OEM aluminum skid plate

Banderboy

Active Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Messages
134
Location
Lincoln, Ne.
From what I gather, this plate would be few people's first choice for protection, but an uninstalled one is coming with the '15 ES I'm getting soon (not soon enough!). I think it will be about all I need from a plate- just keeping the gravel and debris off. But I've seen zip on the interwebs as far as installation of this plate. AFAIK, all the proper fasteners will come with it. Will the installation be fairly intuitive, or is there anything I should know prior? Anybody got this plate? Thanks!

Oh, and, would the front end be jackupable with this plate?
 

magic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2015
Messages
743
Location
WISCONSIN
The installation is simple and straight forward. My bike came with one on. I replaced it with a Hepco Becker plate. You might get away with lifting the front wheel with a jack, although I wouldn't recommend it. Don't even think about lifting the whole bike with a jack under the OEM plate. The mounting brackets are not very substantial and the rear mount attaches to the oil pan.
 

VRODE

Easy Does It
Joined
Aug 7, 2014
Messages
940
Location
Northern Vermont
From what I gather, this plate would be few people's first choice for protection, but an uninstalled one is coming with the '15 ES I'm getting soon (not soon enough!). I think it will be about all I need from a plate- just keeping the gravel and debris off. But I've seen zip on the interwebs as far as installation of this plate. AFAIK, all the proper fasteners will come with it. Will the installation be fairly intuitive, or is there anything I should know prior? Anybody got this plate? Thanks!

Oh, and, would the front end be jackupable with this plate?
I have it. Yes, it’s a gravel guard. I wouldn’t skid over anything with it. Installation is easy. I’d use it to rock back the front end on the centerstand but that’s about it.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,227
Location
Tupelo, MS
What VRODE said. That rear mount has been known to tear out of the oil pan, taking a chunk of oil pan with it. That was from a hit to the front of the skid plate, but I would strongly suggest you not jack the entire bike's weight up or try to suspend the rear. Tipping it back on the center stand or using as a balance point when pulling both wheels should be fine. Just remember, remove the rear wheel first, then the front. That makes things a little easier. ;)
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
I didn't even think about lifting the whole weight of the bike. Even if the pan/plate was strong enough, there's that pesky gravity/balance thing. I automatically assumed Banderboy was just lifting the front wheel while using the center stand for support.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,227
Location
Tupelo, MS
I think you're right, just didn't want to assume... just in case!
 

Banderboy

Active Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Messages
134
Location
Lincoln, Ne.
I didn't even think about lifting the whole weight of the bike. Even if the pan/plate was strong enough, there's that pesky gravity/balance thing. I automatically assumed Banderboy was just lifting the front wheel while using the center stand for support.
To tell you the truth, I mostly want to just raise the front wheel enough to spin it to make it easier to clean, and I want to apply some stripes.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,227
Location
Tupelo, MS
It makes it easier to check your spokes too! I usually use my front wheel stand for checking the spokes and pulling the front wheel, but have been known, in a pinch, to just stuff a large rock under the skid plate after pulling the rear wheel so I can prop the front up enough to pull the front. You sometimes need to improvise with dealer parking lot tire changes. :D "4 hours if we pull the wheels, 30 minutes if you pull the wheels." Yeah, give me 10 minutes and I'll bring the wheels in!! :cool:
 

Cycledude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,998
Location
Rib lake wi
A good safety reminder about removing wheels is if your using the centerstand always use a good strap to tie it in the forward position so it can’t possibly fold up and cause all kinds of trouble.
I have always used a floor jack with a piece of plywood under the skid plate to lift the front, the skid plate does flex a little but I’ve never noticed any damage. If I need to change both tires I remove both wheels at the same time and take them to my local dealer to get changed.
As far as the aluminum skid plate I’m not sure what brand mine is but it’s pretty easy to install or remove, one bolt to remove at the bottom rear and two nuts on studs on the front, mine needs to be removed and reinstalled at every oil change in order to get the oil filter off or on, after the first time it’s very easy.
 
Last edited:

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
To tell you the truth, I mostly want to just raise the front wheel enough to spin it to make it easier to clean....

When I wash mine, I put it on the center stand, put the front of the fairing on my left/right shoulder, lift up just enough to lift the wheel off of the ground, wash one side, let it down, switch, lift, wash the other, let it back down. Works like a charm. :cool:
 
Top