skid plates

[Fastas]

ok this has been a big debate in the mud world. Skid plates or no Skid plates, i prefer skid plates especially in the front i prefer to protect my CV boots from sticks stabbing. Many people feel they clog with mud and make the front end very heavy, and in some cases yes it will. Some have even proclaimed that it will hang up on roots, stumps, and other objects that would not have gotten hung on with the skid plates had not been there. Many ask what does a Skid plate actually do to help an atv, first off it supplies a line of defense for the under carage of the atv, it will protect vital parts of the atv such as oil pan, vital brake lines, CV boots, front and rear differentials, and in some cases even parts of the frame. Second what situations would you be in need of a skid plate, such situations would be rock climbing, rough wood terrain, and even hidden obstacles in mud. So in the long run in my opinion the skid plate is a vital asset to any atv and or even truck.

[Helmut]

Yeah, I think skid plates are beneficial.

[Fastas]

how was the post im trying to make my post more constructive and informative, lots of that came right off the top of my head. So i hope it helped and will help out more in the long run.

[Helmut]

If you don't have some type of protection under your engine, you will end up putting a hole in the crankcase on a rock or something. Same thing goes for both diffs.

[Fastas]

yeah i mentioned that in the post as well, it is very important to protect all aspects of your atv, from the outside to the inside of your quad.

[Helmut]

A lot of times, they will let your ATV slide over things that it would, otherwise, get hung up on.

[Fastas]

not in the mud it doesnt alot of times but, when you do finally get out you can usre see where you were lol

[Helmut]

Yeah, I meant rocks and logs and things. You usually don't have anything to slide over in the mud. LOL.

[Dynamic Graphics]

I would think the disadvantages of the added weight of mud piling up would be greater than that of getting hung up on something. I know when I race, my skid will fill up with mud and the front end sure does dive off of jumps when that happens. And that is not even in a mud race...

[yotaguy]

The impact of the mud build up or hanging up just does not offset the cost of a new engine case skid all the way.