 Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
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OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807 |
Before anyone comments, I have done a search and it didn't answer my question, specifically: are they just for show or do they work as intended, that is, to help you grip the sides of the tank with your knees? It's either these or something like Stompgrip or TechSpec Snakeskins. (Anyone have experience of either of these 2 products?)
Cheers, Neill
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 Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22 |
Form, they serve no purpose.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Mostly form and appearance, but some function. I'm one of those guys that tend to ride with my knees against the tank sometimes. Without the pads, movement against the tank can mar or scratch the paint. I actually find it more comfortable with the pads, especially in cold weather - I grip harder.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285 |
I would say that origionally they had function. Think of going down a steep hill, with mid pegs and a flat long seat. The pads would offer perfect knee grip to keep your seat position.
For me, thier fuction is to hide all the scratches on my tank from tucking in my knees on occasion. So perhaps they have become the perverbial whip socket on an automobile.
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I've got virtually no scratches in the "knee pockets." The top of the tank, on the other hand...
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
IMO ...they are function...in riding through the twisties they help the "grip" in maintaining seating position ( I have moved my controls to mid-mount) plus they look cool 
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22 |
Quote:
especially in cold weather
You live in Florida 
I stand corrected. I am too short. With forward controls my knees are never rubbing the tank. People who are not vertically challenged may need them. My knees barely touch the lower lip of the tank.
I will change to "Function". I have never seen the knee indents scratched up on one though. I guess its possible.
Daniel, I thought you chopped your America. Wouldn't that really deminish the ability to lay into twisties and push your knees way up. A long trail is not my idea of fun in the twisties.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 90
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 90 |
We had them on the bikes from the dealer but were starting to peel off so we had them removed at the next servicing (no dealer in our city so TLC items wait till major bookings), but the dealer used a blade to scra them off and scratched the tank! They were good about and buffed out the scratches, but not till after they returned the bike and my father had to complain and re-book. Just a word of the wise (or wiser now) and take care removing them. I sit pretty wide legged and rarely touch the tank with my knees so now scuffs yet.
Dormaar
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285 |
I believe my knee endents became scratched from dirt. Just light surface scratches. That's what happens when ya ride on dirt roads and such.
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
IMO ...they are function...in riding through the twisties they help the "grip" in maintaining seating position ( I have moved my controls to mid-mount) plus they look cool
I wanna SEE! I wanna SEE those mid-mount controls, dude!!! How far back are they? Can you now stand up on your bike without pulling yourself up with the handlebars???
If you can, and those controls are directly beneath you, I'll bet you're now not placing all of your upperbody weight on your tailbone, which should help prevent back problems, right?!
Yep! I made some mid-mounted pegs for my BA years ago because I got tired of having EVERY large jolt come right UP MY SPINE! However, there's no controls attached to them so everytime I use the rear brake and/or change gears I have to move my legs back to the forward pegs. And so, if your mid-mounted pegs have controls, PLEASE post a pic of them because I might get an idea or two about how to add controls to my custom made mid-pegs!
Thanks!
(oh, and BTW...in answer to the original question here, I think the tank pads on our bikes are mostly there only for the look too, in order to give 'em that classic Triumph or Britbike look, as my knees seldomly seem to touch the home-made pads that I cut out of rubber car mats, as pictured below.....)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
don't have 'em but if someone wants to gift me a set, i'll take 'em! When the temps are in the 30's my boots are on the relocated rear pegs, my knees are up against the tank, and my left hand is hugging the left cam cover as i long for heated gloves.  
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
That is one sweet El Camino Wendy would give my left nut for it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Yeah, but just try getting it back from your wife first. OH SNAP. 
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1 |
Either way, they'd be a year or two too late. that Car is long gone.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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Re: Tank pads-form or functional?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
I really like the look but the main catalyst for my buying them was part of the tank was getting rubbed/scratched by the powerlet plug wire going from the power source under the tank to my tank bag. Now with the pads this problem has been sorted. Like some others too, sometimes through the twisties when giving her a bit I hug the tank so for me the form is just an added bonus. Whatever, for me they are a good accessorie to have 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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