skidplate or not?

[ky 2stroker]

for all the trail riders in here, who runs a rear swingarm skidplate and who doesnt? I know it may sound like common sense to run one, but the skid plate I have for my R is kind of a hinderance. the way its made I guess to cover the suspension linkage and stuff, it hangs down pretty low and alot of times acts like a shovel scoop and it digs into the ground sometimes and gets me hung up, especially when im in trails with deeps ruts. and my ground clearance with it on is like 3 1/2 to 4 inches at the lowest point. and it beats and bangs on rocks and stuff all the time.

but when I dont run my skid plate, I got like 5 1/2 to 6 inches of clearance to the bottom of the chain and brake rotor. I do ride alot without it sometimes and ive never had a problem so far with hitin stuff. but then again its almost like drivin a car with out insurance i guess lol.

so, who runs one and who doesnt?

theres a pic of mine with the skid plate. see how it hangs down low in the front part?

[climb any hill]

I definately run one on the Banshee & learned it the hard way. I eyed out this climb & went for it, but little did I know the top was really rocky. My chain guide took a big hit, threw my chain off & chipped my brake disc which at away at my brakes. Not too bad, everything was repairable. I found me a nice used skidplate $25 Shipped & I'll never have that problem again. The day after I got the skid I went riding, the carrier would of taken a big hit while hauling back down from another climb. The skid serves it's purpose, manditory for the trails!!!!! My skid bends upwards so I don't have the digging problem like yours.

[ndaningburg]

I have a 02 blaster and the only skid plate i am running with is the small one that hugs tight up under the sprocket. I go threw a lot of mud and shit and have never had any trouble with it catching up. I usually follow my buddy on his 4 polk 700 Polaris and i walk threw everything he does. IMO i would rather have about 3/4" less clearance on my wheeler than to have to buy a new chain, and sprocket.

[erik6767]

run a skidplate unless you want bent broken sprocket/ brake rotor and an early end to your days ride

[banshee lover 2]

i run a chassis skid plate but i ride more dunes than trails most of the time

[ky 2stroker]

well I fixed my skidplate problem. I had a extra skidplate that was on my other swingarm and I modified it to where it bolts up alot closer to the frame. I got a whole lot more clearance now and Im pretty sure I wont have any trouble with the front of it digging in the ground anymore when im in the ruts.