Hi I don't have a bike yet, and I wonder what is the purpose of the big black plastic strip that runs on top of the tank? Is it just a tank protector or something else? And can it be safely taken off?
 
Thanks folks!
-Tony

I think its main purpose is design. Although you can take it off, this is what the tank looks like directly underneath the removed strip:

 
Which means, no, you really can't just remove it and keep it off unless you plan on putting something on top of it.
 

Yeah, it hides that ugly mess of connectors and screws that hold the plastic tank panels on and the panels to the bike. I just cleans things up. Unless you have something else to put over it, I would leave it on..

Thanks guys!