06 450 skid plate/ glide plate

[kylwk1500]

I am looking at getting a new skid plate or glide plate for my 06 450. Has any one put one on yet? What brands have you used? I have looked at works connection and devol engineering. They both look pretty good, but the works plate looks a little more factory. (thats what i like) If anyone has some pics i would definately like to see them

[motobeck]

I've got the Works Connection on mine. Bolted right on and looks great!

[bigblock450]

works ,,all the way

[Reyndogg]

I have a works connection that i'll sell ya for 30 bucks.... modded to give a bit more finger room for oil change, otherwise just the usual.

[jamiehughes]

the yamaha gytr plate worked sweet on my 06, goes on easy and comes off easy to change oil.(doesn't need to come off, i just don't like oil everywhere) plus the gytr one bolts up with all the same placement and style of bolts as the factory one.

[Decreasing Dave]

I have the Devol on mine. It fit excellent, the welds are superb and looks really clean as if part of the original bike.

I liked it most because it didn't remind me if a big metal snowshovel.

Dave

[OcotilloBound]

I got a carbon fiber plate from a guy on ePay that's pretty sweet. I think his username is jett44mx. The only problem with it was the hardware was incomplete and a mix of stainless and zinc plated. I substituted stainless for the cheap stuff and I'm awaiting the last washer and bolt. Other problem was the main mount bolts, which replace the lower engine mount bracket bolts, are too long, but easily cut down to size so they don't protrude into the access to the nuts for the upper bolts. But that is typical for small non-branded manufacturers. He is starting the bidding at $35 on these, but they get bid up pretty quickly. I paid $55, which is less than the WC one will cost. It's a nicely made piece, and I should know, as I used to work for a company that makes carbon fiber PA speakers, and am familiar with the process, and what good vs. bad CF look like. It's pretty simple, you just cut the cloth, form it onto a plug, vacuum bag it, and bake it, and then trim and grind the edges if necessary. But the holes are recessed nicely so it has a smooth flush finish when bolted on, and the surface is matte so it doesn't show dings and stuff like a gloss CF finish would. That's a matter of how resin impregnated your cloth is, and I think he made a good choice of cloth for this item. Plus it has a good sized oil access cutout, and the front extends upward to about three inches below the radiators, so it has good coverage in front, which is one thing the stock guard has none of.

[mxpro125]

i like my GYTR one

[Drfletcherdc]

Works Connection all the way. Either way when you put one on your bike will sound different.

[arnie230]

I got the WC glide plate. It bolted on easily and loks great! Just be aware of the what the previous post said about the bike sounding different. I didnt expect that and it kinda freaked me out at first.

[kylwk1500]

is it just a diferent kind of sound, an annoting sound, or a rediculously loud sound. It's not like my bike is quiet to begin with. I do see alot of people going with the works plate. Would the devol plate (that has the extra water pump and ignition protection) be even louder? I do also ride the woods/track.

[motobeck]

My WC plate seemed to amplify the engine noise. I simply installed the foam that came with it and the sound all but went away.

[grayracer513]

Drilling holes in the plate cuts down on reflected noise considerably.

[Drfletcherdc]

is it just a diferent kind of sound, an annoting sound, or a rediculously loud sound. It's not like my bike is quiet to begin with. I do see alot of people going with the works plate. Would the devol plate (that has the extra water pump and ignition protection) be even louder? I do also ride the woods/track.

Sounded like the engine didn't have oil in it. I went home drained the oil and added new oil. Of course then I went to the experts at TT. I don't hear it anymore.

My WC plate seemed to amplify the engine noise. I simply installed the foam that came with it and the sound all but went away.

The problem with the foam it gets so heavy with mud and crap it adds 10 pounds to the bike.

[yami racer]

I have the GYTR Skid plate with no issues and looks great but I am going to get the GYTR Glide plate for the indoor season with the water pump guard.

[mx369]

I got the WC glide plate. It bolted on easily and loks great! Just be aware of the what the previous post said about the bike sounding different. I didnt expect that and it kinda freaked me out at first.

Install some sticky backed insulation strips between plate and frame. It takes the noise away

[GreenKLX]

Install some sticky backed insulation strips between plate and frame. It takes the noise away

+1

I did this on my KLX with great results.

[DPW]

Install some sticky backed insulation strips between plate and frame. It takes the noise away

I used strips of old inner tube and grip glue...

[kylwk1500]

thanks for the info. I decided to go with the devol skidplate. I think it actually looks pretty clean. Whaen i get it i will have to try yalls tips to cut down on noise

[OcotilloBound]

thanks for the info. I decided to go with the devol skidplate. I think it actually looks pretty clean. Whaen i get it i will have to try yalls tips to cut down on noise

So why did you choose the Devol? 7 people endorsed the WC, 3 endorsed the GYTR, and only one chose the Devol. Seems like a waste of time to ask if you are going to buy based upon something other than the results of your poll.

Personally, my experience with Devol stuff, which I have their frame guards on my 250 (it came with them on it) is that it is heavy. Well made, but heavy. Because it is well made and heavy, it follows that it is also durable. Which is a good thing for a skid plate, and since the weight is low it shouldn't affect handling or anything. But on my 450 I don't want a lot of excess weight anywhere. I was leery about putting radiator braces on it, but the cost of replacing them makes the weight of the braces something I can live with. Plus I don't want to go down far from home and not be able to ride back because of a crushed radiator, or a cracked oil case for that matter. But nobody makes carbon fiber radiator braces for the 450 yet that I know of that aren't super expensive, or that protect sufficiently in front/side impacts, where 95% of crashes that do radiators in occur. I saw some somewhere but they were just a little bracket from the outer corner to the frame bolts.