Frame Sliders for low-speed / drop protection?

Started by Z06C5R, March 09, 2011, 09:52:57 AM

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Z06C5R

Title pretty much says it.  I've been reading around and found some claims that at low / no speed, the force of the impact on the slider can cause frame or motor damage.  I'm new to riding this season, so I'm trying to plan ahead for the inevitable low-speed parking-lot type drop - I was planning on doing some Speedy frame sliders to minimize damages, but now I'm having second thoughts...
'01 M750 "dark" (now red)

Raux

if you use the search for frame sliders, you'll find lots of testimonials.

Jarvicious

A low speed drop damaging a thick gauge steel rod that connects the heavy duty trellis steel frame and one of the beefier parts of the motor?  I doubt you'll do any damage.
We're liberated by the hearts that imprison us.  We're taken hostage by the ones that we break.

badgalbetty

should be the first thing you put on your bike.Do that before you rip off the fork reflectors. [thumbsup]
"Its never too late to be who you might have been" - George Elliot.

jhsS2R

Quote from: Z06C5R on March 09, 2011, 09:52:57 AM
Title pretty much says it.  I've been reading around and found some claims that at low / no speed, the force of the impact on the slider can cause frame or motor damage.  I'm new to riding this season, so I'm trying to plan ahead for the inevitable low-speed parking-lot type drop - I was planning on doing some Speedy frame sliders to minimize damages, but now I'm having second thoughts...

FYI, I was just told the exact same thing by a parts dealer yesterday. Said he'd be happy to sell me any of the sliders he carried (Speedymoto and Rizoma I think) and they were certainly not cheap, but told me to think about it because on a naked bike they could do more damage than good (i.e. not really much fairing to protect).

I was always of the opinion that sliders were a GOOD thing, but now I don't know what to think.
2007 Monster S2R 800, twin Termis, Rizoma mirrors, working toward ugrading turn signals and tidying tail, sliders (maybe), grips. RIDE SAFE, KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP.

zooom

99 Cagiva Gran Canyon-"FOR SALE", PM for details.
98 Monster 900(trackpregnant dog-soon to be made my Fiancee's upgrade streetbike)
2010 KTM 990 SM-T

Bishamon

I believe in a low-speed drop or a high speed incident on a track, they would prevent damage.  On the other hand, if you had a high speed crash on the street, and the bike slid towards a curb, and the frame slider hit the curb, the engine mount point could crack (it has happened).  I put sliders on my Sport 1000, and plan on adding them to my M796 this spring, primarily to prevent damage if the bike falls over.  If I am in an accident on the street that is severe enough to crack the engine case, I'm sure I will have other problems of greater concern. 
2011 Monster 796
2007 Sport 1000 SE (SOLD) :(

bdub

I had CC sliders on my 2000 900 when I dropped it at 8 miles an hour. Slider caught the road and flipped my bike. That bent the frame. Before that I dropped it at a stop sign with no damage. Frame slider worked. I currently have speedymotos on my bike. I like them but think the Cycle cats look better. I want fork sliders but don't really think they will help.  Put them on. Worse thing that can happen is they will flip your bike and bend the frame.
2005 900ie
now with mivv s'

Y2K  M900 ie  totaled  10/09/08


Kopfjager

Woohoohoohoo! Two personal records! For breath holding and number of sharks shot in the face.

scduc

08' S2R 1K   That was close  damn near lost a $400 hand cart.

He Man

big fan of motovation and Cycle cat IMS sliders. i have CC IMS on my bike. $85.

bikepilot

I'm new to ducatis, but I have seen frame sliders crack cases and frames on other bikes.  I've also seen them hold up and prevent a whole lot of damage.  Most of the ones I've seen that caused rather than prevented damage either bolted directly to the engine rather than engine/frame or had a bracket to offset them so that you don't have to drill a big hole in a faired bike. 

The monster I just bought came with speedymoto sliders.  They  appear to be well designed and of good quality - I'll be leaving them on there.
2009 XB12XT
2006 Monster 620 (wife's)
1997 TL1000S
1975 Kawasaki H1 Mach III
2001 CR250R (CO do-it-all bike)
2000 XR650R (dez racer)
2003 KX100 (wife's)
1994 DR250SE (wife's/my city commuter)

xcaptainxbloodx

the delrin used in all quality frame sliders is softer than the metal. Designed to grind away in an accident, it also has some aspect of shock absorption.  If you are hitting frame sliders hard enough to damage your frame or engine, then your hitting the ground hard enough to total the bike regardless.

In my personal experience, frame sliders completely prevented damage to the tank/seat in my 5 or so dumbass drops (with only negligible scrapes to the case cover/footpegs/levers) and in my ~50mph highside I would say they are the SOLE reason my bike wasn't totaled.

The only downside ive ever seen with frame sliders is the rare instance that they catch on something and flip the bike, the only time Ive ever heard of this happening is with the ones that are aluminum studs surrounded with delrin (get FULL delrin).  I think your parts guy just wanted you to be aware that frame sliders are not a magical forcefield of total protection.

I will use Frame sliders on every bike I ever own. In fact, I just mounted a set on my fiancé's Triumph last week.

BCMonster

Quote from: scduc on March 13, 2011, 02:22:21 PM
Wow, that is expensive. I just bought a set of T-Rex for my S2R and with shipping, $50.

T Rex for the 1100 are inexpensive as well. I think they were only about $65.00 plus shipping, so sbout $80.00. For $20.00 more I like the look of the carbon ones.