$75 ebay swinger skid review

[rcatvrider]

While rescently in the market for an affordable swinger skid that offered as much protection as the stock skid(linkage included), I came across these.Ebay swinger skid (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390175647152&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT) I bought one and got to install it today. My initial impressions are great, for the price it looks well made and a strong design. The only thing I will have to watch is the chain guide rubber is only held on by a few rivets. The install was easy, all of the bolt holes lined up perfectly. When bolted on the quad, it appears the chain skid has about the same clearance as stock, but there is some visible loss of clearance on the brake side. I will have to see how much more noticeable the hangups are when riding. Well that's my initial impressions, I will post more when I actually get to ride with it. Now for the pics.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/400ex/022.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/400ex/skid002.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/400ex/skid003.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/400ex/skid004.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/400ex/skid005.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/tamiyakid/400ex/skid006.jpg

[Xplorer99]

pretty good price and looks well made, would that fit a lonestar swingeram? i might have to get one...

[aDviSol2y]

Thank you for posting this! I have been looking at skids, and this one was high on my list but I was a little concerned about clearance. This does not seem to be too bad.

[rcatvrider]

Long-term results: Don't buy it. Its still protecting my chain and brake rotor but is badly bent and rubbing on both sides. Most of the welds are cracked/broken.

[matts27]

I busted the heck outta mine. Barely made it 1 summer. You'll bend the brake side so bad it start tearing at the welds. But, had a PRM that ended up the same as the Ebay skid but the PRM lasted 2 seasons. Just my experience. Matt

[toby400ex]

Unless its made of stainless steel, a skid-plate of that design has a life of maybe 1 year of serious abuse, 2-3 for average trail riding. Spending the extra cash for a Pro-Tec stainless skid-plate is worth it. Do it right the first time.

[Pipeless416]

if people are interested in running a skid, but they need ground clearance, definitely consider the gt thunder skid. however, it does not offer linkage protection because that section is cut out for use with their xc link.

[CJM]

Still aint bent my pro armor skid, its scratched up but is 1/4 inch thick AL and the it is mostly bent up not welded (much stronger actually). Imho the thicker the better.

[nelzar13]

thats the same skid i bought about a months ago.. looks perty. but i dont think its gonna hold up for more than a year......i think im in the market for the sprocket gaurd and brake rotor gaurd style!

[DoonRider]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
if people are interested in running a skid, but they need ground clearance, definitely consider the gt thunder skid. however, it does not offer linkage protection because that section is cut out for use with their xc link.

You have a picture of that one that you could post?

[jgar]

Originally posted by CJM
Still aint bent my pro armor skid, its scratched up but is 1/4 inch thick AL and the it is mostly bent up not welded (much stronger actually). Imho the thicker the better.

X2
I always make sure that the skid plate is tight before I go out. On a few day trips it has taken such a beating that 2 of the bolts fell out. Occasionally I will remove it and tweak it back into shape with a 5lb hammer. So far it has held up for 3 yrs. of riding rocky trails.

[rcatvrider]

Having linkage protection is pretty crucial to me so that rules out gtt's skidplate unfortunately. The pro tect is 150 bucks though. Better not bend at that price.