[David G.]

I had just purchased a new skid plate for my TW from Procycle and was about to install it on my bike when I noticed how sharp the waterjet cut edges were. I decided it needed to have the edges smoothed out as I about cut myself on the sharp edges while trying to install it on the motor. Are all the skidplates from Ricochet this way? After fileing all the edges the install was farly easy but I did have to bend up the lower rear wire loop up with a hammer to allow the rear clamps to fit to the plate flat. I did not realize how much air gap there would be between the motor and plate, at least an inch in most places. The Rcochet plate does provide great coverage and protection but with some reduced ground clearance. After the install I took the bike for a ride around the neighborhood and noticed a tinny buzzing vibration comeing from bellow the motor that wasn't there before. I chacked all thebolts and clamps and all are very tight so I think the buzzing is caused from the metal to metal contact and engine vibration. From this I have decided to wrap the rear cross tubes were the clamps go with duct tape and place some rubber spacers between the skid plate and the bottom of the motor. Anyone else have this same experiance with this skid plate? It looks great but sounds awfull!

 

[r80rt]

No tinney sounds with mine, but I did sand off the sharp edges. It's a great bash plate, you'll be happy with it.

 

[jontow]

My TW got a *lot* louder after I installed my Ricochet. It turns out, it just reflects a lot of noise upward to your ears that was always there. Easy way to stay in tune with the rumbling racket between your knees!

 

[DonBenito]

I have the TCI plate, not the ricochet, but I definitely experience some very audible metallic buzzing at high RPMs.



There's definitely nothing loose on mine, it's bolted down tighter than... well, it's on there tight!



I, and apparently most others with aftermarket skid plates, had fitment issues with that rear loop. I bent mine to fit, others have cut.



I've read in other places that a certain amount of buzzing is to be expected with plate metal skid plates, you have a big flat piece of metal right next to a vibrating engine, so the harmonics just sort of happen.



Now that I know the sound is coming from the plate, I've been able to relax and just tune it out.

 

[mikesova]

Need pics of it installed.

 

[crjanow]

Yep I noticed the noise was louder with mine also. No big deal to me though small price for the added protection.

 

[frog13]

Perhaps take an old inner tube and cut several pieces and place them on contact points....worth a shot?(works on noisy,vibrating A/C units!).Been wanting to put a different plate on mine, BUT,either you have to bend/cut the OEM metal loop or spend an arm and a leg for one you don't have to do that too?.Oh,well.....ride on.

 

[frog13]

Perhaps take an old inner tube and cut several pieces and place them on contact points....worth a shot?(works on noisy,vibrating A/C units!).Been wanting to put a different plate on mine, BUT,either you have to bend/cut the OEM metal loop or spend an arm and a leg for one you don't have to do that too?.Oh,well.....ride on.

 

[frog13]

Sorry for the double post!!!.

 

[joedirt1970]

Just a thought. Jimbo (creator of the Jimbo Shield sprayed his stock skid plate with a rhino lining



(http://www.gpartsinc.com/p-4710-one...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CMjhwKyp9rUCFahDMgod_lcAbQ)



before changing over to the richochet skid plate. Maybe that will lessen the noise.

 

[David G.]

Thanks for all the replies and tips, I will be trying a few differant ways to lesson the tinny ringing of the skid plate. Thanks Brock for the tip on the Rhino lining method that may be one method I try.

 

[small's]

Ear plugs are great also. Tw just puurrrrrs on the highway now. Yes the skid plate will reflect engine noise straight up

 

[ronnydog]

Thanks for all the replies and tips, I will be trying a few differant ways to lesson the tinny ringing of the skid plate. Thanks Brock for the tip on the Rhino lining method that may be one method I try.

How dose it sound like when it hits rocks?





Ronnydog

 

[joedirt1970]

Thanks for all the replies and tips, I will be trying a few differant ways to lesson the tinny ringing of the skid plate. Thanks Brock for the tip on the Rhino lining method that may be one method I try.

Let us know how it works. We might all follow your lead.

 

[r80rt]

You can buy skid plate foam, it goes between the plate and engine, it's supposed to quieten things down and keep crud out.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/456/21598/ITEM/Moose-Racing-Skid-Plate-Foam.aspx?SiteID=Google_PLA456&WT.mc_ID=10012&esvt=0-GOUSC&esvadt=9-0-3886819-1&esvaid=30548&kw={keyword}&gclid=CIfu7JPH-LUCFWamPAodnRkADA

 

[jontow]

Haven't tried this, but we could take a cue from the car audio folks and try Dynamat on the engine side of the skid plate? It's not cheap, but its explicitly designed as a sound deadener.

 

[David G.]

Well you all I went on a 12+ mile loop ride today with a few small hills in the trip to double check how the bike sounds when running at differant speeds and motor rpms. I have very good hearing and was able to notice the tinny buzzing at all rpms and speeds, I allso tried to place my feet on each side of the motor resting on the skid plate but that didn't change it much. So I have decided that since I am going to use the roll on Rhino liner on the wheel wells of my bajabug then I will go ahead and coat the skid plate with that to start then maybe add a couple of wedges of high density foam between the motor and plate. I will be working on that this weekend and get back to all you on this site. Thanks for all the input and I really like the Ricochet skid plate very nice from Procycle.

 

[DonBenito]

Well you all I went on a 12+ mile loop ride today with a few small hills in the trip to double check how the bike sounds when running at differant speeds and motor rpms. I have very good hearing and was able to notice the tinny buzzing at all rpms and speeds, I allso tried to place my feet on each side of the motor resting on the skid plate but that didn't change it much. So I have decided that since I am going to use the roll on Rhino liner on the wheel wells of my bajabug then I will go ahead and coat the skid plate with that to start then maybe add a couple of wedges of high density foam between the motor and plate. I will be working on that this weekend and get back to all you on this site. Thanks for all the input and I really like the Ricochet skid plate very nice from Procycle.

Any success in reducing that buzzing?

 

[David G.]

I found an old used wet suit at a local thrift store that I plan on cutting up and contact glueing and riviting to the inside surface of the skidplate and see how that goes.

 

[scrambled]

It definitely reflects the engine/tranny noise up to the rider. It bothered me at first, but now I kind of like it because I can tell if something doesn't sound right down there. It's more of an issue onroad at higher RPMs than offroad.