Frame sliders

[padu]

Ok guys so I put my bike down once before and the damage was great so now that I have he track bike all fixed up was thinking of putting frame sliders on. After walking the pits and seeing some with and others with out them, Just looking to get some points of views pros and cons about using them on the track

 

[caboose56]

I use them but there are mixed opinions.

If the bike stays on the pavement they will likely help. If the bike gets into the dirt then there is a chance that they can hook and flip the bike causing extra damage.

 

[Fiery254]

I use them but there are mixed opinions.

If the bike stays on the pavement they will likely help. If the bike gets into the dirt then there is a chance that they can hook and flip the bike causing extra damage.

+1. I've seen relatively low speed lowsides get wrong very quickly when the bike hits the turf. I've seen bikes launched hard enough to crack frames. Although clip ons can cause a similiar reaction. In saying that I run them, but I mainly run at Calabogie so figure the rocks will get my bike before the grass does.

I've been thinking of dropping mine for a combination of good quality case sliders, bar ends and good crashable rearsets.

 

[caboose56]

I already have fixed rearsets and swing arm sliders and handlebars. There already are 3 pointy things on each side of the bike that could dig and flip. I weighed the pros and cons and decided to get some Woodcraft frame sliders. I also have Woodcraft case covers tho... My hopes are that the frame sliders will protect the tank, rad and the frame a bit. The case covers protect the motor.

 

[Mr.Azim]

Frame sliders save the frame and take some pressure off the engine covers/tank... it won't save plastics/rearsets/levers much. Most damage occurs once the bike reaches curb/grass. The "sticking out parts" can't save against that launching the bike or flipping it over.

You can get 'short' style frame sliders, it will do what it needs to do for the fame with less likelyhood of getting caught on something. Although more damage could occur elsewhere.

win-lose either way.

 

[caboose56]

Well apparently there is a big dip on the Grand Bend long track config right where the natural apex would be onto the back straight. I encountered said dip yesterday. 1st session, 3rd lap. Front end slid, caught, slid, caught, almost saved it then I was watching my bike slide away from me... thinking dont flip, dont flip, dont flip, flip, dont flip!

The Woodcraft frame slider and case cover did their job. Only cosmetic damage. Of all my unscheduled dismounts this one was pretty harmles but it would have been a lot worse without the frame slider.

 

[Brian P]

^ I know exactly the dip you are talking about. Gotta stay out from the inside of the track a little bit there ... I didn't crash, but the front went away and came back at that spot.

 

[smergy]

had frame sliders, blew them off at GB going onto the backstraight on a highside after loosing a rear slide. All I could think was "please don't flip". I don't use them anymore, more danger of getting caught and flipping the bike to wreck the frame IMO than frame damage on an initial impact. All personal preference, just depends how lucky you get.

 

[doozerdave]

I think part of the issue with that dip is that they added extra asphalt on the inside and scrubbed off the original paint strip, which is now a bit slippery. I've slid on that one a few times also.

As for sliders, I've always run them on my track bikes. I had a low-side on Nelson turn 4 once and as soon as the bike hit the grass it was cartwheeling. Not sure what caused that, but the turtle on the outside of the track probably had something to do with that, but I think the front end dug in and set it off. $1500 worth of damage. After that crash I replaced the old frame sliders, and put the old ones down near the rearsets to protect them. Luckily I have no test data from the new position, but I can imagine they would have caused some flipping in the grass but would have worked well on pavement.

 

[caboose56]

I had a low-side on Nelson turn 4 once a.........

The run off for Nelson 4 and Pro 2 drops off. Both corners tend to make bikes flip. I think its more a case of the ground sloping off than anything else. Bikes skip off the pavement and get a few inches off the ground, then land and everything digs in, then the dollar signs start flying off the bike

 

[doozerdave]

The run off for Nelson 4 and Pro 2 drops off. Both corners tend to make bikes flip. I think its more a case of the ground sloping off than anything else. Bikes skip off the pavement and get a few inches off the ground, then land and everything digs in, then the dollar signs start flying off the bike

Yeah, true. It was definitely a good one. Clip-on, bird cage, front fairing, dented tank (on top!), engine case (luckily stator was okay), tires completely soaked with oil, rearset, tail and sub-frame. Side fairings had next to no damage though, thank you frame sliders, I think.