experienced riders: u recommend putting radiator mesh guard & headlight plastic film or waste of $? | GTAMotorcycle.com

experienced riders: u recommend putting radiator mesh guard & headlight plastic film or waste of $?

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Phalanx

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as title states.

apparently i have heard lots of ppl say tiny stone chips and pebbles on the highway can get lodged and put a hole or dent in your radiator. and apparently the radiator is super expensive to fix/replace

for headlights, same story. they have protective plastic film you can stick on your headlights, kind of like what u use as screen protectors but much more durable


thoughts?
 
I've probably ridden close to a half-million kms on over a couple dozen motorcycles. I've never had a rock damage my radiator or headlight. My opinion is that it seldom happens (and I've ridden a lot of dirt and gravel roads). But when it does, it is very expensive to repair or replace, especially those newer LED headlights.

It's like any kind of insurance. You can go for a very long time or forever without needing it, but the first time you need to use it, you'll be glad you bought it.

Your call, really.
 
Lightcycle said:
I've probably ridden close to a half-million kms on over a couple dozen motorcycles. I've never had a rock damage my radiator or headlight. My opinion is that it seldom happens (and I've ridden a lot of dirt and gravel roads). But when it does, it is very expensive to repair or replace, especially those newer LED headlights.

It's like any kind of insurance. You can go for a very long time or forever without needing it, but the first time you need to use it, you'll be glad you bought it.

Your call, really.
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do u know approximate cost of a new radiator and newer model LED headlights? like ball park
 
a lot of the radiator guards restrict airflow and can make a bike run hot. it doesnt look like much until you add it all up but standard window screen restriction airflow about 30%, all those little wires add up
 
Phalanx said:
as title states.

apparently i have heard lots of ppl say tiny stone chips and pebbles on the highway can get lodged and put a hole or dent in your radiator. and apparently the radiator is super expensive to fix/replace

for headlights, same story. they have protective plastic film you can stick on your headlights, kind of like what u use as screen protectors but much more durable


thoughts?
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Had my headlight cracked by a stone a few years ago. Expensive to replace - around $400 if I remember correctly. My thoughts are that they are both good insurance.
 
As previously mentioned, a rad mesh guard will restrict the airflow, however a well-engineered one will cause an elevation of run temperatures by less than 5C. IMO, a sustainable trade-off to insure no damage.
 
If you only ride paved roads I wouldn't bother. If you ride alot of gravel I definitely would protect the rad and the headlight.

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I would be shocked if a film on the headlights did anything against substantial physical damage. Film can protect the plastic from the gradual sand blasting and gazing that happens over time, but on a solid hit with a rock the film doesn't have a chance.

I like the longer fender idea. Extra protection for minimal cost and no performance issues.
 
I guess if anything, you just get peace of mind, OP.

FWIW, I touch up my radiator with black touch up paint if I find any nicks.
Dont have PPF on my bike but I haven't really seen any significant chips on my lens either.
 
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I guess having a air cool bike has a benefit. (y)
 
I meet a lot of guys who tend to listen to advice given by just about anybody.
Everything you hear isn't always good information or good advice.


You need to find somebody who you really trust who knows a lot about the motorcycle experience, from a long relationship riding
 
Low rider said:
You need to find somebody who you really trust who knows a lot about the motorcycle experience, from a long relationship riding
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...Peggy to the white courtesy phone for customer service...
 
Low rider said:
You need to find somebody who you really trust who knows a lot about the motorcycle experience, from a long relationship riding
Click to expand...
Lightcycle already commented.

I agree that it depends on your riding. That said a film on the headlight won't do much for impacts of larger items like gravel rocks. A plexi cover would be better or a mesh. A mesh over the rad should help without restricting airflow.

Had a chunk of rubber kick up and crack my headlight...30 years ago and never happened again since. Never had a rad issue, except for the vandal with an icepick.
 
The reason I have a proper lexan headlight guard is not because I ride gravel/offroad. It's because I am often riding behind other bikes on gravel/offroad.
A bigger or higher powered bikes can really chuck rocks down the trail with an enthusiastic throttle hand. And no, 3m film won't help with that.

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bitzz said:
But it'll keep the pieces of the smashed headlight in one place instead of in your face.
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And likely long enough to get home...

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Headlight protectors are useless unless you are off-roading.
 
Riceburner said:
Lightcycle already commented.

I agree that it depends on your riding. That said a film on the headlight won't do much for impacts of larger items like gravel rocks. A plexi cover would be better or a mesh. A mesh over the rad should help without restricting airflow.

Had a chunk of rubber kick up and crack my headlight...30 years ago and never happened again since. Never had a rad issue, except for the vandal with an icepick.
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ok. why are all the above ppl saying a mesh over radiator is gonna restrict airflow

and what about abs plastic cover on the headlights?
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