Jeff,, I take it you dont ride rocks,, or have had a rear rotor bent like a potato chip before? I have destroyed several guards and have bent a few rear rotors before.. but as I get better I damage less,, but there are still those days where rocks come from nowhere and grab parts off the bike.. I have lost foot pegs, brake pedals, shifters and even bent the shift shaft, destroyed a brand new CF eline pipe guard the first day out in a rock formation we call the "v-grove" and the protection it gives is more than piece of mind.. unless you just ride in grasslands..