Quote:
Originally Posted by
uk_nick
Pictures below taken from other forum members show damaged water pump and a metal putty repair to the engine casing.
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There has only been one report, I believe (of course I could have missed some) of a damaged water pump. It is off course possible that you could destroy it, but there is no real evidence to support any claim that it is vulnerable. In fact, lay your bike on it's side and look at how far from harm the water pump is.....
Tims problem was just pure bad luck. again this is the only example of this failure in lots of trips people have done.
The whole Bars V's bash plate debate is really down to where you are going. catch a branch in your bars and you are going down, they will brush off a bash plate. Then again, go sliding down the tarmac and the bars will keep some distance between your bike and the ground - horses for courses as they say.
I used to run with engine bars, and I moved to the OTR bashplate, not as big as the TT one but it gives enough protection to the waterpump/engine area from loose rocks. JMo did the HR Dakar with only the OTR bash plate.
Honestly, I wouldn't get too concerned with the water pump protection - bending your radiator is more likely.