Is a skid plate/belly pan protector worth the $$$

[RX1-er-2005]

I'm thinking of purchasing 1 mainly to protect engine, I find the motor very close to the under side and if you happen to either bottom out or hit any objects, BAM you've just dented or bashed the under side of the engine oil pan = DISASTER!

Just wanted your opinions, and I guess they look good to.

The other thing how are they when it comes time for a oil change?

Does the red match with the '05 RX1?

 

[Sled Dog]

I would say they are a must. Only four more nuts to take off for the oil change.

 

[jimmie d]

Only if you hit something on the trail. Yes.

Jim

 

[DoktorC]

It's definetly worth it...the bottom of the engine is VERY close to that plastic peice on the bottom of the sled and it's not much protection!!

 

[DaJudge]

They do not come in a candy red color just the same red as other non candy color. They dont look too bad, I put one on my '06 Rage.

 

[4Fighter]

I would say they are a must. Only four more nuts to take off for the oil change.

I am thinking of finally getting one (4th season - knock-on-wood).

What about removing the small cover and drilling a hole in the skid-plate to gain access. Then cover the hole with an autobody plug.

 

[DoktorC]

I would say they are a must. Only four more nuts to take off for the oil change.

I am thinking of finally getting one (4th season - knock-on-wood).

What about removing the small cover and drilling a hole in the skid-plate to gain access. Then cover the hole with an autobody plug.

That is an excellent idea! Yamaha 4 wheelers actually have a cutout for the oil drail plug in the skid plates. I think that would work slick.

 

[ReX]

In my years of sledding I never hit anything or damaged a belly pan so I figured I didn't need the skid plate on the 05 RX-1.

Unfortunately up in Northern Ontario I tried to cross some huge ruts made by one of those tree dragging machines and as I was crossing one of them, the belly pan scraped accross the icy rut.

It pushed the access cover up a little and there is a cast piece at the bottom of the engine that punched a small hole in the cover.

Shortly after I got home I installed a new cover and a skid plate (and haven't scraped over anything since...).

 

[4Fighter]

I would say they are a must. Only four more nuts to take off for the oil change.

I am thinking of finally getting one (4th season - knock-on-wood).

What about removing the small cover and drilling a hole in the skid-plate to gain access. Then cover the hole with an autobody plug.

That is an excellent idea! Yamaha 4 wheelers actually have a cutout for the oil drail plug in the skid plates. I think that would work slick.

 

[change_up]

In my years of sledding I never hit anything or damaged a belly pan so I figured I didn't need the skid plate on the 05 RX-1.

Unfortunately up in Northern Ontario I tried to cross some huge ruts made by one of those tree dragging machines and as I was crossing one of them, the belly pan scraped accross the icy rut.

It pushed the access cover up a little and there is a cast piece at the bottom of the engine that punched a small hole in the cover.

Shortly after I got home I installed a new cover and a skid plate (and haven't scraped over anything since...).

Ya go figure lol another thing that's there only when you don't need it. lol that's a good story though..

PS i think you mean skidder rut

I would put one on anyway... i think they look cool, add a custom look with a few other small add-ons

 

[Sodes]

Skid Plate; hell ya!!!!!

Last year in Wyoming I hit a stup buried in the powder and my sled literally bounced off like a ruber ball sending me at least 10 feet sideways into a drift of powder. The skid plate took the brunt of the impact avoiding what might have been the destuction of my delta box. By bouncing off the skid plate my suspension never came in contact wiht the stump and other than a deep scuff and cut on the plate the sled was not damaged.

 

[p0wd3rp1l0t]

i put a skid plate under my sled last year..and im glad i did, since i always am running over stuff. just makes it nice and smooth underneath there so nothing can catch on the bottom side of the sled

 

[Smokey]

Had a skid plate on my 03 RX1. Hit a rock. The skid plate took alot of the hit. The bulkhead was still damaged but intact. Machine still turned out to be a write off but I drove it from January till the end of the year before I turned it in and got an 04. Had I not have had the skid plate the motor would have been gone and the winter over. Buy one.

 

[Convert]

Had a skid plate on my 03 RX1. Hit a rock. The skid plate took alot of the hit. The bulkhead was still damaged but intact. Machine still turned out to be a write off but I drove it from January till the end of the year before I turned it in and got an 04. Had I not have had the skid plate the motor would have been gone and the winter over. Buy one.

I'm with Smokey buy one i've read a number of stories on here where guys have hit a buried stump or rock and caused serious damage if you go off trail at all it's a necessity. If you stick to the groomed trails maybe not as important but still a good idea. I put a grey one on my Candy apple red 05 along with grey shock covers, matches the grey on the seat and actually looks pretty nice.

 

[revster]

I haven't got my new sled yet but I already have a skid plate for it. It's the first thing that goes on a new sled for me.