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[DougsCVOGlide]

9/24

Hi to the forum readers.  I want to share two life lessons with you that might save my fellow riders some pain:
Lesson #1:   Never roll your bike forward/back from the right hand side looking for the rear tire valve stem to check tire pressure before a ride.  Kind of hastily went around to the right side,
straightened the wheel and took some weight off the stand to do this. Had the radio and fan on and never heard the stand snap up.  I realized this as I relaxed on the bars to set back down.  There was no stopping the bike going over away from you.  None.  I made a good battle of it for about five seconds and at least it was stationary and a soft landing. I have never done this before and knew better and have always only moved the bike from the left side by myself or someone at home to tell me when the stem was visible.

 Lesson #2:  Saddlebag Guards:   My best Saturday riding buddy was at Sturgis doing a day ride when a couple of bikes went down suddenly in front. He almost had it stopped but with his wife and  
tour pack weight it went over. He has the saddlebag guards and his only damage was to the chrome on the guard and the metal skid plate popped off.  I know there has been debate on here about the effectiveness with the lower CVO bags but it worked completely.  He told me about this and we were stopped at H-D Tampa for a chili-fest.  They were giving out 15% coupons so I bought a set for under $200 total after tax. Had a slow evening a put them on in the garage on Wednesday.  Then Friday - BOOM! my brain cramp.  I had two things going for me.  I had just washed the garage really well.  The floor was clean and no grit-sand from being open or tracked in from tires.  And I had fought it going over.  I also decided not to try to get it up by myself since I was not on the road. Got a neighbor to help me pull it up smoothly without any back and forth movement. On each side and mashing the brake lever. As I was adding up the damage $$ in my head with Krypto, it looked like the Costa Concordia in the garage. I could not believe there was not a scratch, crack, smudge...nothing. The bike is still perfect.  The bike weighted perfectly on the front and rear bars.

Outcome:     In these two instances; on the road with two up fully loaded and almost stopped/saved and mine in garage stationary that the guards worked completely.  I don't think they
look bad either. With the 2011-12's with the extra bulkiness look from the fairing lowers, speakers and pegs it kind of balances out the proportions. Gives the rear sides of the bike a little beef and a little more chrome also.  Just wanted to share to anyone on the fence on this spend.  Doug

[Ironhorse]

Yup, I'm a big believer in front and rear guards. And, you were caught looking down and lost your balance. Remember, look down, go down. Glad nothing was damaged.

[muddypaws]

I love those crash bars..I fell over from a stop and no damage.

[moscooter]

 
I learned your lesson #1 several yrs ago while moving my RK a few feet to get it out of the way of my workbench.  Like you,  I didn't realize the kickstand retracted and so when I went to lean it over,  it didn't stop and I could no longer stop it either............in my case,  my wifes Corvette was parked on that side and the bike fell right into the left front fender/hood................Not a pretty sight.

Gouged paint and fibreglas on the Vette which resulted in the whole hood/fender section being repainted.  No damage to the bike,  just my wallet.

[Texas Fat Boy]

I just put the rear guards on last week.

[Skillet]

Thanks for the info. I have been putting it off but will buy the guards soon.

[Puzzled]

Been there, done that!

Installed the bars on the 13 already.

[codten]

Very good words of advice.

[S.E.Chic]

With my highway pegs on the front bar, it keeps the bike from leaning way over (ended up loosing my balance backing down our building ramp and gently laid it down). The rear bars also give you something to grab to pull it back up!

[Luckymesscun]

Just finished adding mine. After your story I was sold and picked up a set on the way home. Pretty easy and quick install. Thanks for sharing story.

[DougsCVOGlide]

You are welcome. Now you won't use them hopefully. That's how it works!

[FAST380]

I hear what you are all saying, but I just can't get past the look. I dropped my '00 RG with only front crash bars and the front stopped it in time. With the extended bags I am not sure, maybe they will hit.... guess I will have to take the chance.

[TIF2]

So how many celebratory beers did you have after that HUGE sigh of relief?



Glad it turned out a-ok from a damage point of view!