Crash protectors or steel tubes?

[vagosm]

hello again,

i want to ask what is better for protection from falls. i am between ducati's crash bars and R&G crash protectors. i think crash protectors are more discreet but i dont know if they are protect well enough. The steel tubes i am afraid that will turn my bike ugly! What do you think?

[Moto45]

I agree, crash bars will certainly provide the best protection but will not look as appropriate on a sport touring bike unless you go with the full enduro package. I'm waiting for aftermarket manufacturers to come out with their sleeker and more eye pleasing frame sliders. I wonder if those already designed for any of the 1200 models will fit the 950? Anybody know? I really like the look of Rizoma and SW Motech products and hope they're working fast to produce them for the 950. If I did any considerable amount of off-road travel on this bike I would definitely go with crash bars. I can imagine a simple drop could result in very expensive repair costs.

[Wassers]

I think fi2009 has fitted some crash bars and they looked ok.

[vagosm]

Originally Posted by Wassers

I think fi2009 has fitted some crash bars and they looked ok.

i just saw the photos from fi2009. i think it is not so bad! 

[Omoishiroi]

Originally Posted by vagosm

hello again,

i want to ask what is better for protection from falls. i am between ducati's crash bars and R&G crash protectors. i think crash protectors are more discreet but i dont know if they are protect well enough. The steel tubes i am afraid that will turn my bike ugly! What do you think?

I dropped my 1200 GT 3 times - very glad it came with engine guards. The duc guards for the 950 are made by ALT Rider I think. They are two pieces that bolt together and they are silver/chrome -- didn't look right to me and the bolt together design weakens them. I ordered  Puig engine Guards for $305. They are black, one piece and fairly discreet.
Some think engine guards look ugly - but what would you rather have? Damaged and scratched bike parts and engine or protection? Its cheap insurance in my experience.

[vagosm]

I had a drop on a turn last days. I am not satisfied with the crash bars. They moved on the bike and as a result they damaged my lower plastic cover.

[Omoishiroi]

Oh no that sucks
 Which bars did you end up installing?

[vagosm]

Originally Posted by Omoishiroi

Oh no that sucks
 Which bars did you end up installing?

The bars which come with the buy of 950 from Ducati performance

[Omoishiroi]

Silver ones made by Tourtech I am guessing. Unless you really slammed it like dropped off a cliff and landed on a rock they should not give in. I'd ask Ducati to pay for the repairs they can sort it out with Tourtech.
Question did the plastic hand guard break? Mine did and I replaced with a Duc performance heavy duty metal ones a great part since discontinued.

[vagosm]

Originally Posted by Omoishiroi

Silver ones made by Tourtech I am guessing. Unless you really slammed it like dropped off a cliff and landed on a rock they should not give in. I'd ask Ducati to pay for the repairs they can sort it out with Tourtech.
Question did the plastic hand guard break? Mine did and I replaced with a Duc performance heavy duty metal ones a great part since discontinued.

Yes by turatech. I just fell on a turn with about 40km/h and the bike gone 10 meters away. The tank cover scratched by the fall and the lower cover scratced by the bars because they pushed it. The hand guard scratched a lot, the mirror, the clutch, the shifter, the peg of the passengers seat with his base, the water pump cover and the stand. I don't know the role of the bars. I am very unpleased and the cost of all these are about 2,6k for new parts.