Prepare yourself for the worlds most N00bish question.. Tank guards?

ManiacalNinja · March 31st, 2011, 11:24 PM

Hey guys. I hope this is the right place for me to post this. If not tell me and I can move it. Any ways, I've been watching a lot of videos on youtube lately about mods and what not and have only one question. What. The heck. Are. Tank protectors? I've searched on google and wiki. Apparently that's too n00bish of a question. Are they just little gel cushions for your belly for some reason? Orrr... do they protect you from uhhm.. bumping your "tank"? Lol. Or are they just decoration and sound important when they're not? Thanks for all the help so far. -Cheers.

kkim · March 31st, 2011, 11:28 PM

tank protectors are used as are a protective barrier that prevents the tank from getting scratched from your belt buckle. I don't have one on my bike, but others do and take it as an opportunity to dress up their bike a bit.

something like this?

KawiRider · March 31st, 2011, 11:57 PM

Couldn't have said it any better!

ManiacalNinja · April 1st, 2011, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

tank protectors are used as are a protective barrier that prevents the tank from getting scratched from your belt buckle. I don't have one on my bike, but others do and take it as an opportunity to dress up their bike a bit

Thanks! I was so lost on these. I almost thought that the actual tank got hot. But my theory made no sense to me.

Thanks for the help.

kamikaze · April 1st, 2011, 10:55 AM

i used a bit of that 3M ClearBra stuff that I got from a local tint place. worked like a charm and keeps the paint from getting scratched.

slolane · April 1st, 2011, 12:35 PM

We use em on our 250's to protect the tank from your buckle or even jacket from rubbing on it. I would recommend a small-medium sized one so it fits the tank width... also consider size/shape if you have a magnetic tank bag... a friend had a large tank pad that prevented the rear magnets of the tank bag from going directly to the tank, it never caused him a problem but something to think about. They come in all shapes and colors.

For our white 250 we went with clear:

For our green 250 we went with black:

The Blue Rider · April 2nd, 2011, 04:59 PM

You can also get pads that serve two purposes, 1. protect the tank and 2. provide a bit of grip surface for your knees (and crotch, I guess) - Tech-Spec Gripster pads in the Snakeskin pattern go on the black knee plates of the bike, and the knee pad set comes with a tank pad. The included tank pad actually provides better coverage than the POS $15 stylish vinyl thingie I had on there before.

I got mine here at Motomummy. A bit more expensive than a bog standard tank protector, but they work as advertised (and look better, IMO).

setasai · April 2nd, 2011, 05:17 PM

Not only belt buckles. Some jackets have sharp zippers that when shifting around can get close to and scratch the tank.

Reswob · April 2nd, 2011, 10:22 PM

Never understood these things. Your jacket is going to cover your belt buckle. No danger of a leather jacket scratching the tank. I guess it's mostly for looks.

setasai · April 2nd, 2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

Never understood these things. Your jacket is going to cover your belt buckle. No danger of a leather jacket scratching the tank. I guess it's mostly for looks.

Not everybody wear's jackets. They should, but they dont.

Cuongism · April 2nd, 2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

Never understood these things. Your jacket is going to cover your belt buckle. No danger of a leather jacket scratching the tank. I guess it's mostly for looks.

My tank pad isn't wide enough and I've actually scratched the sides of my tank from moving side to side. Must be my pant zipper?

TrueFaith · April 3rd, 2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

Never understood these things. Your jacket is going to cover your belt buckle. No danger of a leather jacket scratching the tank. I guess it's mostly for looks.

What's not to understand? It's not just for belt buckles. The zippers on your jacket, vest or even jeans can and will scratch the paint. The Ninja jams your crotch into that part of the tank and just the constant rubbing of the denim fabric wll leave marks over time. Even the plastic buttons on your shirt will scratch that part of the tank if you like to tuck in behind the windscreen.
I used to work for a car hauling company and anyone that even got near the new were reqired to wrap or remove belt buckles, jewelry and any clothing fasteners including snaps and buttons - and paint scratches were still a big problem.
It's a lot easier to sap on a $15 tank protector than pulling, stripping and repainting your tank after you've scratched the hell out of it.

ninja250 · April 3rd, 2011, 07:45 AM

even if you don't have zippers or buttons hugging your tank, your regular clothes will dull the tank finish if you ride enough, in a short time.

Reswob · April 3rd, 2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

What's not to understand? It's not just for belt buckles. The zippers on your jacket, vest or even jeans can and will scratch the paint. The Ninja jams your crotch into that part of the tank and just the constant rubbing of the denim fabric wll leave marks over time. Even the plastic buttons on your shirt will scratch that part of the tank if you like to tuck in behind the windscreen.
I used to work for a car hauling company and anyone that even got near the new were reqired to wrap or remove belt buckles, jewelry and any clothing fasteners including snaps and buttons - and paint scratches were still a big problem.
It's a lot easier to sap on a $15 tank protector than pulling, stripping and repainting your tank after you've scratched the hell out of it.

If you say so... In 12,000 miles my tank doesn't have any marks on it...

slolane · April 3rd, 2011, 01:44 PM

I have seen lots of bikes with scuffed tanks, maybe depends on how far back you sit, etc. Point is this is cheap protection for your tank.

rockNroll · April 3rd, 2011, 01:51 PM

My leathers usually have my gas tanks scuffed and dull looking after just a couple rides. Mostly on the sides, but some on the rear too. I also seem to scuff the heck out of the tail sections with my boots

I know there's red and white stripes on there now.

March 31st, 2011, 11:24 PM	#1
ManiacalNinja ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): None YET. Posts: 27	Prepare yourself for the worlds most N00bish question.. Tank guards? Hey guys. I hope this is the right place for me to post this. If not tell me and I can move it. Any ways, I've been watching a lot of videos on youtube lately about mods and what not and have only one question. What. The heck. Are. Tank protectors? I've searched on google and wiki. Apparently that's too n00bish of a question. Are they just little gel cushions for your belly for some reason? Orrr... do they protect you from uhhm.. bumping your "tank"? Lol. Or are they just decoration and sound important when they're not? Thanks for all the help so far. -Cheers. __________________________________________________ Pay no attention to me. I'm just n00bing it up. x-)

April 2nd, 2011, 10:22 PM	#9
Reswob ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Richmond VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627	Never understood these things. Your jacket is going to cover your belt buckle. No danger of a leather jacket scratching the tank. I guess it's mostly for looks. __________________________________________________ '08 Bonneville Black sold->'08 Ninja 250R \| OES Swingarm Spools \| EBC HH brake pads \| reflector delete \| no-cut brake light modulator \| DIY fender eliminator

April 3rd, 2011, 07:45 AM	#13
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	even if you don't have zippers or buttons hugging your tank, your regular clothes will dull the tank finish if you ride enough, in a short time. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

April 3rd, 2011, 01:51 PM	#16
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	My leathers usually have my gas tanks scuffed and dull looking after just a couple rides. Mostly on the sides, but some on the rear too. I also seem to scuff the heck out of the tail sections with my boots I know there's red and white stripes on there now. __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

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March 31st, 2011, 11:28 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	tank protectors are used as are a protective barrier that prevents the tank from getting scratched from your belt buckle. I don't have one on my bike, but others do and take it as an opportunity to dress up their bike a bit. something like this?

March 31st, 2011, 11:57 PM	#3
KawiRider ninjette.org member Name: Derek Location: Lexington, Ky Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 and 09 Ninja 250R Posts: 74	Couldn't have said it any better!

April 1st, 2011, 10:55 AM	#5
kamikaze ex-ninjette.org guru :o Name: Trevor Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2003 SV1000 S Posts: 475	i used a bit of that 3M ClearBra stuff that I got from a local tint place. worked like a charm and keeps the paint from getting scratched.

April 1st, 2011, 12:35 PM	#6
slolane Motorcyclist Name: James Location: Maryland Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.	We use em on our 250's to protect the tank from your buckle or even jacket from rubbing on it. I would recommend a small-medium sized one so it fits the tank width... also consider size/shape if you have a magnetic tank bag... a friend had a large tank pad that prevented the rear magnets of the tank bag from going directly to the tank, it never caused him a problem but something to think about. They come in all shapes and colors. For our white 250 we went with clear: For our green 250 we went with black:

April 2nd, 2011, 04:59 PM	#7
The Blue Rider ninjette.org member Name: Terry Location: Euless, TX Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 43	You can also get pads that serve two purposes, 1. protect the tank and 2. provide a bit of grip surface for your knees (and crotch, I guess) - Tech-Spec Gripster pads in the Snakeskin pattern go on the black knee plates of the bike, and the knee pad set comes with a tank pad. The included tank pad actually provides better coverage than the POS $15 stylish vinyl thingie I had on there before. I got mine here at Motomummy. A bit more expensive than a bog standard tank protector, but they work as advertised (and look better, IMO).

April 2nd, 2011, 05:17 PM	#8
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Not only belt buckles. Some jackets have sharp zippers that when shifting around can get close to and scratch the tank.

April 3rd, 2011, 01:44 PM	#15
slolane Motorcyclist Name: James Location: Maryland Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.	I have seen lots of bikes with scuffed tanks, maybe depends on how far back you sit, etc. Point is this is cheap protection for your tank.