Stock Skid plate?

[redrocketship]

Should I keep running the stock skid plate? I thought it was going to be ok because it has decent protection, but when changing oil yesterday, when I took the skid plate off, there was like 2 pounds of mud and crap in the bottom. I really dont want to be riding around with extra mud and rocks if I dont have too. Anyone have ideas? This is on a 2011.

Edited March 14, 2012 by redrocketship

[Stealth13]

Pressure wash it out if you ride in mud. 2 pounds you won't even notice

[woods-rider]

Pressure wash it out if you ride in mud. 2 pounds you won't even notice

Especially that low.

You would definitely notice a hole in your engine from a rock hitting it and the motor seizing from lack of oil though.

Edited March 14, 2012 by woods-rider

[redrocketship]

Would it be worth trying to put some foam or a sponge in the opening?

Edited March 14, 2012 by redrocketship

[Stealth13]

If you must go in the sticky mud .. I try not to since its harder to clean. It's a dirtbike not a mud quad as I was told . If you do put something in there make sure it can have some heat without melting

[dustdogg]

Especially that low.

You would definitely notice a hole in your engine from a rock hitting it and the motor seizing from lack of oil though.

I agree. A few xtra pounds of mud after each ride is better than pushing a busted bike. Just clean your bike as soon as you can after each ride and you will be good to go.

[woods-rider]

If you must go in the sticky mud .. I try not to since its harder to clean. It's a dirtbike not a mud quad as I was told . If you do put something in there make sure it can have some heat without melting

You try to not ride in the mud? You must live in a desert or something.

[Stealth13]

I love the watery mud, but the clay mud is gross that we get sometimes. You ride into it and get stuck ... Calgary is far from a desert

[travertt]

If you must go in the sticky mud .. I try not to since its harder to clean. It's a dirtbike not a mud quad as I was told . If you do put something in there make sure it can have some heat without melting

No mud!! You're missing half the fun...not to mention a whole different skill set. ...not always about fast...sometimes its just the challenge. But I must admit, mud is omnipresent where we ride, and there are days when it would be really nice to have a mud-free experience.

No, Calgary is certainly no desert..expect lots of great riding not to far away. Personally, I'd love to have the opportunity to get near those mountain foothills.

[Stealth13]

No mud!! You're missing half the fun...not to mention a whole different skill set. ...not always about fast...sometimes its just the challenge. But I must admit, mud is omnipresent where we ride, and there are days when it would be really nice to have a mud-free experience.

No, Calgary is certainly no desert..expect lots of great riding not to far away. Personally, I'd love to have the opportunity to get near those mountain foothills.

I had to leave my bike in a swamp and sleep on a gravel road overnight with no food or anything... That's why I no longer like deep mud

[mikewrf18]

If I didn't want to ride in mud, I'd never get to ride. Mud is just part of the riding experience in the PNW. Even mid summer I seem to run into a bit of mud and slop. Definately keep the skid plate on, or go with an aftermarket aluminum one. I like the fact that the stocker is so quick and easy to remove. It only takes a few extra minutes to remove it before a wash.

[travertt]

I had to leave my bike in a swamp and sleep on a gravel road overnight with no food or anything... That's why I no longer like deep mud

Yikes!! That would certainly put me off the deep mud.

Must have been a little scary (large four legged animal type scary)...not to mention unconmfortable. Probably even scarier for your family and friends when you didn't come back.

After I few tense moments myself (badly stuck or having a lot of trouble starting) I now make it a rule that I never ride the tough and nasty stuff alone. If I'm going out on my own, I stick to the easy and and more frequently travelled trails. In the Ontario bush, the chances of your cell phone working are pretty close to zero.

[Stealth13]

Yikes!! That would certainly put me off the deep mud.

Must have been a little scary (large four legged animal type scary)...not to mention unconmfortable. Probably even scarier for your family and friends when you didn't come back.

After I few tense moments myself (badly stuck or having a lot of trouble starting) I now make it a rule that I never ride the tough and nasty stuff alone. If I'm going out on my own, I stick to the easy and and more frequently travelled trails. In the Ontario bush, the chances of your cell phone working are pretty close to zero.

I was with a friend but it got dark and my bike was totally stuck. When we finally got it out the next morning there was a note on the truck saying if we didn't make it out by 6pm a helicopter was going to come.

This was at McLean creek Alberta

Speaking of cell phones I climbed to a hill top to get 1 bar of signal just to call and say I'm sleeping over tonight

Edited March 19, 2012 by Stealth13