How exactly do these engine cages work? I can see that it would save the side of your bike but doesn't your handlebar still take it hard?
I've got a 600f2 and was wondering if I should drop those big bucks on an engine cage. It's already naked so there aren't fairings to worry about.

Right now I see the going price at about $300. Anyone know of a better idea? maybe even a DIY? I have access to a welder.
Guess something I would like to know is if engine cages will be the only contact points if a bike is on its side.

 

The cages are meant to protect your motor and frame from drops in the lot by taking the impact of the fall, similar to a roll cage in a car during a crash. They're meant for normal drops & loops. Crash on the streets/highway at speed and it will prob do more harm than good as a cage would get caught up and flip the bike as opposed to sliding it to a halt.

The F2 is a good cheap starter bike but honestly once you start doing slow stuff those carbs are going to start choking and holding you back from progressing. So if you can build a cage on the cheap I would do so instead of dropping $300 on a cage for a bike you're going to get rid of when its time to upgrade to an F4-EZ or something else EFI!

Your controls will hit depending upon what setup you have and how hard you drop/flip the bike. On a typical cage with sliders stock clips-ons shouldn't hit but if you're running durty bars or flipped & pushed out clip-ons you have the potential to smack em up a bit. Cutting your brake levers down to the length of the bar will also help from getting them bent up.

Check out these sites for more useful info:
stuntbums.com
stuntride.com
stuntlife.com
how2stunt.com