motosliders lowside test...

I'm a bit of a track day addict. Knowing I'd probably fall off the sv at some point on the track, the first thing I fitted to it was frame sliders. After reading about them on here, I got some Motosliders (from http://stores.ebay.com/SV650-Racing-Parts - good service).

I did my 5th track day on my sv650s last weekend (sunday the 7th) and got to test them (well, the LH one anyway). I don't really know what speed I was doing, at a guess somewhere around 70km/h. It was on the final lap of the session (they'd just waved the checkered flag) and I was taking a wide line into a LH corner, thinking about passing the rider in front. The back tyre let go as I was gently getting on the gas, I stood the bike up, the rear re-gripped but then the front let go and down I went (video shows a slide from the previous lap as well ):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1zOCxxhhio

I remove the indicators (have modified the front indicators to make this easier) and mirrors at trackdays and also this time took the pillion footrests off since after putting the footpeg riser plates on, my heels were hitting them.
Resulting damage: tip of the gearshift lever broke off, bent the riser plate, a bit of scratching on the clutch lever and handle bar ends, rear fairing, sidestand and the swingarm bobbin were a bit worn and some light scratches on the front fairing that would probably polish out.

Oh, and I broke my home made camera mount, you can see it duct taped to the motoslider next to the frame.

I think the front fairing was only scratched when the bike went into the dirt, and there was no damage to the engine casing at all, which is a nice change to my old Bandit 400 on which the engine casing was the main thing the bike slid on (and cracked, leaking engine oil) even with frame sliders.
I think without the motoslider, there'd be a lot more damage to the front fairing. The only thing I needed to do to get the bike ready for the next session was bend the footpeg riser plate (I guess the aluminium I used to make them is a bit soft) and replace the gearshift lever tip with a bolt.

So to sum it up, I think the motoslider saved the bike (front fairing in particular - I don't know if the engine casings, frames or tanks on sv's tend to touch down in a slide) from a fair bit more damage and looks like it'll survive another few slides.

For anyone interested, here's video from most of that session:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSVb-fHsU0k

The tyres were Pirelli Diablo Rosso 120/70-17 on the front at 29psi cold, and a plain Diablo 160/60-17 on the rear also at 29psi. I wanted something that'd cope with riding the 290km to the track, but I've been told I should be on something sportier/stickier so might have to save up and get myself a van to transport the bike because I think a sticker tyre will wear out too fast getting to the track, the Diablo on the back seems to be wearing quick enough as it is.

Hence why I recommend Motosliders ate every opportunity.

Hope you escaped injury free.

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

Hence why I recommend Motosliders ate every opportunity.

Hope you escaped injury free.

Yep, uninjured except for pulling a muscle in my upper back/shoulder a tiny bit, but didn't really notice it till the next day.

apparently you have to modify the lower fairing though. is that right? i've been nervous about not having any since some b@stard pushed my faultless blue SK5 over and scratched the lowers!

not to mention snapped the front brake lever and demolished the front indi (STILL covered in gaffa tape )

For a fully faired Pointy you will need a hole-saw to drill a hole through the fairing, and for a fully faired Curvy you will need a sanding flap wheel to make a large notch...

[Richie]

or simply buy R&G... as they fit perfectly...

Originally Posted by Richie

or simply buy R&G... as they fit perfectly...

But they fold up and end up useless, a flawed design which is admiitted by a R&G engineer.

is there not a bung that doesn't require cutting the bodywork that works well? what about motrax double hard mushrooms? they look a little weedy, what with the long stem...

Originally Posted by mash

is there not a bung that doesn't require cutting the bodywork that works well? what about motrax double hard mushrooms? they look a little weedy, what with the long stem...

The best you can get without any modification are R&G, maybe the best isn't the correct word.

As for the DHM type, avoid at all costs. Any crash bung which mounts to the front or rear cyclinder mount will be of no use, too weak and likely that you may strip the thread if a strong impact is suffered.