Last Update: 28 October 2021
Motorcycle Frame Sliders are a popular add on to most sport bike motorcycles. They are designed to protect your motorcycle in case of a tip-over or fall at speed.
Also know as “bumpers”, “bobbins”, or “mushrooms”, these names describe these small knobs mounted to your motorcycle frame. When in a motorcycle fall, these little guys are designed to minimise the amount of damage to your motorcycle fairings / bodywork. They are indeed a must have for your track bike where the likelihood of a crash is higher.
These are easily built onto your bike to reduce damage to frame, engine chassis and fairing panels. In effect they’re “crash protectors” which fit straight onto your street bike using stainless steel brackets. There’s usually a brace bar between the bumper to share the load upon impact.
They are generally made of synthetic thermoplastic providing high impact strength, anti-friction wear and importantly, are non-shattering.
Do Frame Sliders Really Work?
Protection is key and most certainly a set of frame sliders will minimise damage to your bike and often prevent any from occurring at all.
The bottom line is that any added measure of protection is worth it. Frame sliders won’t protect your bike from absolutely every single type of accident, and it also goes without saying that they are not accident preventatives. Results vary, then, but when it comes to the types of accidents they are made for, slides, they tend to be effective.
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You may also wish to supplement your frame sliders with bar ends, swingarm sliders and fork sliders. As you might expect, swingarm sliders offer protection for your swingarm in the event of a lowsider. As a plus, most swingarm sliders double as bobbins for motorcycle stands. Of course, fork sliders simply prevent the lower ends of your motorcycle’s forks from sustaining impact or abrasion damage.
