The first modification you should make on any bike

The first thing you should do to a motorcycle when you get it is protect it from a crash. This mod has the potential for the best return on money due being one of the easiest and cheapest mods you can do that shields you from expensive drops and crashes. 

There are a lot of options out there, this guide is designed to help you identify what you need based on you type of motorcycle.

Crash protection depends on your style of bike

For Example: Here is what I used on my MT 07 -

• Lever Guards 
  
  
  
• Protaper CR High Bend 
  
• OES Sliders 
  
  
  
  
• LQMY Radiator Armor 
  
  
  
• Passenger Pegs are left on to protect the rear

• Sportbike
• Frame/Axel Sliders
• Lever Guards
• Keep Passenger Pegs
• Naked
• Frame/Axel/Case Sliders
• Lever Guards
• Keep Passenger Pegs
• Aftermarket Handlebars
• Dirt bike / Supermoto
• Axel Sliders
• Hand Guards
• Stronger Handlebars
• Skid Plate
• Grom / Minibike
• Frame/Axel Sliders
• Stronger Handlebars
• Extra Footpegs 😂
• Stunt Bike
• Everything
• Adventure
• Crash Bars
• Skid Plate
• Hand Guards
• Cruiser
• Crash Bars

Types of crash protection:

• Frame sliders/Axel sliders/Tank/Case/Bar End sliders
• Handlebars
• Hand guards or Bark Busters
• Lever guards
• Crash bars
• Skid plate
• Passenger pegs or subframe sliders
• 12 O' Clock bar
• Radiator Guard

There are important idiosyncrasies to be aware of to ensure the protective measures are effective and not actually increasing your risks of damage in a crash.

Risks of using the wrong type of crash protection for your bike:

• Wrong Size
• Can drag hard parts when cornering
• Wrong Shape
• Can catch on the ground and cause the bike to flip
• Cheap Construction
• Can break off and cause more damage

Non tangible benefits of crash protection:

• Reduced feeling of impending doom
• Confidence to ride harder

All of my advice and analysis has thoroughly been crash tested. I have applied this advice to my WR250X where I have had at least 25 low sides, high sides, and forward and backwards loops. Despite some truly nasty crashes the worst damage the bike ever incurred was a bent front axel (they don't make protection for that 😞). Additionally, I have crashed and totaled bunch of other bikes including a beautiful Ducati 1098 that didn't have any protection because I didn't want to cut the fairings up 😓...

In a future post I will go into more detail with all the categories and show how I protected my MT 07 and ways to fabricate your own crash protection that's specific for you needs and bike. Think stunt bike/dirt bike.