For most people, their motorcycle is their pride and joy and unfortunately, motorbikes can fall victim to damage thanks to the occurrence of drops, falls and slides.

Naturally, it makes sense to take measures to reduce the effects of these unfortunate events and thankfully, motorcycle crash protection exists.

With that said, a beginner may not be familiar with motorcycle crash protection, so what exactly is it and what does it have to offer?

What Is Motorcycle Crash Protection?

Motorcycle crash protection refers to a series of aftermarket accessories that are designed to act as the first line of defence in the event of drop, fall or slide, protecting the motorbike’s vital components from sustaining significant damage.

Why Should I Use Motorcycle Crash Protection?

Made from durable and resistant materials, crash protection essentially creates a shield around the major components of the motorcycle, absorbing impact so the more important parts do not have to.

Whether it is for the engine, suspension, fairing, swing arm or front fork, crash protection’s ability to mitigate the extent of damage should not be undervalued, providing peace of mind and reducing the risk of motorbikes suffering extensive, costly damage. The keyword to keep in mind here is mitigate.

Naturally, if you do encounter an unfortunate drop, fall, or slide, while damage to the motorcycle will be minimised, the crash protection itself is likely to sustain damage. However, that is what it is there for and the reason for adding this protection is the fact that it is simply cheaper and easier to replace than the exposed components. Similarly, key components could break and stop your journey in its tracks and that is what crash protection is there to prevent.

What Type Of Motorcycle Crash Protection Should I Use?

Motorcycle crash protection comes in many different forms and products, with each offering protection to various different areas of the motorbike. Take Puig’s for example, their range of crash protection includes:

Front Fork Protectors:

Motorcycle front fork protectors are made from a resistant nylon material and have been designed to prevent unwanted contact from the ground and reduce the risk of the front fork and suspension suffering damage.

Frame Sliders:

Motorcycle frame sliders are ideal for track days when the risk of a crash is higher. They absorb impacts in the event of a crash even at higher speeds and are particularly effective at minimising the effects of a slide, protecting the bodywork and fairing in the process.

Engine Covers:

Motorcycle engine covers are rather self-explanatory in their purpose. They take the form of steel casing that mounts over the engine, reducing the impact of slides to provide a robust defence for what is undoubtedly a vulnerable area.

Engine Guards:

Motorcycle engine guards are a steel tubing construct that creates a safe and rigid structure to protect both the engine and the fairing. A secondary purpose they may have is the potential to prevent your legs from becoming trapped under the bike.

Swing Arm Protectors & Spools:

Both swing arm protectors and spools are made to protect the swing arm. As the first point of contact at the rear of the motorcycle, their impact-resistant nylon structures are effective in reducing the accumulation of scuffs and scratches.

So, now that everyone is more familiar with motorcycle crash protection and what it does, is it really worth adding to your motorcycle?

The answer is a resounding yes. While it will not create a forcefield around the motorbike, crash protection will certainly minimise the amount of damage caused by a drop, fall or slide and although it is likely to become damaged itself, replacing these products is simply more convenient and cost-effective than replacing vital components that are otherwise exposed.