Hi Everyone,

I'm manufacturing a skid plate and brake line guard for the KLX. I will be selling these once we get a few tests complete. I was hoping to get some input from some of you who have already purchased a skid plate or brake line guard.

There are two styles of skid plates currently available, which do you prefer:

#1


#2


I have read that some of you were not happy with the mounts. I am going to set this up so there will not be any clamps, just bolt on. I will also incoroporate an oil drain hole. Other than that, how do you feel about the fit and finish of the ones you purchased? Which brand do you have?

The brake line guard is simple and I'll have some ready by the end of next week. I am also working on a reinforcement for the subframe, so that you can carry a little more weight on the luggage rack. Once, the bugs are worked out on these I will start working on some KLR items and other bikes as well.

Any feed back on your current skid plates would be helpful.

Thanks,

 

You need to post what those two plates look on our bikes, I am leaning toward the one that protects the water pump.

 

Hey Mike - my preference would be the style of #1 with some wrap-around protection for the radiator hoses.

I have the MSR skid plate and have been happy with it so far. However, if there was a reasonably priced option for the wrap-around design at near that price-point, I would have purchased it instead. Th MSR skid plate uses frame clamps and while I didn't have a problem with them, I would have prefered a more direct bolt-on if that was possible.

I'm also interested in rear subframe supports - it'd be nice to be able to load up the back end a bit more for camping / weekend trips. Ideal would be some framing to hold some panniers. I've gone so far as to remove the side panels, take some photographs from all angles, and draw up some possibilities.

It's funny you should post this, though, as I've been considering do something simlar. But only due to the lack of existing products for our bikes. If options are already available at reasonable prices. I'd be just as happy to buy yours rather than make my own.

 

Deej, I will hopefully have some pics next week of these mounted. I'm just trying to get a general idea of the majorities preference.

Brian, I'm planning on pricing these a little cheaper than any of the competition, and after some more R&D they will hopefully have a better fit and protection than any of the others.

I don't want to sell any subframe supports until I have some testing out of the way. I probabably won't have any for sale until middle of Sept.

Thanks for your input,

 

You've probably already accounted for this, but just in case don't forget about the coolant drain plug. With the MSR skid plate, it is a little hard to get a funnel up there and if you don't have your funnel right under the outlet, the fluid stream catches the skid plate and splatters all over the place. Don't ask me how I know this. I'd recommend a fairly large cut-out in that area, simlar to that for the oil drain plug.

I'd be happy to be a beta tester for you.

 

im up for orderin both... #1 would be my preference for the skid plate... the wraparound is definitely a necessity as rocks kicked up from the front tire are always pinging off everything in that area when im riding. will you be announcing in this forum when and if you have a finished product and are prepared to take orders?

 

My vote is #1. Same reason as jsac.

 

I vote #1 also. My guess is "most" will vote this way.

I'm also very interested in the subframe support so I can strap camping gear on there! Schweeet!

 

Thanks for all the input. I agree that the wrap around would be best, I'm going to develop both, but the wrap around will be first. I want to be sure that I'm happy with the product before I sell any. I do have a couple of product testers lined up who will receive the first Beta Units.

I'll have a website setup by Sept for ordering, and I'll make sure everyone on this forum gets them at discount 20-25%. The skidplate will retail for about $60 and the brake-line guard for $20-$25. I'm still in the planning stages for the subframe support, so I can't estimate what it will cost yet.

 

#1 is nice, but this one is better . . . . .