what are the best skidplates?

[joe250]

I am needing some skidplates, and was wonndering what kind is the best? I have a 250ex so i don't think i have very many choices. I can get a dg plates, but i was wondering how the maier skid plates work. Thanks for your help.

[400exRacerX]

I run all AC skids. Infact I'm pretty pissed right now because I just wrecked my AC after it being 1 1/2 years old. I just kept bending it back and it finally snapped off it the trails. Its a great swingarm skid and only costed my 80 bucks.

[kc 300EX]

Protec makes the best skids, 1/8" stainless steel. Ive had mine for about 2 years, its taken a POUNDING, hasnt bent yet, its awsome

[400exRacerX]

I had a protect, you don't know what a pounding is. How about hitting a rock 7inches high directly at the skidplate pinned in 4th gear getting ready to go into 5th? How about hitting a jump in 3rd gear getting 7ft of air and then landing directly on a rock? Thats a pounding.

[Poncho]

I have Prm shids on my 300ex.

[Red Rooster]

Maier plastic skids are realy pretty nice. The dont crack. Well unless they are subjected to the use posted above. Thats totally wild!!! but i don't know if it is available for the 250ex yet

[kc 300EX]

I happen to know what a pounding is..................maybe Im wrong, the Protec might be too strong, the bars that it boldts to under the swingarm, yeah, there cracked, majorly, I have no doubt my swing arm will snap before my skid plate, dont get it, youre right, its too strong, bend the soda can one back into place after every ride instead

[300exHILLER]

I have a 300ex and my cousin has a 250ex, his father a raptor we all have full skid plates from PRM they are toughest I've ever used and they are made from aircraft metal of some sort. Check them off the links pages you will not be disappointed.

[joe250]

Prm makes skids for the 250ex? How much do they go for? I would be thinking about the swingarm and full body. Unless the stock swingarm gaurd is good..does it suck?

[300exHILLER]

Yes just go to www.prm-atv.com click on honda and scroll down to the 250ex section. It has pictures and prices for all their products, to order just call the 800 number at the bottom of the page.

The stock skid plate SUCKS big time if that plate hits where the rear end is and breaks that I believe it will cost some big $$$$$$ to replace

Pro-tec skidplate are the best, I have hit some serious stuff with mine and it is still as good as new. It bolted up nicely and looks good. The only drawback is that it is kind of heavy.

[NJ300ex]

I have both the prm and protect. The prm is on my 300ex and the protect has not yet been mounted on my 400ex(its getting powdercoated). They seem equeally strong but the protect gives more ground clearence. Time will tell but i am guessing the protect and the prm will last the same amount of time.

[Braff1]

I built a full chassis and a-arms skid plate myself. I went to a metal shop here in town and bought enough aluminum (1/4" thick ) for 32.00$. I just made a template out of cardboard and used a sawzall and grinder to shape it to fit my 400 ex. I will probably buy a skid for my swing arm because I don't have the means to weld aluminum.

[Canidule250r]

carbon fiber skidplates look nice

[R-Crazy]

if you decide to get AC or DG, buy it from the Chaparral magazine, not the site. The magazine is dirt cheap with almost no shipping and handleing. BTW, i have a PRM swing arm skidplate

dave

[K_Fulk]

I have always had good luck with prm.They hold up good. There prices have gone up in the last year but there still the best bargin for the money.

Where can someone get the stainless steel (Pro tec) skid plate at?:confused: I think I'll try one of those out, now that I went through my PRM. The PRM is a very good quality, and lasted through some hard beatings, but I would like to try out one of those stainless skid plates.

[NJ300ex]

I got mine through the dealer but instead of their normal low prices I got it for 10 bucks more than normal. I didn't have to pay shipping though. You can call protect and order one. Their number is 317-467-1701. I believe the normal price is $120 and they also have a website but it doesn't have very much on it.

Thanks Mike (NJ300ex)!:)
I just placed my oder through them. (Protect Fabrications)
www.protectfabrications.com

The material is 1/8" stainless versus normal 3/8" aluminum most aftermarket skid plates are made of. I'm also told the stainless steel is heavier than the aluminum, even though it is 1/3 the thickness of aluminum. They had it in stock...... cool. Now for the test........

[NJ300ex]

Yeah it is heavier than the prm on my 300ex. The protection is well worth it though. i think i might wiegh it later and see the difference.

[Dave400ex]

I want to know how the Pro-Tect holds up. I think when my AC is Trash, I will get a Pro-Tec if they last long.

For your information:
PRM skid plate for 400ex weighed 5.30 pounds.
ProTect skid plate for 400ex weighs 6.95 pounds.

[upstate rider]

Called pro-tec today prices for bottom skidplate and swing arm $135.00 and $120.00 for 250ex . does anyone feel there worth the extra money compared to prm's $84.95 and $89.95. Protect says there top quality thats why they cost more. They aslo says they will be coming out with front and rear bumpers in about 2 months for 250ex. Should I hold off for pro-tec or go with all prm's

I love my Pro-Tec skidplate no regrets at all, definately worth the money in my mind.

[Dave400ex]

I think they are well worth it. When my AC Skids are Trash I will be going with Pro-Tect. Bill Ballance runs these Skids also. If they hold up for Him, they should hold up for Anybody. Go for the Pro-Tects.

[NJ300ex]

Pretty much every pro GNCC racer uses protect skids.

[upstate rider]

Thanks for the replys

[Scott]

strength wise, the pro-tect and prm's are about equal (comparing aluminum to aluminum) Both use 6061 T-6 aluminum. With them basically being equal in everything except price, I'd go with the PRM swingarm skid and Baja bumper.

Ex'Marlin: ProFab should have sent you the B&M stainless steel skid, just as strong, and cheaper than the pro-tect. I have one on mine, they are 3/16 thick 304 SS, gussetted, and polished. Definitely strong. Probably stronger than my swing arm... I've ridden in WV, KY, and OH. Most rocks were Livingston KY. My skid barely has a scratch on it.

For a full length, I would recommend checking into making your own. I would also say if you go with aluminum, use either the 6061 T-6, or even better is the 7075 T-6 aluminum. The 7000 series is unbelievably strong compared to the 6000 series. I used some 1/8" 7075 T-6. The stuff is almost bullet proof.

Now that I have a digi camera, maybe I can clean my quad up a little and snap a couple pics to show you guys some of these parts that I have had good luck with.

Durablue came out with a new Hammer Force skidplate.
..."Light weight. Exclusive aircraft quality urethane looks beter, lasts longer. Returns to original shape after deflectling rocks."

It looks like its really nice!
Page 110 in the April issue of Dirtwheels.
next skidplate i buy, i might try this one

Im have a dg swingarm skid and a ac full skid. I like the ac a lot more. the dg is bending from all the pounding.

Scott, I have not heard of Profab. I just reviewed www.profabatv.com is this who you are referencing? I also have not heard of B&M, got information on them?? . (Wow, there are alot of companies out there!!!)

I recently got the Pro-Tect stainless steel one, I didn't know that there was another manufacturer of stainless steel skid plates. With shipping, my 400ex skid plate from www.protectfabrications.com was $145. The skid plate did not come polished, unlike what yours (Scott) did.:(

Scott, I'm not aware of Pro-tect making aluminum skid plates.:confused: I don't know how to compare Pro-tect with PRM yet..... Need some time out on the "rough" trails. But the Pro-tects are alot more money!:eek:

[Scott]

Yes, profabatv is who I was meaning. The owner is Scott Smith. He carries the B&M Racing stuff. B&M is just starting out. You can see their tie rods on pro-fab's website, I can't remember what all else he has pictured on there.

Obviously Pro-Tect is a good skid, the B&M is about $20 cheaper, and is polished (like I already told you) and is 1/16" thinker. I don't think that thickness will matter, maybe the gussetts, but not 1/16".

As for aluminum Pro-tects, I don't know, I was just going by what the other guys have posted in this thread. I haven't used a pro-tect. Someone I know did and managed to crunch it up, but it took a whole season of hare scrambles in the A class to destroy it. He's going to run a B&M this year, so we'll see if he can destroy it...

I have used the PRM products and the B&M. Both of which I like. But, that B&M is HEAVY compared to an aluminum skid.

[bakerboyz]

I just ordered the Moose swingarm plates for the 250EX from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/index.asp

You need to order the ones for the Recon (moose said they fit the 250ex). they cost $66 and are aluminum.

I saw them at my local dealer and they look strong. He wanted $100.

I'll let you know how they work out.

[waloud]

I just ordered the PRM for the 250ex. They should be in this weekend. I'll let you know what I think.

[rob-u/21]

to mee OMF skid plates are the best. They make two skid plates the Standard race or the pro series, the pro series is a lot more expensive than the std. or any other skid plate. I would go with the standard race skid plate.

[Dave400ex]

I want to know how the B&M and Pro-Tect Skids hold up for you Guys that have them. I will be Buying a B&M or Pro-Tect if my AC gets all Trashed.

[FoxRacer400ex]

Just because DG is the most expensive doesnt mean it is the best. I know someone who had to drill their own holes in the DG skid so it would fit and someone who lost a DG swingarm plate 3 times just going through a cornfeild. For $65 I got an Armadillo swing arm skid which is 1/4 inch thick and went on in about 5min.

[NJ300ex]

DG isn't the most expensive and no one said it was the best.

[Scott]

Wariorman: I'll post it on here if I have any troble with any of the stuff I buy. So I guess that means I'm "field testing" the PRM baja bumper, B&M swing arm skid, and denton stabilizer.

[Dave400ex]

Thanks Scott. I want to figure out which is Better, Pro-Tect or B&M Racing. I also want to know what you think of the Denton Steering Stabilizer. Did you get the Rebuildable Denton?

[mopar 400]

Warrior man, I have two 400's, the first has a full set of DG skid plates and the second has a full set of PRM. I ride a little harder than my Dad, so my PRM skids take a lot more beating than the DG on my dads bike. Mine have held up tons better. It is a night and day difference. We also both have the Denton stabilizers. They are both the rebuildable ones. Well worth the money. The only thing that is a little tricky is to mount them up correctly. They come with a small picture in the instructions, yet I mounted ares way different. They both work great.

[Dave400ex]

I want to get the Rebuildable Denton Stabilizer for Sure. I`m going to get Elka Front Shocks and have the Rear Rebuilt first. Then I might get Carbon Fiber Rims all around with Razrs. I need a lot of Money. I want a Stabilizer too.

[Scott]

The stabilizer is a good investment. Well worth the money. There are a few that are similar, the Denton, Pep, and Speed Racing Muscle.

[Dave400ex]

I like the Aluminum looks of the Denton.

Are aftermarket swingarms generally drilled to receive the stock (or stock fastener pattern) skidplate? I have a WB plate on mine, but I'm sure I'll destroy it by the time I get a new swingarm, and when that happens, I'll buy a pro-tec for it. Anyways, just curious about the drilling.


Thanks

[upstate rider]

Called pro-fab they have no skidplates in stock for 250ex and there waiting for new catalog to come in , before they will give me prices. I sent them emails at 1st with no replys and asked them if they received them , yes they did ....... why no email back ? who ever I talked to on the phone knew nothing had to wait for him to go ask someone else for not very good answers , have to wonder about there customer service

[Scott]

Sorry to hear about that. Scott has been pretty quick to respond to any of my emails. It's too bad you didn't get the same. Maybe more of the atv parts retailers need to visit this site so they can all get the message that having clueless goons answering the phones is bad for business. You wouldn't think they'd have to be told that, but...

[Dave400ex]

FatBoy Racing, most of the Aftermarket Swingarms have the Skid Plate Mount. Some of them you can choose to have the Mount or Not. I know you can get a Mount on a Houser and Laeger Swingarm.