AltRider Skid Plates Reviews

I have to be careful how I word this.  I think this particular skid plate that covers just the GS/GSA for years '05-'12 is decent and probably works very well for a lot of riders who maybe aren't as "large" as me and who have adequate suspension and maybe don't take their bikes on as severe terrain as I do.

I am 6'4" and weigh about 235 and until I upgraded my suspension, I was whacking the heck out of this plate and it was coming off with regularity.  I was getting really tired of putting it back on over and over again.  The mounting bolts aren't cheap either.  To be fair, AltRider says this is exactly how a skid plate is designed to function.  They are shear bolts meant to shear before any actual damage to the engine case occurs.  They say a competing skid plate may appear to solve that, but introduces other issues with rocks getting stuck underneath and then being pushed up into the engine case on the next whack (hasn't happened to me though yet).

On the other hand, I've heard their new plate for the LC series of GS/GSA is really spectacular.  They no longer rely on that engine case attachment system (I think they saw the light) and spread that load out much better.  I think it's also supposed to integrate well with various crash bars and makes changing the oil much easier.  People say it looks great on the new LC too.  I'd rate that one but I don't ride that model (yet) so I have no real experience there.

This review is specific to the Yamaha Super Tenere version of the AltRider Skid Plate.

Yes, my bike is dirty. It prefers it that way. The way I see it a layer of mud and dirt on the bike protects the finish underneath!

This skid plate is bullet proof! It has taken some pretty hard knocks on the trail - from simple rocks getting thrown up from the front tire (and no I'm not talking about pebbles) to hard, bone-jarring, bottom-outs on the rocks of Utah. This plate can take some serious abuse, and is pretty much a must have if you plan on riding your Tenere on anything but pavement. That poor little oil filter up there, waaaay out front, would have been decimated ages ago. Either that, or the bottom of my case would be gone returning the oil back from whence it came in the earth of Southern Utah.

On the oil note. The product description at AltRider says you can change the oil, but not the filter with the skid plate on. You indeed can change the oil; although, it is a bit difficult to do without making a big mess. I made two funnels out of the tops of two mini, plastic, coke bottles to place in the holes of the skid plate lined up below the drains (See pic). I did manage to completely change the oil without getting a drop of oil on the plate.

I've been told by another owner that it is actually possible to remove/replace the oil filter with the skid plate in place, but I have not confirmed that myself, and can imagine it would make a NASTY mess.

Man I wish I had this skid plate before attempting Golar Wash on my R1200GSA... I smashed my stock skid plate into my header, completely closing it off on the left hand side! Thank goodness for a crossover tube! The stock skid was now resting against my OIL filter... man that was a close call. 

This skid mount to the OEM mounting brackets. I recommend you always cary a spare set of rubber bumpers, front support brace and bolts. I have sheered this plate off my bike three times, but is has kept me protected! 

Perfect bends, beautiful welds... great piece of art which protects the motor of your bike.

Necessity!