Crash protection for your bike. All you need to know.

**avboden** · 06-10-08

Crash protection: Sliders

Introduction

Having made an investment in a new bike, one may be reluctant to go out and spend more money. Hopefully you have bought proper gear for your self in the event of an accident. What about your bike? Many people fail to realize just how much your bike can be protected with the use of simple accessories.

The concept of a slider is simple. A slider is a plastic puck that is bolted onto the bike. The main point of the slider is to have it hit the ground, and not your frame, fairings, turn signals etc. Sliders serve multiple purposes. In a drop situation, a slider compresses and can absorb some of the impact, saving unnecessary stress on the frame of the bike. In a slide situation, the plastic of the puck slowly grinds off, both dissipating the force of the slide, and saving other parts of the bike from grinding off.

Once you have decided to get sliders, it is important to realize that there are many different points on the bike for which sliders are made.

Front:

At the front of your bike is the fork. In many situations in which the bike goes down, it is very possible for the lowest point on the forks to hit the ground. A fork slider will save you ugly gouges in the fork and sometimes even a slightly bent fork.
There are currently two brands of fork sliders available for the F800S/ST, one made by GSG-Moto and one by R&G Racing. Both makes are virtually identical and either will work fine.
These will fit both the S and the ST

Also at the front of the bike is the handlebar. At the end of each side, there is a bar end. Bar end sliders are made to replace these bar ends.

Mid bike:

The middle of your bike can be the most important. This is where the engine, and the bulk of fairings are located. Sliders located in this area are known as Engine Frame sliders. Each set of sliders will come with one for each side of the bike. This is one area where the S and the ST differ.

F800S:

There are two brands of engine frame sliders made for the F800S. Once again, they are made by GSG-Moto and R&G racing. Both utilize engine mounting bolts. However, the GSG slider is placed further forward and can provide better protection for your turn signals. When both the R&G and the GSG engine frame sliders are installed, and the bike is dropped, only the GSG will hit the ground. Through this test it is concluded that the GSG-Moto frame slider provides better protection.

F800ST:

The F800ST is a trickier bike to put an engine slider on. The lower fairings block many of the mounting points. Luckily GSG-Moto has come up with a very good solution. The F800ST Engine Frame sliders from GSG require no cutting of the fairing. The set utilizes metal brackets, which are installed under the fairings. The slider is then attached through an existing hole in the fairing. This slider set up is much more expensive then the ones for the F800S but it is well worth it to provide the protection for the extra fairings found on the ST.

Rear:

On the rear of the bike, there are two different spots for sliders. The first of which is the Final Drive. This slider presses into the hole in the middle of the rear pulley. With the tightening of a bolt, the inner part of the slider expands and holds it in place. It is very stable and will not fall out. This slider will protect the expensive rear pulley or “Final Drive” of the bike.

Finally, we come to our last slider. A very large part of your bike is the exhaust. R&G Racing makes a slider that attaches to the end of your exhaust can. While this slider won’t protect your bike very much, it will save your can from a lot of scratches and even breaches if your bike happens to go down.

Installation:

The installations of all of these sliders are very simple. A full male torxs set is needed to remove the old engine bolts and the fairings on the ST. Removing and replacing the engine mounting bolts does NOT weaken the bike by any means. The engine does not need to be supported during installation as long as you only do one bolt at a time.

Conclusion:

All of this may seem slightly overwhelming. There is a lot of info here! Sliders are an invaluable asset to your motorcycle. If you do not wish to purchase every type of slider, it is highly recommended that you at least install the engine frame sliders (mid bike). These sliders provide the most protection.

A sample F800S decked out with sliders

**Barance** · 06-11-08

You forgot the bar ends! (in the picture)

those are all I have ordered so far

Excellent thread av!!

**Pat H** · 06-11-08

Great thread for those that want total protection.
Personally I like the edge of knowing I don't have any protection for the bike.
If I drop it it will get damaged. Helps me focus on not dropping it.

But if you think you might then a very comprehensive avboden has pulled togetehr.
First rate.

**dpancerz** · 06-13-08

Great summary AV, thanks for sharing. I think next on my list will be the final drive and exhaust can protection. Been spending a ton on this little bike but I think in the long run it's worth it.

Nice job!

David

**kismetcapitan** · 06-15-08

lol, I consider my stock can to BE a crash slider in and of itself, to protect the rest of the bike :p

**RickG** · 06-15-08

Great posting. I now have something to seriously think about. TX

**draxblood** · 06-15-08

I "tested" the GSG slider today at a 0 MPH drop on the driveway. It performs better than I had hoped. I even forgot it was there until I pulled up the bike. Only the mirror was a little scratched. It's a worth investment.

**flatulence** · 06-16-08

Originally Posted by draxblood

I "tested" the GSG slider today at a 0 MPH drop on the driveway. It performs better than I had hoped. I even forgot it was there until I pulled up the bike. Only the mirror was a little scratched. It's a worth investment.

Do you have just the engine slider or others also? I'm trying to decide what to put on the ST.

I can't see any point in the bar end sliders, other than as cheaper replacements than bar end weights if I scratch them. I'm not sure if the final drive slider will come into play - it looks like the passenger peg will hold the rear up unless they get severely bent in a hard, high speed drop. That pretty much just leaves the engine sliders as being useful for protecting the expensive bits.

**avboden** · 06-16-08

Originally Posted by flatulence

Do you have just the engine slider or others also? I'm trying to decide what to put on the ST.

I can't see any point in the bar end sliders, other than as cheaper replacements than bar end weights if I scratch them. I'm not sure if the final drive slider will come into play - it looks like the passenger peg will hold the rear up unless they get severely bent in a hard, high speed drop. That pretty much just leaves the engine sliders as being useful for protecting the expensive bits.

You are right for the most part. I have had one drop on the right side and all that hit was the passenger footpeg in the rear and the engine slider.

I don't have the bar end sliders, I agree with you there.

Bare minimum, what do you need?

Fork slider. Your fork WILL hit if the drop has any speed or the bike any rotation.
Engine slider. Obviously the most important

**sapphire** · 07-11-08

Sweet, I need to get over here more often. I put bar sliders on my christmas wish list, but they seem so expensive. I think I need to check out the prices here. Anyway, long story short, Bill suggested that I don't put the bike down and save a buck, but I still think they are a good idea and will add them to my 40th birthday wish list!!

**avboden** · 07-11-08

Originally Posted by sapphire

Sweet, I need to get over here more often. I put bar sliders on my christmas wish list, but they seem so expensive. I think I need to check out the prices here. Anyway, long story short, Bill suggested that I don't put the bike down and save a buck, but I still think they are a good idea and will add them to my 40th birthday wish list!!

Honestly, i'd pass on the bar end sliders. The first thing you should get is the GSG sliders for the ST. A handlebar end is much cheaper than a fairing. Plus you can fill in any scratches on the handlebar end with a sharpie!

**joewiecha** · 07-23-08

Thanks to your fine instructions and photos I installed engine sliders with no trouble and no worries. I went out an bought a torque wrench and the torx bits and a set of metric allen wrenches. Didn't occur to me to buy an allen wrench set (bits?) that could be driven by the torque wrench..so I just tightened all by hand...instead of driving back to the store...

I didn't need to put washers on the "long" screws...I took a short one from the right side bag and used it on the left side. Used longer ones on left and right rear, and all seemed to fit right.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to document your job, I felt like I was looking over your shoulder. And since I'm a new rider and know nothing about the mechanics of my bike...that's a huge help.

**Shrosa** · 07-23-08

I had the frame slders installed soon after getting the bike. I better get started on the rest...

thanks

**Larne** · 07-23-08

Great post avboden, thanks very much. Just ordered GSG-Moto engine and final drive sliders and R&G fork sliders.

**avboden** · 07-24-08

Glad to help everyone! I'm so happy that this is convincing people to buy some sliders. These will pay for them selves some day. They already have for me!

**Scorch** · 07-24-08

Heh! Interesting that I ordered mine today before finding this thread!
I've ordered R&G all round: Engine, front fork and exhaust protectors. I forgot to order the bar end ones because I had been thinking of getting different ones (interesting brushed aluminium ones) but the website for those was different.

I guess I'll see how I get on with these first, and then maybe add the others at a later time.

**easyman05** · 07-30-08

I will have BMW crashbars/engine guards/ installed later on on my wife's bike. Those from F800S - the dealer will have to cut holes in the side fairings and so far they are hesitating could they they do it without re-painting the plastic things.

**Gus** · 07-30-08

Good stuff Andrew as already mentioned. I'm with Vlad, the kit I ended up with (front axle, rear right and engine) was good - for the wheels - but I would have had to drill out the fairings - which I don't want to do. Also put the RG on the can. So now I have a set of engine sliders that would be perfect for an 'S', no drilling required, will make someone a deal on them if interested.....

**avboden** · 07-30-08

Originally Posted by Gus

Good stuff Andrew as already mentioned. I'm with Vlad, the kit I ended up with (front axle, rear right and engine) was good - for the wheels - but I would have had to drill out the fairings - which I don't want to do. Also put the RG on the can. So now I have a set of engine sliders that would be perfect for an 'S', no drilling required, will make someone a deal on them if interested.....

You must have ordered the wrong sliders! GSG makes a set of engine sliders for the ST that require no drilling at all.

http://f800depot.com/index.php?main_...products_id=75

**Darren J** · 07-31-08

Andrew, because of my AC Schnitzer fairing I don't think I can use the GSG engine sliders. You mentioned that the RG's will allow turn signal contact with the ground. Is it enough contact to destroy the signal or just scratch it? Are the signals the only thing that will contact on both sides?

**avboden** · 07-31-08

Originally Posted by Darren J

Andrew, because of my AC Schnitzer fairing I don't think I can use the GSG engine sliders. You mentioned that the RG's will allow turn signal contact with the ground. Is it enough contact to destroy the signal or just scratch it? Are the signals the only thing that will contact on both sides?

I am unsure exactly if the turn signals will hit or not nor how much with just the R&Gs. I have not set my bike down with the GSGs taken off and i'd rather not test it.

I'm still a firm believer you should get what ever you can though. If the R&Gs are the only ones that fit so be it. I'm sure they will also provide ample protection. They would probably protect your AC fairings at the least.

**katego** · 07-31-08

nice write up Andrew.

-k

**Gus** · 08-01-08

Hi Andrew, nope didn't order the wrong ones, it was a full kit from ******BMW, advertisement said was for all 800 models, but didn't specify that you'd have to drill the fairing lowers to fit those pieces. Just don't want to have to cut holes! So I still have them, they are a bit too short to use as a club

so for any 'S' riders, offer of a good deal still applies............

**easyman05** · 08-05-08

As I was fed up with waiting the dealer's actions I decided to do it myself. Bought the bars today. Cut the holes in the plastic fairings - interesting thing, there are round stamps/look like that/ on the reverse side of the fairings exactly on the spot of the holes and the same diameter just necessary to cut one more hole a bit lower and of smaller diameter and then to make the two holes look nice. Will install tomorrow. The only headache was to take off the turn indicators - had no idea how to do it. It's simple - just unscrew one bolt which fixes the white glass to the black housing, take away the bulb and the reflector/you will find two wires - disconnect them and take out of the housing. But then I cut the indicators - all in all I have the OEM LED ones waiting to be installed for too long.

**Larne** · 08-06-08

Finally got the GSG-Moto Engine and Rear Drive sliders and fitted them. I haven't pushed the bike over yet to see if they work (not gonna tempt fate on that one) but they look okay, don't stand out or anything.

I did remember to take some pictures and put a write-up in the HOW.

**easyman05** · 08-06-08

made it today! Installed the bars! Now I know the reason why my dealer did not want to do it

It took me 4 hours of figgling with the plastic to adjust it. Also the bolts coming with the bars did not want to enter the respective holes. Sorry, did not take pics - will take them asap and post here.

**Greg.Donald** · 08-10-08

I bought the following kits from F800Depot just last week
- front fork sliders
- Rear sprocket slider
- Bar end sliders
- F800ST engine slider kit from GSG

Al were well made and were easily fitted in about an hour.

Problems with engine slider kit
-Two M10 socket head bolts are supplied to mount the bracket to the top engine mount point. These bolts replace the standard short bolts. Unfortunately one of the bolts had no thread on it - a machining blank before the thread is rolled onto it. Luckily i was able to get a new one from a local bolt shop.
-second problem was that the two front M6 x 80mm bolts are too long and hit the bottom of the hole when tightened. Need to saw off about 4 mm of bolt.

Apart from these problems the kit is a very nice quality product and would recommend it to all ST riders.

The standard bar ends are just made of steel - why can't BMW include the plastic bit on the end as a standard fitting.

**Scorch** · 08-11-08

I got my R&G frame and fork sliders installed on Saturday. All in all it took less than 5 minutes after scrabbling around for the right sockets.

My only concern is that I may have overtightened the frame sliders. I went shopping for a torque wrench in the morning to be on the safe side, but was horrified at the price. Since I would only be using the thing once, I felt I couldn't justify the expense.

Your opinions on this please - how important is it to have exactly the right amount of torque applied when tightening the engine mounting bolts?

**Pat H** · 08-11-08

Originally Posted by Scorch

I got my R&G frame and fork sliders installed on Saturday. All in all it took less than 5 minutes after scrabbling around for the right sockets.

My only concern is that I may have overtightened the frame sliders. I went shopping for a torque wrench in the morning to be on the safe side, but was horrified at the price. Since I would only be using the thing once, I felt I couldn't justify the expense.

Your opinions on this please - how important is it to have exactly the right amount of torque applied when tightening the engine mounting bolts?

For many bolts it's not too important (despite the insistance nowdays of a torque setting for just about everything!)
But thje engine bolts form part of the bikes structural strength so should be correct.
Too loose and they risk working loose (Front End Clunk)
Too tight and you risk shearing them off (clearly not happened) or them fracturing if they heat up and expand (but unlikley)
So as long as they are on the tight side it's probably ok.
Best bet is to pop into the dealer and ask them to run the torque wrench over them to be sure. A few quit to the mechanic is a lot less than buying a wrench!

**Scorch** · 08-11-08

Good call - thanks Pat.

The only issue I've had now it that putting both feet down has led to bruised shins from bashing them on the frame protectors this morning. I guess a couple more knocks will teach me where the protectors are and I'll be able to put my feet down more carefully in future!

**Pat H** · 08-11-08

Originally Posted by Scorch

Good call - thanks Pat.

The only issue I've had now it that putting both feet down has led to bruised shins from bashing them on the frame protectors this morning. I guess a couple more knocks will teach me where the protectors are and I'll be able to put my feet down more carefully in future!

Yes one of my CBR's had them and I kept banging my knees and legs on them.
As I don't like falling off or dropping the bike I decided long ago not to do it any more so the protectors were untouched 5 years leater when I sold the bike.
So haven't bothered with them since.
Knowing it's just skill that keeps the bike from a nice scrape seems to sharpen the mind when riding

And hey a few scars from that pram saving incident make for a good pub pint brag.

**Scorch** · 08-11-08

LOL!

I'm starting to think these pram drivers are doing it deliberately...

**Greg.Donald** · 08-11-08

Originally Posted by Scorch

I got my R&G frame and fork sliders installed on Saturday. All in all it took less than 5 minutes after scrabbling around for the right sockets.

My only concern is that I may have overtightened the frame sliders. I went shopping for a torque wrench in the morning to be on the safe side, but was horrified at the price. Since I would only be using the thing once, I felt I couldn't justify the expense.

Your opinions on this please - how important is it to have exactly the right amount of torque applied when tightening the engine mounting bolts?

Torque is important on the engine mount bolts but overtightening could lead to failure of the alloy thread the bolt screws into. I always use thread locker fluid such as Loctite to make sure they don't come loose. Comes from owning an old English bike that vibrates a lot. When using thread locker be careful not to over tighten as the fluid acts as a lubricant on the thread. This will result in an overtightened bolt if the same torque is used. i would back the figure off slightly when using Locitite or similar products

**Slipper1** · 08-19-08

I have the BMW protective bars on my F800S, not the prettiest things but very practical, i have only dropped the bike once by trying to put the stand down while the engine was running and i caught the gear shift, the bike shot forward and fell over, just a small scratch on the protective bar and no other part of the bike touched the road

very happy with them

**JimP** · 08-21-08

Originally Posted by Scorch

I went shopping for a torque wrench in the morning to be on the safe side, but was horrified at the price. Since I would only be using the thing once, I felt I couldn't justify the expense.

Any rental places in your area. Around my area they rent these sort of tools for a reasonable price.

**Fleuger99** · 08-26-08

Thanks for the write up. When I get the bike I'm definitely going to do the engine mounts, final drive and forks.

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