Yeah, they're ugly but I run them on 2 of my XSs because they work. And I proved it. The rear set even saved my plastic saddlebags.
I searched forever to find crash bars I liked. Bought several I didn't like. Many of the smaller crash bars will put a kink in the tach cable so avoid those unless you're blocking your tach drive anyway. Those with straight bars on the side are easier to mount highway pegs on but are easier to drag when cornering.
And they're great for mounting turn signals and aux driving lights.
But you might want to consider those hardened steel rods the sport bike riders are using now. They work, look better and don't take up near so much space.