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[Timusa]

Hi, I have just logged 1000 km on my new 2014 SERK and I am being too careful not to drop the bike.
Without the rear guards my beautiful new bags are in danger or so it seems.
Does anyone here have some hands-on experience dropping the bike with both front and rear guards?
Will it rest on the guards or will it touch the ground with the bag?
Thank you for sharing!

[Puzzled]

I think the bags will still make contact.

[grc]

I think the bags will still make contact.

I agree.  If you look at the photo's of the guard in the catalog and eyeball how much lower and outboard the guard is than the front of the bag (not very much), then extrapolate that to the extended rear portion of the bag, I'm getting the feeling that the rear of the bag would touch at about the same time as the guard.  If not, it would be pretty close.  And that's if you just lay the bike over while sitting still.  Once you have the bike moving at speed the guards aren't likely to fully protect the bags even if you have the old standard size bags.  They are still better than nothing, but even the MoCo is quick to add a big disclaimer that the guards cannot be expected to prevent cosmetic damage or injury to the rider in an actual crash.

JMHO - Jerry

Maybe you can convince the dealership to install a set on one of their bikes and then lay the bike over to answer this question.  Not likely, but there's no harm in asking I suppose.

[lowflight]

They might not save the bags completely but at a low speed lay down they might save some of the problems with your lower legs. A couple of months ago one of the bikes we were with got hit from behind at a stop sign and I was pleasantly surprised that neither rider had any issues with that part of their body. I am not saying they will protect you, but in certain cases they may help some. I ordered a set the next week after seeing that accident.

[MAKO13]

Embarrassed to say this but tipped my 2013 SERK without bag guards last week in a parking lot.  1 mph at most, parking, when a soccer mom in a mini van (on a cell phone) damn near hit me coming the opposite way.  Instinctively just jammed the front break lever - say goodnight Dick - down she went in total slow motion.  Handle bars were in full right lock position and bike settled on engine guard - got down on my knees to cry then inspect how bad the bag was damaged.  Totally shocked it was 1/4 inch from contact.  I'm sure they will hit but will depend on the landscape and handle bar position. Feel very lucky but I too am leaning toward bag guards.

[Timusa]

Embarrassed to say this but tipped my 2013 SERK without bag guards last week in a parking lot.  1 mph at most, parking, when a soccer mom in a mini van (on a cell phone) damn near hit me coming the opposite way.  Instinctively just jammed the front break lever - say goodnight Dick - down she went in total slow motion.  Handle bars were in full right lock position and bike settled on engine guard - got down on my knees to cry then inspect how bad the bag was damaged.  Totally shocked it was 1/4 inch from contact.  I'm sure they will hit but will depend on the landscape and handle bar position. Feel very lucky but I too am leaning toward bag guards.

Thanks man! Nothing to be embarrassed of. This happens sometimes. I used to drop my police bike (09 FLHTP) in the parking lot a few times, mainly because I was a little too short for her.

[Timusa]

Thank everyone for the replies, I just wanted to clarify two things: 1) I did not mean protection in case of accident, just parking lot drops, 2) I would like to hear more from people that have the rear guards and actually dropped the bike.
If the bags are touching anyway that means the rear guards are useless (no "cosmetic protection" as MOCO declares). Probably there are other options? Have anyone seen any aftermarket bag guards?

[Billy]

The extended bags have a skid plate on the  back corner. I am not sure if his helps if you drop the bike or only on tight turns Billy

[T-Roy]

I dropped mine a few months back in a parking lot after coming to a complete stop on some extremely uneven pavement in a truck stop. My left foot wound up in basically a pothole. Anyway the handlebars wound up in a full lock position before she came to rest and my saddlebag was not touching either. I do not have the rear bag crash bars.