[RobZartman]

Hello all I am a fresh member of the two-wheeler club. I recently bought a 1995 Kawasaki 600 and am trying to prepare for riding. I am taking my MSF course this weekend but I am still cognizant of the fact that I will probably be dropping my motorcycle at least once in the near future. So Im trying to take precautions to prevent damage to the bike.

Anyways, I just took off the fairings but now am left with the problem of how to protect the fuel tank. Are there any FREE/BACKYARD/DIY ideas that any of you have to give the fuel tank a safe landing when dropped? Could you also recommend any products on the market that would do the trick?

Thanks friends,
Rob

 

[DevRev]

Kawasaki 600 doesn't tell us your model of your bike. I'll assume for some reason you bought a sports bike for your first bike. Frame sliders.

And since you made this thread, I can only assume you think you bought too much bike and will grow into it?

 

[RobZartman]

Yes its a sportsbike (I guess I should have added that its a ninja). I havent actually ridden the bike yet because I dont actually know how to ride. Im taking my MSF course tomorrow. So I guess any bike would have felt like too much bike. Ya the hope is that it will remain just as interesting as im learning how to ride as it will 5 years from now.

I looked into frame sliders which was completely useless because they don't make 1995 Kawi sliders. I tried shimmying some newer versions on but to no avail. Im mostly looking for ideas besides frame sliders (ie. tape a blanket to the fuel tank or wrap with cardboard). Things that other people have found to work well.

 

[stantony1]

Honestly, you will drop it sooner or even years later, and the tank may or may not ding. Seriously, accept it as fact of life and embrace the damage as a learning experience.

DYI: If you don't care about ugly, go to hd or lowes and get self stick vinyl flooring. Cut to size and shape it with a heat gun and then stick it to the sides of the tank you want to protect. It will stop scrapes and small dings on clean level ground. A really bad drop onto a rock or something with an edge is going to ding your tank no matter what you put on it. When you are confident that you will not drop during normal riding take it off with gentle hair dryer and clean with rubbing alcohol. Foam self stick weather stripping would work too. The biggest is garage stripping. It will stop a ding but if you slide, it will shred instantly. Vinyl flooring has more likely protect during a slide.

Aftermarket. You can get crash guards or frame sliders. Some actually stick out far enough to stop the tank from reaching the ground. If the bike tips over, it should land on the guards or sliders first. You can get a set for the front of the bike and the rear of the bike so that when it tips, it will sit on the wheels and the slider/guard. Nothing can help you if you get past a certain angle, and it rotates past the slider/guard and the tires are in the air. >90 degrees.

 

[RobZartman]

Thanks so much! Those are great ideas

 

[Lil' Red Rocket]

Training wheels

 

[DevRev]

Yes its a sportsbike (I guess I should have added that its a ninja). I havent actually ridden the bike yet because I dont actually know how to ride. Im taking my MSF course tomorrow. So I guess any bike would have felt like too much bike. Ya the hope is that it will remain just as interesting as im learning how to ride as it will 5 years from now.

I looked into frame sliders which was completely useless because they don't make 1995 Kawi sliders. I tried shimmying some newer versions on but to no avail. Im mostly looking for ideas besides frame sliders (ie. tape a blanket to the fuel tank or wrap with cardboard). Things that other people have found to work well.

A 250 will never feel like "too much bike" like a 600 will. Good luck.

 

[robow]

You could coat the tank in spry foam insulation. It would look goofy but it would be safe.

 

[Absolute]

FWIW:

Why not just lay the bike on the ground - see how it lays and then practice bringing the bike back up. Try this on both sides, maybe a properly placed foot PEG will save the tank, or mirrors.

Oop's left out the most important part "PEG"!!!

 

[Dodsfall]

FWIW:

Why not just lay the bike on the ground - see how it lays and then practice bringing the bike back up. Try this on both sides, maybe a properly placed foot will save the tank, or mirrors.

Ouch. I'd rather buy a new mirror or gas tank than have pins and plates screwed into my ankle. It's cheaper too.