Last Update: 16 March 2024
Knee sliders and their origin are specific to the sport of motorcycle racing. Knee sliders emerged as both indispensable gear and a fascinating chapter in the sport’s narrative. Bursting with a spectrum of colours, compounds, and materials, these trusty companions adorn the race suits of every speed enthusiast on the track. Yet, it’s a delightful twist of history that in the early days of racing, these slick sliders were notably absent from the action-packed scene!
For the average road rider, a trusty set of knee “scrapers,” “pucks,” or affectionately dubbed “bars of soap” by the Italians, can last quite a while. However, if you’re tempted by the adrenaline-fuelled world of the race track, you might find yourself burning through them a tad quicker!
In the early days of road racing, before knee sliders were invented, riders taped old helmet visors to their knees as a solution!
Knee Slider Engineered To Glide Seamlessly
Crafted from durable, high-density plastic, the modern knee slider boasts a remarkably low coefficient of friction. This deliberate design ensures longevity while offering precise feedback to the rider, enhancing their control on the track. Moreover, engineered to glide seamlessly over the road or track surface, these sliders facilitate smooth placement without snagging, enabling riders to navigate corners with finesse and confidence.
Knee sliders come in a dazzling array of compounds and colours, but it’s the “way cool” ones that steal the show, featuring funky patterns, emblems, smiley faces, and more! On the flip side, the classic leather sliders, crafted from layers of bonded leather, evoke a nostalgic charm. Though not as common today, these vintage knee sliders boast durability that could outlast even your trusty motorcycle race suit.
There are also sliders with titanium rods, a game-changer, creating spectacular sparks upon asphalt contact. But beware: full titanium sliders, while undeniably cool and weighty, are often off-limits on track days and unlikely to pass rigorous race inspections.
All About Knee Sliders – The Early Years
Back in the day when Christmas stockings held oranges and a humble pencil sharpener, motorcycle racers didn’t quite have the hang of leaning into their bikes with finesse (just ask Mike Hailwood!). It wasn’t due to rigidity; rather, the concept simply hadn’t crossed anyone’s mind! Hard to fathom nowadays, isn’t it? But then along came Finland’s Jarno Saarinen , bursting onto the world road racing stage in the early ’70s with his unorthodox “hang-off style”, a precursor to the now-iconic knee-down technique.
Then, in 1972, a young American racer by the name of “Kenneth Roberts” (Kenny) affectionately known as Kenny, witnessed the remarkable style of the Finnish racer and pioneer, Jarno Saarinen, during a race. Inspired by Saarinen’s technique, Kenny decided to adopt a similar approach, and to his amazement, found that cornering became significantly smoother and more manageable. Soon, Kenny was scraping his knees along the asphalt, a testament to his newfound technique. To protect his race leathers from wearing away, Kenny ingeniously reinforced them with tape, paving the way for a new era of racing prowess.
Everyone thought it was mad! But Kenny’s unconventional style soon caught the attention of top competitors like Barry Sheene and Paul Smart. They, too, recognised the effectiveness of this new approach as it put less strain on the tires and enabled swifter cornering. With the backing of scientific evidence, what was once considered madness quickly transformed into a widely accepted and celebrated technique amongst motorcycle racers!
Knee Sliders: Formed pieces of hard plastic or compressed leather incorporated onto motorcycle road racing suits to protect the knee area of the suit from damage while cornering. The sliders are attached to the leather suit knee area towards the outside and just below the knee area of each leg. They’re usually attached by Velcro.
Old Helmet Visors Were Attached To Knees
Before the arrival of knee sliders, riders ingeniously improvised by attaching old helmet visors to their knees. This makeshift solution offered some protection and allowed riders to navigate corners with a bit more confidence!
The trend of sliding on the road gained traction in the 1980s when journalist “test riders” sought to emulate the dynamic style of professional racers for their photo-shoots. However, their attempts to mimic the racers often resulted in amusing yet less-than-perfect imitations, showcasing the humorous side of their endeavours.
The first ever knee sliders were introduced by ‘Pro-tek’ which were infamous for their exceptional grip. Legend has it that these sliders were so adhesive that upon contact with the track, they seemingly had the power to take your leg off at the hip! While undoubtedly effective, their extreme adhesion posed a unique challenge for riders aiming to maintain their balance on the razor’s edge of speed and control.
Indeed, technological advancements have propelled knee sliders into a realm of customisation, offering riders a diverse array of options perfectly tailored to their needs. Nowadays, it’s common to find race suits equipped with these essential accessories right out of the box.
However, it’s worth noting that while knee-down technique is popular, many accomplished racers achieve impressive speeds without ever touching a knee to the ground – and go equally as fast as those who do. It’s a testament to the diversity of riding styles and the versatility of modern racing gear!
