Crash guards or leg guards as they're commonly called, refer to a metal tube that is connected to a motorcycle's frame. They're usually made of mild steel or stainless steel. Available in various shapes, the crash guard or leg guard serves multiple purposes. 1. It protects the rider's leg during a crash by ensuring that there is enough space between the ground and the motorcycle for the rider to escape from below a fallen motorcycle. 2. It protects most parts of the motorcycle from coming into direct contact with the ground during a fall, thus minimizing damage to the motorcycle. 3. Specifically designed crash guards also allow auxiliary lights to be mounted onto them. Are they essential? It depends on the kind of motorcycle you ride. In case of a fully faired motorcycle like the TVS Apache RR 310, frame sliders and crash bobbins would be a better bet than say a large crash guard, which may not have any available mounting. In case of motorcycles such as the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and other un-faired street motorcycles, crash guards can be a valuable addition given the various benefits they bring to the table. While choosing a crash guard, be sure to buy one that's sold by a reputed manufacturer. Cheaper crash guards may not be able to handle impact.