Avoid Yamaha bashplate/engine bar combination - .: XT660.com

Tim Cullis · # 1 06-10-10, 00:27

I managed to hole the sump by careering into a boulder on the side of the trail. Looking at what happened, the bashplate did an OK job and the rock glanced off it, but then it caught the engine bars which effectively jammed it into the gap between the two components. I reckon if I hadn't had engine bars I might have got away with it.

Recovery was difficult, I was north west of El Kelaa M'Gouna in Morocco and there was no mobile signal. So I walked 18km to where I could get a signal. Couldn't get the recovery pickup nearer than 2km from the bike so with five blisters I had to walk another 2km then ride the bike back to the pickup. Fortunately the hole didn't allow too much oil to escape. I eventually got back to Ouarzazate with the bike at 4am the next day, leaving the bike on the pickup bed until first light. Unfortunately in that two hour gap some lowlife nicked all my spares, tools and compressor off the back of the bike--I hadn't been thinking clearly enough to take them off.

I've mended the hole with magic metal and it's holding fine. But looking at the design, it's well crap. There shouldn't be a gap between the bash plate and the bars. A child could have designed something better.

So I'm out of pocket �300 for the recovery, another �150+ for tools, plus probably �80 for a new engine cover. All because of poor design. Not a happy bunny.

stoic bloke · # 2 06-10-10, 00:47

hi tim, thats poor news. is the broken tenere[gearbox] still at bikershome?

i looked and read about the problems the gaurds were having and decided on making my own out of 4mm hardened alu, covers the w pump and lh casing, well im happy with it, soon to be really tested!

you around when the HL circus goes through morocco in a week and a halfs time?

Tim Cullis · # 3 07-10-10, 22:58

It was there the previous visits in Feb and Apr but Boniyam has moved on at last.

Just had a look at H&L, it's about three weeks away but will probably still be here. I've done some wicked routes in the last week, wild camped last night at 2200m (>7000 ft) which was "rather chilly".

uberthumper · # 4 08-10-10, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis

So I'm out of pocket �300 for the recovery, another �150+ for tools, plus probably �80 for a new engine cover. All because of a once-in-a-lifetime bit of bad luck. Not a happy bunny.

More accurate IMO, but if it makes you happy (and more importantly confident) then by all means buy another bashplate.

Gas_Up_Lets_Go · # 5 08-10-10, 11:27

I've always said, crash bars have their place, and they do a great job at keeping the bike safe from some incidents.

A good bash plate will do a similar job, but for different incidents (actually the ABS one that comes as standard is as good as any, I know I've jumped up and down on mine).

For instance, riding a tight trail, with vegitation, I woulnd't want crash bars. I've seen branches get caught in them and take the bike and rider down. By contrast, if you wash out on a fire-road then crash bars do a better job than a bash plate. Horse for courses.

I think I'm tending to agree with Dave, this is a very unlucky impact, I wouldn't be making sweeping statements about something's suitability based on one incident. No-one else has suffered this, despite many many miles of rough riding by others. I appriciate you are p!$$ed off at the incident, who wouldn't be, it was a long walk!!

uberthumper · # 6 08-10-10, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gas_Up_Lets_Go

I think I'm tending to agree with Dave,

...albeit more diplomatically.

Like you say, crashing tends to be a bit of a lottery.

It's similar to the debate over fitting crash bungs to road bikes. They could keep the casings off the tarmac, but they could also dig in and cartwheel the bike.

I'll be keeping my crash bars. Mostly because I can't be bothered to take them off

tripletom · # 7 08-10-10, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberthumper

I'll be keeping my crash bars. Mostly because I can't be bothered to take them off

Crash bars help when you **** the bike into a hedge via the road at 50mph.

uberthumper · # 8 08-10-10, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripletom

Crash bars help when you **** the bike into a hedge via the road at 50mph.

So I've heard, although I can't imagine who I know that's silly enough to try that

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