SwingArm Covers - Protection or Damage?

[@codyjoseph44]

I remove mine about every other ride and wash under them. My swingarm was still discolored like yours after about 50 hours, but a quick spray with some aluminum brightener makes it look brand new. The covers are definitely worth it.

[@EverySingleSunday]

Good info on the brightner. May try that out. Thanks

[@ogasi1798]

bloody great idea

[@MrSinner6000]

Like some others have said. Purchase some cheap swingarm decals and put them on first (they are cheap. Around $10). Then put the swingarm protectors on. You then get the best of both worlds and your swingarm has a better chance of looking good/new in the end.

[@johnfryman4428]

Great tip - I thought about sand and grit getting in and being abrasive.

[@seanwahl1000]

That looks way better than I thought it would. I've held off on those because I have to ride through a huge sand wash to get to my trails, which I know the sand will get in there and eat up the swing arm. But if I lived elsewhere, I'd get those for sure.

[@TrialsandTrailsAz]

Swing arm guards are definitely on my list of things for my bike!

[@windsheer1852]

I've seen where some use Gapher tape or clear vinyl on the swingarm prior the cover install. My 390's swingarms with 130 hours looked a lot worse than yours do with 88 hours. Covers must make the swingarm slippery and eliminate deep scratches and gouges. I'll continue to use 'em.

[@rztrzt]

Worth it as they prevent scratched & deep gauges. That swingarm could be cleaned up with a bit of elbow grease to as good as new, vapor blasting, scotchbrite pads, aluminium cleaner and polish etc all come to mind.

[@williamb.6918]

The most dangerous object for that swingarm is the side stand. When mine snapped it scratched the crap out of the swingarm (worse than any trail riding I have done). I replaced it with an aftermarket model.

[@wowwipeout71]

Would you rather a little discolourations vs deep gouges? For something that is cheap and easy to install, beats swingarm decals for protection!!! In fact, if you install swingarm decals and then install the protector you get the best of both worlds :)...swingarm protector is a must if you want to play in the rocks :P

[@EverySingleSunday]

Well said

[@spyder53247]

Just a helpful tip.. I ran a set of those same guards on my '19 690SMCR that I modified to fit, and ran them through a supermoto trip last year. We rode both on and off road, dirt, rocks, mud, rain, everything. 840 miles in 3 1/2 days.. I know it obviously wasn't as hard as you run those bikes, but when I pulled them off to trade the bike in, I used Armour all wheel cleaner on my swingarm. I tried simple green and it got some stuff off. But that wheel cleaner made that swingarm look brand new after all the coal dust was rubbed into that cast swingarm, and I just hit it quick with a light brush and it came out mint. We rode Coal hill in Trevorton PA, through Centralia, and hit some gnarly roads. But Trevorton's coal dust and debris was EVERYWHERE, and hard to get off.. That wheel cleaner made everything including my engine cases look mint.

[@EverySingleSunday]

Much appreciated

[@6at32off]

You may be missing the entire point of having these things mounted. Sure they somewhat protect the swing arm but the biggest bonus to me is that they allow the bike to slide on rock slabs etc when I fall. The bare aluminum swing arm on its own will / can grab and spin your bike. I have these guards, bark busters of course, plastic guards on my engine cases, a plastic ring on my FMF can, sliders on my fork bottoms... etc. When I lay the bike over on a rock slab during one of my many epic fails, the bike simply slides smoothly until I can get it back under control. Before having all these wonderful guards, the bike would hang up or rotate and there was usually no hope of saving it or controlling your slide to safety.

[@EverySingleSunday]

You are definitely right on that. I’ve been running them for so long but I do remember getting hung up worse without them. It’s the reason I run a plastic skid plate vs an aluminum one

[@ADVLite]

Large pieces of heat shrink around the swing arm can really help protect them when under the guard. Forget where I saw it but thought it was a great idea.

[@walkeryost7135]

I'd like to see that right up. What size?

[@ADVLite]

@@walkeryost7135 @offroadsyndicate on Instagram mentioned it in his story

[@PriapismSD]

Just like the spars on an alum frame bike, scrub it with a green SCotchbrite pad, dry with no lube or cleaner. Do it in direction of the swingarm, not circular or side to side. Should polish that right back up

[@EverySingleSunday]

I’ll try that and maybes some aluminum brightner.

[@danielshown2045]

Thanks for the vid dude. think i will continue to not run them but not against them.

[@Joshhd77]

you can wrap it in that 3m film then add double sided foam tape underneath the guard. ad double under the hose clamp it will stay perfect pretty much

[@EverySingleSunday]

I may try that out on the new bikes.

[@johnfryman4428]

I had my swingarm laminated, poly coated and jizzed on

[@Joshhd77]

@@johnfryman4428 😆😆😆

[@Tesla.event_trump2024]

awesome video, that was very useful info .. i would add up that if you hit it hard on a rock, the plastic might absorb enough of the impact not to crack it open, with that being said , i ain't go one on my Yamaha , they just don't have that much bling as ktm and other brands have

[@jeffromoto874]

Crackin me up with “just put new covers on before you sell it”. Still, they WILL protect from the deeper gouges in the aluminum. Then, just sand ‘er and polish ‘er up. Gonna get em for my husky FE501

[@EverySingleSunday]

I always put a new set on before selling a bike. People like the protection and it makes me look great 👍

[@gregorymallory]

Definitely saved it from a lot of damage. Dirt will duscolor something if left on for a long time, especially when it get wet.

[@JsDs1020]

I think the guard would be good to keep for a year and then give the bike a deep clean and replace it. Wear is going to happen one way or another so to avoid serious damage I see no harm in having a guard on there.

[@simmapallen]

I don't mind all the protection that exists, unless it's not weigh too much.

[@Crazystuffyousee]

The only damage I saw was where you had the hose clamp holding it on. You can also use metal ties to hold them on. Cheap and easy...

[@EverySingleSunday]

I have some to try for the next bike

[@EverySingleSunday]

The metal zip ties are hard to tighten down enough

[@Crazystuffyousee]

@@EverySingleSunday - Use a screwdriver up against the top of the tie and a pair of pliers against the screwdriver to pull the end of the tie like a lever. Easy and they'll cinch up nicely...

[@jimbrown5104]

What tire are you running on the back of that bike?

[@EverySingleSunday]

I run a IRC VE33s gekotta almost all the time.

[@jerseyjeeper1575]

It’s kind of odd I was wondering the same thing for the same reason. Lol. That answered my question. Thanks.

[@EverySingleSunday]

So did you decide that you want them or don’t want them?

[@jerseyjeeper1575]

@@EverySingleSunday I’m out... They go on if I sell, but I have a bike addiction and never sell so it’s not looking good for polisport. 😂 Hey check out the new Moster Energy Slayground Vid. Wow... What a compound!

[@EverySingleSunday]

@@jerseyjeeper1575 I watched it this morning. Axel is crazy

[@bryden_smith]

Hey were do u get your graphics ore we’re do u get them made?

[@EverySingleSunday]

Awthentik in Lake Elsinore, CA

[@bryden_smith]

@@EverySingleSunday k thanks

[@PennsylvaniaDualSport]

Heard you were riding with my friend Katie recently. She’s in my club.

[@EverySingleSunday]

Ol Moto Giggles is awesome. We have been IG friends for a long time

[@mecalpsha4473]

Behind the swingarm cover guard put some soft velco tape inside of the cover and problem solved.

[@EverySingleSunday]

Not a bad idea

[@poopfart1685]

where did you get your redbull graphic kits?

[@EverySingleSunday]

Awthentik in lake Elsinore ca

[@gtankyboy]

Hi, what screen is it you have on your bikes?

[@EverySingleSunday]

It is a TrailTech and Voyager Pro and I love it

[@gtankyboy]

@@EverySingleSunday Noticed it in a few vids, looked cool. Had to ask, cheers .

[@gotopless141]

Use galfer tape on your swingarm before installing these

[@EverySingleSunday]

Have to look into that. Thanks

[@ogasi1798]

wtaf is that madass tyre?

[@EverySingleSunday]

Hmm?

[@danielsimpson8929]

Has anyone plasti-dipped the swing arm then put the guard on top?

[@EverySingleSunday]

I haven’t seen that but it may work. I have friends who do vinyl wraps under them

[@johnfryman4428]

Best tip - put em on right before you sell bike.

[@EverySingleSunday]

It’s true

[@ModularMuscle]

put a piece of UHMW on the swingarm before putting the cover on.

[@EverySingleSunday]

So plastics under plastic…. Don’t think that would fit too well. Seen a few guys use shrink wrap and that works well

[@ModularMuscle]

@@EverySingleSunday uhmw comes in a thin tape. works great for me, and provides a barrier between the swingarm and guard for the inevitable dirt that will get in.

[@johnharbinger4231]

Yeah, i just take them off when I clean the bike, wipe them clean and put them back on.....it only costs two zip ties and a couple of minutes.

[@EverySingleSunday]

I have mine on with hose clamps. A bit more work for sure but I rip them off most rides if they are only zip tied on

[@quirkyMakes]

gas gas. what an original name. must be a knockoff

[@EverySingleSunday]

Yes. The cheapest of Chinese quality 👎

[@rztrzt]

Yes, the originals are now called Rieju...

[@EverySingleSunday]

These are great bikes

[@husaislander4838]

not

[@painsrides3616]

I don't use them... so they can't be needed..😂😅😂

[@EverySingleSunday]

Seems like a solid statement

[@robsonenduro3316]

waste of money IMO and looks ugly. Next thing we cover whole bike just to avoid scratches? :)

[@EverySingleSunday]

Actually, it’s because it makes it slide through the rocks better…

[@robsonenduro3316]

@@EverySingleSunday aluminium slides better then plastic.

[@EverySingleSunday]

@@robsonenduro3316 aluminum sticks to rocks and plastic slides right over it. It’s why all the good skid plates are a form of plastic