Crash Bobbins

Protect your Investment with XLMOTO Frame Bobbins, Engine Guards and Protective Covers

Motorcycles are unique pieces of engineering developed to accelerate, stop and corner with incredible precision. Their design, though, does not intend them to hit the floor.

Whether falling over in the garage or sliding along the road, it's easy to see how susceptible motorcycles are to damage if they hit the ground. If you're lucky, a low speed off results in a bent gear lever or broken indicator. Fall the wrong way, though, and a cracked body panel, holed radiator or crushed exhaust can send your repair bill skyward.

Hole an engine cover and damage the end of the crank and it may even mean game over for the engine.

Thankfully, XLMOTO's incredible range of engine protectors offers some much needed help. Thanks to frame bobbins, engine guards and covers, it's possible to reduce damage and safeguard your pride and joy.

How do engine protectors help your motorcycle?

Although engine bars provide some rider protection, it's all about saving the engine, radiator and cycle parts. Manufacturers can bend, twist, and turn steel tubing to precisely follow engine, fairing or frame contours thanks to modern engineering techniques. This procedure allows for a much closer fit, enhancing the bike's ergonomics.

The complexity of frame design and construction has also impacted the design of engine protectors. Multiple mounting points are now common to spread the load in the event of the motorcycle tipping over.

Whereas engine bars have multiple mounting points, the bung or bobbin often has one. However, both types of protectors use similar mounting points, such as engine bolts or engine/frame mounting bolts.

Types of engine protector

Frame Bobbins: Originally called crash bungs, these cylindrical protectors appeared first on race bikes. The bung aimed to lessen impact damage and allow the bike to slide off the track.

The bung has evolved into the bobbin but their role remains the same. The main difference, however, is the bobbin's material. Today, frame bobbins are a combination of aircraft-grade aluminium combined with a synthetic polymer.

Frame bobbins also pull double duty when used on the swinging arm. This bobbin type then becomes a spool which you can use in conjunction with a paddock stand to lift the back of the motorcycle.

Frame Slider: The natural successor to the frame bobbin, the frame slider takes compact frame protectors to the next level. While maintaining the basic principle of the bobbin, frame sliders are more ergonomic in design and function. Some frame sliders feature replaceable hard rubber inserts that can be colour-coded to your bike.

Axle Sliders: These protectors fit the front forks at each end of the axle as it passes through the front wheel. The bung keeps the end of the fork leg off the road in the event of a slide, therefore reducing abrasion damage.

Engine Bars: This steel tubing framework follows the bike's contours to protect the fairing, engine or radiator.

Engine Covers: These model-specific covers are impact and abrasion-resistant. The covers fit over the most vulnerable parts of the engine's left and right sides, such as the clutch housing and generator.

Lever Guards: This type of protector has two jobs: safeguarding the rider's hands and preventing damage to the brake and clutch lever.

Bungs, crash bobbins, bars, sliders, guards and protective covers fulfil two primary roles. First, they offer protection from initial impact. Second, they create a buffer between the motorcycle and the road to lessen abrasion damage. While these protectors can't guarantee a motorcycle will be entirely undamaged in an accident or drop, they have the potential to save the rider from substantial repair bills and downtime.

Protect your Ride from the Slide with XLMOTO Motorcycle Bobbins

If you drop your motorcycle while at a standstill, the chances are, it's going to cause damage. With a slow-speed slide, that damage increases dramatically. XLMOTO's extensive collection of motorcycle bobbins and swingarm protectors will help to minimize this costly problem.

Protecting your bike is about saving big money items like the engine, radiator, forks and swingarm. Yet, if you find engine bars too bulky or ugly, carefully placed motorcycle bobbins are a great alternative. Moreover, they won't spoil the lines of your motorbike.

First, add a pair of motorcycle bobbins to either side of the engine. Then combine them with swingarm protectors or paddock stand bobbins, and the main components are safe from contact with the floor.

XLMOTO motorcycle bobbins are a cost-effective way of protecting your ride from the slide.