Fork guards or no fork guards?

[Ben 500RR-S]

I had seen some that don't run the USD/UpSideDown forks that don't run the fork guards. I have seen some that do.

Is there any advantage/disadvantage to running with them on or off?

 

[RACINSTATION]

Run them. The advantage is protection from sticks and branches and ice chunks. I don't see any disadvantage to deleting them. I know some guys that don't run them because it takes some time to trim them to fit.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

I didn't even think, that the ski clamps would be in the way of the fork guards.

I'll see what it will take to trim them and then just get another set of them for when it is dirt season again as I'd have no problem trimming them if it will be possible, to have that bit of protection.

 

[Snowbikenewbie]

At the recommendation of another member on this site I purchased seal savers in the full length. They cover the exposed section of forks nicely and I’m hoping keep the seals in good shape through the winter. Easy install. Just loosen the forks and slide down. It would be much easier before your ski is all mounted up but you could lower them out together I would assume and slide the seal savers on.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/3560/9160/Seal-Savers-Fork-Covers-Inverted-Forks

 

[Timberview01]

In my experience, the fork guards are valuable protection. You WILL get into the trees and brush and have things slapping your exposed fork tubes all season. Also, I have witnessed air forks lose pressure because ice built up on the fork leg and damaged the seals. The neoprene seal savers that are full length should do the trick, but if you can keep the plastic covers on - I would.

Just my opinion...

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I'm planning on removing my plastic shields on my KTM 500, but installing these neoprene zip on covers:

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/3560/41452/Seal-Savers-Zip-On-Fork-Covers

I was under the impression that to install the full length neoprene covers you had to disassemble your forks? I don't want to hassle with that.

 

[MrIQR]

Run them.

And as far as Seal Savers, the name implies what they often do the exact opposite of, they can tend to trap dirt under them and back into the seals, at least what i've when used on dirt.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

Run them.

And as far as Seal Savers, the name implies what they often do the exact opposite of, they can tend to trap dirt under them and back into the seals, at least what i've when used on dirt.

Yeah, I never want to run them in the dirt...just want to use them to keep snow and ice build up squeegeed off of my forks so my seals don't get ruined.

 

[Hawkster]

The full length seal savers are the way to go for extra protection . Tried the short ones and all they did was trap water when the forks heated up .
As far as the wiper seals go on the traditional forks it's pretty rare to damage them in the winter , the biggest problem I've seen is some guys ended up with water in the oil and some have had freeze damage .
Surprisingly the oil gets pretty filthy even in the winter .
0000 steel wool does a nice job cleaning the bark off .

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

Thanks all, and extra thank for the link to the full length seal savers for the USD forks, I'm going to buy them tonight.

You guys have been awesome with helping me (to spend money). I love it.

I was wondering how I was going to, and how much I was going to have to cut my the plastic fork guards to make them work, if they would work and now, just having to get a set of $30 seal guards, well, that is the sano-trick that makes it all so easy.

No way I'd use them in the dirt but for the snow, no problem-o.

 

[needpowder]

I think the bike looks a bit funny without fork guards personally. Whenever i rip one off i order a new set. Broke about every piece of plastic on the bike last season and one of my wrap around handguards but never had a problem with the fork seals getting snagged and leaking. Maybe i was just lucky. Guess i was lucky then the previous season also?. I personally am worried about trapping water and ice around the seals. Probably doesn’t matter though-just change oil at the end of the season or seals when/if they leak. I think my manual says every 40 hrs but it’s different on snow i feel. Oil breaks down when it gets hot. Different conditions on snow.
Much more important stuff to figure out with the bike but it sounds like you’re getting there. Have fun, you’re gonna love it!

 

[Vincenthdfan]

OK,
Just went back and ordered the long neoprene guards for my KTM.

Guess the brand new, short zippered ones are going on the shelf...for now anyway!

 

[Vincenthdfan]

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

Ha, yup, talk about First World Problems, well, y'all are helping me solve some for sure.

I don't have any other real vices so motorsports is/are my drug(s) and besides; there are very few problems in this life and world that money cannot solve. The problems truly begin when there is NO money.

 

[Motogeek33]

Quick thought -- what would be wrong with running a set of old-fashioned rubber fork boots made for conventional forks? It seems like you could run them upside-down using zip ties to hold the ends and they would give you just as much or more protection than neoprene. Plus it would give the bike that nice redneck look we all love. I ran the shorter version of the seal savers a couple seasons ago and they tended to bunch up, so I'm wondering if the full length ones would do that too. The rubber boots are made to flex with the forks.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

Quick thought -- what would be wrong with running a set of old-fashioned rubber fork boots made for conventional forks? It seems like you could run them upside-down using zip ties to hold the ends and they would give you just as much or more protection than neoprene. Plus it would give the bike that nice redneck look we all love. I ran the shorter version of the seal savers a couple seasons ago and they tended to bunch up, so I'm wondering if the full length ones would do that too. The rubber boots are made to flex with the forks.

It is a good thought but, and here comes the butt, how does one get the accordion(love the " . . . redneck look we all love") over and down onto the slider?

 

[Motogeek33]

It is a good thought but, and here comes the butt, how does one get the accordion(love the " . . . redneck look we all love") over and down onto the slider?

If they're flexible enough, they should be able to be slipped on from the bottom and stretched over the axle clamps, just like the full length seal savers. I have a set of seal savers on the way that I'll run this year, so this is just thinking out loud. I might try it eventually.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

I have no idea about it all either but the other issue could be with the cold/snow/ice buildup on those thin rubber pieces. They just might not hold up well. I can only imagine all the snow being blown onto the forks and the neoprene might hold up better than frozen, brittle rubber.

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

I realized, thanks to y'all, that I had to take my forks off in order to slide the seal savers down onto the fork tube/sliders. Thankfully it is not that hard at all to do and I could clean things as I went.

Just waiting for the seal savers to arrive.

I'm glad that come this time next year, I'll have all the parts I already need so there is no waiting.

 

[Motogeek33]

Your version of air forks? Haha.