To belly pan or not to belly pan?

[Kameloil]

Flicking through posts on the web it seems there is a bunch of different views on belly pans or engine spoilers.

Some think they make the bike look more aggressive, maybe giving the front of the engine the completion it needs. Others ask why would you add any kind of fairing to a naked?

Is it protection for the pipes or are you reducing cooling to sections the manufacturer intended to be open? Are they practical or are they likely to melt!

Got any views, or even better, got any pictures?

http://www.barracudamoto.it/it/shop/puntale-aerosport/

http://xcentrikperformance.com/

http://www.puig.tv/tuning-bikes/ducati-monster-696-2011/engine-spoilers/c171en/f233-r32-m2850/

[Scotty]

if you like the look of it then go for it, I don't think there's much benefit for keeping pipes / engine cases clean and they shouldn't melt so long as they aren't touching (though looks bloody close in some of those links , might discolour a white one ~:? )

I would almost see a belly pan as a nod to race bikes where a bathtub of a belly pan is required to catch oil from expiring engines.

[rac3r]

I like the seat cowl thing in your second link

[banditloon]

My old 900 went from this look;

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/28943_402435156606_722626606_473599.jpg

to this look;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5564906938_80e8515e58.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60599983@N06/5564906938/)

I've always liked belly pans on naked bikes. It just seems to give them a bit more of the aggressive (as you put in your post).

I've never had a belly pan melt to either my Blandit or Monster (the Monnie has had both a fibreglass and now a carbon fibre one), and I've not noticed any adverse cooling problems with a belly pan fitted.

At the end of the day it is up to the owner of the bike if they want one or not.

[sburrows87]

I have the small ducati performance aluminium one on mine and I love it - just big enough to add an effect and catch some of the crap, yet not too big to take away from the naked look.

However, on the other end of the scale, I have always wanted a 'big' style CF bellypan but never been able to find one for the right price :(

[Kameloil]

Banditloon liking the look of your belly pan. I agree I am a fan, I was considering the Triumph Street Triple and their factory version makes the bike. Its just that you see less of them on Monsters, got me thinking if there was a reason.

sburrows87 I haven't seen the Ducati Performace one, is it painted? I'd like a mat black aluminium one for a 696 if i can find one.

Can you both add a link to your versions, would be good to have a link with all the options people are using. Thanks y'all

[banditloon]

Banditloon liking the look of your belly pan. I agree I am a fan, I was considering the Triumph Street Triple and their factory version makes the bike. Its just that you see less of them on Monsters, got me thinking if there was a reason.

At £200 nearly for the CF Ducati belly pan, you can see the reason ;) (no I didn't pay that for mine as the dealers was having a clear out sale of old parts).

As usual, there are other options available. I'm sure the fibre glass one I bought off of Ebay with around £50 including postage a couple of years ago.