Skid Plates, Which one to get?

[STR8SHOOTR]

I'm looking to get a skid plate. I'm undecided if I should go carbon fiber of aluminum? I think i am swaying towards the LightSpeed CF. What do you guys have and do you like um?

I have a 2006 yz450f

Edited October 17, 2012 by STR8SHOOTR

[79yamdt]

A nice thick aluminum one. If your just racing the CF might be nice. Where I ride nice skidplates are a must on quads and bikes and I don't see too many carbon fiber ones. I'm not sure if it's the price or the durability that makes them less popular in my area.

[swingset]

I'd go with the heavy plastic ones, myself. Less noisy, they slide better, they deflect instead of crack.

[happy seal]

I'd go with the heavy plastic ones, myself. Less noisy, they slide better, they deflect instead of crack.

Yeah,

I never did agree with this until recently. I bought a heavy plastic one for My Beta and it is the best. Flexes and glides over trees. It's quite and won't rust or dent.. I love it!

[peski111]

using the aluminum Works Connection plate. it covers from behind the oil pan, all the way up to the top of the oil tank. Was very worried that a rock was gonna hit the oil tank and punch a hole in it. Bike is 08 yz250f

[DaveCR]

Check out TM Designworks or Hyde Development plates. They're both HD plastic that get good reviews. CF plates are pretty nice and probably ok in Florida, but in rocky areas they don't last long.

[STR8SHOOTR]

Yeah, I love the way the CF looks but the price a the actual durability is what im worried about. I'll look into the heavy plastics.

[Hans Schmid]

Scorpion Designs.......best ones made. Carbonfiber turns into hay as soon as it touches a sharp rock. TM designs would be my second choice.

[Lelandjt]

For KTMs there's a quick release plastic one in their Hardparts catalog. Is there something like that for other bikes? Compared the aluminum one I had on a Yamaha this has no effect on frame flex or noise and comes on and off easily for cleaning and oil changes.

[CBus660R]

I'm with the rest, aluminum or plastic. I'd only consider a CF glide plate for MX use, and even then, that's if you've got spare $$$ laying around since it won't be as durable.

[CR250_182]

I LOVE my Carbon Fiber skid plate! I've had it for at least 3 years and it's taken hits from rocks and it's still strong!

[WouldsAssassin]

Cycra makes a full coverage plastic plate. I just put one on my '11. Can't say I've tested it yet but their handgaurds are a great product.

[STR8SHOOTR]

I'm gonna go with a hard plastic, This weekend on the trail gonna check out a few on different bikes before I make my final desicion

[FinchFan194]

The TM sounds like a great product, everything else they make is top notch.

[STR8SHOOTR]

The TM sounds like a great product, everything else they make is top notch.

Yeah, I been thinking the same thing.

[FinchFan194]

Yeah, I been thinking the same thing.

I have a GYT-R and it is a hunk of junk, need to replace it with a full coverage as it is only a glide plate.

[Lelandjt]

The TM sounds like a great product, everything else they make is top notch.

But it's just a glide plate and doesn't extend outside of the frame rails to protect the waterpump, clutch and ignition covers, ect. i like a little protection on the sides for trail riding. My KTM plastic plate shows lots of scars there.

[dfinn]

has anyone tried the acerbis skid plate? I can get a deal through them but I haven't heard much good or bad about it.

[poppa]

we've had good luck with the moose skid plate. my son treats them like an anvil on the rocks and trees, haven't broke one yet or a side cover exept sticking the shifter through the mag cover, wasn't the skid plate fault. I do drill some drain/air holes in them and they still hold up.

[grayracer513]

I've used the same, beat up Devol plate on my desert bike for the last 4 years or so, no problems. The side wings look a bit short, but they do protect things pretty well. Good piece, fair price.

Scorpion full plates look like the best bet for the money.