It's interesting that people think that the metal is cheap, because it bends... actually a cheap 'pot' metal lever would snap off rather than bend. They've done a nice job of using a metal that will yield, can be bent back into position, and still bend again when needed.

 

I agree, didn't mean to sound like it was cheap, soft saves the (smallish) shift shaft too. My problem hasn't been falling but just hidden protruding stumps rocks and roots. Have mixed feelings on tethers, had one guide a brake lever right through the case cover on a different bike once. Will scope it out for this bike though, thanks.

 

I spent most of last saturday hitting neutral everytime I shifted from 1st===I was to the point of mentally blaming my mx boots. I got home and made eye contact with my shifter that was bent against the case. Which it wasnt when I left, apparently when I fell on my *** earlier in the day I bent the shifter. Which is now properly bent back AND on a side note, I may the hold record for quickest damaged barkbusters, 3/10's of a mile and I put my left foot in a hole as I stopped. I tipped the bike over, didnt really crash, but physically broke my brand new barkbuster. thank god for the barkbuster or I would have been riding without a clutch handle

 

To assist straightening out my lever(s) I made template of a new one. You can resize it to the dimension shown and print it out, it just saves some time back and forth to the bike.