[quote]
Originally posted by: yfz450Bandit1
You may want to stay w/ the stock skid plate. The plastic will absorb most of the energy. The aluminum skid plate will conduct the energy to the swingarm, which can be damaged easily. I had problems w/ my yfz450 and I heard many stories. Either way here is a good site on parts..... http://www.atvparts.biz/page20yz426.html[/q]

What kind of problems did you have?

 

I ride in the Poconos of PA. It is like riding on 1 bid rock. Our riding club goes out every week and we go about 100 miles/day. Needles to say the yfz was designed as a race quad, not a trail quad. First thing I did was put a skid plate under the chasis and it works great, not a single scratch or dent on the frame. The swing arm was different story. Bought Yamahas after market aluminum skid plate for the swing arm, which came in 2 seperate pieces. After 15 minutes, bottomed out, the first piece broke off, after an hour the second piece broke off. Fortunately all four blots broke off w/ minor damage to the swing arm. I heard of similar stories of major damage to the swing arm. The mounts on the swing arm for the skid plate broke off.

After this day, I went back to the stock skid plate, rode about 800 miles since, never had a problem again. The plastic/rubber material they use on the skid plate flexes and absorbs the energy. Aluminum will be transmitted to a weeker point until it breaks, the energy has to go somewhere. An aluminum skid plate is stronger than the bolts used to hold it on and the mounts that keep it in place.

 

thanks man.... I'll keep that in mind.

LT