Two dumb questions.

[Clickjack]

Tank protectors...  I think they are ugly as hell, and my bike is so pretty.  Of coarse I don't want to scratch the tank up.  How necessary are they?

Also how do you guys hang your helmets off the bike.  I've been leaving the wire connected and just looping my neck strap through it  and leaving it on the rear fender /"beer coaster".  Little worried about it scratching the pillion seat cover.  If I hang it off the side it rubs the frame and the tire.

Dumb I know... but I got a lot of time to think up these kinda things.

[blue tiger]

A company called Tanksliders makes clear ones (IIRC). It is non-sticky so you can remove and repositin them if you like. They come complete with a protector for your knee pockets and for the back of the tank where your buttons will rub.

I never leave my helmet. Someone could cut that little cable with a Leatherman and there goes 500 bucks. If you have to get  a trigger lock. At least it's a little tougher. I have a helmet bag with a shoulder strap so it goes with me.

[flanman]

I have the clear tankslapper (i think) protector from monsterparts. It can be troublesome if you put it on in the colder months because the platic doesn't form as well. It uses water and you push out the bubbles with a credit card. You can see the edges if you look but other than that you really don't notice it.

[TiNi]

i couldn't find a tank protector that i liked, so i did nothing...
and now my clear coat is scratched.

2 weeks ago, i finally found one that i like.
it's clear, and made for the 696, but my 620 doesn't know the difference
i bought it from my local dealership, but you can get it online... here's a pic

[Big Troubled Bear]

3 pieces ! weren`t they difficult to match up?

[TiNi]

3 pieces ! weren`t they difficult to match up?

it took 4 hands 

[cbartlett419]

your local sign shop will/may have a clear bug shield specific for auto's, but could easily be applied to the rear of your tank. It's designed to w/ stand shrapnel encountered at highway speeds, which makes it more than adequate to prevent belt buckle scratches. it's easily formed and though I haven't priced tank guards, I would assume it's a bit cheaper, though, I shouldn't be quoted.

here it be....http://www.clearfilmprotection.com/

[Spidey]

I also don't like tank protectors that much. I had one on my old monster, but now that it's all purty, I don't want to muck it up with a tank protector.  I'm just planning to scratch my tank, though my gear shouldn't be rubbing too much.  I don't wear jeans on the bike, so I'm not worried about a belt buckle or anything.  I'll get new clearcoat when it gets too scratched up.

Carry your helmet with you.  Don't leave your helmet on your bike.  But if you do, don't lock though the neck strap.  For some reason I have yet to figure out, people will but off the chin strap and steal the helmet.  So, lock it up through the helmet so that they'd have to cut the chin bar if they want to steal it.  Some people carry their helmet bag with them (Shoei comes with a soft bag for example) and cover the helmet with the bag when they leave it on the bike.  But like I said, don't leave it on the bike.   

[Jimmy Ducati]

i couldn't find a tank protector that i liked, so i did nothing...
and now my clear coat is scratched.

2 weeks ago, i finally found one that i like.
it's clear, and made for the 696, but my 620 doesn't know the difference
i bought it from my local dealership, but you can get it online... here's a pic

My dealer tossed this one on for me gratis at pickup.
He put it on cockeyed, but it was free so I can't
really complain,  I would have done a better job
though. It looks pretty factory to me and should
come included with the bike.

Another good idea is to keep your belt buckle off
to the left or right side instead of in the front. I
think I prefer this buckle position now in general,
I saw some chick in a fashion magazine with the
buckle that way and figured it was a good idea for
tank protection. Seems to work.

[sbrguy]

i don't use a tank protector honestly i think they look stupid, they serve a purpose sure, just like pocket protectors for your shirt.

easy thing is to not wear a metal belt and wear riding gear bc that sually has non scratch stuff on it.. also you are supposed to ride your bike not keep it in showroom condition so that its "like new" 10 years from now..

good luck and do what you want as long as you like your bike its good.

[Raux]

my jacket covers my belt buckle so i dont have this problem and i always where my jacket.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Tank protectors...  I think they are ugly as hell, and my bike is so pretty.  Of coarse I don't want to scratch the tank up.  How necessary are they?

Also how do you guys hang your helmets off the bike.  I've been leaving the wire connected and just looping my neck strap through it  and leaving it on the rear fender /"beer coaster".  Little worried about it scratching the pillion seat cover.  If I hang it off the side it rubs the frame and the tire.

Dumb I know... but I got a lot of time to think up these kinda things.

I just scratch the hell out of my tank.


Don't leave your helmet with the bike.

[Jarvicious]

Are you guys and gals riding that close to your tank on a regular basis?  Maybe it's just because I'm tall and have a tendency to shift my ass back in the saddle, but I'm rarely in a "scratch prone" position.  I bought used and other than the 11,xxx on the odo, I could hardly tell the bike was ever ridden.  Just take care in how you treat your tank.  You'll be fine.

That being said, I rate tank protector users right up there with people who put plastic over their furniture.  I grew up with a couple of parents who knew the value of the things they bought and knew enough to take care of them, but sometimes too much is too much. 

[He Man]

I have more scratches on my tank then there are miles on my odometer (8,300mi).

I only leave my scorpion helmet, and its cabled to my bike. Have fun cutting it in broad daylight in front of thousands of people.

[Privateer]

i found the little plastic pieces of the jacket zipper rub more than anything else.  I have the tank slapper (from monster parts)  as well and except for the dark spot where the zipper rubs, you can't really see it at all.

There's a company here in SoCal called JRT digital that does clear bra too.  I've seen it on an 848 and it looked awesome.  You couldn't really tell it was there except for where the light caught the edges of the film.

Too keep my belt from scratching up anything, I got one of these mechanic's belt for my birthday last year.  Works great, good construction, inexpensive and made in the USA.

I only leave my helmet if I can see my bike.  But I know some guys who get a small kryptonite cable lock and slip that through the chin bar and then around the frame or forks.


Andy