Scratch Protection

[Sarie]

Hello,

As I was recently trying to park my bike (2011 K 1300 GT) in the garage, as I was getting ready to drop the kick stand, my leg slipped and the bike leaned and eventually rested on the storage box on the side scratching it at the impact area. So I was thinking is there any type of protective method in the event this happens again (not that I am planning to do so, but you know sometimes s**t happens). In other bike brands and models they have like crash bars or whatever they are called that tend to keep the bike away from the ground at such situations.

Regards.

[badger]

Sorry to hear of your scratch/damage. On the bright side (and in a weird way) you can now relax though, as you've marked it already, so that is the "dropping the bike in silly places" bad luck over and done with

Lots of options for you in terms of protection.

R&G crash bungs - front axle, engine, bar ends, shaft bobbin. They work great.
http://www.rg-racing.com/browseBike/BMW/K1300S/2010.aspx

Also some protective clear film, which I use on most of my bikes. I wish I could find the link of the brilliant stuff I initially used on the K13, as when the tank was replaced I used an alternative brand which was very poor in comparison. It works brilliantly though of any type (and I've used a fair few brands over the years) - and would help hugely for the type of damage you describe. I would not go for the "full kit" as it is a little overkill, but instead the "tank kit", and add some strategically placed leading edge tape (helicopter tape) of your own.
http://www.invisiblepatterns.co.uk/paint-protection-film-bmw.html
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Store/Motorsport/Pit_&_Paddock_Accessories/Tapes_&_Adhesives/_3M_Leading_Edge_Tape/1250/0/16495

[r1 Convert]

Nice one Badger, have bought the K13 Pack, will just use what i need !!

A part of my company sells clear vinyl and ive seriously thought about covering it in the past so the pre cut stuff is def a go-er

If youve got any other bits you want to cover in a clear Polyester or Vinyl, drop me an IM and ill send you a roll down.

[Sarie]

Thanks badger, will be trying the full kit film sheet, but can you help with which one should be close enough to the K 1300 GT 2011, as no specific listing was available.

Regards.

[badger]

Google is your friend

http://www.lamin-x.com/BMW-K1300GT-09-Paint-Protection-Complete-Kit-p/bm020f.htm

http://www.invisiblepatterns.co.uk/paint-protection-film-bmw.html

http://www.invisiblefilm.co.uk/acatalog/bmw.html

I said in my first post that the original stuff I used was better. I am "pretty" sure that this was VentureShield - still made by 3M, just a different type.

Good luck! It does not make your bike indestructible by any means, but I swear by it in terms of preventing annoying marks and silly damage.

Rick

[badger]

Actually I should have pointed out that I also swear by the more humble strategic application of helicopter tape (leading edge tape). In general it is tougher than other options, self-healing, and you can put it only where needed. On things like fork tubes or swing arms it is the best. My new KTM just has this - I didn't go for the pre-cut film for a change.

[BMWDoug94705]

Aerostich.com sells clear vinyl sheets, which should work fine. Their stuff is generally first rate.
About the "helicopter" tape:
It's non-adhesive, right? And it's translucent but not transparent, right? So unobtrusive it's not. And how do you make it stick to where you want it to be?

[badger]

Aerostich.com sells clear vinyl sheets, which should work fine. Their stuff is generally first rate.
About the "helicopter" tape:
It's non-adhesive, right? And it's translucent but not transparent, right? So unobtrusive it's not. And how do you make it stick to where you want it to be?

I think you may be thinking of something else? Helicopter tape sticks like hell, and is pretty clear (I would say perfectly clear, but that's just my eyes!).

[BMWDoug94705]

I bought what I thought was helicopter leading edge tape from Aircraft Spruce; what they sent me is white, translucent but not transparent, and has no adhesive. It's made by 3M, rather expensive, and useless to me. Any info on where I can get transparent, sticky stuff?

[badger]

Is that the stuff you slide on with water? It holds amazing well, but no, does not stick as such, especially on awkward angles...

I usually get this:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Pit_Paddock_Accessories/Tapes_Adhesives/_3M_Leading_Edge_(Helicopter)_Tape/1250/0/16495
It does not come on a roll anything like the picture.

I think last time I ordered from here:
http://www.biketart.com/products/biketape
It comes in lots of different widths which was handy. I also used this on two of my mountain bikes - not yellow after about 4 years (and still very stuck). After about 5 years it was a little yellow-tinted and scruffy, so I peeled it off with a hair-dryer and re-applied.

I also recently used a roll of vinyl stuff from R1 Convert - it worked better at covering large surfaces. I think that heli-tape sticks better and is tougher, but is a little over-kill for lots of areas.
If doing a fresh bike again I'd use both - R1's vinyl tape, and heli-tape for the awkward bits or high abrasion (like frame rails by your ankle etc..).
Any tape though you will see the join on large surfaces - so if a huge tank panel you cannot beat the pre cut sheets for looks.

[badger]

Noticed the first link I posted is also 3M stuff - but I'm positive that I've ordered this same thing in the past and it was sticky? Might pay to ring your supplier before ordering, as 3M make just about every tape there is... Sorry cannot be more specific help! Is a while since I've ordered it - it goes a long way.