Crash Protection - All necessary?

Hi Guys,

I've had my first 990 duke for a month or so and just buying a few bits and pieces here and there when I can. I'm up to crash protection and wondering if everyone thinks that the Front and Rear Spindle Bobbins are worth it as well as upper Crash bobbins?

Cheers!!!

Opinions vary to be honest; some people swear by crash bungs, others wouldn't touch them. I've read tales of bungs digging in when a sliding bike leaves the track and causing it to flip and sustain much more damage, but who's to say that a footrest digging in wouldn't have the same effect?
For stationary and low-speed drops they're excellent, though SDs don't have a lot of fairing plastic to damage compared with a race rep. I had them on my 2004 ZX-10R and the only off I had on that was coming out of a slow-ish bend in 2nd gear when I hit the coolant that a "mate's" Benelli had dumped when it spat out a core plug. It's the most graceful and painless crash I've ever had, a very un-dramatic lowside. The R&G bung didn't prevent the belly pan, ignition cover or right-hand rearset from being damaged, but it prevented damage to the handlebar, brake lever, middle and upper fairing panels and the mirror, so they paid for themselves. For the record, my "mate" was contrite and offered to pay for the damage, then changed his mind two weeks later and refused to pay for anything. Tosser.

God damn Benelli's. Sucks to hear mate, thanks for the reply.

I've always known they can end up causing more damage in the one situation but smaller ones are alot better. I have full insurance so they would mainly be used for small crashes that would cost under or same as insurance excess. I think i'll grab them the 3 kinds and chuck them on. Just alot to justify.

Not sure what the swingarm and fork sliders are worth but having GB racing upper and lower sliders saved me a bunch of money. Here is a quick album of the bike on it's side so you can see what they keep off the ground:

Thanks Aphex, great photos.

The RG and GB gear is crazy expensive for us Australians at the moment with the exchange rate and shipping.

I have these here which are alot cheaper but upper sliders only. Will have to keep an eye out for lower ones, can never seem to find a good photo of the lower ones either

Comrade: Having observed a number of bikes, some of which have had low speed minimal falls, the spindle bobbins always get partially worn, thus they must be protecting something. Obviously the main impacts areas are engine cases, tank fairings, radiator, bars, exhaust Etc. In the past I've just turned up some bobbins myself on the lathe which is a lot cheaper than buying. Frame sliders which need brackets Etc are harder to make and thus a different case.

Thanks Jman. I've seen alot of bikes with small crashes take the swingarm mount for the cotton reels on the swing arms straight off so I can see where they would be usefull really. I might grab all 3 sets of bobbins and keep an eye out for the lower set as well. Unfortunately I have neither the skills or time to make my own lol.

If you're going to crash get all the sliders and bobbins. They are all used in low sides and high speed offs on track
Personal experience.

hi guys
here is link to my favourite crash protectors
produced by my friend, he is the biggest manufacturer in our country

Thanks Corela and Bic,

I'm just going to grab the upper ones and the two axel ones. I'll have to look further for the lowerones as they aren't listed anymore really and no-one has a photo of one installed so i don't even know where they go lol.

Thanks Guys!

Crash protection necessary??Not if you don't crash

I just installed the lower evotech sliders on my 990. Great product and should have been a breeze to install, but my engine mount bolt was corroded af. What a mission getting it out!

Pillion footrest brackets provide good crash protection - especially for the exhausts.
Think twice before removing them!