Just got a new Rancher ES 4x4. Do I need a full length skid plate ? I will be doing trail riding in northern Minnesota... not much for huge rocks, mostly mud ,stumps , etc. Also i see Cabelas has them , but not listed for the Rancher. Will they fit if not listed for my machine?
I enjoy reading the posts...they have been informative in deciding on buying the Rancher. Even though there is the old Ford vs Chev stuff going on. But hey, if we all rode the same machine how could we give our friends grief?
This is my 1st ATV... hope it's as fun as it looks . I sold a 68 Triumph Daytona and 5 honda Trail 90's to get into this.

 

Try atvcharley's. They list them for $99 CDN. That would be about 75 cents american ;-)

Temp

 

Also try HighLifter at www.highlifter.com. That is where I plan to get mine.

 

Hay,,,Sparkie,
The guy that did my Dimond-plate aluminum bash plate might be able to make one out of smouth aluminum for ya alot cheeper (and better) then the spendy ones that are out there. I'm thinking about having an aluminum one done for the Cat. I'll check it out' but ya do need to get one, not only for protection but you wont get hung up when in the deep stuff or have a root or whatever snag on your frame.
Looking forward to the "Red top"
scotto
1999 Arctic Cat 500 & 2000 Arctic Cat 500 Auto
http://photos.yahoo.com/scotto_56374

 

I'd recommend a full length skid plate. My buddies Rancher got "impaled" by a narrow beaver stump. It ripped out his wiring harness for his electric shift. Skid plate would have prevented that.

 

http://prm-atv.com You can see your skid plates here

 

Further to your question regarding a skid plate for your Rancher ... the answer is yes you should have one. It sounds like our respective riding areas are similar and I can assure you that you are going to appreciate the extra protection that a skid plate affords.

As to the type, I have a Maier on my 450 and it works well. Its' weakness is that it starts just after the bash plate therby making it subsceptible to being caught at the edge which is what happened to me yesterday. The impact somehow caught the skid plate and tore it away from the bolts. The result was a plate that ended up sweeping the trail for me.

I have since fixed the plate so that it is functional once again but my next plastic skid plate (for the Rancher) will come from atvcharleys. Their units wrap up and over your bash plate which makes it unlikely that I will see a repeat of what happened to the Maier.

Hope this helps.

Temp

 

I suggest PRM-ATV (Its the sports rider's Favorite), i dunno if ull feel the same

http://www.prm-atv.com
they're not expensive
just dont get DG

 

rbrok, the unit at highlifter is the only way to go. It is very strong and easily installed. The product from atvcharleys is made for those on terrain that is not too agressive.
max

 

max

Given that he said "I will be doing trail riding in northern Minnesota... not much for huge rocks, mostly mud ,stumps , etc. " I would question that he needs to incur the additional expense (and weight) of a metal bash plate. Perhaps you are right but in my limited experience I have found the plastics skidplates to be more than adequate.

Temp