n00b trying to protect teh bike

first time posting, and looking for some information. i did search first!

i recently picked up an 01 F4i. it'll be my first bike and my starter, and it's in mint shape, well maintained, and never been dropped before. ideally yes, i could have started with something cheaper / older / crappier / more underpowered. but i didn't, so oh well :)

i'm anticipating the unevitable first-drop and would like to minimize damage. i've ordered some intuitive frame sliders for this (they were recommended over the vortex.. any thoughts on this?)

ideally though, i'd like to protect my fairings a bit more. one person suggested i throw a stunt cage on there.

how good / bad an idea is this? i don't care if i'll look stupid, i just don't want to hurt my bike! any recommended cages, if this is a route to go, or should i just stick with sliders?

thanks in advance :)


token pitcha:

the only way to totally protect your bike is to not ride it. and that's not an option! frame sliders are the only protection that you need. stunt cages are more for protecting the engine, not the plastic.

You can also take the side fairings off and also the cowl piece behind the front tire, once the sides are off.

quote:

ORIGINAL: dwhite645

You can also take the side fairings off and also the cowl piece behind the front tire, once the sides are off.

That's exactly what I did, the night I got my bike I wanted to go practice in a parking lot (keep in mind I'd never ridden a bike before other than a dirtbike a few times). Soon as I got home I took all the fairings off and taped a bunch of shop rags over the stator cover and timing cover to try and help minimize scratches if I dropped it. Never did drop it though!!

But I'd just get frame sliders, they should be plenty sufficient to protect your fairings. You can get those extra long sliders too that stick out a couple inches. Ther's also bar end sliders and swingarm sliders too

quote:

ORIGINAL: thirdgenlxi

quote:

ORIGINAL: dwhite645

You can also take the side fairings off and also the cowl piece behind the front tire, once the sides are off.

That's exactly what I did, the night I got my bike I wanted to go practice in a parking lot (keep in mind I'd never ridden a bike before other than a dirtbike a few times). Soon as I got home I took all the fairings off and taped a bunch of shop rags over the stator cover and timing cover to try and help minimize scratches if I dropped it. Never did drop it though!!

But I'd just get frame sliders, they should be plenty sufficient to protect your fairings. You can get those extra long sliders too that stick out a couple inches. Ther's also bar end sliders and swingarm sliders too

I read that extended sliders can either ruin your frame if torqued too much in a fall, or can result in the bike flipping over altogether... and I thought about taking the fairings off, but then it's easier to replace those than the frame and motor if you damage that. o_O I guess i'll just go with the regular sliders for now. :) i can evaluate if the 150$ cage is worth it after that.

who knows, maybe i just won't even drop the bike while learning.. *knocks on wood*

thanks for the advice :) :) :)

[/quote]
I thought about taking the fairings off, but then it's easier to replace those than the frame and motor if you damage that.

[/quote]

I meant that you could take off the fairings and use the frame sliders at the same time. Sometimes plastics can get banged up even with the sliders on. That way your clutch cover and stator cover will be ok. But, you're not going to fall, so which ever way should be fine

i have also heard ( dont know if this is true and would love to hear from someone who has expirenced this)but cages have a tendency to make the bike flip if you are going any decent amount of speed, this could cause more damage i would guess

quote:

ORIGINAL: NINE2NINE

the only way to totally protect your bike is to not ride it. and that's not an option! frame sliders are the only protection that you need. stunt cages are more for protecting the engine, not the plastic.

frame sliders and maybe some bar ends
or maybe even a tank pad if you want it

quote:

ORIGINAL: My02CBRF4i

i have also heard ( dont know if this is true and would love to hear from someone who has expirenced this)but cages have a tendency to make the bike flip if you are going any decent amount of speed, this could cause more damage i would guess

i'd believe it. i've heard stories of people with chrome frame sliders that caught in a slide and sent the bike soaring. some cages can have delrin pucks that can be added to the ends, which might help... but others don't.

i agree though, flipping bikes probably would cause more damage. i am no pro though. ;) :)

quote:

ORIGINAL: The Batwing

frame sliders and maybe some bar ends
or maybe even a tank pad if you want it

thanks!

Unlike the rest of these people, if you do want better protection, Invest in a stunt cage. It will protect your fairings. Believe me, I KNOW.


My buddy has an R1 and he was riding over the weekend, well the guy in front of him slammed on his brakes for some dumb reason and my buddy had to brake hard. He ended up in an endo with the right side of his bike falling into the other guys bike and he slammed his R1 on the side. We picked it back up and there was NO DAMAGE whatsoever to the bikes plastics at all.

A Frame Cage does do its job and its not only good for stunters.


Daniel Thompson

Here's the low down:

Sliders are designed to make the bike slide across the ground if it were to fall at a decent speed. They prevent the bike from catching and flipping, which is the usual cause when the frame is tweaked and parts are smashed. They are not "designed" to save the plastics in a fall. They very well may help, but that is not their purpose.

A crash cage is designed to protect much more than sliders... BUT, they are designed for low speed (stunting.) This is not to say they won't help while doing that 70 mph wheelie and dumping it, but that is not their design. At higher speeds they have a higher chance to catch and actually cause the bike to flip. Newer cages and designs may attack this problem better by putting pucks on the ends, but the fact is that they are designed to save when your bike slams into the ground at a lower speed not when gently dropped at a higher speed. That is what sliders are for.

As for taking the plastics off, I wouldn't do it. As said above, then you expose the engine, etc to absorb the damage instead of the replaceable plastics.

If you are mainly trying to save your plastics:
1> Always know what is around you when riding
2> Always leave yourself space on all sides
3> Always assume that EVERY other vehicle WILL DEFINITELY do the stupidest possible thing at every given moment (you'll be ready, shaking your head when the cut you off)
4> Stunt, and ride for that matter, slowly. Take baby steps in your progression, never ride past your ability, nobody will ever give you crap about doing that. And if someone does, Me and the other several hundred people on this site who HAVE been riding for many years now will come and chat with the ass. I'd rather take a while longer to do a particular stunt perfectly and do it on a flawlessly clean bike, than pull it of in a day and ride a bike a torn up on both sides, missing a mirror, cracked windshield, hell, broken leg...

Good luck!

quote:

ORIGINAL: dwhite645

Sometimes plastics can get banged up even with the sliders on.

x2

quote:

ORIGINAL: Air4Andy

If you are mainly trying to save your plastics:
1> Always know what is around you when riding
2> Always leave yourself space on all sides
3> Always assume that EVERY other vehicle WILL DEFINITELY do the stupidest possible thing at every given moment (you'll be ready, shaking your head when the cut you off)
4> Stunt, and ride for that matter, slowly. Take baby steps in your progression, never ride past your ability, nobody will ever give you crap about doing that. And if someone does, Me and the other several hundred people on this site who HAVE been riding for many years now will come and chat with the ass. I'd rather take a while longer to do a particular stunt perfectly and do it on a flawlessly clean bike, than pull it of in a day and ride a bike a torn up on both sides, missing a mirror, cracked windshield, hell, broken leg...

Good luck!

best advice evar! take your time, respect the bike, don't give into to temptation or peer pressure. ride at your own pace and learn it slowly. one earns their doctorite with time invested, not overnight.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Air4Andy

Here's the low down:

Sliders are designed to make the bike slide across the ground if it were to fall at a decent speed. They prevent the bike from catching and flipping, which is the usual cause when the frame is tweaked and parts are smashed. They are not "designed" to save the plastics in a fall. They very well may help, but that is not their purpose.

A crash cage is designed to protect much more than sliders... BUT, they are designed for low speed (stunting.) This is not to say they won't help while doing that 70 mph wheelie and dumping it, but that is not their design. At higher speeds they have a higher chance to catch and actually cause the bike to flip. Newer cages and designs may attack this problem better by putting pucks on the ends, but the fact is that they are designed to save when your bike slams into the ground at a lower speed not when gently dropped at a higher speed. That is what sliders are for.

As for taking the plastics off, I wouldn't do it. As said above, then you expose the engine, etc to absorb the damage instead of the replaceable plastics.

If you are mainly trying to save your plastics:
1> Always know what is around you when riding
2> Always leave yourself space on all sides
3> Always assume that EVERY other vehicle WILL DEFINITELY do the stupidest possible thing at every given moment (you'll be ready, shaking your head when the cut you off)
4> Stunt, and ride for that matter, slowly. Take baby steps in your progression, never ride past your ability, nobody will ever give you crap about doing that. And if someone does, Me and the other several hundred people on this site who HAVE been riding for many years now will come and chat with the ass. I'd rather take a while longer to do a particular stunt perfectly and do it on a flawlessly clean bike, than pull it of in a day and ride a bike a torn up on both sides, missing a mirror, cracked windshield, hell, broken leg...

Good luck!

Thanks Andy, for taking the time to write such a well thought-out post.

Given that I'm just starting out and sticking to lower speeds, the stunt cage may suit my needs to protect the bikey better. :) I'll see how the frame sliders look when once they come in and see if I feel like I want more. What I've taken from here is that they aren't must-haves.

The advice about being aware of one's surroundings and riding at one's own pace is advice i've heard many times before, and advice I will stick to. I don't feel the need to keep up with folk, and don't typically suffer from the red mist. :)

Thanks to everyone else for your feedback! Ride safely.

Cheers
lori

yeah thats why i bought a POS that had a paintjob like this. i knew i was going to drop it no doubt about it. i have never fallen(knock on wood), but i have dropped it 3 times now. now that i have gotten my NOOB drops out of the way, i can paint the bike!

just take it slow and be careful. we want you to keep posting here!

Get some magic mushrooms i'm told they protect the bike from drops pretty well,and some bar ends.
If you DO damage your fairings their not that expensive on ebay,i'm gonna be buying a second set i'm spraying black,just in case I do wreck my first ones.

first off , man is that a sweet bike.  I love that color scheme.  So much so, that I am picking one up next weekend.
So protect that thing. 
 
If you take it very easy, no trying dumb stuff, you could probably get by with just frame sliders.  but, if you are moving, chances are you will scratch the plastics.
if you only dump it in the driveway becuase you grabbed the front brake with the wheel turned, you wont suffer and damage.  (I have personally tested it)
 
but, if your considering dropping $150 on a cage, you could just as easily buy some pre-rashed plastics and put on the bike for just a little more, then when you feel comfortable, put the good ones back on.   With the old plastics, you can drop it as much as you want.-maybe scratch a mirror- and you will still have your prisitine bike

Borrow a Ninja 250 that's be ragged out. That'll be fine to drop. Stunt cage seems like it'll hurt your ground clearance when you get to leaning it over.

Just take the nice fairings off!!
They are not going to protect anything, if you crash bad enough to cause frame damage, im sure have the fairings on wouldnt save the frame.

frame sliders do help. they help protect the frame, clutch and alternator covers. as for fairings, let me say this. my bike was knocked over by a car that was parking and guess what? i go some scratches and rash from the bike falling straight down. if the bike were to be moving i would have sustained much more damage to the plastics (possibly myself too).

penpen, believe me when i tell you this; you will drop your bike! if not this one then the next. however, after you drop your bike for the first time you will see that you will be less obsessed with how it looks. you will get over that fear of scuffs and scratches. always remember, that everything on the bike is replaceable and YOU ARE NOT, respect the machine? thats dumb! the machine works for you and not the other way around! respect yourself! best of luck to you

good idea, but heres the thing, if he takes off the plastics, hes gonna have no headlight, unless its just free hanging (bad idea), if youre that scared of wrecking it just dont ride, even experienced riders go down,

+1 whoever said stunt cages make the bike flip, ive pancaked from 12 many a time, and it tends to flip the bike left or ride sometimes totally upside down, which is a pain in the ass picking up .  frame sliders are crappy IMO if youre going fast enough to break something they dont help much ive seen them bend, break etc... but i guess theyre better than nothing? they didnt help much in my 1st wreck my side got rashed, my front and tail got totally smashed, the damage to your and your bike depends on yourself, and that danger is higher as a noob yea, but it stays with you every time you ride, taking fairings off is a good idea, but then youll need a headlight, so look up acerbis lights.  also IMO plastics provide a small level of protection, they do have some give to them so thats a plus for absorbing the impact, anything is better than having your frame take the hit, if you take off your plastics, get a cage, bottom line

cages generally protect more than a frame slider, yeah they wont really help in a 70mph crash, but frame sliders would most likely snap off that that speed too. call up powers stunt works for either a full cage or id reccomend race rails

quote:

ORIGINAL: Air4Andy

3> Always assume that EVERY other vehicle WILL DEFINITELY do the stupidest possible thing at every given moment (you'll be ready, shaking your head when the cut you off)

+1 on this one for sure!
I've lost count of how many times I've shaken my head while driving around traffic.  Sometimes I actually burst out laughing at the horrible things drivers do sometimes.

Check this! Cage is good to protect both the engine and fairings; However, kiss twistys goodbye after you install a cage. If you lean to a bit too much you will hit you cage on a turn and possibly end up on the ground.
Also, what makes you guys think that you will always land on your side during an incident? Front collission and getting hit from the back is just as common and dropping your bike sideways. Thanks to idiots and jerks on the rode anything is possible.
Be safe, Be good!