Happy Trails skid plate review

[thumperstruck]

So got this for christmas and figured I would give it a review.

Includes all mounting hardware. Instructions are good and easy to follow. Installation is about 45 minutes from unboxing to finish. Finish is outstanding. I do not know what it is made out of but pretty sure it is steel. Powder coated black semi gloss finish. Mounts to the lower front engine mount and swing arm bolts. I will be getting the engine guard later this year so I will review that also. Has the cut out for the oil drain plug. Happy Trails is also in full production for all of their products for the Terra and Strada. I didn't get the exact weight before I put it on, sorry.

Price and shipping: $165 no shipping picked up local.
Country of origin: USA
Maker: Happy Trails

Pros: Heavy well made plate. Welds look solid and have a good bead to them. Easy Install. Price is way better for a better made product than the others I have seen. I was able to pick it up locally so its made in the US. I know for you Aussies that isn't a plus sorry. Appears to be able to take quite a thrashing.

Cons: Rear bolt on the left side is a pain to get to with any type of allen wrench let alone a torque wrench. Most bolts are near impossible to get to with a torque wrench, had to use Kentucky torque specs. The last picture shows the right side by the bottom of the engine. The space there is very small maybe 3mm tops. A little concern about hitting that right side. Judging by the thickness of the steel and quality it would take one hell of a jolt to dent that thing in and crack the engine case.

 

[Motosportz]

pretty sure that aluminum, steel that thick would weigh about 20 pounds.

- Just checked thier site...

• Adventure proven 3/16” aluminum plate is used throughout for strength and long term durability"

 

[thumperstruck]

You are correct sir. This thing just seemed heavier than Aluminum. Its pretty stout.

 

[WoodsChick]

Nice. The black looks really sharp

 

[RidingDonkeys]

Happy Trails makes great products. I really wanted to buy their stuff, but I got to the point that I couldn't wait any longer and had to go with SW-Motech. I hope they aren't too late to the game, because their products look great.

 

[kyle01]

I got their soft pannier/ SU rack system. Top notch!! As a bonus there is a rear fender brace incorporated into the racks. Impressive stuff. Not inexpensive, but none of them are and these appear to be bomb proof.

 

[kyle01]

With the bags off:

 

[thumperstruck]

That is definitely my next purchase before making a run through canyon lands.

 

[kyle01]

That is definitely my next purchase before making a run through canyon lands.

Dude! Rad paint job.

 

[thumperstruck]

Thank you. Just Plasti-dip and model paint.

 

[Nick780]

So, I paid for my skidplate March 28th... After a few weeks of no action I requested an update: Delays in production.
Ok, get an ETA, that passes, get another update: Yeah busier than expected, we're on it...
Back and forth a few times again, just got quoted for them to have it in on June 27th!
Assuming they follow through with that date (with this experience I have my doubts) that puts the ship date 3 months after paying for the skidplate!!

No notice that it was out of stock when I placed the order. No updates unless I chase people down. Anyone else experience this absurd lack of follow-through from HT? I don't expect to be buying from them anytime again in the future.

 

[RidingDonkeys]

So, I paid for my skidplate March 28th... After a few weeks of no action I requested an update: Delays in production.
Ok, get an ETA, that passes, get another update: Yeah busier than expected, we're on it...
Back and forth a few times again, just got quoted for them to have it in on June 27th!
Assuming they follow through with that date (with this experience I have my doubts) that puts the ship date 3 months after paying for the skidplate!!

No notice that it was out of stock when I placed the order. No updates unless I chase people down. Anyone else experience this absurd lack of follow-through from HT? I don't expect to be buying from them anytime again in the future.

This sounds much like the AltRider fiasco that ensued last year. I have had nothing but great things to say about all my dealings with Happy Trails throughout the years. However, I don't have any of their TR650 products because they kept delaying release of the product. I'm a pro at crashing bikes, and everyday I was riding without protection was a day that I could do serious damage. I finally gave in and went SW-Motech.

That being said, based on the looks, HT makes a better product than SW-Motech. However, a slightly inferior product that I can get is much better than a nicer product that I can't get.

 

[Nick780]

However, a slightly inferior product that I can get is much better than a nicer product that I can't get.

And that's where I'm at. After all this it was easy to get a refund, now I'm back shopping...

 

[RidingDonkeys]

And that's where I'm at. After all this it was easy to get a refund, now I'm back shopping...

Glad you got a quick refund, but sad to see HT dropping the ball on their product. I really do think highly of them as a company. They have bent over backwards to provide me with great customer service in the past.

I can say from experience that the SW-Motech skid plate is sufficient and well built. I'd really like to see more protection on that oil line, like HT did with their plate. But luckily I haven't needed that extra bit of coverage yet.

 

[Hansi]

I have the Happy Trails Engine guards on my Terra

and my wife got the HT Engine Guards on her Versys. Both great, stout products. I lost count how many times my wife has tested those bars. They are scuffed, but not bent and protected the radiator and plastics perfect.
And we had the same problem as you, Nick780, products were not marked back ordered and took forever to get shipped. I had to make myself a real nuisance to get the crashbars, both hers and mine. Took almost four weeks from order to shipping. Don't know if I will order anything again at HT without a phone call first.
Their guards are for sure very well engineered.......

 

[thumperstruck]

I have the Happy Trails Engine guards on my Terra

and my wife got the HT Engine Guards on her Versys. Both great, stout products. I lost count how many times my wife has tested those bars. They are scuffed, but not bent and protected the radiator and plastics perfect.
And we had the same problem as you, Nick780, products were not marked back ordered and took forever to get shipped. I had to make myself a real nuisance to get the crashbars, both hers and mine. Took almost four weeks from order to shipping. Don't know if I will order anything again at HT without a phone call first.
Their guards are for sure very well engineered.......

Good to hear. I'm lucky they have a HT locally here. I just call them and go pick up. I am putting the bars on as I will be attending my first track day next weekend. Just in case

 

[broadwayron]

Any new opinions on the HT skid plate? I'm trying to decide between this and the TCI version, but leaning towards the HT, partly because I think I'm going with their engine guards... figure it should work together (better).

 

[broadwayron]

So, I installed the skid plate and engine guards today... both are solid as hell. The skid plate was a PITA to install solo... some of the fasteners were tough to access. I would hate to have to remove this out on the trail. But, it seems like it will serve well in protection. I like it.
Contrary to what I expected, the engine guards were so easy to install, it was almost a joke. I'm happy to swap out the factory torx bolts for allen heads, too. This thing looks like it will work well... I'll dig up this thread when I crash.