Belly pan - is it worth the $?

8037 Views 73 Replies 44 Participants Last post by wpgfire, Oct 8, 2010

Shiny_side_up

Discussion Starter · Oct 29, 2009

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It was hard for me topart with the $$ when I bought my belly pan but I had heard scary stories that convinced me it would be cheap insurance. Several of the threads on this site convinced me to commit.

Recently another 1800 rider in my group had some unseen small thing jump up andknock a hole in the lower case. The repair estimate alone is well over $3K, and that doesn't include the tow fees, rental car, hotel, and general hassle. This makes three people I know personally who have bought (or will buy) some soft underbelly protection AFTER learning the hard way.

I'm just sharing this in case you're wondering what to ask Santa for this year.:santawaving:

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1 - 20 of 74 Posts

Flyone

· #2 · Oct 29, 2009

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Good post.........it is cheap insurance! I am amazed of how beat up the underside of my belly pan is from rocks and everything else under normal driving conditions. :shock:

Andrew Willingham

· #3 · Oct 29, 2009

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I can't stand the belly pans... if anyone wants one drive by shake my hand and I will give you the blame thing.

291 Burnt Mtn Rd
Jasper, GA 30143

Flyone

· #4 · Oct 29, 2009

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Andrew Willingham wrote:

I can't stand the belly pans... if anyone wants one drive by shake my hand and I will give you the blame thing.

Interesting Andrew, what don't you like about it?

DaveO430

· #5 · Oct 29, 2009

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If I were down your way I sure would take it, mine is beat up something terrible. Sure glad I got it.

SpiderBob

· #6 · Oct 29, 2009

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I too use a belly pan, would not be without it. I take it off and clean it every so often and you can see all the dings, kicks, etc. in it.

oldprof2

· #7 · Oct 29, 2009

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You've got my curiosity up....
I'm new to the site with a new-for-me 1500. What's a belly pan....what do they cost?
Thanks. :?

Flyone

· #8 · Oct 29, 2009

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Here you go oldPROF..........

GL 1500 TULSA BELLY PAN

For The GL1500 The Tulsa Enterprises Belly Pan is an aerodynamic device specifically designed for all GL1500 Gold Wings. It improves handling by lessening the effect of cross winds and preventing air from creating lift from under the bike. It also greatly reduces the effects of large vehicles such as trucks and motor homes. And now, Tulsa Enterprises is pleased to announce that we now have available the GL1500 Belly Pan kit to convert your current one-piece belly pan to a two piece. The Tulsa Belly Pan CONVERSION Kit converts our one piece Belly Pan to our 2 piece design to allow easier access to the oil filter. This Kit requires the Belly Pan to be cut and 3 holes drilled for the Dzus fasterner plates .... aircraft fasteners that allow for quick and easy removal and positive attachment. The Kit is easy to install and includes the removable front section and all fasteners. The Belly Pan also protects the oil filter and engine cases from road hazards.

PRICE:
$42.00

Here's the link where I got the info- http://www.allaboutwings.com/servlet/the-147/GL-1500-TULSA-BELLY/Detail

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oldprof2

· #9 · Oct 29, 2009

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Thanks Bill....much appreciated.

Geezerglider

· #10 · Oct 29, 2009

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Once in awhile I'll bottom out on dips and have messed up the front portion of mine to the point I finally removed it. I'm wondering if I should replace the whole thing, or if just the under belly portion is sufficient.

corventure

· #11 · Oct 29, 2009

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I love mine...... makes me look slimmer!

satan

· #12 · Oct 30, 2009

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I can't speak to the side-wind issues on the 1800, but adding a pan to the older and taller 1500s helps to reduce wind reactions significantly. Riding through the trailer-wash of a semi or a gusty cross-wind is much more predictable with the pan on.

us385south

· #13 · Oct 30, 2009

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I consider my belly pan the best $40 I ever spent on my wing...

Don't wonder why... just do it! Order the part!

It's not really about protecting the engine... which it does...

It's about the improved handling and reduced effects of truck-wash and crosswinds... that's what you really want. Your bike will ride better....

Just do it!

Once it's installed you'll know why!

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IdahoRaider

· #14 · Oct 31, 2009

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so..............these work better than those deer whistles, right?

clpete

· #15 · Oct 31, 2009

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I don't have one on my bike and have had to replace the cooling tank because I knocked a hole in it. Maybe I should get one! ...???

There are models that have vents on them and they claim they are to keep the bike cool. Of coarse these are more expensive and they may not hold up as well.

Anybody have any comments? Is it worth it to get the vents?

us385south

· #16 · Oct 31, 2009

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Okay... all I can say is this: "I LOVE my belly pan!"

In my opinion, my belly pan is without question the best $40 I ever spent on my wing...

It provides better behavior in the relentless desert crosswinds of west Texas... a reduced "Oh S**t!" factor in the wake of those big trucks on the interstate... even the tandems and the fifth wheel travel trailers. (Which for some odd reason seem to throw out more wake than the big rigs... go figure!)

I feel more "rooted" to the road... more "in control" and then there's this...

THIS is why you should have a belly pan... this happened yesterday... since my last post at this thread...

Lordy... lordy... I hate to think what damage I could have done to the crankcase, BUT...

I installed this belly pan this last Labour Day. In my mind... money well spent. I peened out the fold and reinstalled it.

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aht_six

· #17 · Nov 1, 2009

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IdahoRaider wrote:

so..............these work better than those deer whistles, right?

I have one my 1800. In hindsight, I think it's $50 worth of protection for a $20 plastic bottle I don't really need.

As far as the aerodynamic effect, the belly pan does work about as well the deer whistles.

IdahoRaider

· #18 · Nov 1, 2009

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IdahoRaider

· #19 · Nov 1, 2009

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us385south wrote:

Okay... all I can say is this: "I LOVE my belly pan!"

In my opinion, my belly pan is without question the best $40 I ever spent on my wing...

It provides better behavior in the relentless desert crosswinds of west Texas... a reduced "Oh S**t!" factor in the wake of those big trucks on the interstate... even the tandems and the fifth wheel travel trailers. (Which for some odd reason seem to throw out more wake than the big rigs... go figure!)

I feel more "rooted" to the road... more "in control" and then there's this...

THIS is why you should have a belly pan... this happened yesterday... since my last post at this thread...

Lordy... lordy... I hate to think what damage I could have done to the crankcase, BUT...

I installed this belly pan this last Labour Day. In my mind... money well spent. I peened out the fold and reinstalled it.

Well, I guess sometimes visual aids are all you need to make your case. I think I will be ordering a Tulsa belly pan on monday morning.:shock:

mikef

· #20 · Nov 1, 2009

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Never gave it thought, until seeing thread. Looks like a good investment.

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