[richlandrick]

I have noticed over the years that people's opinion of the Givi skidpan depends greatly on the riders mission for the bike. Those with harsh comments about it seam to want a substantial skid pan for heavy duty use, like crossing logs and needing to support the bike, and assume anything less is unacceptable. There has also been a tendency to assume that everyone should want a heavy duty skid pan like they want and anything less is "junk" presumably because it will not hold up for challenging single track.

Those who do not need a heavy duty skid plate often love it. I just got a call yesterday from someone who loves his Givi engine protector and wanted to tell me so. I also believe these riders makes up about 98% (SWAG) of V-Strom owners.

In the end it always comes down to why the owner thinks he (or maybe why they think everyone) should want a skid pan. My personal opinion is the Givi is a viable choice for anyone not riding challenging single track and concerned with protecting their oil filter from flying stones and debris. It is a much better choice for its mission than a skid pan that looks like, and sold as an off-road skid pan that mounts to the engine side case bolt mounting points. They have been proven to be able take a hit, transfer the shock to those side cases and crack and/or break those side cases. Examples exist here on Stromtrooper.

It would also be smart to dwell on the logic behind any other rugged (e.g., thick, strong) skid plate that mounts to the side cases. That is not the same as mounting to the lower spare engine mount on the bottom of the engine. That point is much more robust than the engine side case bolt holes.

Which leads to an even greater possibility for that majority of owners that has not yet been explored.

 

[Highwayman2016]

I have the Givi and it's certainly not junk. It's light duty protection for the bottom of the engine. I have been on rocky dirt roads with stones banging off it and was glad to have it there. If I were to think about more rugged off road work, I would get a beefier plate.

 

[Ernest T]

I have noticed over the years that people's opinion of the Givi skidpan depends greatly on the riders mission for the bike. Those with harsh comments about it seam to want a substantial skid pan for heavy duty use, like crossing logs and needing to support the bike, and assume anything less is unacceptable. There has also been a tendency to assume that everyone should want a heavy duty skid pan like they want and anything less is "junk" presumably because it will not hold up for challenging single track.

Those who do not need a heavy duty skid plate often love it. I just got a call yesterday from someone who loves his Givi engine protector and wanted to tell me so. I also believe these riders makes up about 98% (SWAG) of V-Strom owners.

In the end it always comes down to why the owner thinks he (or maybe why they think everyone) should want a skid pan. My personal opinion is the Givi is a viable choice for anyone not riding challenging single track and concerned with protecting their oil filter from flying stones and debris. It is a much better choice for its mission than a skid pan that looks like, and sold as an off-road skid pan that mounts to the engine side case bolt mounting points. They have been proven to be able take a hit, transfer the shock to those side cases and crack and/or break those side cases. Examples exist here on Stromtrooper.

It would also be smart to dwell on the logic behind any other rugged (e.g., thick, strong) skid plate that mounts to the side cases. That is not the same as mounting to the lower spare engine mount on the bottom of the engine. That point is much more robust than the engine side case bolt holes.

Which leads to an even greater possibility for that majority of owners that has not yet been explored.

This is a salient point and an issue I brouht in my first post. The Ravetech uses an exhaust and side stand bolt for the rear mounting point and the spare engine mount on the bottom of the engine for the front mount. It's much thicker than I thought it would be too.

 

[richlandrick]

3mm (0.125") same as the Givi. A useful oil filter guard for flying stones.

Also a great DIY project, except for the bracket that runs from exhaust bolt to the side stand bolts, but that could be fabricated by a DIY type on a cold winter day.

 

[rdmnt2002]

Morning Troopers,

A quick note to share my thoughts on the Ravetech Mini Skid Plate. It came in yesterday. Extremely well packaged and it looks like it is high quality. The hardware seems good and the powder coat was thick and consistent. Photos with step by step installation instructions are included. Installation was easy. The only remotely negative comment I have is in regards to the factory lower plastic cowl. It does fit over the skid plate and looks awesome when installed, but, it barely fits....you have to do a little tugging and pulling to get it to fit. It is about as close to not fitting as you can get.

As far as my thoughts on how "functional" it is...... I am an avid dirt biker. So, I am familiar with big log crossings and that kind of thing. The mounting brackets for this skid plate would bend and buckle if you ever put the weight of the bike on it - during a log crossing or in an attempt to get over a large obstacle. But, I do believe that if you misjudged the height of a rock or did not account for suspension loading, the Ravetech Mini could take a light to moderate strike without deforming the bracket or placing too much force on the engine case - which this plate does bolt to. I think the bracket would bend before the case would be damaged because it uses the hole that goes all the way through the case....not just an engine cover bolt.

Anyway, I think it will be perfect for what I intend to use if for.

All the best,
Ray

 

[Philbytx]

Thanks for the report. I'm not into heavy offroading, more like fire roads and it is nice that it fits under the Suzuki plastic guard...even with a bit of wiggling

 

[Ernest T]

Morning Troopers,

A quick note to share my thoughts on the Ravetech Mini Skid Plate. It came in yesterday. Extremely well packaged and it looks like it is high quality. The hardware seems good and the powder coat was thick and consistent. Photos with step by step installation instructions are included. Installation was easy. The only remotely negative comment I have is in regards to the factory lower plastic cowl. It does fit over the skid plate and looks awesome when installed, but, it barely fits....you have to do a little tugging and pulling to get it to fit. It is about as close to not fitting as you can get.

As far as my thoughts on how "functional" it is...... I am an avid dirt biker. So, I am familiar with big log crossings and that kind of thing. The mounting brackets for this skid plate would bend and buckle if you ever put the weight of the bike on it - during a log crossing or in an attempt to get over a large obstacle. But, I do believe that if you misjudged the height of a rock or did not account for suspension loading, the Ravetech Mini could take a light to moderate strike without deforming the bracket or placing too much force on the engine case - which this plate does bolt to. I think the bracket would bend before the case would be damaged because it uses the hole that goes all the way through the case....not just an engine cover bolt.

Anyway, I think it will be perfect for what I intend to use if for.

All the best,
Ray

Would you contact Ravtech about the fit? I did, but they sort of blew me off as if I was the only one that had an issue. They need to fix it.

 

[rdmnt2002]

Sure will!!!!

 

[Ernest T]

Sure will!!!!

Thanks

 

[Mr. Fern]

The Ravetech mini skid plate is currently out of stock. Darn it.

 

[rihaha]

Do any of these have issues with a center stand? I got the XT touring model that came with the center stand. It will probably take away from ground clearance but I just plan to do light offroad, I have other bikes for the harder stuff.

 

[Ernest T]

Do any of these have issues with a center stand? I got the XT touring model that came with the center stand. It will probably take away from ground clearance but I just plan to do light offroad, I have other bikes for the harder stuff.

no issue with the center stand.

 

[JonathanAU]

Hi guys: I use to have an 2016 650 XT with the Suzuki plastic protector, I have done some off-road with it (AVD really), until I totaled doing off-road of the road, but I never jumped over a log or a hard obstacle. All that being said, the plastic Under Cowling(as Suzuki call it) received some hits by dropping the bike and debris did hit it, but it never broke or show damage other than scratches.
My newer 650 2018 XT came with an B&B bash plate. The plate itself looks like it was taken from a side of a tank. it's a sturdy 5mm aluminium plate. My concern is that it is mounted using the bolts in the exhaust port.
So if I am to go over a log or an obstacle , I am afraid to break the exhaust port bolts

Bash Plate - Suzuki DL650 V STROM

B & B Off Roads Suzuki DL 650 V Strom bash plate is made from 5mm aluminium 5083 plate. This plate is chosen because of its extreme suitability for welding, abrasion and impact resistance, bearing in mind the full weight of the bike and rider. All bash plates are supplied with the necessary...

bboffroad.com.au

Anyone have had this happened to you ?

 

[Motopundit]

Resurecting an old post, I know. Just received my Givi skid plate. I read many people say it's not the most robust, so I kept my expectations low. But this thing looks like it's made from cheese. Even more flimsy than I expected. I suppose it might deflect small rocks and gravel while riding fire roads, but that's about it.

 

[manufagf]

Like others I just wanted some cursory rock protection so I went with the Weld86 plate. Reasonably prices, easy to install, cleans up after an oil change easily too. The oil film keeps the powder coated aluminum from rusting too.

I went with the Weld86 for the same reason. I won't be riding crazy off road stuff, I just wanted some protection from gravel and dirt. If I somehow find myself in terrain that causes me to damage this plate, then I've way worse concerns than the fate of my motorcycle.

Does it mount on frame or engine?