First, I have a rather unique situation...
I live in an apartment, and I'm allowed to keep my bike parked on my covered front porch.
I have a small ramp I use to transition the 6" rise.
It requires the bike sort of makes a left hand turn as it parks.
The space between support posts is about 5'.
It's the ONLY time I remove the bags, and I do it just to make sure I don't accidentally scuff them up.
With these guards on permanently, it may present a new challenge for me.
Plus, how ridiculous bag guards look when the bags are removed has been one of the biggest complaints most have said, not to mention just HOW fugly they are... I totally agree!
If there was a way to make the guards easy and fast to remove when the bags come off would solve that issue. Removing 6 bolts, 4 of which are from the backside, is neither quick, or easy. But, any form of quick release fastener would ABSOLUTELY have to be configured securely... and at this point I don't know how one accomplishes that...yet. But I'm going to at least investigate possibilities.
If there's some type of fastener on the market that would fit the bill, then Fastenal probably will have it.
As to the weight comparison, Virginia Jim...
If the number you gave is for just the fronts, no rears, no front axel sliders... Then this kit is going to be much lighter than a CC setup.
Regardless, adding 18 lbs. is still a substantial weight gain...
(Looks like there may be a future carbon fiber slip-on in my future, just to break even! Lol)