Are these a real necessary or just something the parts aftermarket is trying to convince us we need to buy? Has anybody on here actually suffered as a result of a stone puncturing their Rad?
Thanks to anybody that answers
Yep.
Hot sticky tyres and gravelly lay-by’s don’t mix.
I had my rad holed by a stone a few weeks back on a ride down to Camber sands.
Had just fitted some new sticky tyres a few days before. I had to call the RAC out as it sprayed all the coolant over the front wheel and brakes. 
Once i can afford a new rad, i’ll definitely be fitting a guard too.
Also while wandering the paddock at Brands BSB the other weekend i noticed quite a few race bikes have them fitted, obviously as some can see gravel on a regular basis.
At over £300 for a new rad (and a lot of hassle) a £30 gaurd has to be worth it 
I’m on my third rad in 26 months - Gonna make myself a mesh shield to go on the fairing V piece to try to protect the rad.
Tell me about it!! :pinch:
where can you get a guard for £30? The ones I’ve seen have all been over £60:w00t:
ebay 
Ebay…or evotech… you can ride your life with no hassle but all it takes is one lil stone…well worth it Im gettin one for my bike on pay day
Yep, holed my rad too. Guards are damned useful things!
Yep… I holed an oil cooler:crying:… and a rad:crazy:. So I feel justified in my comment about the Ducati Sreetfighter needing oil cooler protection. (see articles)
We’re all victims of styling.
Bikes once had front guards that came to, or just below, the front wheel axle line. That was part of the Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations and stones never got anywhere near vulnarable bits of the machinery.
Now you need a guard. I’ve fixed (read bodged) many a get you home repair but a holed rad is a real bustard and pretty expensive if you do get home.
Get a guard, it’s a lot cheaper and easier.