Handlebars and lever protection

[john-l]

This summer I bought an '89 (3AJ) Tenere. I am a short rider and this has lead to a number of tumbles when riding offroad.
-Are the normal nylon lever protectors like the ones from Acerbis etc. (the ones without the Aluminium bars)strong enough to keep the levers from bending or breaking in the case of a fall? If so, why would anyone want to spend more money on the aluminium things?
-Once the bike was blown over by a storm and the steering crashed into the tarmac, it looks like the handlebars are OK, but I think the mounts are bent! Is this normal, I would have thought that they should be stronger than that. I want to raise the handlebars- which is the best way:

1) to get taller handlebars (if so aloy or steel?) Any recommendations.

2)to get taller mounts.
Would this modification make the handlebar assembly significantly more prone to damage?