[antonis]

Hello,

In my 2022 V650, the original fog lights obliterated the installation of any crash bars (PUIG, MOTECH and so on) so I went for the original Engine Slider Set.
Now, after dropping the bike a couple of times by clumsy movements in my basement, I noticed the scratches in the side and the top case (when the side cases were removed) and understood that I cannot safely exercise much in slow speed maneuvers, leaning and so on, without unpleasant consequences.

While it is true that the engine sliders do work, the protection is limited to the engine and fairing only. The handguard will also likely hit the ground and even with top and side cases removed, rear blinkers and top cases's support can also hit the ground.

Does anyone know a product capable of completely protecting the bike like the ones for Harley-Davidson?

And I do not know whether somebody used boat fenders for that purpose ...😀

cheers
antonis

 

[kardan]

Does anyone know a product capable of completely protecting the bike like the ones for Harley-Davidson?

What about this crashbar:

Crash frames Kawasaki Versys 650 ´22-23´ | rdmoto.eu

Crash frames RDmoto offer maximum protection of your bike. Made from high-quality steel material. Tested by our customers. Price per pair including fitting kit.

rdmoto.eu

I have crashbar from RDMOTO for my 2018 model, and I am happy with them, but I never drop motorbike so I didn't have real test.

But I manualy lowered the motorbikebike to the ground slightly to see which part of the crashbar touches the ground and if it will protect the turn signal (he is close to ground) and footpeg gear lever. I can say that the footpeg gear lever can't touch the floor with this crashbar.

But that's not a problem for me, the main thing is to protect the vital parts of the motorcycle when falling or sliding, if it goes into a ditch then even a crash bar won't help.

This is how RDMOTO crash bar look on my 2018 V650, and for 2022+ (4-th generation) model crash bar look very similar to this one on my 3-rd generation.

 

[antonis]

What about this crashbar:

Crash frames Kawasaki Versys 650 ´22-23´ | rdmoto.eu

Crash frames RDmoto offer maximum protection of your bike. Made from high-quality steel material. Tested by our customers. Price per pair including fitting kit.

rdmoto.eu

I have crashbar from RDMOTO for my 2018 model, and I am happy with them, but I never drop motorbike so I didn't have real test.

But I manualy lowered the motorbikebike to the ground slightly to see which part of the crashbar touches the ground and if it will protect the turn signal (he is close to ground) and footpeg gear lever. I can say that the footpeg gear lever can't touch the floor with this crashbar.

But that's not a problem for me, the main thing is to protect the vital parts of the motorcycle when falling or sliding, if it goes into a ditch then even a crash bar won't help.

This is how RDMOTO crash bar look on my 2018 V650, and for 2022+ (4-th generation) model crash bar look very similar to this one on my 3-rd generation.
View attachment 192479


View attachment 192480


View attachment 192481

Thanks mate, the Kawasaki's engine sliders would prevent such an installation as they are already in the way... But I already found a T-Rex luggage crash bars which would do the trick once fitting to the 2022 model. Let's see, I wrote to the nearest dealer.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

BIG RED, my '08 V650 has been "down" several times, and WELL PROTECTED by the SW-Motech crash-bars, in my garage at 0 mph.

IMG_0580 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

This was the results of a 20 to 30 mph low-side caused by sand on AZ 366 while 'climbing' Mt Grant.

DSC05405 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DSC05404 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DSC09818 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

MOST of the scratches were 'fixed' by appropriate pieces of 'electricians tape'.

This caused by putting my foot down W/OUT ensuring there was NOT a hole where my foot was headed....

DSC01658 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

Bottom line? Those SW-MOTECH crash-bars paid for themselves, several times over...!

 

[antonis]

Thanks mate, the Kawasaki's engine sliders would prevent such an installation as they are already in the way... But I already found a T-Rex luggage crash bars which would do the trick once fitting to the 2022 model. Let's see, I wrote to the nearest dealer.

Update: T-Rex have tested up to 2021 model. Kawasaki's part number for frame is different for 2022 (same for 2023 too) from 2021. In the explosion picture they look the same. However Kawasaki Europe firmly refused to answer the question whether frame of 2021 model is same with 2022... so I will be waiting for an attempt from T-Rex to fit it to the 2022 model.

 

[csab]

I'm also thinking about this. I have a 2023. No drops yet, but it will happen eventually. SW-Motech guard is a single product or a combination?

 

[antonis]

I'm also thinking about this. I have a 2023. No drops yet, but it will happen eventually. SW-Motech guard is a single product or a combination?

It is a complete product, successful, but I haven't the foggiest idea whether it will protect Kawasaki's original luggage. A possible issue is whether original fog lights do prevent its fitting. If you aren't going having the original cases but third party ones then the engine bars will do. But since you live in the states, why importing a German product instead of supporting local factories, like T-Rex (Dallas) Check this out: T-Rex Racing 2015 - 2021 Kawasaki Versys 650 Engine & Luggage Guards
They don't have yet tested 2023 (neither 2022) but they will sooner or later do. In between the Kawasaki engine sliders are good for 0 mph accidents. Also third party ones, cheaper.

 

[csab]

I've looked into these options, and at this point, the only one that is available is SW-Motech. They offer crash bars, frame sliders, and engine guards separately. Buying all three would $623.37. The crash bar also looks rather small on the picture. I'm not 100% sure it would protect e.g. the fairings or other protruding parts.

T-Rex looks nice for a total of $359.95, but as you pointed out, they don't have it for the 2022-23 models yet. Interestingly, if I don't care about the luggage guard, their engine guard is said to fit the 2022 model, which would likely fit the 2023.

 

[antonis]

I've looked into these options, and at this point, the only one that is available is SW-Motech. They offer crash bars, frame sliders, and engine guards separately. Buying all three would $623.37. The crash bar also looks rather small on the picture. I'm not 100% sure it would protect e.g. the fairings or other protruding parts.



T-Rex looks nice for a total of $359.95, but as you pointed out, they don't have it for the 2022-23 models yet. Interestingly, if I don't care about the luggage guard, their engine guard is said to fit the 2022 model, which would likely fit the 2023.

Apart from a YT video about older V650's Motech crash bars I do not know of any other testimonial about SW- Motech. I only found out that engine sliders and engine crash bars get fixed on one and same place, so it is either the one or the other, you can't have them both. I fell twice while trying small circle and short U-turn and nothing happened, so low speed and even ground are dealt by my Kawasaki's engine slider set.

Top case and side paniers will suffer though.

I will anyway wait for T-REX's luggage bars, I want to train to perfectly control my bike at low speeds, so protections are a must.

 

[Fly-Sig]

The front turn signals are very difficult to protect with crash bars. I swapped to micro sized LED front signals. They won't hit pavement even without crash bars.

For me, protecting the lower engine was the main consideration. Most crash bars don't wrap low enough. I have the RDMoto on my 2015 which do protect the lower areas. The downside is they are heavier than sliders or some of the other bars that protect the fairing.

No matter what, I think the handle bar end is going to hit the ground.

I like the concept of the bars that protect the rear side luggage in a tipover.

 

[csab]

I only found out that engine sliders and engine crash bars get fixed on one and same place, so it is either the one or the other, you can't have them both.

That's good information, thank you!

I will anyway wait for T-REX's luggage bars, I want to train to perfectly control my bike at low speeds, so protections are a must.

I'll probably do the same. But what if takes a long time? I'll probably email them if they have an estimated timeline.

 

[csab]

I have the RDMoto on my 2015 which do protect the lower areas. The downside is they are heavier than sliders or some of the other bars that protect the fairing.

I like the RD Moto crash bars, but you can't buy them on-line in the USA, and there are no dealers. So I don;t think I can get them here.

Thanks for the info on the turn signals. I guess that's reasonable. I broke my turn signals on my Ninja more than I can count! If it wasn't a tipover, then somebody bumped into in the parking lot, or me in the garage.

 

[Fly-Sig]

I like the RD Moto crash bars, but you can't buy them on-line in the USA, and there are no dealers. So I don;t think I can get them here.

I don't remember exactly how I got mine, maybe eBay or maybe the manufacturer's site which would have been foreign. They were shipped internationally and arrived pretty quickly, though that was maybe 6 or 7 years ago now.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

Here's a pic of my '08 (w/ SW-Motech bars) on its side. No damage to the signals.

IMG_0580 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

And here's a pic of the crash-bars after low-siding at 20 to 30 mph due sand in a paved-corner. I covered the road rash w/ electricians tape, but NO real damage to bars.

DSC05404 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DSC09818 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

and a "put my foot into a hole", which doesn't 'work'...!

DSC01658 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

AGAIN it DID NOT harm signals...!

 

[antonis]

That's good information, thank you!

I'll probably do the same. But what if takes a long time? I'll probably email them if they have an estimated timeline.

As soon as they can lay their hands on it they'll e-mail me.
Over here in Europe one has the right to change one's mind and return a merchandise within two weeks of the purchase, but the nearest dealer to me is in Hamburg (615 km, handsome DHL fee) and he'll owe to import it, taxes and duties, so I wouldn't take my chance to try the fitting... The frame does look the same in the explosion design but the part no. is different for 2022, that's the point. The chief mechanic of my garage might see otherwise, haven't yet though the chance asking him, 's on leave...

 

[antonis]

Here's a pic of my '08 (w/ SW-Motech bars) on its side. No damage to the signals.

IMG_0580 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

And here's a pic of the crash-bars after low-siding at 20 to 30 mph due sand in a paved-corner. I covered the road rash w/ electricians tape, but NO real damage to bars.

DSC05404 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DSC09818 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

and a "put my foot into a hole", which doesn't 'work'...!

DSC01658 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

DID NOT harm signals AGAIN...!

2022 model has humbler and smaller blinkers.

 

[antonis]

I like the RD Moto crash bars, but you can't buy them on-line in the USA, and there are no dealers. So I don;t think I can get them here.

Thanks for the info on the turn signals. I guess that's reasonable. I broke my turn signals on my Ninja more than I can count! If it wasn't a tipover, then somebody bumped into in the parking lot, or me in the garage.

Czech they are: Doplňky pro motocykly | rdmoto.eu - RDmoto tuning s.r.o, Czech republic has many very developed industrial sectors...

 

[csab]

I emailed T-Rex customer service, and they told me to order the crash bars that are produced for older models, and if they don't fit, I can send them back for free. So I ordered them yesterday. Crash bars and luggage protection. I'll report back.

 

[antonis]

I emailed T-Rex customer service, and they told me to order the crash bars that are produced for older models, and if they don't fit, I can send them back for free. So I ordered them yesterday. Crash bars and luggage protection. I'll report back.

Great! Looking forward, cheers

 

[minkyhead56]

should be ok ..i had a a set of piug bars on the mk 3 and they went straight on the mk4 no issues at all