| Author | Message | ||
     Barkandbite |
Thanks to the fine folks at Trojan, my long awaited LSL "Crash Bobbins" (a.k.a. Crash Pads) arrived from the U.K. today. These are designed for low speed/low impact drops given how they are mounted; specifically they are designed to avoid damage to the frame. Firstly, the fit and finish are first-rate. All the CNC-machined parts are finished exquisitely with milled/chamfered edges. All grade 8+ hardware and the instructions were readable (event the German translations!) and the diagrams were very good. The torque figures match the OEM measurements in the service manual. I, like most of you, have concerns about where/how the brackets mount. On the right side, the bracket mounts to the isolator bracket and where the clutch cable secures to the same bracket. Both of these, of course, mount directly to the head. On the left side, the bracket mounts directly to the tranny cover. In the case of an impact of any seriousness, the left side would likely bend the shaft on the pad stansion and would more than likely snap the pad bracket off. On the right side, the bracket might bend and hit the stabilizer bar and/or jug. Reality is that I hope I never have to test them out, but since my bikes already been knocked over in a parking lot once, I'll have to see if they earn their keep. Unsure if I am settled as to the potential damage to the head versus what a damaged frame would mean... I'm going to mount the Trojan C/F frame sliders that DaveS ordered from across the pond too, so I may take these off, or I may not. Depends on how I feel over the next couple of days. Here are the pics from tonight's installation. Took all of 20 minutes, including my beer stop. Chris Packaging:  Left Side:  Right Side:  Front Profile:  | ||
| 420at145mph |
u take em off n ill buy em | ||
| Darthane |
Hmm...hadn't seen those ones before. Are they just milled aluminum? I just ordered my C/F protectors from Daves...no idea if they've come yet, but it doesn't matter since I'm still 5 weeks away from home (and definitely counting!). | ||
| Barkandbite |
Yeah, they're pretty stout AL...I'm trying to get the specifics of the alloy. Nicely made. I'm going to use both these and the C/F sliders. If I still manage to f it all up, I deserve it!  Chris | ||
| Bads1 |
No offense but anything thats mounted to the cases of a motor to protect the bike can't be good.Its not going to bend that mount its going to screw up your case first.Hope you don't have to test them either.Like Darthane I bought C/F protectors. | ||
| Xb9er |
Those might save the frame, but aren't you afraid they will do damage to engine parts in a crash? Mike. | ||
| Raraf |
The ones I ordered are in but I won't be able to install them till after vacation. They are cheaper than the sliders. If there is a wreck, I figure it would be cheaper to buy replacement bobbins and a new left hand case than to buy another CF slider (if you can buy them separately). I got em for parking lot/low speed tipovers too. That is my faulty reasoning anyways. Besides, they look chi chi to my eyes and don't cover up dat purdy frame. | ||
| Daves |
"They are cheaper than the sliders. If there is a wreck, I figure it would be cheaper to buy replacement bobbins and a new left hand case than to buy another CF slider (if you can buy them separately)." Well lets see, First off, I do not see the cases being sold per side so you'd have to buy a whole set of cases, they retail for 758.00 not to mention the labor to completely take your motor apart and put it back together with the new cases. Plus, I'd be willing to bet that it smokes the primary cover too so that'll run another 220.00 So lets total that up for you, 758.00 for the set of cases 220.00 for the primary cover 350.00 labor(I'm guessing here) 1328.00 total! This does not include replacing the sliders themselves. Even if you get lucky and only take out the primary cover it's 220.00 and I'm betting that almost any crash while the bike is moving is going to pull the threads right out of the cases. Carbon Fiber frame protectors are available per side now thru my new supplier so if you wreck one you just buy the side you need not a whole set. I am not trying to imply that the carbon ones are the "end all" for protection either but at least they are not going to cause more damage than you would've had anyway like these that bolt to your motor look like they will. IMHO YMMV Dave | ||
| Glitch |
Carbon Fiber frame protectors are available per side now thru my new supplier so if you wreck one you just buy the side you need not a whole set. Good to know.  I didn't like the one's that bolt to the engine either. I'd rather ding the frame than wreck the engine. You can still ride with a dinged frame. 1328.00 total! That's almost the cost of a frame! I don't want to sound like I'm putting anyone's choice in these sliders. I just liked the way the carbon fiber ones work, and they do work, there's a picture somewhere around here of an unfortunate test. | ||
| Daves |
I'm not dissing the choice, just informing them what it's going to cost them when they crash. Dave | ||
| Raraf |
Went downhill with a bud on his $3000 mountain bike. Nice looking carbon fiber bars snapped like a dry twig for no reason. The remnants attached to the stem dug into his arm all the way up. Nice bloody mess. He jammed a stick into the left over bar and pedaled home. Carbon Fiber is stronger than steel but that left a good impression in my mind. I am not beotching. Just wondering. I know CF is made to handle an impact but does anyone know how it works in a slide? | ||
| Glitch |
Here's the "test" I'm not dissing the choice I know Dave, I'm not either, I just wanted to make it clear that that wasn't what I (we) were doing. | ||
| M1combat |
Excellent. I missed those pics but have been looking for "reviews" of those CF sliders for a while. Thank you. | ||
| Daves |
I've got one set of the carbon frame protectors left. Who wants them? Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| M1combat |
I'd love to have them but I need some other stuff first... I'll get a set though Dave. Probably about August or September. | ||
| Chgojim |
DAVE I NEED A FEW PARTS. YOU GOT MAIL THANKS | ||
| Daves |
M1, I'll have more by then. Chgojim Resend it to my daves@h-dappleton.com email. I don't check my hotmail acct from work. Dave | ||
| Austinrider |
Thats my bike in those pic's I have a better review from somebody who doesn't post here. Rodney Scott races an XB12R in the local CMRA race club here. While racing at Daytona he went down going pretty fast. the CF Frame sliders protected his frame, however they did wear through to the frame. Considering that he was going a buck 20 and how far the bike slid on its side, the CF Frame Covers did a remarkable job. | ||
| Chgojim |
DAVE- SENT IT AGAIN THANKS | ||
| Daves |
Got it, I'll be waiting for your call! Dave | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
That lower "protector" on the primary side is a joke & will do nothing except tear more expensive parts up. We have had this discussion many many times now & I think for the most part we have all agreed the LSL's simply arent going to do much to protect your bike. | ||
| Barkandbite |
Fellas -- I got these as a present (wife) and since I'd never seen them in person, the cost of a bottle of beer and the 15 minutes it took to install them was of little consequence. There are a lot of people here who cast judgement on parts without even seeing them, let alone installing them. I wanted to see for myself what they were really like and share with everyone else so an informed decision could be made (not one based on conjecture and "opinion" only.) Go re-read my post -- I've already stated that I'm not particularly settled with these despite the build quality. I might take them off, I might not. I plan not to test them, however Now everyone gets to see these things, how they are installed, and from someone who they "know" (note I didn't say "trust" ) As I mentioned, I already have the C/F sliders on order from DaveS. I've taken one for the team. Now you know. Chris | ||
| Jasonblue |
So tell me exactly how you are going to test them? Seems to me there is only one way to do that. Riding around and admiring how pretty they are isn't going to be much of a test. All people are trying to say is that, God forbid, if you do go down, those things might cost you a WHOLE lot more money than without them. If you take em off you will have some very nice looking paper weights. | ||
| Ortegakid |
Chris, As the co-founder of a frame slider co,(irp),I'm glad you showed all what they are like(lsl).There is no adequate way to mount them as we would on say an r1 or a gsxr.That is why we never made any for my xb9r.(If I was going to race mine,I'd glue some on the side of the frame,much like that pic 420 showed a while ago). Good info,'tho and I'll have a beer with ya anytime! | ||
| Starter |
It would be SOOOOO hard for Buell to weld a couple of lugs on the widest part of the frame to mount sliders to. Obviously frame protection isn't on their book of priorities. | ||
| Barkandbite |
Actually, Jason, I fully intend to test them, just not on *my* bike. I am gaining access to a crashed XB that no longer works (I'm going to buy it for parts.) I intend (if everything's still in working order to bolt to) to stick 'em on and drop the bike on either side. I'll take pictures and we can all assess the damage. So, if it's alright with you Jason, I'll admire my "paperweights" as I ride around with them all "purdy like" until I get to do this test empirically...if that meets with your approval, of course. Jesus. Re-read my post. I already agreed that I'm not terribly happy with the mounting, I've already got the c/f sliders coming, and I'll prolly take the LSL's off...of maybe I won't. I had them handy. It seemed like a cool idea to actually INSTALL a part before I bitched all over it. I'm well aware of the potential for damage, that's why I posted this in the first place. Relax dude, I'm pretty sure you didn't pay for these. I appreciate the warning, but you're preaching to the choir. ...somebody probably said the Drummer was a dumb idea once, too... Maybe this one actually is. Chris | ||
| 420at145mph |
DONT test em take em off and sell em to me damn you heh i plan on NEVER dropping my bike ( plus i got the super duper 7 year warranty)so ill be happy to just ride around with em lookin pretty then again if u do test em thatll knock what about 50$ of your asking price? ortega were the hell are your swingarm sliders maaaaan i want some bad | ||
| M1combat |
It's pretty hard to not use a present though... A friend of mine bought me a tank bag for a bike that has a metal tank... It mounts with magnets. I'll find a way to use it. | ||
| Bads1 |
Good luck Chris your bike is going to need it.BTW just letting a bike fall over to see if they work is not a test.Your bike needs to take a good digger about 35-40MPH then report back to us.Theone side is destined to rip your head apart and the other....one out of two things its either gonna pull the threads right out of your case and possibly crack it or your primary cover is gonna be history.Hals has been racing these things since the beginning and they weld theres on.I would have to say they tried or thought of other alternatives just like your's infact but haven't used them.If I were you take them off send them back if you can wait for your C/F ones to come.Just my two cents but hey its your bike. | ||
| Ortegakid |
420, I'm making you a set, do you want white or blue? |
