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.)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0910a.jpg)
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.)
http://www.rg-racing.com/browseBike/Suzuki/GS500_FullyFaired/All_Years.aspx
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.
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
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.