Hi all, So myself and She who must be obeyed are off on a 2 week tour of Europe next week, and it's got me thinking about a low speed drop damage, I've been looking at either engine bars or engine covers, especially for the water pump, as it seems to be the icicles of the engine. What are your thoughts and experiences? The bike will have panniers on at all times so the back of the bike should be fine, if just like a bit of protection against smashing the water pump, which would inevitably be a show stopper.
My guess would be bars to protect from a low speed drop? Mine went over last year and just the R&G front spindle protectors, Barkbusters and my Ortlieb bag on the back, stopped any damage to the actual bike!
I fitted the full Ducati crash bar kit and have been very pleased. Your other option is the R&G Aero bung which replaces an engine mounting bolt. Andy
I've been reading past topics and it seems the fork bottoms are vulnerable on these, barkbusters seem to serve very well too. What about gear and brake leavers, I assume they brake away fairly easily if dropped?
They should have a cut away section in the back of the lever, which 'should' break off, leaving a reasonable length of lever to work with? Barkbusters sort that problem, but some have an issue with their appearance?
i they they look kinda mean and purposeful, plus... id prefer them looking a bit odd to looking into the distance for the tow truck to arrive can anyone with engine bars confirm if they stop the foot leavers hitting the deck if the bike went down?
Dropped my dvt a couple of weeks ago on my drive! Didn't deploy the side stand properly and it's on a slight decline, I have R&G aero crash protectors fitted which saved the water pump, the drop smashed the LHS hand guard, scratched the fairing and back of the mirror, didn't touch the gear lever or front fork protectors though, had a bloody great dead leg for a week!
I have ducati crash bars on my DVT, dropped few weeks ago and contact points were the crash bars (undamaged), foot peg (kept straight and undamaged) and hand guard broke at join but didn't replace.
oh god, my heart bleeds for you guys, i remember dropping my then mint 749s, not good! but thanks for the info, i think ill crap the covers and get the engine bars fitted, as they protect multiple parts compared to just the covers.
I've had a couple of zero speed topples and can confirm Barkbusters do an excellent job of protecting the hand guards and levers. There is a lot better looking option from Ducabike, see the thread started by @Twin4me , I'm not sure they'd offer the same level of protection as Barkbusters but they do look very good, if a bit expensive. The panniers get marked but save damage to the rest of the bike, especially the engine. On the 2010-2014 models, the rear mounting for the panniers was easily cracked causing a bit of movement of the pannier but not a problem to wait until you get home to fix. Radiator and oil cooler guards are a good idea, if you don't have them fitted already.
I,ve got Givi crash bars on order. Delivery today or tomorrow. (ebay) But before fitting i,m going to get some paint mixed same red as bike. & base coat & lacquer them before fitting. The touratech ones Ducati sell are like a matt chrome & look nice but over £300 ouch.
They look pretty good. Also ordered some small cree spots but not sure they will work with the cambus. There 30watts each & not sure what power the Ducati ones are. Hey at £9.50 a pair it,s worth a try. Ducati ones £330.
R&G front/middle/rear bungs. They do the job. http://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Ducati/Multistrada_1200/2015/FP0175BK/
Yeh, I got the Matt chrome ones with the bike so slight discount to new. I was hell bent on wanting red or black bars too not chrome which is all ducati could provide and considered painting them as well. Having had the chrome ones for a couple months tbh am glad I didn't bother - it's grown on me and looks more original but that's a personal choice
