I'm in the process of prepping my nearly acquired 2011 660Z for its forthcoming jaunt around Russia and it needs some engine protection to guard against my hamfisted riding, parking etc.

I was looking at various combinations of engine bars, centre stands and bashplates - some protected the tank but seemed to miss the engine (Metal Mule and SW-M) or protected the engine but not the tank (Adventure Spec) or sort of did both but seemed pricey and looked weedy (Hepco Beker).

After some thought and reading here it looks as if the Adventure Spec is the best engine guard but doesn't do anything for the tank.

The question is how much damage will the tank get in silly tumbles and stationary falls? Assuming the grey plastics are sacrificial in a slow speed slide how much protection do they actually afford? The bike already has Barkbuster hand guards.

Oh, will the Adv-Spec plate work with any centre stand?

Cheers,

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Simon

Brighton, UK

I had to

• drop it uncountable times on both sides
• on muddy grounds
• on gravel
• on rocks
• on pebbles
• at low speed
• at standstill
• at 40mph

before I finally had to replace the grey plastic 'bumper' parts.

... so ... you really not need to worry about that.





It is a really tough bike.

HJ

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Riding the Mad Mule !! ... no more... went orange...

Great stuff!

Do you have any other protection/crash-bars fitted?

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Simon

Brighton, UK

+1 Save the additional weight and cost of crash bars, the Z crashes very well in standard trim.

Crash bars tend to catch on things too when riding (and falling off). They can also make access for panel removal and servicing more time consuming.

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I was also thinking of crashbars until i read how good the standard panels are . I think they cost �30ish each side if you need to renew .

Only a decent bashplate and handguards:

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Riding the Mad Mule !! ... no more... went orange...

Best thread ever!
My dirty scratched up z looks positively new compared to some of the above pics.

+1 for the grey pods. They are very well placed.
I am going to remove my crashed up crash bars and run with an adv spec bash plate.

A new tank for a z is around �1000 I think.

I fell of my z and lowish speed. Wore through the tank protector and damaged the tank.

Don't take the chance. Drops fine, sliding down Tarmac not so fine.

I've dropped mine 3 times at low speed, on rocks and in gravel. No damage except scuffs to my Barkbuster handguards. The tank guards are well placed.