Skidplate question

Mellow

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Aside from price,

The Altrider skidplate is all solid metal-to-metal contact.

The MO-Tech skidplate is Metal but has rubber dampeners.

I have no DS experience so I'm wondering which seems to be a better approach. Not trying to pit vendor against vendor, just wanting to understand the advantages of one over the other so I can make a better informed buying decision.

TIA
 

ptfjjj

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Interesting observation. I wonder if the dampners would allow for minor impacts with a return to original position verses the pure metal brackets bending to a new deformed position during multiple minor impacts. :-\
 

switchback

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First, rubber damping is never a bad thing but I do have issues with the SW plate. IMO you should never mount a skid plate to the side cover bolts. Putting stress to those bolts could cause other issues. I lice the Altrider setup because it is mounted to hard parts. The Hepco Becker is also another option that looks like a good choice.
 

jajpko

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I'm not saying this to start an argument.. The ALTrider skid plate is only about 40.00 more
and it is made in the USA. I will buy from over seas vendors if I have to, but will always try to help
the local economy and the country first. ymmv
 

jajpko

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Sorry, I thought they had lowered the price to around 302.00 when they changed the thickness
of the plate. I still bought it anyway. 8)
 

motocephalic

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japako said:
I'm not saying this to start an argument.. The ALTrider skid plate is only about 40.00 more
and it is made in the USA. I will buy from over seas vendors if I have to, but will always try to help
the local economy and the country first. ymmv
amen!
 

keeponriding

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Agree on the buy American...and the shipping price on the AltRider skid plate to KY was $38....certainly made me take notice. The shipping on the Hepco Becker was $5...at flat rate.
 

jajpko

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Wow. That is totally not right. I will have to check the shipping for my order.
 

jajpko

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Ok, I have checked my shipping and it is not that much. I ordered a total of 1030.00, consisting of
6 pieces. Givi mounting kit, crash bars, skid plated, master cyl. guard, u joint guard, and luggage rack.
The total shipping with insurance is 64.91.

In my opinion that is not that high. Heck, I am paying Micatech much more than that for my side cases. :'(

You may want to call them for a shipping quote and maybe they will ship USPS?
 

ptfjjj

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switchback

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Edited my posts (trusted my Google search). HB Skid plate is not available yet. As for the buy American philosophy I will always buy American if a product is equal or better quality and a similar cost. Many of Alt Rider's products are fairly competitive but some stuff does seem a bit high considering I am comparing products from Germany, the king of inflated prices. I gladly bought the Micatech's because of the reviews and expect the product will be superior to others.
 

keeponriding

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I want the AltRider engine guard, as I prefer that design over all others I've seen: The shipping on that (again, to KY) was over $60 the cheapest way! At least, based on the estimate in the shopping cart.

I like the design and will probably still buy it....and will take your advice and call direct...it might be a problem with the shopping cart, or might reflect the size and weight of the engine guard.
 

Mellow

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switchback said:
First, rubber damping is never a bad thing but I do have issues with the SW plate. IMO you should never mount a skid plate to the side cover bolts. Putting stress to those bolts could cause other issues. I lice the Altrider setup because it is mounted to hard parts. The Hepco Becker is also another option that looks like a good choice.
Thanks, that's what I was looking for...

As for purchasing USA products, yeah I will when I can but not gonna split hairs about it on a Japanese motorcycle.. LOL

I like the Altrider crashbars and skidplates myself.
 

colorider

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switchback

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Colorider, That link refers to the crash bars (also a decent product). Look at the description, it is the same mistake I made originally.
 

vnp514

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keeponriding said:
I want the AltRider engine guard, as I prefer that design over all others I've seen: The shipping on that (again, to KY) was over $60 the cheapest way! At least, based on the estimate in the shopping cart.

I like the design and will probably still buy it....and will take your advice and call direct...it might be a problem with the shopping cart, or might reflect the size and weight of the engine guard.
I like their gear too but sure would like to be able to take the side panels off w/o having to take the crash bars off. :(

Pete
 

fredz43

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