[BullettuPaandi]

I'm no engineer (nor a Hindi speaker), so all I have is a question:

From what I managed to understand, he claims that there's not enough spacing between the sub-frame's top & bottom tubes, and this creates too much pressure under load causing the main frame to snap. This is how I understand how a smaller spacing would result in a worse distribution of force - under load, the top tube of the sub-frame would be pulling the main frame towards it, while the bottom tube would be pushing against it. Lesser the separation between these two points, lower the area upon which the force of the load would be acting, i.e more pressure.

My question is, if that's the case, wouldn't the sub-frame be more susceptible to snapping than the more robust main frame? ...perhaps the bottom tube of the sub-frame? When I imagine, after having understood what I could from the video, this is what I can visualise happening. So, kindly correct me if I'm wrong; I'm curious to know. Or, could it be that improper welding of the plates that house the mounting bolts is creating a weaker link here than the sub-frame? Because, I now notice that the breakage on both instances look right next to the weld (refer posts #1 & #30). I know this is a yet another speculation and I apologise to the Himalayan 450 owners reading this thread if this comes across as fear-mongering - I don't mean to; I'm just trying to learn.

But this claim in the video doesn't account for the engine mount bolt and spacers issue. In the second instance, it could be that the engine mount bolt didn't fail & the rider removed it and didn't put back - visibly amongst a few other - while removing the crash guard. So, if I'm wrong about the sub-frame being more susceptible, the claim in the video is equally valid as the RE's lack of 'specialised' bolts & spacers theory, for the second instance. But, the engine mount bolt appears to have failed in the first instance as well (refer post #24), where the crash guard is still on. So, I think RE's theory seems to hold up better, in general.

[RMN]

FYI, some faired superbikes have no frame cut aftermarket sliders that has adapters/extenders mounted to the engine bolt. R&G and even Zana makes them.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by RMN

FYI, some faired superbikes have no frame cut aftermarket sliders that has adapters/extenders mounted to the engine bolt. R&G and even Zana makes them.

Both old Bullets and KTMs have crash guards fitted to plates or eyelets welded to the main frame. I.e. not directly fitted to the main frame or its foundation bolts. Plus the guards themselves have extensions or bolted clamps. So when the bike or guard take a hit, there is enough non critical bend metal area that is replaceable and that never touches the main frame or anchors. The old Bullets have had thise for over 70+ years.

Cheers, Doc

[ebonho]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dztMCtQ0...W3MRYM5iTS5Uf-

Shumi is willing to bet that its the crash cages to blame.

Cheers, Doc

[pedrolourenco]

I have booked a Himalayan. In fact my wife did the booking and the dealer added the Rally Guard as an accessory. When I asked him he said my wife asked for it. She has no clue so I'm sure these guys just added it without asking.
Well it's around 10K and probably the only accessory I will get for now.

Coming to crash guards IMO the aftermarket ones just look plain ugly. That's one reason I wouldn't install them.

Secondly and more importantly, why do you need a crash guard? My understanding is it's to protect the engine in case of a crash. Isn't the engine covered by insurance? You have a crash and your engine gets damaged. So what? Claim it under insurance.

It's not like riding gear which you need because no insurance can repair a rider.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco

You have a crash and your engine gets damaged. So what? Claim it under insurance.

Well, that's fine when the bike is back in the workshop, but say you're on a long ride and somewhere remote (which is kind of the point of these ADV type bikes). I'd rather not want the bike immobilized in the middle of nowhere. A crash guard seems like a good thing to have in such a situation. I've had a couple of slides on older bullets while on such rides and the crash guard was a big help.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco

Secondly and more importantly, why do you need a crash guard? My understanding is it's to protect the engine in case of a crash. Isn't the engine covered by insurance? You have a crash and your engine gets damaged. So what? Claim it under insurance.

A crash guard will protect your legs from getting crushed/broken under the bike if the bike falls on you. This is a likely probability in an accident or tipping over at standstill or even a low speed fall. This is over and above your engine and chassis protection. I would always want one on my bike.

Cheers

[Sebring]

In fact there is this video of a guy's ankle snapping like a twig, as he did not have any guard on

Originally Posted by Cyborg

A crash guard will protect your legs from getting crushed/broken under the bike if the bike falls on you.

[pedrolourenco]

Originally Posted by am1m

Well, that's fine when the bike is back in the workshop, but say you're on a long ride and somewhere remote (which is kind of the point of these ADV type bikes). I'd rather not want the bike immobilized in the middle of nowhere. A crash guard seems like a good thing to have in such a situation. I've had a couple of slides on older bullets while on such rides and the crash guard was a big help.

Well purring aftermarket guards which snap the chassis will definitely leave you immobilised.

Originally Posted by Cyborg

A crash guard will protect your legs from getting crushed/broken under the bike if the bike falls on you. This is a likely probability in an accident or tipping over at standstill or even a low speed fall. This is over and above your engine and chassis protection. I would always want one on my bike.

Cheers

Not sure how much these guards protect the legs as they are primarily designed to protect the engine. But then if you must have a guard then the RE is the best.

I had been to the dealer today. There was a Himalayan which had come for service which has the all the Moto Tech Stuff; Crash Guard, Bash Plate, Pannier stays, Topbox Plate. The RE accessories are definitely better in fit and finish.

[hikozaru]

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco

Not sure how much these guards protect the legs as they are primarily designed to protect the engine. But then if you must have a guard then the RE is the best.

Having been trapped under 3 different bikes, all with crash guards, my leg was significantly injured in all the instances but I still think crash guards are what allowed me to experience my leg getting trapped again.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco

Well purring aftermarket guards which snap the chassis will definitely leave you immobilised.

Agreed that these should be avoided. But I didn't realize from your previous post that you were referring to aftermarket crash guards that might cause this issue, but seemed to question the value of a crash guard itself. Either way, I've personally seen the value of crash guards a couple of times while on long rides to remote areas. Of course those were on old Bullets that weren't as advanced as the new ones where the addition of an non-official accessory might increase the risk of the chassis snapping.

If the issue is just with aftermarket guards (with even the old Himalayan's history of chassis issues, hope this is not a fundamental design issue) then certainly those must be avoided at all costs.

Either way, if RE is marketing these as 'ADV' bikes then it should be assumed that at least some riders will push the bike beyond the daily office commute or group rides to coffee day with a support vehicle in tow. And then it would be nice to have some way to protect the various parts of the bike when it falls.

[Sebring]

I believe on the Guerilla frame they have mentioned weight bearing capacity at 350 odd kilos. It was in the review.

[CLASSICREBORN]

Hi. I got this video on YouTube. I donot know if it has been posted before. But in this video the rider complains about missing bolts after Ladakh ride even after installation of original RE LEG GUARD. Here is the link

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ct-PqUuG...W8ErCGqYik_pPH

.

This is now really getting ugly and puts serious doubts about the ability of RE to manufacture ADV styled bikes