Hey all,
I just bought my first bike and wanted to know if it was possible to put frame sliders on it. Are there any made for the GS500F? Please help a newbie out!
Thanks!
i was looking for the same thing when i bought my '06 GS500F...havent been able to find any yet.
hopefully they will come out eventually
I found ones for an '04. From what I've been told, the bodies are the same for both years.
http://www.newportcycleparts.com/categories/body_fairings_etc/LP_frame_sliders.htm#frame
As far as i knew, there wasn't any available...ppl have just been doing case guards, but it looks like it's in the works...i dunno though, the fairing is far from the frame, they seem like they'd have to be super long...
^That's probably why they want you to call first; those sliders seem to be made out of unobtanium... Parts411 lists them also, for only $9875.56... :o :cry: :cookoo:
Good luck tracking them down; you'd probably be much better off contacting Lockhart-Phillips directly, rather than try to deal with a middleman...
http://www.lockhartphillipsusa.com/
Call them, or send an e-mail and inquire about availability...
Pretty cool, good find jbsprocket.
(http://www.usdrews.com/images/gdrew/gstwin/framesliders_parts.jpg)
(http://www.usdrews.com/images/gdrew/gstwin/framesliders_installed.jpg)
These, and all other frame sliders, just attach where your fairing bolts are? If so, would they really offer protection in a crash. The mounting points are pretty week, at least the upper side fairing one is. I can bend it pretty easy with just a pair of pliers and no force. In a crash, isn't that mounting point just going to fold back in on itself and crush the fairing anyway?
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 09:39:54 AM
^That's probably why they want you to call first; those sliders seem to be made out of unobtanium... Parts411 lists them also, for only $9875.56... :o :cry: :cookoo:
Good luck tracking them down; you'd probably be much better off contacting Lockhart-Phillips directly, rather than try to deal with a middleman...
http://www.lockhartphillipsusa.com/
Call them, or send an e-mail and inquire about availability...
Cool - thanks for the heads up! Does anyone know about getting a dark smoke windscreen too? The dealer didn't list any available for my bike. :cry:
Sliders are not intended to protect yor fairings, but rather are there to keep the frame from making any contact with the ground. If the fairings happen to be protected as well, that is just a side benefit. The GS500F probably will not be able to accept true sliders unless Suzuki adds bosses to the frame on the down tubes to accomidate them. The sliders posted above are simply for posing, and will do little good.
My purpose for wanting them is to protect my farrings during my "training". Not for major crash protection.
My guess is, those GS/F frame sliders will probably require using a holesaw to make an opening in the fairing, then drilling holes in the frame itself to install the mounting bolts... just a guess, but I can't see them working any other way short of welding some brackets / mounting bosses on... Of course, aplitz might be right... they might be purely ornamental...
My search for frame sliders for my '04f have turned up empty.
I wouldn't trust this site yet... I have the 2006 Lockhart Phillips catalog, and I cannot find the item listed on the Newport site.
Here's a screenshot of the page from the catalog...
(http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/833/fraud0mj.png)
I have a double-bubble dark smoke windscreen on the way...you can order here...exoticsportbike.com (http://www.exoticsportbike.com/gs_500f_(04-05).htm)
I'm sure they're the same for 06...
this question seems to come up often, but never gets an easy answer.
last i heard, srinath was working on a case protector that can be fitted with sliders. not sure on the status of that.
if you want to protect your fairings as you learn to ride, TAKE THEM OFF THE BIKE. it shouldn't be that hard.
I think the sliders shown would be more accurately called 'tip over guards'. They certainly aren't going to protect in an 'at speed' crash. They will probably save some paint/body work though should you drop your bike in the driveway. I have tip over guards and actual R&G sliders on my FJR...I installed them shortly after dropping my bike in the driveway...Doh!
gypsy
Quote from: Slowe30 on February 26, 2006, 11:08:06 AM
this question seems to come up often, but never gets an easy answer.
last i heard, srinath was working on a case protector that can be fitted with sliders. not sure on the status of that.
if you want to protect your fairings as you learn to ride, TAKE THEM OFF THE BIKE. it shouldn't be that hard.
It is very easy to remove the lower fairings for learning purposes.
Quote from: jbsprocket on February 26, 2006, 09:50:24 AM
My purpose for wanting them is to protect my farrings during my "training". Not for major crash protection.
in that case, i would remove the fairings af the first 3 months or 6k miles which ever comes last. you should then feel good about riding the bike and put them on.
6K miles?? I feel comfortable after only 2500 miles. And I had my fairings on since day 1
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 09:51:55 AM
My guess is, those GS/F frame sliders will probably require using a holesaw to make an opening in the fairing, then drilling holes in the frame itself to install the mounting bolts... just a guess, but I can't see them working any other way short of welding some brackets / mounting bosses on... Of course, aplitz might be right... they might be purely ornamental...
The holes in the fairing are a given, but if these are the ones people have posted before, they don't tap into the frame, but rather screw to the fairing mount. Thus providing no real protection for frame or fairings. Look at those sliders, they are all bling. Now look at some real sliders, they are plain and purposeful. Real sliders mount to the frame by a boss built in to the frame, or by having an engine bolt pass through it.
Rashing fairings is part of riding a bike with plastics. If you fall, nothing short of a stunt cage is going to keep them off the apshalt. Sliders are only to keep the frame from sustaining any damage.
Of course, you're right about that aplitz; I was trying to break the news about cutting holes in the fairing gently... some people hate the idea of making changes to something they perceive to be "perfect", such as the paint job on a new motorcycle. I've run into noobs who thought that frame sliders could be rigged onto a frame with hose clamps and prayers, but if they think that will work, it would probably be just as effective to mount them with chicken wire and chewing gum...
Anyone who wants to protect their plastic should remove it and store it in a safe place, then follow the advice provided by rangerbrown (and a cast of thousands (OK, at least two other members so far); ride the motorcycle naked until you get some serious mileage under your ass, and reinstall the plastic when you feel more confident in your skills.
Alpha and others have converted their '04+ rides, and nervous noobs should follow their example. The price of new plastic will put a nasty dent in your wallet, so riding naked for a while can really save you some serious cash...
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 05:03:54 PM
Alpha and others have converted their '04+ rides, and nervous noobs should follow their example. The price of new plastic will put a nasty dent in your wallet, so riding naked for a while can really save you some serious cash...
Actually, I think I'm the only one so far. I didn't do mine to protect the plastic, either, as it was already scuffed from the previous owner. I took mine off because I like naked bikes. :)
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 26, 2006, 05:11:29 PM
Actually, I think I'm the only one so far. I didn't do mine to protect the plastic, either, as it was already scuffed from the previous owner. I took mine off because I like naked bikes. :)
Just to clarify things, I didn't mention that you did it to protect your plastics, only that you had converted your GS to run naked, and that others (not necessarily members of this board) had done the same thing (I've seen a few in the course of my travels); the beautiful black frame and stock Suzuki oil cooler are two of the tell-tale components.
Maybe you should consider writing a brief how-to for those who want to follow in your footsteps here... What tools you needed, parts you had to fab, mod, or locate somewhere, approximate cost involved... just something to consider. Who knows how much plastic you could help someone save?
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 05:29:55 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 26, 2006, 05:11:29 PM
Actually, I think I'm the only one so far. I didn't do mine to protect the plastic, either, as it was already scuffed from the previous owner. I took mine off because I like naked bikes. :)
Just to clarify things, I didn't mention that you did it to protect your plastics, only that you had converted your GS to run naked, and that others (not necessarily members of this board) had done the same thing (I've seen a few in the course of my travels); the beautiful black frame and stock Suzuki oil cooler are two of the tell-tale components.
Maybe you should consider writing a brief how-to for those who want to follow in your footsteps here... What tools you needed, parts you had to fab, mod, or locate somewhere, approximate cost involved... just something to consider. Who knows how much plastic you could help someone save?
I have only seen a few people remove their lower fairings, but never replace the upper with a headlight. I had a thread with pictures, but never a how-to on how to do it. It's pretty straight forward, but I might be able to write something up.
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 05:03:54 PM
Of course, you're right about that aplitz; I was trying to break the news about cutting holes in the fairing gently... some people hate the idea of making changes to something they perceive to be "perfect", such as the paint job on a new motorcycle. I've run into noobs who thought that frame sliders could be rigged onto a frame with hose clamps and prayers, but if they think that will work, it would probably be just as effective to mount them with chicken wire and chewing gum...
Anyone who wants to protect their plastic should remove it and store it in a safe place, then follow the advice provided by rangerbrown (and a cast of thousands (OK, at least two other members so far); ride the motorcycle naked until you get some serious mileage under your ass, and reinstall the plastic when you feel more confident in your skills.
Alpha and others have converted their '04+ rides, and nervous noobs should follow their example. The price of new plastic will put a nasty dent in your wallet, so riding naked for a while can really save you some serious cash...
Thank you very much for the advice. This really helps coming from people who know this bike. None of my friends have seen the guts of this bike so their suggestions are assumptions about the frame and all.
Final answer - Plastics Coming Off!!! ;)
Thank you to rangerbrown for directing me to this awesome site. :thumb:
Quote from: AlphaFire X5
I have only seen a few people remove their lower fairings, but never replace the upper with a headlight. I had a thread with pictures, but never a how-to on how to do it. It's pretty straight forward, but I might be able to write something up.
Hey Alpha, as time goes by, there are bound to be more people who will want to know the same answers to the same questions, so I hope you will take the time to document the basic process.
I realize you're a student, and probably have better things to do with your free time, but you post here just about 24/7, so obviously there are times when you're not riding... the weather there might give you some time to write...
You don't have to write a document for the ages, just something that provides a basic step-by-step on the parts required, URLs to an online fiche; you know what a noob would need to see. Don't simply write it for those new to the GS, write it for those new to motorcycling; IOW, keep it simple, and I'm sure you'll do an excellent job...
This isn't something you'd have to write in one sitting (though you're such a prodigious poster, you'll probably have it online before I finish typing this sentence)... just think of creating a basic step-by-step guide to walk noobs through the hows and whys...
Thanks; let me know if I can assist you in any way... I don't mind sharing the burden, though I'll be offline for the next week or so, on Phase Two of my long-delayed vacation...
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 07:41:55 PM
I realize you're a student, and probably have better things to do with your free time, but you post here just about 24/7, so obviously there are times when you're not riding... the weather there might give you some time to write...
Hahahahahahahaha. :laugh: :laugh:
Quote from: Cal Amari on February 26, 2006, 07:41:55 PM
This isn't something you'd have to write in one sitting (though you're such a prodigious poster, you'll probably have it online before I finish typing this sentence)...
Hahahahahahahaha. :laugh: :laugh:
That sounds like a good idea. I'll get that up sometime. Maybe I'll bust out the plastics from their bubble wrap and reassemble my fairings so I can disassemble them with photos. One of these days...
dude change you text color, thats ghey
Quote from: jbsprocket on February 27, 2006, 06:43:26 AM
Quote from: rangerbrown on February 26, 2006, 11:12:49 PM
dude change you text color, thats ghey
Who, me?
Yes, most of the people here have changed the look of the forum away from the black background to a lighter one and your yellow lettering does not show up very well, if at all.
You can change the look/color of the forum by going into your
profile and selecting Look & Layout preferences. :thumb:
Yes it is difficult to read IF you have a light background, but I have maintained the dark. Isn't it her choice as to what color to use?
i use a black background so the yellow works for me.
also...according to the pic of his bike in another thread either jbsprocket is a cute girl or a guy with a cute girl standing next to his bike...
LOL - that is me in the pic - thanks ;)
WOW! :)
:kiss3:
(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_13_6.gif)
Quote from: annguyen1981 on February 27, 2006, 09:13:50 PM
Yes it is difficult to read IF you have a light background, but I have maintained the dark. Isn't his choice as to what color to use?
Yep, it is indeed her choice, just letting her know why someone may have mentioned it.
Keep it, change it, not my decision. No offense meant.
What I did was to buy a set of aftermarket [ EMGO ] bar ends [ RED $12.00 cdn ] and used the stock black bar ends as frame sliders . The upper middle fairing screw is the same thread as the stock bar end it just screws right on. Works good/looks good and only cost was the emgo bar ends. There is a thread on this subject somewhere that explaines the procedure. CHEERS!
Thank you for the idea. I actually just bought extra (used) "play" farings. ;)
Actually this whole discussion of frame sliders (real ones) that bolt to the frame has me thinking I should get these. I took the Honda course in Troy Ohio and rode a bike 2 times there, then bought a GS500F and rode it 2 times around the place where its stored, then finally took it out on the "real" road one time. I took her out and got some experience dealing with wind (hate side wind), animals (squirrel running around on the road), people (trucks, cars, car doors, traffic lights, idiots, etc) so it was a real lesson, but I enjoyed it. Total 5 times on a motorcycle in my life. Probably wouldnt be a bad idea to get something to protect the bike "just in case", since I'm a newbie. Yeah, wife bought me a helmet and I got a Joe Rocket jacket and gloves so I feel kinda safe.
Anyway, if anyone can post a link to "real" frame sliders for the GS500F for me and the other newbies, I would really appreciate it. I beleive this would be a great investment, even if I never drop her or whatever. Thanks in advance.
Quote from: middlem2 on March 08, 2006, 10:07:17 AM
Anyway, if anyone can post a link to "real" frame sliders for the GS500F for me and the other newbies, I would really appreciate it.
They don't exist. Sorry man.
Figures! Oh well, its light enough, I think I will be fine. Fun to ride, just hurt my hands pretty bad on my 1hr ride (first real road ride) that I took. someone said it was the gloves, but I dont really understand that. Probably just the stress/anxiety of being out on the road the first time. Learned pretty fast I like the rear break a LOT more than the front one (which about throws you off!). Anyway, enjoyable bike. I'm sure I'll get a lot of fun out of her.