Crash sliders saved my GS500F

[adidasguy]

Well, not an accident. But being cold, I keep Suzi in the garage. Last night the ground was frozen. I stopped in front of the garage and put her in neutral, side stand down, to open the door. Somehow, maybe it was on a spot of ice, she rolled forward off the stand and started to fall over. I caught her and slowed the fall but she still fell on he left side.

Fortunately, I installed the crash sliders two weeks ago. She was resting on the slider! Turn signal: never touched the ground (and we know how they can punch trough the fairing). Handle bars: same - never touched the ground. (How many clutch levers get replaced when they fall over?)

Not even a scratch on the engine side covers. The crash sliders really showed their value! Not one scratch. (scratch on bottom of side cover was there from an earlier fall over.)

[MysterYvil]

I like your story!

Where did you find sliders for the GS?  I've looked around for a few months, no luck so far.  (Sliders have saved by 650F from damage twice in the past two years, so I'm eager to get them for Mrs.'s GS.)

[adidasguy]

http://www.rg-racing.com/browseBike/Suzuki/GS500_FullyFaired/All_Years.aspx

[edcwhite]

I am a new rider and want to do everything I can to protect my new GS500F from damage.   I would prefer not to remove my fairings (though I will if that is the only option).

I have purchased a set of the R&G crash protectors/frame sliders (based 95% on the posters comments) and am wondering if I should also get the bar end sliders?  

http://www.rg-racing.com/browseBike/Suzuki/GS500_FullyFaired/All_Years/BE0017BK.aspx

I don't have my bike yet so I can't eye the drop protection offered by the crash protectors alone but I would really like it if in case of a fall or low speed drop the only things touching the ground were sliders.

[mister]

Good lesson... if you stop on a downward facing slope - not matter how small or shallow the slope - ALWAYS leave the bike in gear. When dismounting and the bike is on the side stand, ALWAYS give a gentle yank Back on the left handlebar to help Bed the stand into place.

Michael

[adidasguy]

Bar end sliders are more cosmetic than anything else as bar ends are not that expensive. For a simple fall over, it doesn't really make much difference. Any bar end will get scratched a little. Frame sliders or engine bars are more important. Especially for a GS500F as the turn signal will punch through the cowling. With the frame sliders, it can pretty much keep that from happening for a simple fall over. I think most of us have experienced that. Where in a serious crash - not much will help you.