Highway/crash bars and tyres

[corvar]

Two questions, might need to split them?

1. I've dropped my bike twice in the last few weeks, once when paddling backwards to park, the tyre clipped the kerb and just tipped me over, and then, just a couple of weeks ago I felt a wiggle coming out of a tight turn exiting a roundabout. Stopped to check the rear tyre (not realising a the time that you can't really see the tyre from the seat while sitting on it), and tipped it over on the other side. What surprised me is that when sitting on the bike, it feels pretty light, but as soon as it starts to go, it' s so heavy that down it goes. Getting it back up is no laugh either.

So I've been looking at engine guards/crashbars or highway bars. The consensus on the forum seems to be, no way, it would spoil the looks. I agree, but having dropped it twice, which was a horrible experience, I would rather the look compromised than I cause more damage. Any suggestions?

2. Tyres. I wish I could remember the make of the tyres on it, might be Supermaxx - I'll repost it. The question is, to me, my rear tyre looks only very slightly squared, but since dropping the bike while standing still, I have lost a bit of confidence in it's ability to go around corners. I've always noticed that it seems very prone to skipping around on uneven surfaces, which I imagined is due to the wide profile catching more of the uneven surface. The thing is, twice now I've noticed a slight wiggle or what feels like a very minor slip while exiting a corner with a bit of throttle - so is it me, something I'm doing, or maybe the tyre is just running at that point, on the angle of the slight flat in the centre, to the rounded edge part? Does that make sense?

Comments appreciated 'cos right now I'm considering going back to the Virago for the winter..

[twicechosen]

It's your bike do with it what you like. I personally want to have safety over looks, although I wear a full face helmet to take care of my baby face. I have bars which gives me extra pegs to lean back on as I have folding pegs on them. Do what YOU like. My wife likes the bike with the motor bars and I like my wife.

[capttwb]

Easy decision, function over form. If you are prone to dropping your bike and "crash bars" will minimize the damage it's a no brain er. Put the bars on. Unless of course you are a millionaire and can afford to keep replacing expensive parts.

[Warrior_uk]

One of the best tyres for the Warrior seems to be the Avon Storm Ultra2, I have these as have many other owners. If you check out some clips on Youtube you'll see what these bikes can do with regards to cornering.
Tyres and pressures have to be good though or it will skip the white lines. Might be worth checking the rear wheel alignment. If the last tyre was fitted by a garage, they may have just gone along with the alignment marks, these can be out.

Engine bars... fit them if you want them, I've had them on other bikes and they certainly help if you spill the bike.

[iowawarrior]

if you want bars, get 'em. but i'd just stop dropping the bike. maybe your back tire is flat in the center because of too much straight riding. it gets to " cupping". you can burn off some of that by banging into 2nd gear going around corners. a lot. but it's probably time to get a new tire {tyre}. is there tread in the center? and check the alignment. people seem to like the storm 2.

[Luv2LafMcc]

Originally Posted by corvar

I would rather the look [be] compromised than I cause more damage. Any suggestions?

[scawein]

Dare I say, you seem to be more comfortable on the Virago....I would get through your winter and revisit the warrior....occasional rides in nice weather (warrior).

I hear you expressing concern, I want you to be safe, first and foremost, there is always time to ride, let this bike grow on you and you will be kicking it out in no time.

Hope I am not out of line, but again, we want/need you around...

[Nelmar]

I share your grief as I dropped my 2005 Warrior 2 weeks ago. I pulled out of the church parking lot forgetting I had a security chain wrapped around the front wheel. Good thing me legs/ankles came out unscathed. Now I'm ready to invest in a full size MC Enterprise engine guard (1000-33). I found one on Amazon for $148 and will order it by Wednesday of next week. An engine guard as unsightly as it may be is a solid safety feature. Good luck. Nelmar

[joeyalessi]

Dude, if you're dropping the bike standing still it's not the tires!

[iowawarrior]

Originally Posted by Nelmar

I share your grief as I dropped my 2005 Warrior 2 weeks ago. I pulled out of the church parking lot forgetting I had a security chain wrapped around the front wheel. Good thing me legs/ankles came out unscathed. Now I'm ready to invest in a full size MC Enterprise engine guard (1000-33). I found one on Amazon for $148 and will order it by Wednesday of next week. An engine guard as unsightly as it may be is a solid safety feature. Good luck. Nelmar

just a note. i know a guy who was leaning into a corner and the road had a slight dip in it. the shocks compressed and with him leaning, the engine guard hit and crashed him. BAD. this wasn't on a warrior and i don't know what size guard he had and i didn't see it happen. but that's the story. i only mention it because these bikes tend to be ridden in a "leaned-over" position quite a bit.