Many people will do whatever it takes to ensure their motorcycle remains in top condition and while sustaining unwanted damage is simply unavoidable at times, it can be limited.

Thankfully, motorcycle crash protection exists to address the elephant in the room which comes in the form of the damage caused by accidents.

While crash protection in general would be a recommended addition to any motorbike, it is important to know what each type does and when it should be used. So, here is a guide to make that buying process that bit easier.

What Is The Purpose Of Motorcycle Crash Protection?

Motorcycle crash protection is designed and manufactured to act as the first line of defence in the unfortunate event of a drop, fall, slide or accident, protecting the vital components of your motorcycle.

Made from durable, resistant material, crash protection is there to absorb and bear the brunt of any impacts or contact with the ground so the parts of the motorbike that really matter do not have to. While these products themselves may have to be replaced if you do fall victim to unwanted contact, they are cheaper and easier to source and replace than original motorcycle components thus saving money, time and effort in the long run.

What Are The Different Types Of Motorcycle Crash Protection?

Although motorcycle crash protection’s purpose can be defined generally, it is actually a much broader term and as such, there are a number of types of crash protection. The various types each perform different roles and have different use cases, so it is important to understand what they are and what they do.

Engine Covers:

No points for guessing what motorcycle engine covers do and that is because it is exactly what the name suggests, covering the engine to act as a shield against impacts. They are particularly effective against contact from a drop fall or slide.

Engine Guards:

Another example where the purpose is given away by the name, motorcycle engine guards come in the form of steel tubing that sits in front of the engine to create a safe, rigid structure and defend against any potential impacts. As an added benefit, the presence of an engine guard can protect the rider’s legs if the motorbike was to go over on its side.

Frame Sliders:

Aside from totally wrecking a motorcycle beyond repair in a collision, slides are perhaps the incident that can do the most damage. The continuous damage caused by a slide is far greater than the effects of a drop or fall, but thankfully, motorcycle frame sliders do their utmost to mitigate such issues. Frame sliders are one of the first points of contact, absorbing impacts to protect the engine area, bodywork and fairing from sustaining significant damage.

Swing Arm Protectors & Spools:

Motorcycle swing arm protectors and spools are two separate products that essentially perform the same job. Made from resistant nylon, both of these crash protection products protect the swing arm to reduce scuffs and scratches and as a bonus, support mounting motorcycle paddock stands. Two underrated products that can fly under the radar but should not be ignored.

Front Fork Protectors:

Moving on to crash protection at the front of the motorcycle, front fork protectors too are made from resistant nylon and as one of the first parts to touch the ground, offer protection should the motorbike suffer a crash or drop, limiting the extent of damage caused to both the front fork and suspension.

Handguards:

Motorcycle handguards are pretty self-explanatory, they protect the rider’s hands from the impact of collisions with other motorbikes and road users and as a secondary function, offer a defence for the hands against weather and flying debris.

Lever Guards:

Effective in offering protection for the brake lever and clutch lever, motorcycle lever guards protect against contact with other bikes and are used to avoid losing the levers in such scenarios. They are not just recommended when it comes to track bikes, the brake lever guard is in fact a legal requirement when hitting the track with your motorbike.

When To Use Motorcycle Crash Protection

While motorcycle crash protection products each protect different areas of the motorbike and perform different roles, there are also different types of bikes that make a difference as to which crash protection is required or recommended:

Track motorcycle crash protection: frame sliders, lever guards, engine covers, swing arm protector and front fork protector.

Adventure motorcycle crash protection: swing arm protector, handguards and engine guards.

Sport motorcycle crash protection: frame sliders, engine covers, swing arm protector and front fork protector.

If you are considering adding crash protection to your motorcycle, you should now have a better idea of what to look for to keep your motorcycle in the best possible condition.

The main areas to keep in mind are the parts of the motorbike that will be protected to ensure you have your desired protection and the type of crash protection a particular type of bike will require.