125-200cc Thoughts on design for 09 125 skid plate, your input wanted...

I'd have to see some better pics to really get a feel for the design, that being said it makes sense especially if it displaces the force away from the pipe.

It may be in your best interest to make that portion of the plate easily removed, for those who would not need it.

I can't wait to see your 09 all Msportzd' out like you did with the TXC.

I would second making the pipe protection easy to remove. Actually if it could be purchased separately I would be interested since I already have a skid plate. Maybe this way it would work on 09 and the older models. It seems that it would work with any skid plate if you just drilled the mounting holes.

I saw Kellys bike in person and liked the idea a lot. It seems like it woudl also reduce the amount of mud that builds up around the exhaust.

Thats a cool pic. As usual.

Did this skid plate ever get built? I saw one for the new 250f and though it might work but I do not know if the engine cradle is the same.

I like the idea of carbon fiber. More flex and not as noisy and does not transmit vibration as much.

Engine cradles are different. I like my P3 carbon/kevlar one, It's taken a beating.

Uptite makes skid plates for 2 strokes that protect the pipe. Don't have a pic but have seen them in the shop.

Ride a 4 stroke. Problem solved !

I think this is why there hasn't been a huge rush for everyone to replace their stock units. They are quieter than aluminum, actually quite strong (both Kelly's and mine have held up to quite a few log crossings including ones where I have wheelied the front end over a log and bashed the plastic plate right into the log, and if you do destroy them they are cheap to replace.

The first goal on an aftermarket part has to be better in some way than what it is replacing (better strength, performance, value, whatever) and I think the bang for your buck on the stocker is enough that it will take a pretty slick design to make people buy a part that is cheap to replace if it ever breaks and works well enough stock.

That is unless he anodizes it red, in which case I'll buy it just to make my bike look cool

Shane,

Don't you wish the stocker covered the frame where it swells out to support the footpeg, swing arm, and up. I mash the crap out of something(Rock, Log, culvert) at least once a ride against that area.

Walt

I wouldn't mind if it covered the frame guards but any method of protecting them would be fine by me, I would also be fine if it didn't cover them as long as it hung down a little lower to make sure the skid plate got hit first.

I may be more partial to plastic skid plates than I should be due to my mountain biking background. In downhill mountain biking aluminum bash guards were the way to protect your front sprockets from getting bent as you went over rocks and logs. Eventually someone introduced a plastic guard and at first pretty much everyone was skeptical, it's going to break was what we all thought, but it didn't. Turned out not only were they tough as hell, they cleaned up easier because they were so slick and more importantly made it easier to get over rocks and trees because they slid over them instead of grinding you to a halt like aluminum would on a rock. They are amazingly tough, impacts that were bending aluminum bash guards weren't harming the plastic units at all.

Now it probably wouldn't make much difference on a dirt bike with the extra contact area and increased weight/momentum pushing you forward but if someone came out with a skid plate made of this stuff I would be first in line to try it out. http://www.e13components.com/product_turbocharger.html

Especially if it was red but clear ain't half bad.

Shane,

Maybe Kelly can get something as an add on to the stock plastic plate. Make it go under the back of the existing plate with bolt attachment there and come up and attach to both sides of the footpeg pin. I don't know just a thought, but maybe you can twist the arms at Motosportz. That way I can use it in conjunction with the 3 plastic plates I have counting the one on it now.

Walt

Don't you remember the size of those guns? I don't know that I'm up for grabbing on to one and trying to twist it. Besides, I'd have to catch him first and that sounds like an awful lot of work for my lazy ass.

@ Shane. Let's go for a metaphorical twisting.

I do like the current plastic one...but I would like it to extend out on the left side of the engine to protect the stator and cover. My p3 skid plate on the 310 was awsome for that.

need to see a better pic! Looks effective though!