memmakersorg

Hi @Bandit400man, I got the frame sliders you suggested. But can't seem to figure out how to put them on. Is there how-to on installing these?

Thanks

Super Hawk Pro

I also have trex flame sliders. My kids use then as foot pegs when they want to ride. So they are more of a dual purpose.

996thehawk

I am also looking for frame sliders my 98. I will be buying T Rex after reading this post. Before I do, can anyone tell me what is involved in installing them? Is any cutting required?

7moore7

There is no cutting with the t-rex "no cut" sliders.

They seem more simple to bolt on than they actually are. Here is the background of why:

The Superhawk frame has 6 mounting surfaces to bolt the frame to the motor (three per side). When bolting the frame to the motor, there are a series of steps of torquing these bolts in a specific order as to keep the frame from twisting and staying on centerline of the motor. If bolted in the wrong order at whatever torque is the flavor of the day, you can mess with the alignment of the bike. There have even been instances where people sent their bike flying into the bushes causing it to go of alignment, then they loosened all the frame bolts and tightened them in the correct order as per the shop manual and it straightened the bike.

Knowing that, the sliders use the center frame mount bolts to attach. They supply longer bolts and you take the stock ones out and replace with slider + longer bolt. What I'm getting at is if you're not careful and just crank on these things, you've taken the frame mounts out of spec. So it is best to look at the torque procedure and try to mount them with that in mind.

Plenty of people have just thrown them on not knowing this, and I haven't read of anyone having problems that was related to mounting them. But it is something to be aware of.

On a side note, I have a set of used ones that I haven't put on for two years. They bump my knees and the benefits do not outweigh the costs for my riding IMO.

996thehawk

Hey thanks a lot man. Seems like you have answered a lot of my questions on here since I started, I appreciate that. The mear fact that they hit your knees just convinced me to stay away. I'm 6'1" and have a feeling I will have the same issue and that's definitely not worth it.

On a side note... I am trying to avoid hacking my rear fender apart and just want to bolt on a painted, clean, undertail with integrated blinkers. I have read multiple threads with a ton of links, most of which are no longer available, but couldn't find one that would work. I found a cheap one on ebay but I'm not sure about ebay for something like this. Do you have any suggestions for me? I have a red 98.

Thanks again!!

matt365

I'm 6'3" - Move the brackets forward just so they clear the fairing & there is no issues with knocking your knees on them. I had the same issue when I put my T-rex sliders on. tipped 'em forward, and no more issues.

996thehawk, you'll be fine at 6'1". I don't even notice mine anymore.

SIRR1

I have been using these for years now as crash pegs on my sportbikes and sumos.

The steel units are heavy duty and they are the only type I use plus there super cheep, you won't mind scratching these things up and most are metric!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-Threaded...item460fcb1237

SIRR1

7moore7

Yeah I wouldn't let the knee bumping thing deter you... Like was said there are taller people out there running them just adjusting them forward. I ride really far forward on the bike too (when the gf is on sometimes she slides forward so much that she is nearly on the driver's seat).

The sliders do help tipover damage as well as protect the bike and rider in the event of a lowside.

There are pro's and cons to both. The way they are mounted they could in theory cause more damage than they prevent because they could damage the frame (by how they're attached) or even the motor mounts, rather than just the plastics. The t-rex ones kind of have a built in brake/flex point from their tabs to get around the fairings that may prevent this (an has on other people's bikes. The tab just bends a little and all is good)

There are also instances where a slider is also a "catch point", in particular riding on the streets, when the bike is sliding and hits a curb or other such hard obstacle the slider could get caught up and either snap off, brake the mounting location, cause the bike to endo or any of the above. On a track with wide open long crash areas there isn't much to catch on, and more likely a person will go down, so they make a lot of sense.

Note I've not seen any of this happen in person, just pictures 'n such. I could see going both ways. The aesthetics were one of my main drivers for removing them. I know that if it bump it over in the garage I'll be pissed I didn't have them, but a risk I'm willing to take.

That's pretty much everything I've gathered. If you want to try some I could sell you mine cheap and if you don't like them could just pass them on to another member!

996thehawk

I appreciate everyones advice. Hitting my knees wasn't the only reason I'm going to stay away. I'm adding up the pros and cons like you said and there's more cons in my eyes. And to be honest, I'm not crazy about how they look. I'll think about it a little more and decide.

smokinjoe73

See, I never get opting away from protecting your bike. Bodywork and case covers arent cheap. There is a reason all racers use them. Its your own choice but the wacky "I heard of a guy who knew a guy" moto folklore is just that.

My streetbike has been down on both sides & I rode away from both. (one a hiside)

On the track I have multiple hi & low speed crashes & still the same bodywork and case covers.

Motorcycling is wierd. People will hear the uncle fred story about sliders, tire plugs, mixed tires, etc.

Here is why its so confusing. This is a very cerebral video but very telling about how your brain works. The lottery is the best example (at 6min) but this will show you why so many bikers dont wear gear, helmets, etc.

The same no helmet thoughts are what stop you from doing something prudent like frame sliders.

Watch this video and it will make more sense.

smokinjoe73

Here is another one. Why people make bad decisions.

7moore7

Let's see how worked up I can get Joe!

My retirement plan is the lottery!

I ride with my flip flops on because I will never lay my bike down! Laying the bike down is for pansies who can't do a handstand on the tank in the middle of a highway group ride!

I removed all of the safety features off of my bike!

smokinjoe73

Haha seven. Very funny.

I am just amazed by how this principal works. Everyone sees the gearless riders & figures its fine. But if they saw even one of the horrific crashes and the months/years/forever it takes to recover, they would see the bigger picture.

Texting while driving is the best example. Huge risk vs gain proportion. I guess having lost loved ones in horrific ways makes it more real to me.

Its a coping skill adaptation to block out unpleasant things. But allowing that to happen can only lead to great unhappiness.

Trainers of pilots & motorcyle instructors tend to want peope to focus on worst case scenarios.

7moore7

Nah I get what you're saying... just had to mess with ya. Never seen that second video, that guys is pretty entertaining.

I never listed "You/I will not likely crash" as a reason not to run sliders. I even did mention that they make a lot of sense for track days. I also wear all of my gear (well, I don't wear knee protection for commuting but I have those Kevlar lined jeans). Even in the Arizona summer. It hits 119*F today. I practice safe stops and maneuvers and periodically read literature to keep myself from getting too passive.

I did list the pros and cons to running them (there are cons, btw). The value that I place on them may be skewed in your eyes, but I have thought about it. And it wasn't a lazy decision. I put them on. Used them for awhile. And took them off. I could be wrong and haven't laid the bike down or done any track days so my perception of a crash could well be wrong.

twist

amazing! I see how I make stupid mistakes even when I think I'm being smart. Nice vtr by the way. I like the idea of sliders on the exhaust mount. Show us a few more pix of your machine(s)