Crash pads - has someone involuntarily tested some?

After one of the two old engine guards said »farewell« on the german autoban, I was looking for replacement.

I found two »like new« ones, but the dealer told me he does not find them any more - after 2 weeks. And he already got my money.

On the bright side: I was able to search for alternatives until I recieved my money back... :roll:

On the XJ 600 S/N the pad or guards are not attached to the frame but mounted on the engine mount. I think it does not matter if the impact is on the engine or on the guard/the pads - the frame will not be bent.

So I've been looking at the pads I found in germany:

• LSL provides for the XJ 600 S / N, unfortunately, nothing. Called them today by phone. : (
• GSG provides for the XJ 600 S / N Slider. Uses one of two screws is to the engine mount. A cost of 80 € including shipping.
• Metisse offers for the XJ 600 S / N is also a pad. With the catchy name "X-Pad Crash Pad" with integral damping. Costs about 100 € including shipping.
• Puig provides for the XJ 600 S / N, unfortunately, nothing.

GSG looks to me somehow trustworthy. Like the pads from LSL and Puig the pad is made of plastic and it will deform on impact / sliding.

The solution of the Metisse model might look nice being made out of colorful anodized aluminum. But what after a fall? And more: Is it supposed to kill the energy or will it just be torn away?

What I now really interested or really: Has anyone here already experienced some crash pads and what will happen when the ride falls or slides?

If the old XJ 600 S falls, then it falls. The damage to the engine should bei at a minimum. I think a crash with higher speed will have no difference when a curb or a guardrail guard is being hit. Even with or without any crash pad it might look quite the same?

Background: Not far from where I live and my XJ is also a matter of weeks there have been some very funy people, kicking parked motorcycles and scooter and damaged cars as well.

On this video it seems that a pad will be better than nothing if someone knocks the motorcycle just over by kicking against it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXeGmtoQuuQ (R1, but the model does not matter...).

Greetings, Martin

 

Off topic: People get severely injured or killed around here for that.

 

I've never heard of bike crash pads. Weird.

 

The slider/pads are more for if you put your bike down in a corner than for if it gets knocked over when parked, but I'm sure they are better than nothing either way.

 

yeah, more like skid plates

 

Maybe they have a different name in english.

Germans tend to give things english sounding names like

* handy (for a cellphone)
* body bag (for a pouch/the »courier bag« - the first time I have read »body bag« I thought »coroner« not »shopping« )
_____

Information about a »crash pad«:

www.metisse.de - Crashpads X-PAD With 7-Time Impact Absorber (english)

Greetings, Martin

 

Press release from the PD Ulm, Germany (translated using Google).

If they would try that with the rides of the member of some MC that would happen here as well... Probably... But the normal owners -> no one will help you so you better run and call the PD.
_____

I thought the damage would be less when »just« knocked over instead of skidding at higher speed on the side.

Greetings, Martin

 

Your talking crashbars. if you bought a used pair they would work fine for a parking lot tip over.
Honestly, even a brand new set isnt gonna save all that much in a high speed "wreck". Personally, I believe that a used pair that has already suffered some damage might work better because it will fail on itself rather than transmitting a stronger blow to the frame or motor assembly.

look for a pair on ebay and call it a day. I would think that no matter if its bolted to the engine or the frame, any significant damage to either will warp the frame. Correct me if Im wrong XJ gods, but a high speed low side with a motor mounted bar that damages the frame will also damage the frame with a frame mounted bar?
either way, I guess something is better than nothing, so I would just go with what you can aquire.

 

The problem: I can find 17 year old crashbars over here... And sooner or later they might look like the one I have right now on the right side:



The bar simply fell of after 1'000 km I had it cleaned the last time. Then it was not loose at all. Lost it on the german Autobahn. There was no sholder so it flew into the green on the side and I was not able to stop and fetch it.

Replacing the broken one with another that got the same age? Not a very good idea...

And: There are only used left crashbars on eBay and other websites.

I know that. But if the experience with the pads (not the bars) is quite well -> I would prefer them. Not because they are cheaper. The price for the bars or the pads is nearly equally. But I think they are better looking.

Same thought here.

Greetings, Martin

 

Save yourself $100 and get an old crash bar from a "breaker" - either side.

Have a welder bend and fit it to the needed size. Paint it black.
(do not arc-weld on the bike)

Then mount some highway pegs and kick your feet out!!

 

Believe it or not: Those are illegal in Germany...

You are allowed to mount bars, but not highwey pegs. Those need to be certified otherwise -> no insurance and if the ride get's checked by the police they can prohibit any further journey as long as the pegs are mounted.

Greetings, Martin

 

I believe it. I have a friend in Germany and the stuff he tells me makes my head spin. I have no idea how you guys manage to function over there. We're talking about a place that requires a written test for a fishing license.

 

You cant have highway controls on the autobahn???
Eh. guess I would take the autobahn over the pegs any day. im jealous

 

Highway pegs <- illegal. You are too far away from the brake with your foot.

Some have tried to get them legalized because their ride got an »integral brake system«. If you use your hand -> the rear brake will also brake.

They had no luck. Additional pegs without a possibility to use the foot brake fast enough -> illegal in Germany.

Also illegal for motorcycles: Cruise control.

Greetings, Martin

 

Don't be. There is a lot more in that trade than highway pegs. My friend tells me it cost him 2400 euros (whatever that is in $ now) and multiple months to get his motorcycle license. They can't just go and take a test, like we can in US, they have mandatory training, and it costs. Taxes, and especially gasoline taxes, are much higher. Emissions regs are stricter. There are regular inspections for safety and emissions.

When I said they have a written test for a fishing license I was 100% serious. They do. It ain't cheap, either.

 

I made my license for motorcycles with more than 125 cc and 11 kW last year.

Mandatory:

* 6 driving lessons (3 landside, 2 autobahn, 1 at night)
* 2 optional lessons in the city and on the training course
* theoretical test
* practical test
* paperwork, medical test, new license, etc.

-> ~ 1'000 Euro (~ 1270 USD)

A short video that shows some of the tests you have to pass during the practical test: German motorcycle education

* Slow slalom (max 5-8 km/h)
* Emergency brake (50 km/h to 0 km/h)
* Dodge (50 km/h) without braking
* Normal slalom (30 km/h)
* Brake - release - dodge (50 km/h)

There are some more tests, not all are available on YouTube...

Greetings, Martin

 

The new frame sliders aka crash pads have arrived. They are not installed yet, but I took a couple of pictures last weekend:







The first impression of workmanship and materials: Very good. But unfortuately I have to work on the weekend and the weather was not quite well (storm, rain and hail). So it will take at least one and a half week until I can mount them.

In the meantime: www.600ccm.info - Sliders from GSG for the Yamaha XJ 600 S/N (using google translator)

Greetings, Martin

 

if you're thinking of fitting "crash bungs" as demonstrated in the video,
a lot of folk over here "britain" are using skateboard wheels, especially the track day guys.
cheers
stu

 

The problem with the skate wheels - also found a nice DIYS post explaining it (unfortunately without pictures): If there is no metal housing inside of the wheels -> the bolt that also is the suspension of the engine might come loose.

If you got a link to page for me to take a look at their way: I am interessted.

Greetings, Martin

 

yes you need the metal inserts, then tighten all you need.


http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/m/mc_dMX4 ... lg/140.jpg
cheers
stu