In the next frame the rider has pulled free and the motorcycle continues on the frame slider. In the nearby pictures notice the rider’s ankle is caught between pavement and motorcycle frame as the bike begins to low-side. While not an advertised benefit, there are plenty of instances where having the bike supported by a frame slider saved a rider from serious ankle injury. Frame sliders by design raise the angle of the bike, which in turn increases the possibility of catching and flipping over. A motorcycle will remain on its side in a slide unless a part snags the ground. Beyond that, and sometimes even then, the unique circumstances of any crash make it hard to predict the actual protection afforded. They are also beneficial in low-speed low-side crashes. If your first priority is to prevent fairing scrapes and scratches, then frame sliders offer good protection on those occasions when a bike gets knocked over or dropped. Here are a few considerations that may shape your decision. This style of slider may be a good choice for track riders who don’t mind replacing a fairing or two now and then. Once installed there’s no change to the outward appearance of the motorcycle, but of course no fairing protection either. While not discussed in this article, and less commonly used, frame sliders that mount under the fairing are also available. While not discussed in this article, and less commonly used, frame sliders that One last design point. Either approach provides adequate engine and fairing protection if the motorcycle is dropped. In a crash situation, sliders that attach to the frame directly (cut kit sliders) provide maximum strength and distribute the force of an impact better than those mounted on brackets (no cut). How the slider mounts to the frame matters. No-cut sliders by contrast use a bracket attached behind the fairing to create a mounting point for the slider at an existing opening. Cut kits, as the name implies, require light fairing modification basically a hole for the slider to mount to the frame. Photo courtesy of Puig Hi-Tech.įrame sliders come in two types– cut kit and no-cut. Street riders however will optimize for fairing protection if the motorcycle is dropped and for protection in low speed slides.Īn example of a no-cut kit from Puig showing how a bracket is used to offset the puck to avoid fairing modifications. Track riders choose shorter sliders to avoid sending the motorcycle cartwheeling in high-speed slides. Manufacturers look for a slider length that balances protection with the lowest risk of causing the motorcycle to summersault in a crash. The length of the slider is also specific to the motorcycle as are the mounting brackets and bolts. The Engine and frame configurations differ by motorcycle, consequently sliders are designed to fit specific motorcycle makes, models, and years. The bolts that attach the slider to the frame are made with a de-embrittled steel that helps prevent them from snapping on impact.Įngine and frame configurations differ by motorcycle, consequently sliders are designed to fit specific motorcycle makes, models, and years. Replacement bobbins and pucks are available for most frame slider brands. The material is intended to wear down in a slide and help slow the bike while avoiding snags that can cause the motorcycle to flip over. Manufacturers use a combination of aluminum, machined steel, and high-density nylon, polyethylene plastic, or Delrin for the bobbin or puck surface area. Frame sliders provide relatively inconspicuous protection as this Hayabusa illustrates. They consist of a protrusion, referred to as a bobbin or puck, extending outward from the motorcycle frame and attached by a single mounting bolt or in some cases a bracket. What is a Frame Slider?įrame sliders are a device designed to absorb impact and keep the motorcycle frame and engine parts off the ground in the event of a drop or slide. Adventure riders on the other hand should avoid frame sliders all together and instead consider crash bars. This article focuses on the needs of street riders, but may help those who do occasional track days as well. Let’s take a look at these and other questions about frame sliders so you can decide if they are right for you. But how beneficial are they? Do they work better than crash bars? And how hard are sliders to install? Frame sliders are a simple add-on that help reduce damage in drop situations and even in some crash scenarios. Motorcycles by nature have a tendency to tip over, and pretty much always in a bad way.
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