Front Bumpers: Take impact or Shift Impact?

[AaronBND]

Lots of controversy on this. Their are some great front bumpers manufactured out there, but do you like bumpers that send the shock through the frame to the bulkhead or that protect the plastic and fold on a hard impact? What's more important to you and how hard of a hit do you think these newer, lighter-weight bulkheads can take before major damage is done? Just curious what the majority thinks......

Aaron

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

The issue I see with a tough bumper that transfers the force into the chassis is if the hit is solid enough its going to buckle the tunnel right between the chaincase/sec clutch and the frt skid bolts(we have seen this damage since the pro was first released).there is a brace to reinforce this area which should help but it is something guys need to think about when opting for a tougher bumper......

 

[spider]

Fold like a chinese lawnchair

I don't know where the weak point is: where the tunnel meets the bulkhead? , where the top o' shock, bumper, and carbon overstructure come together? -dunno , But the bumper should fold just before damage to these areas happens. just like in your car, the bumper should dissipate the energy, then smash plastic and dent the pipe. Hopefully by then you've slowed down enough to save the expensive parts. I sure hope they design the thing this way.

 

[modsledr]

We've seen first hand the VanAmburg front bumper on a runaway sled down a steep hill hit a large fir tree. When it happened we were all thinking "call the heli" (this was dropping into Monster Bowl in Revy...big terrain).

When we got to the sled, and got it dug out away from the tree, we were shocked (happily!!) that the bumper had taken the impact, and folded to the side about 1-2", saving the pipe, plastic, and bulkhead. No buckled tunnel, nothing but a new bumper.

To say we were beyond impressed is an understatement. Best $200 ever spent, IMO!!

Long story short (too late..sorry!!) I want the bumper to take the impact and fold and save the pipe/bulkhead/tunnel.

And, to the OP's comment about the "newer lightweight bulkheads", the Polaris cast aluminum bulkhead the the lightest and strongest bulkhead ever produced...it is FAR stronger than ANY sheet aluminum bulkhead.

 

[mickyd32]

I don't even know why this should be discussed. Let the bumper fold. Save the sleds integrity and the riders health.

There is a reason why "crumple zones" we're designed into cars. They save the occupants and the more expensive harder to replace main structure of vehicles. The bumpers designed to fold are no different They are there to absorb impact and save other more valuable things. Aka rider and frame structure.

Sure you can beef up the front end but at a cost. I would rather throw away a cheap bumper or a arm than a bulkhead

 

[Matte Murder]

micky there is a sweet spot between saving the plastic and pipe and tweaking the chassis. I've hit trees many times with no damage(not always on a Pro)except the bumper. If every time that happened I had to replace plastic and pipe I would be out more than a chassis. Going home on the rope sucks just as bad too. I like a "tougher" and wider, but not bomb proof, bumper which I think most guys are looking for.

 

[mountainhorse]

As an engineer... I can see the different perceptions.

One thing to note when the bumper folds... most often it takes out a lot of thing... Like the overstructure tabs (new overstructure) Pipe, can, fenders, nose cone, hood, motor-mounts and many small parts.

The bulkheads... are not lightweight in terms of strength... they are among the strongest I've seen to date.

So all of that being said... IMO.. a well-built, strong bumper that ties into the chassis is a better way to go.

Like Mike said... if you hit anything hard enough... somethings gotta give... and the tunnel junction is one of them. You can usually limp the sled out if this happens... but not when the exhaust and motor are messed up.

IMO... if the "hit" is hard enough to break the bulkhead with the bumper on ... it would have caused a lot more $$ damage without a stronger bumper with the same "hit"



my 2 cents







.

 

[AaronBND]

Well said and I like your thinking. I was starting to doubt my thoughts on having the hit go through the chassis. So this being said, what bumper would be your first choice MH?

Aaron

 

[mickyd32]

I agree with what is being said here I misinterpreted the original question. If we are talking better built to take the small impact the yes. Go for that. I already purchased a stronger front. If you want a bumper to take out a moose, then no

 

[skibreeze]

IMO the stock bumper sucks for overall protection. The Extreme is a one hit wonder, not good when you are on a 2 week trip and break the front part off completely and have to duct tape the crap out of it. The newer Skins bumper doesn't just use the stock tabs, it also ties in with bolts to the overstructure. I really believe this gives the proper blend of overall strength, yet not too much like the TCP bumper that I had on my 08 Poo.

 

[Teth-Air]

Aftermarket bumpers still bend but take the hit and save the pipe and bulkhead. I have first hand experience with this as I have a 17 year old son that only knows 2 throttle positions, on and off and I kinda question if he knows the second of the 2.

 

[bwylde]

Not a Pro, but the principle applies to most. Last year i replaced 2 fenders, a nosepan, a bumper, and had to repair my SLP Intake box on my IQ from multiples (3 trees). So being the tree is mightier then the sled, i would def say upgrade your bumper. (wish i did) The bulkheads are designed to take a bit of a hit. The newer cast bulkheads have more elasticity towards impact then the previous ones, especially now being blended with Carbon Fiber. I personally wouldn't reinforce anywhere as this would create a different area to absorb the impact, and likely end up being a lot worse then the areas mean't to take the hit.

 

[whoisthatguy]

http://vanamburgent.com/front-bumpers/

 

[flyboy103]

Got a tree pretty good with the left side of my skinz bumper last year. It tweeked the bumper some and broke the mount tabs off the over structure. Plastic and pipe were untouched though. When I wrecked the stock bumper any harder of a hit would have cost me a pipe. I'll take the skinz just because I would see the overstructure tabs going before any damage to the chassis would result.

 

[BIGMEATS]

I just purchased one from these guys.
Great replacement when the last time the tabs broke off. This one doesn't require them.

http://www.bmfabrications.com

 

[WYsteph]

I just purchased one from these guys.
Great replacement when the last time the tabs broke off. This one doesn't require them.

http://www.bmfabrications.com

Best money I spent on my sled last year. Ended up nailing a tree, the very tip of the bumper is the only thing that saved my left suspension. Put a small crack in one side panel and had to bend a few plastics back but very happy with my bent bumper and undamaged sled.

 

[AaronBND]

I ended up going with the Vanamberg Enterprises Steel bumper. Only 1.5lbs heavier than there aluminum one. Just came in today as a matter of fact......... I personally would rather shift the impact to the bulkhead than have the bumper crumple and have to spend the money on another one. If it's a really hard impact that damages the bulkhead, than that is what insurance is for......

Aaron

 

[4Z]

http://ftxmotorsports.com/index.php...uct-list-search-core-commerce-products=Search
Replaceable break-away contact points. Lighter than steel, stronger than aluminum: 4130 chrome-moly