So I have some radiator braces. Im deciding right now weather to put them on, or leave them off. Im not to concerned with air flow, as I run fast enough speeds in the desert that I don't think the temp will matter that much, but I want your opinion. Do you think that It's better to run with them or without them. I have heard both sides of the argument: 1. It's that it's better to crash with them because they brace your radiators and prevent them from getting bent/damaged because the force is on the brace and transferred to the frame. 2. It's better to run without them because when you crash, the braces cause more bad than good and crack the aluminum. If you crash without the braces, the radiators just bend and crush, but won't fracture, causing leakage, and stranding you on the trail. So what do you all think? The braces I have have have supports in the back, and wrap all the way around. Give me your opinion. -Blake
I've never ran braces. Never had a crash bad enough to crush or damage a rad. (On a dirtbike) I've had branches a sticks etc. kicked up and poke holes in my rads. Therefore I just run guards only.
Run them. Unless you like pushing your bike through the desert. The first two offroad races I entered I dnf'd because of a torn up radiator that would have survived if I had a brace on it. So now I'm a believer.
