The folks at MotovationUSA sent us their line of crash protection for the Ducati Hypermotard.

Fork Sliders
When choosing fork sliders, the first thing I look for is how the sliders will flow with the overall design of the bike. The Motovation fork sliders hit the mark exactly, as they have a look that is far superior to other line of sliders. Other fork sliders stick out like a sore thumb. The Motovation fork sliders integrate into the styling of the Hypermotard nicely. People won’t even realize they are installed, as they look like they’re supposed to be there.
Check out the installation video for fork sliders coming soon.

Frame Sliders
The 12mm through-the engine-rod looks and feels sturdy. I liked that the rod was made of stainless-steel as it must bear the load of the engine as well as support the chassis. As for styling, all frame sliders have the same general look, and the design of the Motovation frame slider does not distinguish itself from what you will find on the market. Yes, the Motovation frame sliders may lack in styling, but in no way are they an eye sore. They more than make up for this in design material (more on this later).
Check out the installation video for frame sliders in my previous posts.

Rear Axle Sliders
Initially, I was not impressed with the design of the rear axle sliders. These did not seem to “match” the styling of the fork and frame sliders. I also did not like that I would not be able to use a single-sided rear stand. However, after giving it a second thought, I now realize the rear axle sliders were engineered more for function than form. Yes, I will no longer be able to use a single-sided stand, but the design of these sliders now allow me to use a conventional stand in addition to offering protection to the rear of the Hypermotard. That is a trade-off I’m willing to make.
Check out the installation video for rear axle sliders here.

Slider Design Material
Sliders must be hard enough to withstand the forces of a crash, yet soft enough to absorb the energy of a crash. This is where the Motovation slider is far superior to other sliders on the market. The Motovation slider is made of a unique High Molecular Density (HMD) formulation of nylon. Why is this nylon formulation superior to Delrin plastic? This nylon formulation is actually 75% more resistant to abrasion than Delrin. Delrin sliders will break off in chunks during a prolonged slide. This means Delrin sliders have a tendency to “grab” onto the pavement, which can cause the bike to tumble and result in more damage. Nylon sliders will “glide” over the pavement, allowing them to absorb more energy from a crash from the prolonged contact with the pavement. In addition, the nylon formulation is infused with UV inhibitors to preserve the stability and color of the sliders. Delrin sliders will slowly lose structural strength and begin to grey with constant exposure to sunlight.

Overall Impressions
The Motovation line of crash protection is a high quality product. They offer a better product at an extremely competitive cost compared to other sliders on the market. With the amount of research put into their engineering, the Motovation slider will definitely provide the protection my Hypermotard needs in the unfortunate event of a crash. Let’s just hope I never need to personally test their effectiveness…

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