I been doing a bit of research about crash bars, and there is controversy on the subject from a safety point of view ; http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/to...p?TOPIC_ID=228

So, maybe a good idea, maybe not, but I still want to protect my bike from the majority of damage if things should go wrong, so am considering the supermoto style of fitting sliders to the axles, handlebars and somewhere prominent on the frame that will keep the majority of the bike frame,tank, plastics and motor off tarmac. The bike I have does show evidence of having been dropped, there is/was some serious scuffing to certain parts, parts I am swapping with the spares I have. The Renthal bars fitted to my bike is because of this crunch, I have the original bars, and the gravel rash has ground away a good inch of metal on the open end, I wish to avoid that in future. Also, the theory is I believe, with sliders the rider is generally jettisoned and the bike slides off to come to little harm. The rider, suitably attired in the correct safety gear depends on that, as going with the bike can be a lot worse.

On the subject of protective gear, no, I do not have any yet specific to this project, except a pair of kevlar reinforced gloves a friend gave me, and a pair of side lace heavy leather biker jeans with braces and cow hide rocker style leather jacket I have from a general clothing point of view, ( I was originally wanting the Yamaha XVS125 ) or that style, as crouching over on a sports bike is no good for my back, a trail bike was second choice because of the riding position, the supermoto came along at the right price and right time ), the subject of suitable protection for this machine I was going to leave until a later time when the bike is finished and the next project of insurance, tax, protective gear and cbt was to begin.