Running track with no case guards...Yay/Nay?

[tussey]

First track day coming up. I'm very excited about it. I've made like 200 posts about it. It's next weekend so getting case guards might be tough. Is it cool to go without them? I mean I hope I don't crash but I do wanna push my limits.

thoughts....

[TragicImage]

I didn't plan on running caseguards at the track.

[Alphamazing]

I planned on running case guards at the track my first track day.

They saved my engine and frame.

[jordanearl]

how mad will you be if you damage anything if you don't have em is the key here.  i

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Tussey... if I still had my orignal engine bolts (which I do, but they're back in Floriduh) I'd send you my case guards and let you use them for your track day... unfortunately, if I took them of, my engine would fall out of the frame.. and I hear they're a Buddha Loves You to get back in..

[ducati_nolan]

Worst case, if you do rip open your engine, JB weld and pieces of beer can patch it up pretty well    But seriously, I crashed a bike and put a hole in the CC and the JB weld fixed it up just fine. Of course it all depends on how bad it is.

[dgyver]

I have never used them and never will. Limits ground clearance. I low sided on the left once around 60 and it just scuffed the case cover. I also use a billet aluminum cover over the right side ignition rotor pickups.

[gsbarry]

I have some case guards that came on the bike when i bought it. I took them off and dont plan on using them. All the hardware and clamps are there for them. They are a flat blue colour..... Im from Canada though so i dont know if you would want to pay for the shipping and stuff       .... let me know.

[werase643]

you don't need them....as long as you don't crash

if you drop it on the right side...you will wish you had them

[D-Day]

I have never used them and never will. Limits ground clearance. I low sided on the left once around 60 and it just scuffed the case cover. I also use a billet aluminum cover over the right side ignition rotor pickups.

+1 on what Darrel said.  The billet cover is protection enough, not that I have ever tested it.  If I had case guards on, I would have crashed a half dozen times a lap.  Seriously, if you crash, lots of stuff usually gets messed up.  Bottom line, don't crash and if you are worried about crashing, take up another hobby.

[tussey]

Well put, thank you.

I have never used them and never will. Limits ground clearance. I low sided on the left once around 60 and it just scuffed the case cover. I also use a billet aluminum cover over the right side ignition rotor pickups.

+1 on what Darrel said.  The billet cover is protection enough, not that I have ever tested it.  If I had case guards on, I would have crashed a half dozen times a lap.  Seriously, if you crash, lots of stuff usually gets messed up.  Bottom line, don't crash and if you are worried about crashing, take up another hobby.

[hmmmnz]

i wouldnt do a track day with out some sort of protection even some of the skate board wheels the people use on there faired bikes.
i swear by case guards saved me alot of money and unnessary damage

[Chuck]

I have never used them and never will. Limits ground clearance.

That's hot man.  You lean it over so much you scrape the engine? 

Sounds like you need some new fork springs or something...   

[D-Day]

i wouldnt do a track day with out some sort of protection even some of the skate board wheels the people use on there faired bikes.
i swear by case guards saved me alot of money and unnessary damage

I am glad they work for you, however, on the GS, I am dragging the head pipe, the muffler, and the belly pan.(and yes I hang off, way off.) I never drag the pegs as they are shorter and higher than stock, and the bike is set up two inches in the rear and an inch in the front from stock.  I do however, go to every track day with a spare set of covers for the motor, gaskets and hylomar.  I also take a spare set of rearsets, clip-ons, twist grip assembly, clutch lever and brake lever. I didn't crash much when I raced, and I havn't crashed (yet) in the 40 track days I have done on the GS.

[hmmmnz]

i dunno how you manage that, i would have to be dragging my elbows to get my guards to it the ground, as well as riding on the edge of the rim,
obviously your better than me, the only time ive had my elbow touching the ground was when i was sliding along it

[dgyver]

I have never used them and never will. Limits ground clearance.

That's hot man.  You lean it over so much you scrape the engine? 

Sounds like you need some new fork springs or something...   

Apparently you cannot read what I wrote.

I have scraped bodywork since I brake late and heavily in turns. With the compressing frontend, I would end up grinding case guards. No something to happen in the middle of a turn. Yes, I have proper springs and suspension. Since the GS has an advantage in the turns, I see no reason to compromise that ability with less ground clearance.

[LimaXray]

There's no way in hell you're going to be dragging your case gaurds the first day on the track.  You 2 are hardcore nuts ( ) so I can perfectly understand, but for the casual track rider who also uses his bike on the street I would get them.  I low sided my bike on the track and because of the case gaurds the damage was so minimal that it was back on the street in good order the next day.

[D-Day]

There's no way in hell you're going to be dragging your case gaurds the first day on the track.  You 2 are hardcore nuts ( ) so I can perfectly understand, but for the casual track rider who also uses his bike on the street I would get them.  I low sided my bike on the track and because of the case gaurds the damage was so minimal that it was back on the street in good order the next day.

Good point, but, when you drag hard parts, you fall.  Period.  End of report.  The first thing that hits on a bike, should not be a hard part. (Definition of a hard part: When you touch it down, it does not deflect.  My belly pan deflects.  My header deflects. My muffler deflects.  Engine guards do not.  I used tp race in AMA Pro Twins on a BMW, talk about hard parts (valve covers) and if you touched those, you better not lean the bike anymore, or you were down.  Never (repeat after me, NEVER) limit the cornering clearance of your bike on the track.

[gsbarry]

Just wanted to jump back in here and let you all know i have a set for sale if you want them..... again im in Canada so not to sure about shippping..... 

Thanks.

[GS Jenn]

GSBarry I PM'ed you about your guards... I'm in Canada, good old Canada Post would do it.