I had the spools with sliders on my last bike, the dug in and snapped on a lowside. So I guess it comes down to the same old sliders vs no sliders debate.
And yes, my swing arm ended up scratched any way, and had a broken tab from the slider
I used to leave my vortex spools on for convenience of using a rear spool stand but they ripped off my swingarm mount in a high side. Now I have to use the swingarm lift adapters on my pit bull stand which are a bit sketchy.
In a lowside crash, I had swingarm slider spools on it and it saved my swingarm from being scratched. But in a highlife crash I had, it got ripped off on the other side. I got it welded back on for like 60 bucks but I had to bring it to a special person that welds aluminum. I don't ride with them on anymore.
The after thought of the provisions and how they are on the outside of the swingarm on most models will do more harm than good if you have some sort of "crash protection spool slider".
IF you were going slow enough that the swingarm spool did its job and kept the bike off the ground I would argue that in the same scenario damage wouldn't have occurred to the swingarm without the spool.
However, in a legit crash I have seen the mounts for the spools snap completely away from the swingarm and the same exact thing that was supposed to protect your swingarm is now the cause of you having to replace it.
IF you are running spools get the smallest spools possible to limit how far they stick out which creates more leverage on the threaded provision in the swingarm.
Our bodywork and exhaust makes it so we cant use a lift stand like a dirt bike or cruiser so you pretty much need these for tire changes... unless you pay a shop to do em.
The only reason my spool mount survived the crash (and it was a real crash, check my thread) is because of the angle the bike slid. I was doing 80kph at least when I went down, but because the bike slid on its in the opposite direction (wheel side forward) the spool mount stayed on. The swingarm supported the spool mount enough to keep it on and definitely saved my swingarm from destruction. But in a very very light highside I had, it slid way way way less but the opposite from last time (wheel side in) it was literally pulled it off from the swingarm. The only reason I don't have them on right now is because I don't plan on crashing again, and if I do this bike will be junked anyways. But if I had to do it all over again I would put them on because even if they do get ripped off I can always get them welded back on for cheap. Just look at that weld, you could stand on that.
They really aren't made for that much protection in the first place. I just get a little piece of mind by having them. Plus it's easier to pop it up on the stand with the larger spools. The spool mount is notoriously weak to begin with so I figure as long as the spool doesn't catch on anything it "should" slide and wear down like a normal frame slider.
I have some on my bike. I keep them on all the time, but only got them to use with my rear stand. I don't expect them to protect much in the event of a crash.
I know what I'm thinking of. I have both sliders and bar ends and was asking about spools and IF they offered any additional protection or not. But thanks.
axle sliders should stick out far enough to also protect the swing arm... def served the case in one of my accidents in the past...
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum
1.2M posts
47.1K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, racing, modifications, classifieds, maintenance, and more!