The purpose of motorcycle frame sliders is to protect the frame of your bike if you are involved in an accident - especially, if you lowside. The qualities you are searching for when shopping for frame sliders are that they be abrasion resistant, that they be made of a strong material to withstand hard impacts and that they be able to absorb energy. (ezine articles .com) There are several models currently in the market and it is a good idea for you to know which one is the best for your bike, according to how and what you use your bike for - after all, they may save you a whole ton o'dough.

Most motorcycle parts and accessories nowadays are made of plastic and aluminum. The materials from which frame sliders are normally manufactured include Delrin, acetal, a high molecular density (HMD) nylon formula and, sometimes, aluminum. (Wikipedia .org) The high molecular density nylon is said to be stronger than Delrin due to the impregnation of UV inhibitors. "This nylon is impregnated during the extrusion process with UV inhibitors to resist destabilization of the molecular matrix and discoloration during prolonged UV exposure. This formulation is also molybdenum disulfide infused to give it the same lubricating properties as Delrin. This formulation is 75% more resistant to abrasion than Delrin and exhibits a reduced propensity to "chunk off" or "break off" during extended abrasive events." (motovation usa .com)

"The difference between these two designs is the way the puck is mounted on the motorcycle." (e how .com) Cut frame sliders, normally found on racing bikes, require that you cut a hole above the engine mount. On the no cut sliders, found on street bikes, the "mounting base extends outward and beyond the fairing, allowing the frame slider to protrude without the need to alter the motorcycle's fairings." (e how .com)

The benefits of each? The cut frame sliders offer a greater degree of resistance while the no cut are easier and cheaper to install.

There are several different types of motorcycle frame sliders. The difference between each one is where they are attached on your bike. All sportbike frame sliders must be attached to the strongest part of the frame ".so that impact forces can be adequately distributed or absorbed. (ezine article .com)

Fairing Mounted

As the name states, "these motorcycle frame sliders are mounted on the faring with small fairing screws. This type is not recommended because they offer minimal protection in a slide situation." (ezine article .com)

Frame Mounted (Direct)

Though this is the most popular, it may also be the most expensive for according to the type of bike you have, you may have to make some type of modification. "The installation of this type of slider often require modification of the fairing and in some cases like the Honda VFR800, as extreme as requiring the modification of the coolant bottle." (ezine article .com)

Frame Mounted (Indirect)

Also referred to as no-cut, these motorcycle frame sliders are mounted onto an offset bracket that then mounts to the frame. The potential problem that this creates is putting even more stress on the frame. (ezine article .com) Fireblades.org forum member ldavis couldn't have put it better, ".anything that's on an extension is dramatically weaker than a direct mount."

Frame Mounted (Through engine bolts)

This type of frame slider installation is one of the most costly, after indirect frame mounting. When involved in an accident, particularly if you lowside, you want your slider to go first. Hopefully, if it does its job, the fairing and the frame won't have to be sacrificed also. This method is by far the strongest available as impact forces are allowed to be distributed over a much larger area. (ezine article .com)

(Video courtesy of maincity, YouTube . com.)

(Video courtesy of Gre8670, YouTube . com.)

ST Machine has come out with a very snazzy frame slider design which they have called the "6 Shooter ". These frame sliders are designed with six .38 caliber bullets encased in what looks like a revolver cylinder - and, yes, they look very tough.

(Photo courtesy of ST machine .com.)

Installation of these babies is rather simple. "You will have to cut the fairing only if your frame is not exposed. A 3/4 inch hole will have to be drilled if the fairing is covering the motor mount bolts." (tite bike . com)

Check their site to ensure that these motorcycle frame sliders fit your model/year bike.

Another cool little product is the .50 caliber frame slider, which is an actual hollowed-out round. Installation of this product varies from bike to bike - i.e., "on a zx 14 2006, you will have to cut a hole in your body work; on the GSXR600 '06, you will have to mount them directly to motor mount and, even though all frame sliders are cut for the Buzas, you will have to cut your fairings with any frame slider you put on your bike. Use a saw you use to cut a door handle and spin it in reverse." (power sports fx .com)

(Photo courtesy of kneedragger . com.)

Bar end sliders protect your handlebars during an accident. This is an important part of your bike for this is where your breaks are mounted.

Instead of a plain looking rubber stopper ST Machine once again has come out with their own designs - the reaper, the 6 shooter, the .38 special and the .30 caliber bar end sliders.

All of these models come in black, polished and chrome to best match your bike.