wBW Quick Look
by H.B.C. for webBikeWorld.com
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Owner Comments (Below)
▪ BMW S1000XR
Blog
In This Series:
▪ R&G Racing Aero
Frame Sliders Review
▪ R&G
Racing Boot Guards Review
▪ R&G
Racing Fork Sliders Review
▪ R&G
Racing Swingarm Sliders Review
▪
R&G Racing Radiator Guard Review
Summary
The R&G Racing “Aero” frame sliders are also called “bobbins” in the
UK.
They have a “teardrop” shape that’s supposed to be aerodynamic. Or at
least look it.
R&G Racing has Aero frame slider kits for just about every motorcycle
made, from Aprilia to Zero.
This set is for the BMW S1000XR
(Blog).
The Aero slider kit installs correctly on an unmodifided S1000XR, but
with
BMW engine guards (review)
installed, it is another matter and some redesign by R&G Racing is
needed.
Editor’s Note
There are pros and cons to fitting frame sliders.
They have some
potential to mitigate damage to the motorcycle’s fairing if the bike
tips over, whether it’s moving or not.
However, the frame slider may catch on something as the bike slides
along the ground.
This can cause the bike to tumble or flip, especially if the slider
does not fold in or break away during the impact.
Also, the initial impact of a crash may be concentrated or
focused at the frame slider attachment point rather than on a larger surface area
if the frame sliders are not installed.
That has the potential to transmit more energy into the bike’s frame
at the point where the frame slider is attached, possibly causing damage
to the frame that might not be the case if the slider wasn’t there.
Background
The R&G Racing Aero frame sliders are a popular add-on for many
different motorcycle makes and models.
The difference between standard round frame sliders and the R&G
Racing Aero style is that the latter has a teardrop shape. Whether the
Aero shape is really more aerodynamic or not is debatable, but they do
look cool.
This set was installed on a BMW S1000XR. They’re available in black or
white for the S1000XR and other bikes.
The Aero frame sliders extend out from the side fairing pieces,
providing potential first-impact protection to fairing, frame and
component pieces in event of a crash or slide.
A stylish R&G logo
end-cap hides the counter-sunk mounting hardware used to secure the
frame sliders to the motorcycle frame and the plastic “bobbins” can be
replaced if necessary.
The R&G Racing Aero frame slider kit.
Introduction
The R&G Racing Aero Crash Protectors kit includes a pair of frame
sliders and motorcycle-specific mounting hardware.
The installation of the R&G Racing kit is more detailed and some larger tools
may be needed because the tear-drop shaped Aero bobbins are somewhat
larger than other types.
Installation
Notes
R&G Racing gives this kit a “Fitting Difficulty” rating of “1” (easy)
out of 5 and installation time is estimated at 30 minutes.
But depending on the tools
at hand and other accessories that might be mounted on your motorcycle, some other factors may need to be
considered.
For example, I installed a set of the
BMW accessory engine guards (review) as soon as they
were available and this then became a
factor in the installation of the R&G Aero Crash Protectors, at least on
the right side.
The Aero slider on the left side interferes with the coolant hose of the BMW S1000XR.
Installation: Left Side
Installing the Aero frame sliders will differ slightly, depending on
the motorcycle. Here is an example installation, in this case for the
BMW S1000XR.
Remove the M10 x 50 mm (T50 Torx) OE screw
from the back upper engine mounting point that is partially obscured by
a coolant hose (the hose can be squeezed a bit to provide access for the
tool).
Assemble the left side Aero frame slider kit, which consists of a M10
x 130 mm screw, flat and lock washers, one of the crash protectors and
then the left-hand threaded 42 mm long spacer.
After applying a bit of medium
thread locking compound to the threads of the screw, it can be installed
on the bike frame.
Just make sure the screw is aligned and started without
cross-threading the 10 mm insert.
NOTE: On the BMW S1000XR, the Aero frame slider interferes with the coolant hose
after installation (see photo above).
Screw the assembly into place with a 17 mm socket until snug and then
use a torque wrench set for the recommended value of 40 Nm (29.5 ft. lbs.
rounded to 30 for a setting) and tighten the counter-sunk screw.
The
left side engine guard on the BMW S1000XR and the Aero crash protector co-exist quite well,
hopefully minimizing damage to machine and perhaps the rider in
event of a crash or slide.
But the right side is another matter…
The Aero frame slider on the right side interferes with the fairing section on the BMW S1000XR.
Installation: Right Side
The BMW engine guards vary in size, shape
and mounting layouts between the left and right sides.
Also, on the S1000XR, they are not symmetrical when viewed from the front.
So it was obvious that the right
side engine guard was going to be a factor for the Aero frame slider
installation.
Simply put, it wasn’t going to work.
The left side Aero frame slider mount
uses the upper rear 10 mm mounting point that isn’t used by the left side
engine guard, but the right side engine guard uses both upper engine
mounts.
Sharing the rear mounting points would be possible with the right
hardware, but that hardware is not included with the R&G
kit. The right side Aero assembly with spacer and large bobbin needs to
occupy the same space in use by the engine guard.
My immediate
options were to leave the frame slider on the left side and use it for
photos or
remove it completely, because apparently this kit is not suitable for
use with the BMW crash bars installed.
Alternatively, I could have removed one or
both of the BMW engine guards so the Aero frame sliders could be fully
installed, photographed and evaluated for the review.
It was a cold and blustery
rainy fall day with nothing better to do, so I made the decision to
forego a ride and remove the engine guards and see how the Aero frame
sliders would look on an S1000XR in base configuration without the
engine crash guards installed.
My decision was also guided by the fact that
other accessories I plan on installing also may or may not work with the
engine guards in place, so off they came.
So after about 90 minutes of work (coffee break included), I had both engine
guards off the bike and reinstalled the appropriate OE hardware, except for
the right upper rear engine guard mount, which is now reserved for the Aero
frame slider
assembly.
Installing the right side Aero frame slider assembly then only took a
couple of minutes, with the larger end of the bobbin oriented forward.
I also leveled the bobbin itself while tightening the attachment screw, with the torque wrench
exercise as the penultimate step. Inserting the R&G centre logo emblem,
which covers the screw head,
came last.
NOTE: The Aero frame slider touches the tip of the fairing section of
the BMW S1000XR (photo above).
Conclusion
With the BMW accessory engine guards now removed, the attraction to
and value of the R&G Aero Guard kit is more appreciated.
For many
owners, frame sliders like the R&G Racing Aero Crash Protector Kit and other
frame slider kits are relatively inexpensive investments to make and
have the potential to protect expensive bodywork and parts on the bike.
Note, however, the cautions outlined at the beginning of this review
and also the interference problems noted above, which may be specific
only to the BMW S1000XR.
However, for my S1000XR and its typical use, both on- and off-road, I
value the BMW engine guards more as a protection accessory.
So the R&G Aero
kit was removed.
In stock trim, the Aero frame slider bobbin pieces
are more noticeable with their distinctive aero-flow shape and colouration, although it would be interesting to
also see how the white
bobbins would look in place.
While noticeable, the frame sliders aren’t obtrusive
in any way and in not having a particular yearning to test their
efficacy, comfort
can be taken in the fact that when they’re installed they look good and provide
ongoing protection enhancement.
However, it would be much better if R&G Racing were to revisit the
Aero frame slider kit.
They should take into consideration the potential presence
of other factory accessories (like engine guards) while also considering
the clearance issues we have identified.
In This Series:
▪ R&G Racing Aero
Frame Sliders Review
▪ R&G
Racing Boot Guards Review
▪ R&G
Racing Fork Sliders Review
▪ R&G
Racing Swingarm Sliders Review
▪
R&G Racing Radiator Guard Review
Master Listing of All wBW
Motorcycle
Product Reviews
wBW Review:
R&G Racing Aero Frame Sliders
List Price (2016): $ 124.99
Sizes: For various bikes.
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page. Product specifications, features and details may change or differ from our descriptions. Always check before purchasing. Read the Terms and Conditions!
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R&G Racing Aero Frame Sliders Review
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