| Author | Message | ||
     Marko138 |
How many of you guys are using front and rear axle sliders? And what brands do you recommend? Thanks! | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
Dark horse moto. I have the rear stealth sliders. just a few hours ago they saved my swingarm from getting scratched up when I dropped the bike........ | ||
| Marko138 |
Any place you recommend getting them? I'm about to be new to the Buell family. EDIT: Just found their website. (Message edited by marko138 on April 26, 2008) | ||
| Newbolt |
+1 on the Dark Horse Moto sliders. They look great and are easy to install. | ||
| Jeffroj |
Dark Horse Moto, I also have the stealth front and rear, I am very satisfied. Not sure though if they offer the same amount of protection as the non-stealth sliders, haven't had the chance to find out yet, knock on wood! | ||
| Rah7777777 |
http://www.darkhorsemoto.com/ I don't think you will find a better deal out there then there "eco sliders" If they had been out when I bought mine that is exactly what I would have! Or you can buy my perfect, never seen the concrete, black LSL sliders for $80 so I can get those eco sliders :-) http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/AxleSlider.cfm you see the eco sliders have a rod all the way through for securing and the LSL sliders have an expandable rubber sleeve to secure............. I like the idea of the solid rod better! | ||
| Marko138 |
I like the DarkHorse "Race Ready Composite Axle Slider". $80 bucks. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
+1 on Darkhorse | ||
| Marko138 |
Seems to be a pretty unanimous decision on the darkhorse. | ||
| Akbuell |
Got mine from Al at American Sport Bike. Quick delivery, and they are the Darkhorse ones. He's done all of the "grunt" work, re exchange rates, import/customs stuff, ect. Thanks AL!!! | ||
| Schmitty |
+1 on the race ready sliders!! Saved my swingarm last year! I had a pretty fast get off last year at Blackhawk Farms, and these things took the hit like a champ. Not a single mark on my swingarm! And you ain't gonna find a better guy than Keith! Top notch customer service! Schmitty (Message edited by schmitty on April 26, 2008) | ||
| Ebuella_virus |
+1 on Darkhorse moto. Can't wait for them to get the full kits for the rear brake. | ||
| Marko138 |
Well you guys have convinced me. Darkhorse it is. Thanks everyone. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
NO!!!!!! buy my LSL so I can buy the Darkhorse, hahahah!!!  | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
the stealth sliders are the nicest looking but they don't offer the same amount of protection because of they're low profile. you may want to consider the sliders with the replaceable button. | ||
| Jpb |
None of the above...if you know somebody that can do some VERY simple machining that is...$30.00 worth of aluminum rod and about 2 hours of time on a lathe and you have them made...then it's another $6.00 for the threaded rod that goes through the axle to secure them to the bike... You're paying for the import... No offense to Al...he is in business to make money...I buy parts from him as well...just not what I can make on my own that is of equal quality for much less money and a lot more personal satisfaction. (Message edited by jpb on April 27, 2008) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Most folks don't have the time, access to the machinery, raw materials, or skill to do it themselves. When you count the time involved, "Do it yourself" jobs cost four times what mass produced items do unless you are producing something in your field of occupation. Plus, I get to help put food on Keith's table. Money well spent on the sliders and on Keith. | ||
| Retrittion |
+1 on Dark Horse Moto Running fork, swingarm, and barend sliders. Love them, both the look and the protection, hope I never need that latter bit though!  | ||
| Semirgdj |
I recently got clipped on the highway. If I didn't have frame and axle sliders... my bike would have been totaled. Instead, my bike had minimal damage. The sliders took the brunt of the damage and saved me alot of money. I actually made my own axle sliders, so I can't recommend any brand but, be sure that there is a connecting rod. The Dark Horse Moto sliders look like they are great! | ||
| Darthane |
Dark. Horse. Moto. ...mine are powdercoated - Keith is a pleasure to deal with. | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
let me add that quality is top notch, even down to the packaging! | ||
| Marko138 |
You guys sold me on the deal for sure. I'm going with the Race ready rear sliders, stealth composite fork sliders, and probly bar end sliders as well. | ||
| Jpb |
How do you figure the cost is 4 times as much? It isn't necessarily a matter of your field or not...just the amount of skill and understanding you have regarding the project involved. It didn't cost me 4 x's the money to install a water system filter at my house and I'm not a plumber...It took me 1 hour from pulling tools out to putting tools away... I DID start my statement with the caviat "if you know somebody that can do some simple machining"...I realize time is tight for most people...and that most people do not know how to operate a lathe... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I would either have to pay someone for their time to do the measurements, set up the machine, and do the turning. "Do it yourself" means I do it. For me to do it would mean that I would have to figure out how to do the correct measurements, figure out how to set up the machine, and actually turn the billet and delrin. The amount I would pay someone else would exceed what Keith charges for his kit. The income per hour I would have to devote to learning how to do the job would push the price of the "Do it Yourself" item to about four times what Keith charges. I don't mow my own grass either. I make more per hour than it costs to pull the mower out, gas it up, and push it around the yard for an hour or so than the mowing company charges to do it for me. I don't paint my own house. For the cost of renting the scaffolding, buying the painting supplies, and spending the time prepping and painting, I could work and pay someone else to do it and still come out ahead. You can't just count the raw materials in the cost. Your time is the most expensive part. | ||
| Skully |
Thanks for the props guys, you are making us blush.  You're paying for the import... I'm not sure what you mean by this Jean-Pierre. We work really hard to deliver a high quality product at the lowest possible price. I refuse to send work outside of the United States. All of our components are made right here in East Texas. I didn't understand why things cost as much as the they do until I started my own business. Attorney's fees, accountant's fees, advertising, keeping an inventory (this ties up thousands of dollars), tools, equipment, workshop, new product development, etc., it all takes a bite out our profits. Making a few parts for friends is one thing. Setting yourself up as a business and selling thousands with consistent quality is quite another. Keith Thrash DarkHorseMoto, LLC Protecting and Propelling Buell Motorcycles (TM) http://darkhorsemoto.com | ||
| Jpb |
Sorry Skully... Got mine from Al at American Sport Bike. Quick delivery, and they are the Darkhorse ones. He's done all of the "grunt" work, re exchange rates, import/customs stuff, ect. Thanks AL!!! I was commenting to the above statement...not your American made product. I totally agree with you...running a business has tons of costs associated with it. I am in manufacturing and am very aware of what those costs entail and how incredibly difficult it is for a company to make a profit. I take my hat off to you! I know it isn't easy...I'm responsible for the quality and the cost (assembly cost) of the products we make and consistency of quality is key. My only intent is to remind some people that there is a lot of pride in making things for one self. Especially when it comes to customizing your bike...you're trying to make it unique and your style...I think doing that with your own hands adds to the effect and the pride in ownership. | ||
| Nik |
Sorry Skully... Got mine from Al at American Sport Bike. Quick delivery, and they are the Darkhorse ones. He's done all of the "grunt" work, re exchange rates, import/customs stuff, ect. Thanks AL!!! I was commenting to the above statement...not your American made product. Umm.. the guy in that above statement bought American made DarkHorseMoto (aka. Skully) sliders from American Retailer American Sportbike... DarkHorse eco-sliders were my first aftermarket mod, and I couldn't be happier. I'm an engineering student, and put myself through my first half of school as a fabricator. I actually did short production runs of parts for my other two vehicles. I know about the personal satisfaction gained from DIY. It would be cake for me to raid the machine shop and turn a few from scraps, but my time isn't free. Skully put the time into developing a simple product that works, and charges a very fair price. I'd rather put my time into making the bike mine with other custom touches that make a bigger impact than a few easily overlooked pieces of delrin, and I wanted them without delay to keep myself from having to do 'custom' paint and bodywork... (Message edited by nik on April 28, 2008) | ||
| Skully |
Thanks Jean-Pierre. I appreciate you saying that. Thanks Nik! Keith | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My only intent is to remind some people that there is a lot of pride in making things for one self. Especially when it comes to customizing your bike...you're trying to make it unique and your style...I think doing that with your own hands adds to the effect and the pride in ownership. Absolutely agree. My only point was that the majority of us who don't work in manufacturing lack the skill and access to create parts with the level of quality that Dark Horse Moto brings to the table. Instead, we have to seek out individuals who produce these products and live vicariously through their skill. I am envious of those who CAN create these things themselves. There is something to be said for creating something tangible with your hands and seeing it in the open market. My wife has started a children's clothing company. It's cool to see your products out "in the wild". I will seek out individuals like Dark Horse Moto, XB Lights, Special OPS, Drummer, etc. simply because I envy their ability and am proud to have the work of their hands on my bike. | ||
| Mtg |
Darkhorse Moto on the front axle, homemade on the rear axle. I had some frame sliders left over from my old bike, put them on the lathe and made them fit the XB rear. If you don't have access to a lathe, I'd just buy a set. Even if you do have lathe access, the Darkhorse econo sliders are pretty hard to beat. | ||
| Skinstains |
I have had nothing but good luck with "Sato Racing" sliders. They are black Derlin so they look good and hide scratches well. I make my own replacement sliders out of a piece of 1 3/8" inch diameter Derlin rod I get for $10.00 a foot on a lathe. The work could be done with a drill and hacksaw too, I suppose. |
