Kind of undecided between the two. Which is more durable and would have a better chance of protecting the engine in case of a crash?
Thanks!
Without having any actual knowledge on the subject, it would seem that crash bars would protect the engine case better in an actual crash. Sliders, from what I understand, are there to protect the plastics when the bike is sliding. In an actual impact, the bars would protect the case. Also, when sliding, yes the sliders would help protect the case, but if there was any obstacle in the way, the sliders would not prevent damage Crash bars would be better in the event of a crash. Sliders are cheaper to buy, and cheaper to replace.
If you're worried about a collision and damaging the case, I don't know that crash bars would prevent this, nor do I think that it would be worth saving the engine if the rest of the bike was destroyed (not to kick a bike when it's down, but the GS is kind of a disposable bike). I would just get sliders if you're worried about cosmetics. They weigh less too... :thumb: In the end, I'd say that cosmetics are the deciding factor here, not functionality.
Not much of an answer, just stuff to consider.
I have all 4 in my garage.
First, you can't have bars AND a belly pan or fairing without modifying the plastics because bars interfere with the plastics.
Right - sliders mainly protect plastics and the overall side of the bike. The R&G sliders stick out far enough to probably protect the engine better than other brands.
Bars are better at protecting the engine case.
All require changing the engine mounting bolts to longer ones. New ones will come with longer bolts. Used ones may or may not come with them. All bolt on using the engine bolts which is the strongest and best place to mount them. Never drill holes into the frames - you'll weaken the frame.
Choices are:
Suzuki originals: just a single bar across the front side of engine
Renntec: Same with a bar going across the side to the upper back bolt of the engine.
SW Motech: Same, but bar going back fits a little closer to the engine.
You can search online to see the SW Motech and Renntec bars. The Suzuki were on the board here for sale and I bought them. There is a set on ebay right now.
In the end, I'd say it mainly depends on what you want your "cool factor" to look line.
The problem is, two of the major (?) bike crashes I've been in involved extensive damage to either the left or right side engine case. Not really worried about what it looks like at this point. Engine pieces are the most expensive to replace.
http://www.renntec.co.uk/suzuki_gs500_engine_bars
http://shop.sw-motech.com/cgi-bin/cosmoshop/lshop.cgi?action=showdetail&wkid=12871659799754&ls=en&nc=1287166091-9842&rubnum=brands.suzuki.gs500e&artnum=SBL.05.339.100&id=52&gesamt_zeilen=50Tshowrub--brands.suzuki.gs500e&typid=21809576
I think the Renntec would cover better.
I have to take of Juniors belly pan before I take him in for a thorough check up by the dealer and new tires. I could take a photo pf each held in place if you want to see how each looks. as long as you don't plan to crash in the next few days (then it will take a week or more to get them unless you want one of mine. I bought one of each so I could see what each was like and planned to sell some off.)
There's a pair of factory Suzuki bars up for auction on Ebay and because it's in Canada the shipping will be cheaper. I'm really thinking about bidding on this pair but as for my bike it probably won't get fixed until Spring. I have plenty of time to work on it over the winter. That's if I can find all the parts I need :dunno_white:
The Suzuki's do a good job of protection. I'd say snap them up at that price ASAP or one of us in Seattle might.
A few of us are getting together today for a day ride to Vashon Island. Enjoying the last warm day. They might bid but if you bid first, we'll let you have them. No need for us GS'rs to bid against each other just to raise the price.
stop wrecking then you dont need either
I'm with joshr08
Quote from: joshr08 on October 16, 2010, 11:09:41 AM
stop wrecking then you dont need either
"two types of motorcycle riders...ones that have crashed and ones that are going to."
Let's not forget:
Those who get their bike knocked over when parked by a stupid car or an ahole
Those whose bike fell over from soft ground
The cool factor
3 more reasons for engine bars.
Quote from: centuryghost on October 16, 2010, 09:25:58 PM
Quote from: joshr08 on October 16, 2010, 11:09:41 AM
stop wrecking then you dont need either
"two types of motorcycle riders...ones that have crashed and ones that are going to."
your right on 2 types of riders. ones that know how and ones that are learning. i know and ride with alot of people that have 10's of thousands of miles on bikes with no wrecks. your statment is just a statement for those who know they ride like jackasses and expect to go down due to there riding style.
"i know and ride with alot of people that have 10's of thousands of miles on bikes with no wrecks."
It just hasn't happened yet.
Now, which do you think is better, crash bars or frame sliders?
if you look at any stunt bike they are crash bar with sliders because any wreck at speed the crash bars tend to grab and flip the bike making the damadge worse then it would have been without the bars. so a crash bar with a slider integrated into it would be your best bet.
Still undecided. $60 doesn't seem that bad of a price for the Suzuki bars, but if they won't protect the engine casings from a crash, then it doesn't make sense to get them.
Quote from: joshr08 on October 17, 2010, 06:08:43 AM
your right on 2 types of riders. ones that know how and ones that are learning.
You are ALWAYS learning on a motorcycle.
Quote from: Iroquois on October 17, 2010, 07:57:35 PM
Quote from: joshr08 on October 17, 2010, 06:08:43 AM
your right on 2 types of riders. ones that know how and ones that are learning.
You are ALWAYS learning on a motorcycle.
+1 :thumb:
And as you do, your abilities get closer to matching your ambitions
Michael
The Suzuki crash bars protect the engine in a crash. Frame sliders focus the energy of the crash on a single point, and break things.
That's the difference.
Nothing will protect you when broadsided.
Sliders help keep the side of the bike from getting all scraped up when you go down sliding - the sliders are the sliding point/
Engine bars help protect when bike goes down, too. Especially the engine area.
Nothing is perfect and nothing will protect against everything except not having a bike in the first place.
Decide what level of protection you want and what you want your bike to look like. There are different bars and different sliders available. You shop for the level of insurance you want and likewise, shop for the level of physical bike protection you want. Everything that damages your bike isn't a crash. Probably the most common is falling over or getting knocked over by someone or a car while parked. (Here I'm talking about bike damage, not just accidents on the road.)
Anything will provide some protection in most cases. Do you take out airbags from your car because they help in 99.5% of accidents? Do you take them out because they are not 100% perfect in protection? I think not. Some is better than none. Same for a bike. Decide the level of protection you feel comfortable with and weight the cost of protection against the costs of repairs. You'll never get 100% protection. Even 50% protection is better than none.
Both bars and sliders keep the sides of your bike away from the road. Farther away than without them. That means your leg has more space between the bike and the road - reducing the chance of scrapes and broken legs & feet when you go down. Fall over and the engine could smash your foot. Have engine bars and they keep the engine away from the pavement giving your foot some space between the engine and the pavement. Yea, you might still get injured but they can help reduce the injury.
The right add-on can add to the "cool" factor of your bike, too.
Whatever you do... don't do this...
(http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/63/tool53.jpg)
Otherwise ...
(http://www.hahakiri.com/wp-content/uploads/_DontMakeMeSlapYou.jpg)
Michael
As safe as those guys think they are if the bike goes down you are going where the bike goes in that cage lol.
The factory engine guards are a convenient place to mount forward pegs so you can stretch a leg occasionally on those longer 400-500 mile GS500 days, I had them on my 02 GS for years but they are off now. Don't do those long days anymore and the guards got very rusty from the salt water riding year around here in NE Ohio.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/guardspe.jpg)