[Herc'sHepster]

I did some more exploring up Granite Hill road again today after work and had a nice little dinner on the trail, fried ravioli and a strawberry Crush. Was yummy. Here are a few pics. After returning home, I got to washing her down (ran into a little mud)

and saw that my lil' T-dub doesn't even have the factory skid plate! OH NO! from what I've seen the TCI is the one to get, but how am I going to get Anne to agree? I love riding trails and know that a skid plate is a MUST HAVE. Any Suggestions?

 

[elime]

If you want a factory skid plate I have one for you. It needs to be cleaned but the price is right. And maybe, and it is a big maybe, I might have a bolt for you too. It is all a matter of finding it.

 

[assquatch20]

If you need to convince someone, just compare the price to a new set of cases, seals, bearings, etc. then realize that you've still saved a lot of manhours in transplanting whatever survives a big rock into your new shell, versus the 15 minutes max to put the new plate on.



Truthfully, the Ricochet plate isn't a bad item by any means, and they're both lightyears ahead of the stocker. If you need one now and don't wanna pay the bigger money, get a Ricochet. If you're doing any sort of trail riding, try to keep the stock one out of your mind as an option.

 

[Gerry]

If you want a factory skid plate I have one for you. It needs to be cleaned but the price is right. And maybe, and it is a big maybe, I might have a bolt for you too. It is all a matter of finding it.

I have the one off my 06 that your welcome to as well. I wonder if you could stack the two together for additional strength? All it would cost is shipping Tony and I are in N. Calif. Gerry

 

[peruano]

Four of those babies (I'll throw in two more oem skid plates) separated by washer spacers and filled with aerosol foam would be pretty unique in the modified game and could provide substantial protection. Seriously, I had an old heavy plastic bedliner from a pickup that I contemplated trying to use as a skid plate - its super tough and has ridges and valleys for strength. Alas another uncompleted project resting on nothing more than a good idea and a desire to use something to keep it out of the garbage dump. Tom

 

[Roninboise]

I believe that the only way a factory skid plate could be any less useful is if you just spray the bottom of the engine with alum. paint.



I replaced my factory illusion with a Happy Trails one and have hit a couple of rocks that stopped me dead with it. My friend Larry has the same skid plate as I and he hit a rock hard enough that he achieved a 7 out of 10 dismount. Not any damage to either bike though.



I would sure recommend a replacement prior to having to replace a case.



Happy Trails All



Ron in Boise





P.S. I took my TW to the Yamaha shop yesterday. It is making a terrible noise after my bridge launch. The Head Tech listened to it and said it sounded like I may have seized the piston when the bike reved in an inverted position. Looks like I will be out of the mtns for a couple of weeks.

 

[Herc'sHepster]

Thanks for the quick responses guys! we have a LOT of expenses coming p wit children visiting and family reunion trips, so I would like to try the "factory X 4 option" if I could. I will be glad to pay shipping costs, shall I mail a check? I will PM you individually. Thanks again, you guys are GREAT!

Bryan Murphy

 

[Herc'sHepster]

Four of those babies (I'll throw in two more oem skid plates) separated by washer spacers and filled with aerosol foam would be pretty unique in the modified game and could provide substantial protection. Seriously, I had an old heavy plastic bedliner from a pickup that I contemplated trying to use as a skid plate - its super tough and has ridges and valleys for strength. Alas another uncompleted project resting on nothing more than a good idea and a desire to use something to keep it out of the garbage dump. Tom

I was unable to PM you, but would like to take you up on your offer! here is my email: [email protected] please contact me! Thanks! Bryan

 

[small's]

If you order through ricochet i think you can get 10% off with "atvmag" as a promo code.

 

[BillMichaels]

I think for what you'll be paying for shipping you'd be better off just buying the ricochet. Once you put it on (10 min ) you won't look back.



Remember: You don't have to remove the OEM plate.

 

[digger988]

howdy! I have a original skid plate if ya want it, shipping wont be much, as live in Depoe Bay, Or. if ya want it ill get it to ya... let me know....Gary......

 

[elime]

Remember: You don't have to remove the OEM plate.

I didn't know that.



The OEM skid plate is better than no skid plate.



Hercanstein check your PM's. Your new and very dirty skid plate is on its way.

 

[evan]

Go with the ricochet or TCI. I'm getting my red ricochet plate in today. I was riding a dirt trail a few weeks back where the rocks starting getting kinda big so had to turn back bacause of the worthless stock one I have on now. I really don't ride in really rough stuff so decided the TCI was overkill and twice the price. Looking forward to putting a new belly pan on the "Black Widow".......

 

[Gerry]

Better than nothing is a fair statement.. I hit mine hard a couple of times, and was plenty glad I didn't have my tongue between my teeth. The dent in the skid plate was pretty easy to tap out. I suspect without the marginal skid plate I would have cracked the case. Multiple plates, interesting idea, likely you will need to cut off the rear bracket on all but one. Good luck. Sent mine off a few minutes ago. Shipping was a little over $5.00. Gerry

 

[Herc'sHepster]

You guys ROCK! If I can ever return the favor I will! Really my kind of folks. . . I will have to pass on the giving attitude to others in need in the future. I think Peruano will be sending me two more, I hope. I will post pics of the little build and when she is mounted. Tom mentioned some foam in between? What kind are you referring to? Digger, Thank you for the generous offer, but I think that 4 will be enough. I will hit you up if I need it though. WoW! Thanks again for the support to a noob like me! Bryan

 

[betopimienta]

Ever notice the holes drilled in skid plates? Air Flow. If you make a solid foam filled beast of a quad plate then keep an eye on the temperature .Air cooled engines

 

[Gerry]

It would certainly be easy to auger out the holes through the foam to re-established airflow. Gerry

 

[Woofhound]

I would never ride anything offroad without a skidplate... Back in the 80's i bought a new Kawasaki klt200 3 wheeler and never noticed it had no skid plate. First trip out with it I rode up over a small rock pile, bottomed it on top of the pile and poked a half dollar sized hole in the crankcase. Luckily the piece was still partially connected, I towed it back to camp, cleaned the oil residue and JB welded a patch over it. It held fine for the 3+ years i owned it.

 

[Gerry]

"cleaned the oil residue and JB welded a patch over it" Boy, I sure like JB Weld.. I don't think that stuff has ever let me down. Gerry

 

[tw200sgp]

TW's in Singapore don't come with a skid plate.