If money's a concern you might want to consider making your own skid plate. I think that's what's on mine (it was on it when I bought it). You could make it out of some high density plastic so it's nice and light. Mine's aluminum.

 

u think diamond plate might work? make it nice n shiny so the mud looks good on it and also there's jsut been mud on the groudn everytiem i ride so i take the opertunity and ride trough it...