ben,
No offense intended, but here's my:2cents:.
I've got 'em and love 'em. No problems with functionality whatsoever. I can even get the jack under them just fine.
Looks? No comparison in my opinion.
No reverse? With short legs, that could indeed be problematic.
Are they necessary? Heck no....but then, that has nothing to do with it. If necessity were a criteria, I wouldn't have the airbrushed fairing, the custom painted trailer, the multitude of chrome do-dads; in fact, I guess I wouldn't be riding the trike.
In the end, it's just like every thing else, including the brand of trike you ride, it's a matter of personal choice.
Do I get change?
Dave