Skid Plate that I couldn't find any info on................ I bought one! ( T-Rex Racing )

SkunkWorks

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I had been doing all kinds of research on skid-plates the past couple months, and I figured I would really narrow it down around Thanksgiving in hopes of purchasing one.

I came across this brand that I hadn't seen mentioned anywhere. I searched and searched everywhere that I could think of, but could not find one review on this by anyone?
I couldn't find any mention by anyone, anywhere that they had bought one? No info, either good or bad? I found this rather odd............

The Company's website says they have been in business since 2001. It is a Family-owned business, and they design and build all of their products in Texas.
T-Rex Racing
This is the info directly off their website:
"Description

  • Condition: New
  • Material: Precision CNC machined aircraft grade aluminum
  • No cut or plastic fairing modifications required
  • Fit Models: Yamaha
  • 2012 - 2018 Super Tenere
This purchase is for one skid plate for the Yamaha Super Tenere, designed to minimize damage and protect your bike from dirt, mud, and other debris. The skid plate is CNC cut from a solid 4mm sheet of aircraft grade aluminum. The plate is then tig welded and finished with black powder coating to increase durability. Rest assured that you are getting the best material commercially available."

A deal popped up on their website that they were offering a "Black Friday" discount during Thanksgiving weekend.
Their website showed there were 8 in stock, and since I was interested in their design I decided to take the chance and purchase one. It ended up being $251.00 with the deal, and it shipped for free. Part Number: N77-12SP
I ordered it on Sunday the 23rd, and it was delivered to me on Thursday the 27th!

After un-boxing it and inspecting it, it appears to be a pretty well thought-out design. I like the added detail of the "Trap Door" to access the oil filter, and openings for both drain plugs. The brackets that attach it to the frame are Steel, and they have "Weld Gussets" at the bends for strength during impacts.
The entire Skid-plate is all one piece, bent and welded inside and out. I'm not a welding expert, but the welds appear high quality to me.
It seems pretty light for its size (9lbs-6oz with hardware) and the entire plate is 4mm thick aluminum (I measured it at 4.5mm with the powder-coating)
I'm hoping to mount it this weekend. There are no instructions that were included with it, but there is an installation video on their website, linked on Youtube.

The only downside that I can think of is: since it is such a large one-piece design, it may resonate with engine vibrations and contribute to more "engine-noise"
I suppose if that turns out to be the case, I can always add some sound-deadening material to the back side of it. I shall see.

Here's some pictures of it.

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Don in Lodi

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Many use a vibe dampening material of one sort or another on the inside of the belly. The ACD comes with an inch or so of some sort of foam... that doesn't stay stuck down long term.
 

SkunkWorks

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Had some time this evening, so I went ahead and mounted it.

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The side brackets are Steel. Here's a shot of the strengthening gussets welded to them. A nice added detail.

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The spacers that come with the hardware are solid aluminum! (I originally expected them to be plastic)
All of the hardware that you need to install this comes with it. A very high quality kit for the price!
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Total install time from start to finish, including removing the factory stuff was 55-minutes (and that included stopping to review the install video a couple times to make sure I use the correct spacers and brackets in the correct locations)

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It fits perfectly, with no bending or tweaking of anything required..............Just bolted straight up!

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Just a bit of the Catalytic Converter exposed now............
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Access for both drain plugs through the openings.

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SkunkWorks

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Two screws to remove the front cover for easy access to the Oil Filter.

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It is super solid! Very happy with it for the price................ I'm confident that I could jack the bike up with it if I needed to...........

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This is all the stuff that was removed, and all the factory hardware. I weighed it after I took it all off 1lb-3oz.
That brings the net total of added weight with this Skid-Plate to 8lbs-3oz.. (or about $1.92/ounce :p)

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WJBertrand

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That’s a great looking plate! First I’ve heard of it myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

MFP

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I never knew T-Rex Racing made a skid plate for S10s.
That oil filter access panel is pretty functional but I wonder how it would react to a direct impact by a rock or other solid, stationary object.
Checked out T-Rex Racing’s website and they have a pretty interesting looking crash-bar setup for S10s.
Looking forward to your review of the skid plate as you put more miles on your Super Tenere.
 
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SkunkWorks

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Not bad. Where are the rear attachment points? They’re not easy to see in the pics.
The one on the right side uses the factory bolt that attaches the Catalytic Converter to the frame bracket. (where MFP pointed out)

The one on the left uses a bracket to attach it to the Side-stand bracket using one of the factory bolts.
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Xclimation

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Looks perfect! I've personally met the owner of T-Rex. He is a good person and cares. He scrutinizes his products carefully and tests many of them himself. Have Mercy!...check out those crash bars for our bikes! Wish these were out when I was shopping for skid plate/crash bars!!!
 

Cycledude

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The skid plate looks VERY WELL made ! But I do wonder what kind of effect it has on cooling ?

The stainless steel crash bars look great and stainless is a lot tougher than regular steel. I wonder if the crashbars interfere with removing the battery cover ?
 

SkunkWorks

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The skid plate looks VERY WELL made ! But I do wonder what kind of effect it has on cooling ?
Have not had a chance to ride with it yet. We've had a bit of cold spell here in Colorado.
I'm hoping to get out next week or weekend possibly.
 
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