[Selby]

With panniers removed, does a fall-over to the right damage the exhaust muffler?
If so;

• Is there a muffler band or cover available for increased protection?
• Can the pillion pegs somehow be ‘padded/extended outwards’ slightly to offer improved protection?

Thank you, Selby.

 

[zer0netgain]

No. It will mess with the aesthetics only.

 

[sturgeon]

On my bikes, the muffler guards also serve as panniers.

 

[Selby]

I get it now. Someone else said similarly too.
Panniers for : 1. Protection and 2. Carrying stuff.
I ride locally without my ‘Protectors’ but I’d better put them back 😊

 

[sturgeon]

I get it now. Someone else said similarly too.
Panniers for : 1. Protection and 2. Carrying stuff.
I ride locally without my ‘Protectors’ but I’d better put them back 😊

Well, yeah, except I'd reverse 1 and 2. It was tongue in cheek, but you already knew that.

Having said that, mine got blown over in high winds, fully loaded. Right pannier suffered the (paint) damage. But, having a small replacement muffler instead of the enormous chrome OEM job, I suspect that the cylinder head guard, footpeg, rear footpeg carrier, and upper pannier mount would save the muffler from too much damage in such a tipover.

 

[Selby]

Well, yeah, except I'd reverse 1 and 2. It was tongue in cheek, but you already knew that.

Having said that, mine got blown over in high winds, fully loaded. Right pannier suffered the (paint) damage. But, having a small replacement muffler instead of the enormous chrome OEM job, I suspect that the cylinder head guard, footpeg, rear footpeg carrier, and upper pannier mount would save the muffler from too much damage in such a tipover.

Thank you sturgeon. Great info!

 

[Panzermann]

Put a thick blanket on the ground and lay the bike down on its right side - then you’ll know. Good practice for picking it up if it does fall, too.

 

[Selby]

Put a thick blanket on the ground and lay the bike down on its right side - then you’ll know. Good practice for picking it up if it does fall, too.

Yes, good knowledge to have. Feel the weight of the bike etc. I’m already enjoying the minus 80 or so Kg compared with my Honda and previous.

My friend on his new grey HD, at first fuel stop last week, dropped the bike. His boot sole momentarily hung-up coming off the unaccustomed left footrest. Then off to the workshop for repairs.
Thanks P’mann.
S

 

[Lee F]

Used stock mufflers usually sell for a cheap price. Some people replace them when the bike is new.
If you ding one in a tip over it won't drain your bank account to replace it.
There's one for sale on the RS site in Scotland that was removed at 600 miles for $136 US shipped within the UK.

 

[Selby]

Good to know. Thanks Lee 👍
Selby

 

[mikeS]

Hmmm, static tip-over - any bike tip-over by a gust of wind, nudged in a carpark, sloppy rider u-turn, rider losing footing or whatever - the damage could be cosmetic scratches or very expensive. I've had a carpark tip-over and damaged the CAN, cylinder head, bar end and a few bits&peices. From memory, the cost of the all-up parts was around 3k. Accidents happen and when it does, fix it and move on. IMHO, I'd be more concerned about having a good set of cylinder head protectors like MAM than the CAN protection. Oh, even replacing an OEM damaged pannier lid can be an eye-watering price. Just my view tho’ .


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[Selby]

Hmmm, static tip-over - any bike tip-over by a gust of wind, nudged in a carpark, sloppy rider u-turn, rider losing footing or whatever - the damage could be cosmetic scratches or very expensive. I've had a carpark tip-over and damaged the CAN, cylinder head, bar end and a few bits&peices. From memory, the cost of the all-up parts was around 3k. Accidents happen and when it does, fix it and move on. IMHO, I'd be more concerned about having a good set of cylinder head protectors like MAM than the CAN protection. Oh, even replacing an OEM damaged pannier lid can be an eye-watering price. Just my view tho’ .


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Thanks Mike. I don’t want to appear pre-occupied with dropping bikes. My questions are just part of my building a good knowledge of the RS, on all (many, anyway) aspects. That’s just me!

Having such knowledge and understanding increases my riding pleasure a great deal and = More RS fun!
S

 

[sturgeon]

Put a thick blanket on the ground and lay the bike down on its right side - then you’ll know. Good practice for picking it up if it does fall, too.

Good practice for picking it up, but they don't always fall the same way or end up in the same orientation on the ground, especially if they're a bit top-heavy with luggage.

On the subject of picking up, for those of you who were taught to stand beside a fallen bike with your back to it, here's an alternative from my pal Clinton, dirt-bike trainer extraordinaire. I've seen him demo this on a GS Adventure, using the mirror stalk. And he's just a little guy like me, probably in his mid-50's when this video was shot...

 

[Panzermann]

I've seen him demo this on a GS Adventure, using the mirror stalk

Some good tips in there, but the mirror stalk? You risk breaking the clutch or brake lever assembly depending on which side it has fallen. Then you're in real trouble ($$$$$$).

Adventure bikes have higher handlebars, so there's some merit in favouring this approach with them. Having said that I managed to pick up the 1250GS in Italy with full Vario panniers and top-case using the back-to-the-seat approach. The advantage with Boxers is the cylinder sticking out on the bottom side of the fallen bike - it gives you a head start as the bike can be rocked on the cylinder, lifting the upper part some way from the ground, giving you better leverage and a higher grip point.

 

[Selby]

Good practice for picking it up, but they don't always fall the same way or end up in the same orientation on the ground, especially if they're a bit top-heavy with luggage.

On the subject of picking up, for those of you who were taught to stand beside a fallen bike with your back to it, here's an alternative from my pal Clinton, dirt-bike trainer extraordinaire. I've seen him demo this on a GS Adventure, using the mirror stalk. And he's just a little guy like me, probably in his mid-50's when this video was shot...

Thanks sturgeon for the great video. I have tried lifting my Honda by the bars, but at 750 lbs or so and short handle bars, I did not succeed. Maybe wth the RS it would work for me, it seems so lightweight!
If I can get some grip with my feet, I can 'walk the Honda up' with my back against the seat but I need to be on a flat surface. Otherwise wait for a willing helper.
As you say, the bikes land in various postures and sometime 'go right over' especially on a downhill slope - very nasty and damaging. I don't want to sound like an expert at dropping and picking up though 🙃, but it does happen.
S

 

[serrge]

If you're picking the bike as suggested in the video above, also make sure you engage your core muscles to ensure that you're not straining your back.

I've dropped my R once because of the stupid sidestand that doesn't lean enough and picked it up with the method in the video. Easy peasy.

 

[sturgeon]

Some good tips in there, but the mirror stalk? You risk breaking the clutch or brake lever assembly depending on which side it has fallen. Then you're in real trouble ($$$$$$).

With Clinton it’s kind of a parlour trick, to get a laugh. He doesn’t actually advocate doing that. He teaches to use the bars as in the video.

 

[sturgeon]

I don't want to sound like an expert at dropping and picking up though 🙃, but it does happen.

I’m happy to claim expertise at dropping bikes. 🤪 (Years of enduro/dual-sport/off-road riding). But I’ve never dropped a street bike; my Roadster blew over in the wind once, and I once high-sided my old H1 after sliding through a patch of oil on a corner, but that doesn’t really count. I’ve even survived being rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light. Twice. Luckily, neither culprit was going very fast.

 

[Selby]

If you're picking the bike as suggested in the video above, also make sure you engage your core muscles to ensure that you're not straining your back.

I've dropped my R once because of the stupid sidestand that doesn't lean enough and picked it up with the method in the video. Easy peasy.

Yes, I have noticed the sidestand is quite long. My friends generously gifted me a Wunderlich s’stand ‘shoe’ for my RS, so up a bit further I go!

I am happy to be on the RS with it relatively light weight. A pleasant change for me. Thanks Serrge.
S

 

[Valentino.B]

Put a thick blanket on the ground and lay the bike down on its right side - then you’ll know. Good practice for picking it up if it does fall, too.

I agree, this is a must!. I learnt lesson the hard way and thought watching youtube instructions was enough. Not enough, need to do it yourself. Lucky, I have good ppl helped me when I fell.