back when when the fasion was to have FOAD
chrome bars and he saw a lot of injuries when riders ran into cars at
relatively low speeds - low enough not to thrown straight over the
handlebars, and got their ankles tangled up int crash cars. His other pet
peeve was people who crashed on the motorway and had their doors locked,
slowing down the ambulance crew.

 

Wasn't there a model of car a few years back that could be unlocked by
kicking the front bumper in right place? A safety feature gone wrong
that was supposed to unlock the doors in an impact.
Or urban myth.

 

rb fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

Ford Mondeo ... thumping the front towing eye wiv an 'ammer ISTR


--
Steve Parry

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

http://www.arrivedeprived.org.uk/

K100RS SE
F650
(not forgetting the SK90PY)

 

In

on a Cavalier it used to be near the drivers front wheelarch

--
Pete M

Mercedes 260E
Ford Capri (ressurection started)
"Never moon a werewolf"

COSOC #5
Scouse Git extraordinaire. Liverpool, Great Britain

 

Jaguars XJ6 as well but I'm pretty sure that was to shut down the fuel
pumps.

 

That was certainly the case on my d-plate XJS. Reset button just next
to the driver's door.

 

Pete M says...

It was a bolster chisel applied through the door gap and onto the lower
front driver's door hinge actually. DAMHIK,IJDOK.

 

Crash bungs are a bit more discrete, and easier to fit to a faired bike.
However, unless you get decent ones, they seem to be able to do more harm
than good (transferring crash forces to a smaller area, hence denting frames
etc.). RG Racing and Moko seem to be fairly universally praised. Bear in
mind that bungs are generally 'one hit' - if you slide down the road, they
will need to be replaced.

Engine bars, as it says on the tin, protect the engine, but might be a bit
too low down to stop fairing damage in a spill. If they're seriously big,
there's also the danger that at big lean angles, they'll be the first point
of contact with the ground, lifting the wheels and causing a crash. They
also add more weight to the bike.

I reckon if it's an unfaired bike, and you're not so worried about looks,
get engine bars - or maybe bars _and_ bungs, depending on how much you
intend on crashing. If it's faired, I doubt you'll even have the option of
bars - I've never seen a faired bike with them.

 

I've strapped an old sofa to each side of my bike. Tha castors should
stop it digging in and it's *much* warmer in the winter.

Only problem so far is a tendancy to scatter cushions through the
bendies (gentle twisties).

 

I know that really, but they're just a bit.. OTT. The bars that were on
the GT750 were OK, 'cos it's not much of a looker to start with, and
they were very simple crash bars, but I think wrapping the Bandit's
engine up completely is just too much.

Well, yes - most of them look like something you've pinched off your kid
brother's skateboard.

'arris, eh? Haven't looked at the price of them - I shall do so.

 

Pah. They only appear to do stuff for poncy faired bikes.

 

More expensive than average - about 60 quid. However, the bungs them
selves are fairly indesctructable - all we do is replace the bolt,
which Harris charge a couple of quid for.
--
Please add "imo" to above post.
Champ
GSX-R 1000, GPz 750 turbo, ZX7RR Endurance Racer x 2
GYASB#0 BotToS#2 BOTAFO(T|F)#35 WG*#1 DFV#8
Team UKRM Racing : www.team-ukrm.com

 

Actually, that's cheaper than the R&G ones.

Nice.

Pity they don't do them for my bike, really.

 

That's the problem really, you don't know if they're any good till you
crash in them and by then it's too late.

I have some on the GSXR but I have no idea what make they are as they
were on when I got it. Hopefully they'll never be needed.