Frame sliders vs. Fairing protectors

Road Rash · 01-06-2007, 09:44 PM

I know what most everyone is going to say about this, but I thought I'd ask to see if I anyone has experience w/ the no cut fairing protectors. I am really not wanting to cut a hole in my fairings for frame sliders, but I had a wind storm knock my bike over & scratch it up pretty good on the right side. I am going to replace the lower fairing on my F4i & I do not want this to happen again as I was sick to see my bike laying on the ground & now not nearly as pretty as it once was. Anyway, could the "no cuts" be worth it or are they completely worthless? I invite any comments. Thanx in advance.

RR

cali gixxer · 01-07-2007, 07:01 PM

why are u so worried about cuttin the plastics? are u afraid of messing up and then having an ugly fairing? if so take it to a reputable shop and have it done.

I think one of the mods on here has the no cut sliders.

Personally, i would NOT use the no-cut sliders...they just arent nearly as sturdy

GSXR79 · 01-07-2007, 11:20 PM

i have the no cut sliders they worked just fine when my bike fell over no faring damage at all. besides how sturdy do they have to be, anything over a crawl and their likely to be worn to nothing anyway and offer no better protection, that is if you eat it and the bike doesn't start fliping and floping around, then nothing is going t work.

fishnride · 01-08-2007, 11:11 AM

I had a low-side where my bike slid 50 ft or so. The Shogun swingarm spools saved the swingarm from some ugly scratches/damage. I only wish I had installed the Shogun frame sliders.

The cuts are easy to do, and even easier if you have a junk fairing to practice with.

If you can, use a 1 7/8 hole saw - less gap around the frame slider.

Kawy ZX-6R · 01-14-2007, 06:59 PM

I layed my '03 down on the right side ~50mph and my Vortex 'aluminum' frame slider bent 90deg and snapped off at the bolt. You can imagine my bike got beat up pretty good....i'll never purchase aluminum sliders again. I didn't know it at the time, but now i do!

OSUDawg · 01-14-2007, 08:01 PM

I had a shop install my cut frame sliders that way if they missed up or anything was wrong it was on them to correct it. They did a great job.

Powder Barons · 01-15-2007, 09:17 AM

I've lowsided at over 110mph a few years back, matter of fact the crash was in Roadracing World. I had Intuitive Sliders on the bike, and the bike had only a slightly scratched tail section on my 01 gsxr1000. The bike slid for about 200 feet, spinning and sliding the whole way on asphalt. You never saw a single scratch on the fairing that it slid on. I ran over picked the bike up and jumped back on to finish.

My buddy on the other hand, with his 01 1000, had the no cut frame sliders on his bike. He lowsided at about 35mph up at Pocono raceway on the Fusa track, the frame slider broke right the hell off and his bike which he just put new plastic on the day before, was all scratched up.

I'd never waste my money on the no-cut type, most people wreck while riding, not just having the bike fall over. It's easy to cut the plastic too, use a hole saw, perfect tight circle.

RCKT GRL · 01-15-2007, 01:30 PM

If I can do it, so can you... just be sure to measure twice and cut once.

I just did mine on Saturday and they turned out perfect. I'm working on installing mesh in my fairings and fabricating a new exhaust bracket, so once I have that complete, I'll post pictures. Good luck!

SLaneGS500F · 01-15-2007, 10:54 PM

hmm small hole verus replacing a fairing? With the right tools you can make it look good

DraggedOutRR · 01-26-2007, 08:06 PM

I would cut the fairings. Its not hard. I had to for my cage. If you are worried about going down you might want to look a cage. My friend went down in front of me and his bike flipped 3 times. The only damage was some scratches on his tail and front blinkers Broke.

cali gixxer · 01-27-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DraggedOutRR

I would cut the fairings. Its not hard. I had to for my cage. If you are worried about going down you might want to look a cage. My friend went down in front of me and his bike flipped 3 times. The only damage was some scratches on his tail and front blinkers Broke.

but doesnt having a cage limit how far you can lean the bike? obviosuly for stunting thats not a an issue, but what about for regular cruising around or the twisties?

digvid · 01-27-2007, 09:06 PM

Somewhere I had seen a step by step of adding frame sliders where he had to cut the plastic. He placed the bike on a rear stand so the bike was leval, he then took the plastic part off that needed cut. Then he had a laser leval on a stand, lined the lazer up with the center of the bolt , put the plastic back on and marked it with the lazer then drill. It takes a few more minutes to do this but almost fool proof, just be careful and do not move the bike or hit the lazer and you should be fine....Also place tape over the area that will be drilled so it will make a little cleaner hole and helps keep down scratches...

Good luck

Road Rash · 01-30-2007, 03:58 AM

Yeah, I am not really worried about going down. I mean it may/will happen some time, but I don'y really think about it very much. I don't think I want or even need a cage. I think the frame sliders will be more of what I am looking for. I realize that if you do go down while riding, most usually, there will be broken/scraped up parts. I had an unfortunate situation with mine when I was not even near it. The forces of nature decided that the pretty F4i in the parking lot needed some character scars. Only thing is.... Mother Nature didn't ask me. So, my main reason for getting them is to prevent this same thing from happening again. Thanx for all of your inputs. I will go w/ the sliders.

RR