How much of a pain in the butt is an oil change with the factory skidplate?

[Wrathchild]

Sorry for all the probably stupid questions, I am just new to this bike.
My Vstrom became a friggin nightmare to get the drain plug back into with my SW-Motech skid plate. Am I in for the same level of cursing and throwing the ratchet across the garage with the ST and the factory skid plate?

 

[Dogdaze]

Are you referring to the plastic unit that comes as standard? If so, it's 4 bolts, 2 x hex and 2 x 10mm, but that's just to get to the oil filter, you could drain the oil without taking off the skidplate...
Be really careful threading the drain bolts back in, some have experienced cross threading and possible overtightening

 

[Wrathchild]

Are you referring to the plastic unit that comes as standard? If so, it's 4 bolts, 2 x hex and 2 x 10mm, but that's just to get to the oil filter, you could drain the oil without taking off the skidplate...
Be really careful threading the drain bolts back in, some have experienced cross threading and possible overtightening

No the Yamaha metal one. Heard on the be careful about crossthreading, thanks for the heads up.

 

[EricV]

Well, the Yamaha metal skid plate isn't that bad to remove, but it's just bolted to the cast aluminum sump in (5) places with rubber isolators. The bigger issue with it is that an impact that isn't hard enough to damage the skid plate can tear out the mounting points on the sump. The rear mount point is especially prone to this. And by tear out, I mean break a chunk out of the cast aluminum sump, causing a massive oil leak.

It's fine for a gravel guard, but not so good if you expect it to take a hit against a pot hole, large rock or branch you just ran over.

Your call on your riding and protection needs. There are frame mounted skid plates available too. ACD, Ride On ADV and Rumbux, (Rumbux is a full system approach with crash bars/engine bars plus the skid plate).

 

[RCinNC]

I always take the debris shield off when I'm changing the oil; it just makes life easier to reach everything.

 

[Cycledude]

I believe the aluminum skid plate on my bike is held in place with 3 small bolts with 10mm heads, 2 in the front and one at the rear. It’s actually pretty easy for me to remove or reinstall it. The level of protection probably ain’t much for a serious off roader but that ain’t me, getting in or out of a campground is about the extent of my off roading.
The stock black plastic Yamaha shield is also very easy to remove or replace, just four small easy to get at fasteners.