Case saver bars

[Bill]

I'm new to K bikes and just returning to bikes after 25 years !  I just purchased a 1988 K100 LT [140,000 km] and feeling the heft and balance of it I know I will drop it sometime.  It does have a scuff/crack on the right lower fairing from the previous owner as a prelude of things to come.  Aside from a road speed drop are case saver bars any use ?  I haven't seen any pics of Ks with them.  Thoughts, suggestions and recommendations welcome .

[F14CRAZY]

Welcome.

I've seen rubber pads that go on the side cases but not bars. Seems the K75RT-P (police) didn't have them either.

[K1300S]

Don't drop it.......be careful.

[Bill]

I certainly don't intend to but 10 pounds per my age in years ...... and top heavy to boot it would seem wise to be prepared for it  :eek:

[Laitch]

If you're thinking about engine case bars, Bill, I do think they'd lessen fairing damage some in a no-speed drop or tip-over. The best preparation might be a serious routine of squats, dead lifts and power lifts, starting at 22 kg working up to 252 kg—if you're certain you're going to drop it frequently—and developing your fiberglas and painting skill, too. Or maybe dropping it frequently will be that routine. Either way, it's win-win as far as your physical conditioning goes. :hehehe

[Bill]

Have already started some conditioning ...... and have already tipped it on purpose just to see if I could pick it up.  Succeeded but it is heavy !  I have a few months to prep as it will be snow and ice for another 3 months here.   :(

[bizzaro]

Use the side stand to mount and dismount! DON'T forget to put it up before you take off! :falldown:

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Yes!  Use the side stand.  I learned my lesson the hard way when I dropped my RT in the driveway getting off after pulling it out of the garage.  Dropped the damn thing on the fresh $300 right side paint job.  I found a set of bars and ALWAYS put the side stand down when I get off the bike now.  Trying to swing a leg over that high and top heavy machine is asking for a drop. 

The bars are totally useless if there is the slightest amount of forward motion as they are designed to tear away to prevent damage to the lower part of the crankcase.  The only reason I have them is that I hope they will make it possible for me to lift the bike by myself. 

[bizzaro]

Oh yea, and make sure the side stand is fully extended before you lean the bike on it. I dropped mine once when the side stand wasn't fully extended. I was pretty tired and and couldn't hold it back. I tried to just let it roll down gently. Did a bunch of minor damage.  So yea, use the side stand to get on and off, but make damn sure it is fully extended before you lean the bike on it, and make extra damn sure it is fully retracted before you take off. there is supposed to be a safety kill switch on the side stand, but I always make sure by making a visual check.