For most riders, their motorbike is their pride and joy and much to their dismay, motorbikes can fall victim to damage in the unfortunate event an accident occurs.

The addition of a motorcycle swing arm protector can be particularly effective in preventing such damage and while that may be completely foreign to a beginner, this guide is here to change just that.

What Is A Motorcycle Swing Arm Protector?

A motorcycle swing arm protector is a form of crash protection that mounts to each side of the motorbike’s swing arm to mitigate damage, reducing the amount of scuffs and scratches that are sustained in the event of a drop or slide.

Why Do I Need A Swing Arm Protector?

You never can be too careful when it comes to protecting your pride and joy. No one wants to sustain damage to any part of their motorbike and in an ideal world it could be wrapped in cotton wool. Sadly, that is not the case, but crash protection is as close as it gets and swing arm protectors are a fine example of that.

The addition of a swing arm guard is a preemptive measure that can be taken to lessen the blow for a more important component if the motorcycle does fall victim to unwanted contact with the ground. A decent swing arm protector will not cost a fortune either and although they are likely to suffer damage themselves, they are still cheaper and easier to source and replace than the actual swing arm.

What Makes A Great Swing Arm Protector?

While most swing arm protectors would be a welcomed addition to any motorcycle, there are a number of key considerations to be made when choosing one for your bike.

For starters, as protection is the name of the game with swing arm protectors, it is important to assess the materials from which they are made. There are cheap options out there and although the price tag may be appealing, they are unlikely to withstand impacts. Instead, it would be best to opt for one that is made with robust or even impact-resistant materials, such as ABS plastic.

The level of protection offered is certainly the priority of these guards but that does not mean it should come at a cost to aesthetics. Take Puig’s swing arm protectors for example, they seamlessly fit to the motorbike with no impact on the existing appearance and while they come in black as standard, a range of coloured rings can be added for personalisation.

How To Install A Swing Arm Protector

Motorcycle swing arm protectors are straightforward to install as they simply screw into place on each side of the swing arm using existing mounting positions. In most cases, they are delivered with detailed, visual instructions that make the installation process a breeze for experts and novices alike.