Hello everyone.
Today I went for my first ride after fitting an engine guard, so I'm noting down what I noticed.
For how I fitted the engine guard, see the article below (in Japanese).
Benefits
I should say up front that this applies only to the G650GS, and that it is all my personal impression.
The G650GS engine guard weighs 2 to 3 kg. Perhaps because adding weight low down lowered the centre of gravity a little (my guess), the bike felt easier to handle.
Specifically, it felt more stable in corners and at very low speeds (just before stopping at lights and just after pulling away).
Also, the first time I sat on the bike after fitting the guard, I thought "Wow, it feels small!"
The bike felt compact and much easier to handle.
Downsides
The extra total weight ought to be a downside, but I felt the benefits above much more strongly, so the extra weight didn't feel like a drawback.
But there was a downside I hadn't thought of.
Maintenance, such as oil changes.
To change the oil, you have to remove the engine guard and the underguard (bash plate).
The underguard is very light and comes off by removing just three screws, so taking it off for an oil or coolant change is no great hassle.
But the engine guard is heavy and fiddly to fit.
For how I fitted it, see the article below (in Japanese).
When I fitted the engine guard, I was so happy that it would look cool that I didn't think about anything else.
But when I thought "Time to change the coolant", I realised "I'll have to take the engine guard off."
If you fit an engine guard or underguard, I think it's worth keeping in mind the oil changes and other maintenance you'll do afterwards.