Page 1 of 2

Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 6:52 pm
by timminator
This weekend I am taking a precision maneuvering course on my 2016 RT, this is very low speed u-turns, and other skills, similar to what police training offers.  I have heard that there's a higher risk of dropping the bike in this course, which makes sense.  I already have the BMW cylinder guards installed but would like to put something on the panniers to cushion them if possible.


I don't need something permanent, just stick it on for the training and then take it back off.  Any of you had luck with something like this?

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 7:31 pm
by milleplod
I'd take the panniers off!!  :alas:

Pete

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 9:14 pm
by David.
The trainer was an ex. sgt. of the local police force motorcycle section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v3-5Gs5KOw

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 9:31 pm
by simbo
milleplod wrote: I'd take the panniers off!!  :alas:

Pete

I'd do it on someone else's bike!!  :alas:

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 10:15 pm
by timminator
milleplod wrote: I'd take the panniers off!!  :alas:

Pete
Haha, good tip, but that won't prevent damage to the bike.  The panniers will absorb the fall and protect some more expensive components underneath them.  I'm thinking I'll just duct tape a foam pad, like the interlocking floor tiles, to the sides of them.

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 9:26 am
by bandytales
simbo wrote:
I'd do it on someone else's bike!!  :alas:

Me too.I really don't see the point of this 'training', if there is a chance of dropping your own pride and joy. In the real world very few people will NEED to conduct these types of maneuvers. Just get off the bike an push it.
Don't get me wrong. I love training, It is most worthwhile, but not high risk stuff on your own machine. Training bikes have been prepped for just these sorts of incidents and to do it on your own bike smacks of being foolhardy.  When I do it I go to a training authority with bikes ready for customers to do their 'thing'. I recommend you do the same.

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 9:30 am
by David.
On i2i MC1, your own bike is used for Slow Speed Machine Control.

"In this section you will understand the stories you have created about slow speed control and learn advanced techniques for controlling your machine at slow speeds."

https://www.facebook.com/i2imotorcyclea ... 332078365/

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 11:43 am
by MEM62
timminator wrote:The panniers will absorb the fall and protect some more expensive components underneath them.
What is there underneath that is more expensive than the panniers?  Not much I think. 

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 3:22 pm
by Sprintgull
Over here car accessory stores sell stick on protectors for car bumpers (fenders?) for about £10.  Put them along the edge which will ground first.  They are black and look like they were always there.

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 6:28 pm
by timminator
MEM62 wrote: What is there underneath that is more expensive than the panniers?  Not much I think.
Any number of things, including your exhaust and swing-arm.

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 6:29 pm
by timminator
Sprintgull wrote: Over here car accessory stores sell stick on protectors for car bumpers (fenders?) for about £10.  Put them along the edge which will ground first.  They are black and look like they were always there.
I will check into that, thanks.

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 6:56 pm
by simbo
David. wrote: The trainer was an ex. sgt. of the local police force motorcycle section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v3-5Gs5KOw

Is that you on that RT? lol

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 8:04 pm
by Steve F
timminator wrote: I will check into that, thanks.
This is what I believe is being referred to, available from Halfords here in the U.K. I also bought a pair for my RT panniers last year, and positioned them along the bottom of the side facing part of the pannier. Hopefully, should the bike fall over, they will prevent the pannier getting gravel rash!

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/exterior-protection/halfords-bodywork-protectors-black

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 8:36 pm
by LondonBiker
I’ve got the Wunderlich pannier protector bars and some BMW head guards.  The work very well. Don’t ask me how I know.

Re: Protecting plastic bits - temporarily

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 4:43 pm
by timminator
LondonBiker wrote: I’ve got the Wunderlich pannier protector bars and some BMW head guards.  The work very well. Don’t ask me how I know.
Haha, and those cylinder protectors work well too, don't ask me how I know either!  My class is at noon today, I'll give you all an update about how it went when it's over.