(Oil filter rub issue) skidplate question on 09 RTX se

[KHEXX]

I ordered a Roest skid plate a few days ago.

Last season I was running up an old railroad bed and ran over several steel rails hidden under the snow. I was searching for an old trail we used to run so I was moving slow which probably saved my heat exchanger. The bottom of the exchanger took a hit and is now bent but luckily it doesn't leak. I'm hoping the plate adds some additional protection for the frame, engine and exchanger.

Sounds like we have the same problem, mine bent a bit jumping off a snowbank that had a concrete pole hidden in it!!!!! Thank God no leaks!!!

I'm with ya. getting aquanted with mine last year after a neck high dump. clubs basically dont exist and was 10mi north of my own turf where a
landowner put a waist high pointy boulder in the trail entrance at field edge. know way to have known it was there. right into the friggin exchanger. dinged it a little, was surprised it werent worse. wake up call, plastic skidplat isn't gonna cut it with these. I will either buy one soon or make one. gonna look at the roest right now

Ordered mine last night and talked extensively with roest on the phone, found out all the hardware is stainless also!!!!!!

 

[sgilbert]

there, mines on the way. last year was going to make one, but haven't yet and no way I want to deal with it for that price anyways. comes powdercoated and wont waste any of my time screwing around. looking back, I would have done it the minute I bought the sled

 

[grizztracks]

I installed the Roest skid plate. I thought they were a little high on price but after seeing it and doing the install I'm happy I spent the money. It's well made, fits great, eliminates the bottom dart fasteners and should offer significantly better protection than the OEM plate.

The install only took about 30 mins. I also have the subframe gussets welded in so I had to add two more speed nuts to the center plate instead of using the provided lock nuts but overall it's a very easy install.

 

[KHEXX]

Installed the Roest skidplate last night...simply amazing! Easy install and fit and finish is impeccable!! Well worth the $.

 

[Mountaintech]

Thanks for the kind words. It is not an easy part to have made.....3 shops and 5 processes.....but the end result is worth it. Another added bonus is that you can run the longer oil filter ( like a Wix 1358...3/4" longer) and still have adequate clearance.

 

[bottlerocket]

I was wondering if there was enough clearance Peter.

 

[wantsnow]

Anybody use the yamaha float plate? I have one sitting in my garage waiting to be installed but not sure if it will provide the protection I need. Anybody use these things? I gotta be honest I think they look cool with the nytro decal on the front. That's what sold me on it but function before beauty right???

 

[Mountaintech]

Anybody use the yamaha float plate? I have one sitting in my garage waiting to be installed but not sure if it will provide the protection I need. Anybody use these things? I gotta be honest I think they look cool with the nytro decal on the front. That's what sold me on it but function before beauty right???

They create more problems than they solve. They do protect but now you are stacking body panels that will end up bulging, and possibly ripping out because ice builds up in between them . Also you have to drill holes through the side panels to access the fasteners to attach it. They have issues with snow and ice build up around the a arms as well. Their solution for this problem is to cut a big hole underneath that area in the float plate?!!! Read this thread to understand the differences.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=92318

PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Littlehoe]

Here is what the float plate did for me... even with a hole cut in it... needless to say it is now sitting in the corner of the shed...

 

[enticeraised]

Yup, i had the same issue Littlehoe. It actually caused the front end to sag two inches lower than OEM when full of ice.

 

[Mountaintech]

Lots of skid plates in stock. Also have one in Yamaha blue available.

 

[Dimebag]

Roest,

I am experiencing ice buildup even with your skid plate. Not as bad as with the oem plate, but still pretty much. The bracket on the subframe is bent pretty much and it looks like its about to pop off any time.

Do you have a solution to this, other than taking it inside to let the ice melt?

Thanks

 

[Mountaintech]

I bring my sled inside to thaw out. If you don't, ice will build up and stay in places like the subframe, tunnel, rear skid, running boards, nose of the sled etc. I will soon be releasing a shorty skid plate that is almost an exact copy of the OEM "engine protector". It will be constructed of 3/16" aluminum and attached with stainless fasteners to protect the sump of the engine and heat exchanger like the one you have now, but does not offer the full length protection of the full length skid plate. I will continue to run the full length one on my personal sled as I think the full length protection is the best.

 

[Dimebag]

I understand,

I am on day 8 of 10 in the mountains now, with no opportunity to melt the ice before i return back home on sunday.

I am going to have 5 x 10 days periods in the mountain this season,
and I'm starting to think that maybe it could be an idea to install a heater element on top of the plate to plug in for some hours to let the ice melt.

I have electricity in the caravan, so thats not an issue.

Have you ever tried something like that?

I guess it would not make things worse.

 

[yamaposer]

skid plate

get a roast plate. Far superior in quality and looks, then no more issues