S series slider systems

For as long as Cycle Cat has made ims frame slider systems for Ducati motorcycles, we have believed that the principal mission of the system was to provide for maximal protection of the the body work and exposed parts of the bike, up to the point that frame or engine block damage might be incurred. At that point, it has been our approach to ensure that the slider system would self-destruct before imparting excessive energy into the frame, frame bosses, or engine case. This school of thought suggests that the system should be sacrificial, and should break away to provide maximal protection of the frame and engine block, in the event that energy absorbed exceeds the levels which can damage these components. Cycle Cat designed the "S" series of sliders to meet these functional requirements.

S series slider systems incorporate materials which are "harmonized". The engine mount stud, coupling nuts, and the sliders themselves, form a system, the design, materials, and production methods of which result in components which work together, to provide the maximum possible strength short of that which will cause damage to more expensive components. This type of system is a bit difficult to manufacture, requires precision in design and testing, and results in a product which is appreciably more expensive than a simple relatively simple bumper-type system.

Were it not for the trellis frame design of the Ducati, indeed, the simpler bumper type system would make a great deal of sense, and a useful slider system could be made and sold for $50, perhaps less. But the delicacy of the frame in the lateral dimension, and the fact that the mounting system places a stress-absorbing member through the engine case, has always led us to the S system strategy. We have exensive experience with it, considerable testing, and can speak comfortably about its performance expectations.

The forces and the energy involved in a motorcycle crashing can be extraordinary. We believe these forces can and sometimes will exceed the strength of hardened, high-tensile strength materials. In these cases, the materials will fail. But even shy of exceeding these limits, if the slider system is stronger than the frame and related components of the bike, energy absorbed can be transferred, in a variety of ways, through the slider system, to the frame and engine casing, resulting in damage to some very expensive components of the bike... some of the very components the slider system is designed to protect.

Cycle Cat has always subscribed to the first school of thought, the "S" approach, and has designed accordingly. The cost and complexity of repairing bent frames, frame bosses, and engine cases is so great, relative to the cost of replacing slider components or repairing body work, that it has always seemed more correct, in the greatest number of cases, to follow the S series design logic.

Cycle Cat has always been an enthusiastic proponent of the S series system. That said, we also attempt to be responsive to our customers, many of whom do not subscribe to the S series design logic, and favor a higher strength design concept. Certainly, if it proves to be the case that a high strength (SX type) system can do its primary job without causing secondary damage, it would be an excellent system, and more economical than an S series system. Whether a high-strength system can, in fact, do this, is not yet proven.

It is a part of our culture at Cycle Cat to find a way to say yes. Toward that end, we developed the SX system, and made it available as an experimental product, at a price reflecting its experimental nature. After 3 months on the market, the SX system generated only 3 customer inquiries. Thus, it has, as of August 15, 2005, been discontinued.

Notes:

1. All IMS products are designed to optimally handle the impact and energy which would, in their absence, cause extensive damage to a motorcycle when it falls. Of course, it is impossible to predict exactly what will transpire when a motorcycle goes down, especially at speed. So while we have done, and continue to do, everything possible to build IMS products, including the S series frame sliders, to specifications which will minimize damage in the greatest possible number of cases, we cannot promise that no damage will occur. We can promise that with an IMS product on your bike, you're doing all you can to put the odds in your favor. Because no one has put more thought, care, and engineering into managing impact, than Cycle Cat. An S series frame slider is not just a bumper. Its a complete impact management system.

2. S series frame slider systems are designed to be semi-sacrificial. That is, by design, they will absorb and deflect energy up to the point at which they will offer greater protection through bending or breaking apart (read more about this). Thus, it is possible that in some crashes, a part or parts of the slider system may be damaged or destroyed. As with every Cycle Cat product, all components are available as spare parts.

3. IMPORTANT- S and SX series frame sliders attach through the front motor mount. While this is the strongest point on the Ducati frame, on 748, 916, 996,998, and ST2/4 models, it is also located behind the battery, causing interference with the stock battery. To properly install these slider systems, it will be necessary to replace the stock battery with one which is physically smaller, such as the Yuasa YTZ7S (preferred), YTX7L/BS, YT7B/BS, or similar. Battery replacement is not required on 749/999 models.

4. A modification made by Ducati in the location of the ECU (computer) on 2002 model 998s, and possibly 748s, as well as changes to the battery box, make fitment of the slider system more complex than on earlier models. Please review the installation instructions for more detail.

5. Changes which occurred with the Terblanche-designed Supersports result in there being two different configurations for 1998 models. Frame slider system DS2 and DSX2 will fit the pre-Terblanche bikes. Model DS4 and DSX4 will fit Terblanche-designed bikes through the year 2000. In 2001, additional design changes were made. For 2001 and later Supersport bikes, the correct frame slider model is DS6 or DSX6.

6. Strange but true. We have received one report of a 2001 996 coming from the factory with a 10 mm engine mount stud. For this bike, it is necessary to fit the DS1 or DSX1, not the DS3 or DSX3 as normally suggested. Therefore, on 2001 model 748s and 996s, we recommend checking the stock stud size prior to ordering. If one does not wish to remove the stud to make this measurement, it can be done by measuring the thread size of the nut. We apologize for this inconvenience, but it is beyond our control.

7. 750 Monsters, some super sports from the 1990s, as well as current Monster 400s, and possibly other models, may emply two engine mount bolts instead of a single stud passing through the engine casing. Because mounting a slider in the two bolt configuration presents an increased risk of cracking the engine casing in the event of impact, Cycle Cat does not produce slider systems for these bikes. If you have a 750 built in the 90s, or an M400, it may be desireable to check and verify if your bike has a through-stud or two bolts, prior to ordering a slider system.

8. For detailed technical information, and answers to common questions, click here. Also, please check out see the installation instructions.