I believe the main reason we run the belly pan is to protect the oil filter from possible puncture, that can't be good, and to an extent to protect the bottom of the engine. Well having lowered my bike appx 1" I am either more prone to those issues or not so much, I know I have not decreased the chances. I do know that the combination of lowering and belly plan has caused me to scrape on the belly pan more than I would like to. I am less concerned about the engine than I am about the filter. What if I purchased a oil filter sleeve/protector and removed the belly pan and worried less about scraping in da twisties ?