Rumbux vs Altrider skid plate and failures?

[tpak]

So, the previous owner installed a SW-MOTECH skid plate which mounts to the sump. After 2500 miles I am now ready to start really taking the beast off the paved roads and want something tougher. I have bottomed out my Vstrom more than enough times on FS roads here and have no doubt that the S10 will see similar abuse at my hands. I like the Rumbux plate but do not want to replace the Givi crash bars at this time and since the Rumbux skid plate seems to require it's counter part crash bars I think I have ruled it out unless someone else verifies that installing it with the Givi's is possible and does not require grinding or welding.

So, onto the Altrider. I see one thread here about an epic beating that resulted in cracked welds and a good dent but an intact bike. Other than that are these holding up to real abuse? Are there any documented failures of the upper engine mount on the filter side? What about the mount on the header (riders right) side?

 

[greg the pole]

got givi crash bars, and altrider skid plate.
Save for the really tight access to the filter (i'm lazy and do not remove the skid plate when doing oil changes ::013:
it has held up well, 18000 km and counting. ::026::

 

[Don in Lodi]

Hmmm, my Motech doesn't mount to the sump. Did they build different versions? I've dented my Motech bad enough to bend the bracket that protects the sump, but no where near touching the bottom of the motor. Easy fix with a small sledge.

 

[terrysig]

::026:: bent bracket fixed in a vice but no other damage and not mounted to sump.

 

[redneckK20]

I've banged the Altrider plate off some decent sized rocks, with only scratched on the plate. No deforming.

 

[stevepsd]

So, onto the Altrider. I see one thread here about an epic beating that resulted in cracked welds and a good dent but an intact bike. Other than that are these holding up to real abuse? Are there any documented failures of the upper engine mount on the filter side? What about the mount on the header (riders right) side?

Actually there were multiple dents, one softball sized one and a couple baseball sized on my Altrider plate. One rock (ok, boulder) impact (on the right, front of the skidplate) stopped my ST cold, from about 6-7mph. It bent the front, right side mount and put a nice dent in the front corner of the skid, breaking all the welds on that side. The impact also caused the bike to kind of rear up and fall down on that rock at the header location, which bent up the skid so the edge of the plate went up and under the side mounted header guards.

The only mount that came away unscathed thru all this was the left, front mount where it bolts thru the thick engine casting. I even bent the thick, rear mounting bracket. Don't know if I was lucky or not, since the sample size appears to be only 1, so far.

I would preferre a Runbux or Tabasco skid if I were to do it again (they were not available last September when this ride was). I don't want to give up my Altrider crash bars though.

 

[Tremor38]

I would preferre a Runbux or Tabasco skid if I were to do it again (they were not available last September when this ride was). I don't want to give up my Altrider crash bars though.

+1. The closest competitor to the Rumbux is the Ride on Adv (Tabasco's) skid plate, because both plates attach solely to the frame. The Alt Rider plate isn't even in the same class, because it attaches to the front of the engine .

 

[NoMorBills]

I have the Yamaha crash bars and they have a very strong cross bar in front of the lower engine. I mounted the Altrider plate without the front mounts to the engine. I made some simple straps and mounted to the bar. Now the AltRider plate is a true frame mount front and rear.

 

[rush2112]

I have the Yamaha crash bars and they have a very strong cross bar in front of the lower engine. I mounted the Altrider plate without the front mounts to the engine. I made some simple straps and mounted to the bar. Now the AltRider plate is a true frame mount front and rear.

Care to share a picture of your work?

 

[Mikef5000]

If you end up going with an engine mounted unit, look at the Hepco & Becker piece as well. IMHO, besides the two frame mounted options, it's the next best thing.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Actually there were multiple dents, one softball sized one and a couple baseball sized on my Altrider plate. One rock (ok, boulder) impact (on the right, front of the skidplate) stopped my ST cold, from about 6-7mph. It bent the front, right side mount and put a nice dent in the front corner of the skid, breaking all the welds on that side. The impact also caused the bike to kind of rear up and fall down on that rock at the header location, which bent up the skid so the edge of the plate went up and under the side mounted header guards.

The only mount that came away unscathed thru all this was the left, front mount where it bolts thru the thick engine casting. I even bent the thick, rear mounting bracket. Don't know if I was lucky or not, since the sample size appears to be only 1, so far.

I would preferre a Runbux or Tabasco skid if I were to do it again (they were not available last September when this ride was). I don't want to give up my Altrider crash bars though.

Our skid plate is specifically designed around the Altrider crash bars.. Works perfect ! ::008::

 

[tinayafatlard]

Our skid plate is specifically designed around the Altrider crash bars.. Works perfect ! ::008::

Do ya have any built ready to ship? I am in the market for one.

 

[Tremor38]

Care to share a picture of your work?

+1. I imagine there are many with the OEM gaurd who would be interested in doing that.

 

[patrickg450]

I have the Yamaha crash bars and they have a very strong cross bar in front of the lower engine. I mounted the Altrider plate without the front mounts to the engine. I made some simple straps and mounted to the bar. Now the AltRider plate is a true frame mount front and rear.

Lets see some photos.....

 

[Davi Rozgonyi]

Rumbux is awesome. I bought a set a few months ago.... ships from south africa to hungary in a few days, installs in twenty minutes with a wrench, and is a perfect fit. Beastly massive, and the skid plate attaches directly to the frame, not the engine, so that has to be better. I'm stoked with it, and would get a rumbux on any other bike i needed crash bars on.