Why Crash Bars Are a Must-Have for Harley Touring Bikes
When it comes to long-distance travel on your Harley-Davidson, safety, comfort and durability are essential considerations. One upgrade that has become a must for many Touring bike owners is fitting crash bars. Also known as engine guards or protection bars, crash bars are designed to protect both you and your bike in the event of an accident or a fall. Although they may look like a simple accessory, crash bars offer crucial protection and peace of mind. In this article, we explore why crash bars are essential for Harley Touring motorcycles and how they can improve your riding experience.
What Are Crash Bars and How Do They Work?
Crash bars are protective bars made from strong materials such as steel or aluminium, fitted around the engine and frame of the motorcycle. Their main job is to absorb the impact in a fall or a low-speed accident, preventing damage to the engine, the frame and other essential components. In short, crash bars act as a buffer between the ground and your bike, keeping crucial parts such as the engine cases and footrests protected.
On Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles, where engine size and weight are greater, crash bars help spread the force of an impact more evenly, reducing the risk of serious damage.
The Benefits of Crash Bars for Harley Touring Motorcycles
1. Engine Protection
Harley Touring motorcycles are known for their impressive engines, which are the heart of the bike. Engine repairs can be expensive, and in some cases engine damage can mean a complete rebuild. Crash bars act as protection for your engine, stopping it from hitting the ground in a fall or minor accident. By absorbing the impact and keeping the engine off the ground, crash bars can prevent costly damage to the engine cases, the pipes and other essential components.
2. Less Damage to the Frame
As well as protecting the engine, crash bars also act as a shield for your bike's frame. A low-speed fall can easily cause scratches, dents or even a bent frame. With crash bars fitted, the force of the impact is directed away from the frame, reducing the likelihood of serious structural damage. This extra protection helps keep your bike sound and ensures it lasts.
3. Greater Rider Safety
Crash bars don't just protect your bike, they also contribute to rider safety. In an unfortunate fall, crash bars create a barrier between you and the ground. Although they cannot remove the risk of injury entirely, they can help reduce how serious injuries are by limiting the impact on your legs and feet. Crash bars can also provide stability when you stop at low speed, especially on uneven ground, keeping the bike from tipping over.
Crash bars are only one part of your safety: discover the others in our guide to the essential parts that make your Harley safer.
4. Looks and Customisation
Although the main purpose of crash bars is protection, they can also add to the look of your Harley. Available in a range of styles, finishes and sizes, crash bars let you personalise the appearance of your Touring bike. Whether you prefer a clean, minimalist design or a tougher, more industrial look, there are crash bars to suit your bike's style. Many riders even choose custom crash bars that match their own preferences, making their bike look even better.
5. Practical Benefits on Long-Distance Trips
Long-distance trips call for a bike that can handle long hours in the saddle and varied road conditions. Crash bars bring extra benefits on these trips, giving you somewhere to rest your feet during long motorway stretches. This can reduce rider fatigue and improve overall comfort on long journeys. Crash bars can also serve as mounts for auxiliary lights, fog lamps or other accessories, improving visibility and practicality on the road.
6. Stability When Stopped and Manoeuvring
A Harley Touring loaded with luggage is heavy, and it is often when stopped or moving at walking pace that it goes over: in a sloping car park, on gravel, during a tight U-turn or in heavy traffic. In these situations, crash bars limit how far the bike can tip and stop it from resting its full weight on the engine. You manoeuvre with more confidence, a tip-over usually ends with nothing more than a scratch on the bars, and the bike is also easier to pick up.
7. Mounting Options for Your Accessories
Beyond protection, crash bars give you a solid mounting point for equipping your bike. Riders commonly fit highway pegs, auxiliary lights, leg deflectors or small bags to them. Before buying these accessories, check that their clamps match the tube diameter of your bars and plan a tidy route for the light wiring. Well chosen, these additions make your crash bars as useful every day as they are in a fall.
How to Choose Your Crash Bars: OEM, Aftermarket and Key Criteria
When choosing crash bars for your Harley Touring motorcycle, you can choose between OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or aftermarket parts. Both options have their advantages, depending on your needs and preferences.
OEM Crash Bars: Designed specifically for your Harley model, ensuring a perfect fit and optimum compatibility. OEM crash bars offer the reliability and quality you expect from genuine Harley parts. If you want an easy, hassle-free installation, the OEM options may be the best solution.
Aftermarket Crash Bars: They offer a wider range of styles, finishes and customisation. Many aftermarket brands offer high-performance materials and improved protection features. If you are looking for something unique or suited to your particular riding style, aftermarket crash bars are an excellent opportunity to personalise your bike.
Once you have made that choice, three criteria help you find the right protection bars for your bike:
Material: most crash bars are made of steel or aluminium. Steel is stronger and copes better with repeated knocks, while aluminium is lighter and lends itself to more refined finishes. Choose steel if protection comes first, aluminium if you are watching the weight.
Size and fit: crash bars are specific to each model and each year, because the mounting points on the frame change from one generation to the next. Always check compatibility with the exact model and model year of your bike before ordering.
Finish: chrome, gloss black, matt black or anodised, the finish should match the rest of your bike. Each has its own look and needs different care: chrome, for example, needs regular cleaning to keep its shine.
The Street Glide shows clearly why fit matters. It is a heavy bike with a big engine, and a fall when stopped puts its protection bars under serious strain. Choose crash bars designed for your Street Glide model and year, so the mounts line up perfectly with the frame and the protection does its job fully.
At Legendary Parts, we offer a wide selection of OEM and aftermarket crash bars so you can choose the ideal option for your Harley Touring motorcycle. Whether you are after high-quality protection or a custom look, we have the parts you need to improve your ride.
Conclusion: Protect Your Bike, Enhance Your Ride
Crash bars are an essential upgrade for Harley Touring motorcycles, protecting your engine, your frame and other vital components. They improve rider safety and comfort on long-distance trips, and they can be customised to match your style. Whether you are setting off on a cross-country adventure or riding through city streets, crash bars give you peace of mind that your bike is protected against the unexpected.
At Legendary Parts, we understand the importance of quality parts, which is why we offer an extensive collection of crash bars designed for Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles. Ready to improve your bike's protection and style? Browse our selection today and find the perfect crash bars for your needs.