[dganey]

Looking to get a skid plate soon. Does the ricochet require removal for oil change?. I normally remove my shift lever to get at the drain plug. It looks like the skid plate will need to come off. Can the front bolts be removed and the plate dropped for clearance, or do all bolts need to be removed.



Thanks, Dusty

 

[TW-Brian]

Hi Dusty,



It is not necessary to remove the Ricochet skid plate to drain your oil. There is a hole in the plate to allow the oil to drain through.



It is also possible to do as you suggest - remove the top bolts and you can swing the skidplate down for more clearance. I have had to do that when I can't seem to get the drain plug back in.



Brian

 

[jbfla]

I remove my Richchet skid plate for oil changes. But I have the plate for the XT225. The drain hole isn't big enough to keep the oil from making a mess. It's easier for me to remove the plate than clean up the spilled oil.



Jb

 

[Kev250R]

I leave mine in-place though I normally wedge a rag between the skid plate and the under-side of the engine to soak-up any oil which might miss the hole.



Kevin

 

[Wingnut]

I already posted this on another thread...but what the hay. Any of you have a good side view picture of the Ricochet skid plate installed? Just wondering how much of the side of the engine it protects if at all.



I really like the look of the TCI unit and its coverage on the engine, but cost wise, I could almost have a rear rack and skid plate for the same amount.



Thanks in advance.

 

[Retrofit]

wingnut.... wait a few months and have them both... with the $$$ im saving on gas each month instead of driving my 2500 4x burb (12mpg) around, i can buy something like this every couple of months and still have extra for pizza and drinks. and 12mpg is on a good day.... dont even want to know what in town driving equals.

 

[evan]

and no you don't have to remove it to change oil. I looked at the tci which does have alot better protection for the sides of the cases but decided it was more then I needed for trail riding.

 

[dganey]

Thanks to all for the responses. I will be ordering up one soon.



Dusty

 

[Kev250R]

Make sure you use one of their discount codes when you do and you'll save some $$ ATVMag25 worked for me last week when I ordered a plate from them.



Kevin

 

[danwray]

where are you buying these to use that code?

 

[frog13]

How does the Ricochet mount at the rear of the TW?.....do they have the metal "tab" for the hanger?. TIA

 

[r80rt]

How does the Ricochet mount at the rear of the TW?.....do they have the metal "tab" for the hanger?. TIA

The Ricochet attaches at the rear with two clamps over the frame, easy to do.

 

[frog13]

The Ricochet attaches at the rear with two clamps over the frame, easy to do.

Ok.....any photo's on this hook-up....just curious as to which plate I want to go with?.Did you have to cut/grind off the OEM attachment "loop"?. TIA

 

[Rainman]

TCI vs. Ricochet

 

[r80rt]

Ok.....any photo's on this hook-up....just curious as to which plate I want to go with?.Did you have to cut/grind off the OEM attachment "loop"?. TIA

I just gave the loop a whack with a hammer, it needed to be bent up slightly, it's easy.

 

[frog13]

Thanks for the reply(s).

 

[small's]

You dont need to remove anything to change the oil. Well i guess maybe the shifter depending on how high or low you have it set. I never take mine off.

 

[671tdub]

i just removed my shifter.

 

[DonBenito]

I feel like this side-by-side image says a lot.



There's no question, the TCI provides much better protection. At the same time pretty much everyone I've talked to agrees that the TCI is an ungodly PITA to install. It's been my experience that somehow the brackets and fasteners relocate themselves every time I remove the plate to change the oil, making re-installation a similarly frustrating exercise every few months.



If the ricochet/moose type plate is all the protection you need, then by all means, it appears to be much less hassle.



Of course, this picture says something too:

I'm not exactly sure what the rock that scarred the top bar of that left TCI engine guard would have done to my side cover, but I'm glad I didn't have to find out.



In short I hate the hell out of that TCI plate when I have to take it off or on, but I love it when I'm out riding.

 

[joeband]

I leave mine in-place though I normally wedge a rag between the skid plate and the under-side of the engine to soak-up any oil which might miss the hole.



Kevin

+1, this worked for me.