Skid plate recommendations

[bigreis]

After doing lots of reading on this site, I have decided I really need to get a skid plate on my Apex... now the question is which one? Has anyone used the Skinz Float Plate, or is the one in the Yamaha accessory book the way to go?

 

[raginyamaha]

yammi accessory one will do fine.... and its easy to install. never put a float plate on tho, for what its worth.

 

[VectorLTX2012]

I put a skid plate on my Vector last week. After drilling out the rivets and then installing the rivnuts I found that the Yamaha plate didn't fit all that well. We needed to over size the holes in the skid plate to get the bolts to line up. Then we needed to grind down some of the edges in the center section to get the plate to sit closer to the under-belly. It took two of us to get it on and I may have to drill the holes larger the next time I need to re-install it after doing the first oil change. The kit comes with a tool to install the rivnuts. I found that tool to work very well. Only tighten three complete turns when installing them. Others on here have used a home made fixture to install. The tool comes with one end shaped like an anvil to form the opening. Hope this information is helpful.


Chester

 

[IH8CROWS]

I have the skinz. I like it.

 

[APEX 06]

The float is more for deep snow then it is for taking a hit.

 

[snowbiscuit]

Vector LTX I went thru this last season with Yamaha's plate for new SE and see things haven't changed. All their latest release of plates are drilled wrong and was told they have no plans to change them. I ended up buying one off Ebay for RX1(old PN) that bolted right up

 

[VectorLTX2012]

Vector LTX I went thru this last season with Yamaha's plate for new SE and see things haven't changed. All their latest release of plates are drilled wrong and was told they have no plans to change them. I ended up buying one off Ebay for RX1(old PN) that bolted right up

Wish I would have known that before I bought and installed mine.

Thanks

Chester

 

[779cookies]

Be careful drilling!!! You can nick some hoses and pipes if you push the drill bit too far in. Belly protector is the first thing I buy when I get a new sled.

 

[VectorLTX2012]

Be careful drilling!!! You can nick some hoses and pipes if you push the drill bit too far in. Belly protector is the first thing I buy when I get a new sled.

That's a good reminder. When I did mine we used a drill stop to limit the amount of penetration we had with the bit.

Chester

 

[Malibu]

I got the big one in the yamaha accessories catalog.works fantastic.big difference in deep snow and easy install.

 

[bigreis]

So long story short... the Yamaha skid plate doesn't fit very well but it provides better impact protection than the Skinz Float Plate (which sounds like it fits well but really isn't a "skid plate")? Are there any other brands out there?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[john10toe]

 

[IH8CROWS]

The skinz float plate is almost a quarter inch thick of that Durable HMW-PE Material.
Appearance wise it looks to be the same material that yamaha uses, but you are also getting the float benefits out of it.

 

[bigreis]

So the float plate should offer sufficient protection? If that is the case, it is hard to argue with spending another $25 on a product that allegedly fits better and offers better deep snow performance. Float plate it is then!

 

[IH8CROWS]

Plus the float plate covers a little more area underneath which equals : More protection and also that is what gives it the ability to help float also.

I got mine from:
http://www.bobscycle.com/browse.cfm/4,1 ... AFF=690FGL

Be aware they also make a light version. I got the regular which the above link goes to.