Ravetech skid plate

[Disting]

Hi Jeff

Dont think you will have any issues with the extenda. Pic attached showing clearance with a steel rule inside the original mudguard. No way will it hit.

Definitely recommend this skid plate, feel like I could bash it with a sledgehammer and it wouldn't damage it. I like the muck guard bit too, stops all the crap going up in the front of the engine.

 

[WJBertrand]

Thanks for the photo.


-Jeff

 

[AZ Dean]

Anyone running this plate? Interested to hear how it's holding up.

 

[Disting]

Doing great on my bike.

 

[WJBertrand]

Just pulled the trigger on one. This time when I went in the shipping was ~$46, better than the $70 number I got before. Maybe the manufacturer is using a different shipping company? Ended up around $266 total. From the photos of the unit, the bolts on the front look pretty high profile to where they might snag my Fender extender. I'm going to see if I can replace them with a lower profile design. There's a specialty tool and bolt place near me and I'll give them a try. The product has shipped but I'm not sure how long it takes to arrive from Thailand.

 

[78YZ]

Just pulled the trigger on one. This time when I went in the shipping was ~$46, better than the $70 number I got before. Maybe the manufacturer is using a different shipping company? Ended up around $266 total. From the photos of the unit, the bolts on the front look pretty high profile to where they might snag my Fender extender. I'm going to see if I can replace them with a lower profile design. There's a specialty tool and bolt place near me and I'll give them a try. The product has shipped but I'm not sure how long it takes to arrive from Thailand.

Please keep us posted. This is still on my radar.

 

[WJBertrand]

Please keep us posted. This is still on my radar.

Will do, seems like I bought the last one as their website was showing out of stock afterward. Looks like my package as left Bangkok. No estimated delivery date on the Thailand Post tracking page.

 

[WJBertrand]

After four weeks shipping it appears my skid plate has been delivered today. Should be there when I get home. I started getting paranoid about the fit given that I have a '15 California model. The one on their website is also a '15 model but I started wondering if all '14+ Teneres, including non US bikes, have the larger catalyst, or was this only a US change? Guess I'll find out soon enough!

 

[Velvet]

After four weeks shipping it appears my skid plate has been delivered today. Should be there when I get home. I started getting paranoid about the fit given that I have a '15 California model. The one on their website is also a '15 model but I started wondering if all '14+ Teneres, including non US bikes, have the larger catalyst, or was this only a US change? Guess I'll find out soon enough!

I would venture to say that all of the catalysts are the same size from '14 on, and since the Ravetech plate doesn't cover the cat, there shouldn't be an issue either way.

What differs on your California model versus a 49 state model? I know that the Yamaha WR250R California model differs due to the addition of a charcoal cannister which necessitated a slightly smaller fuel tank.

Though I recently installed a Rumbux plate and bars on my Super Tenere, the Ravetech was in the top three on my short list of plates.

 

[WJBertrand]

I would venture to say that all of the catalysts are the same size from '14 on, and since the Ravetech plate doesn't cover the cat, there shouldn't be an issue either way.

What differs on your California model versus a 49 state model? I know that the Yamaha WR250R California model differs due to the addition of a charcoal cannister which necessitated a slightly smaller fuel tank.

Though I recently installed a Rumbux plate and bars on my Super Tenere, the Ravetech was in the top three on my short list of plates.

Yeah, test fitting it last night looks like it will not be a problem. I noticed that the mounting brackets are steel, quite sturdy. This thing is heavy duty! Lining up all three mounting bolts between the holes in the plate and the captured nuts on the rear bracket is very tight. I think I'm going to open those holes a little bit just to make removing and replacing easier since that will be required for oil changes going forward. I'm going to check with a specialty bolt store near my work today for some lower profile fasteners, maybe a rounded socket head type. I'm concerned that the bolts at the front of the plate might catch my fender extender. I also lined part of the inside of the plate with some Dyna Mat material that I had on hand since I've heard that skid plates can reflect/amplify engine mechanical noises.

 

[Velvet]

Thats good to know about the "heavy duty" properties of the plate. Button head Allen or Torx bolts would definitely be a great addition.. If you can't find them locally, McMaster-Carr or Fastenal should be able to help.

Please keep us posted on how the plate works out. I dont know of your riding style but I'm particularly interested on cornering clearance when riding in twisties (if you are a bit aggressive) which is something to be concerned about with some of the plates on the market.

 

[WJBertrand]

Thats good to know about the "heavy duty" properties of the plate. Button head Allen or Torx bolts would definitely be a great addition.. If you can't find them locally, McMaster-Carr or Fastenal should be able to help.

Please keep us posted on how the plate works out. I dont know of your riding style but I'm particularly interested on cornering clearance when riding in twisties (if you are a bit aggressive) which is something to be concerned about with some of the plates on the market.

Well finding these bolts is more difficult than expected. The supplied M10 x 20 bolts have a 1.25 thread but most everything out there is 1.5, slightly coarser. My local fastener store, Granger, Mc Master-Car, Fastenal and several others have all let me down!. Did find one company on-line (Metric Threaded Products) that listed them but you have to request a quote, so I am waiting on their reply. I will probably go ahead and install it with the supplied bolts for now. Seems finding the M8-1.25 x 20 bolts as a button head will be easier.

I'm also curious about cornering clearance. I tend to be semi-aggressive and have already dragged some bits on either side a couple of times. I've fitted a 30% stiffer rear spring though and that has reduced the tendency to touch down quite a bit.

 

[AlsoRan]

It may be overkill but for convenience you may try contacting ARP (in Ventura), they have an M8x1.25x20 in their online catalog p/n 134-1002. Not sure how much thread length you need or what head type but maybe they can help??

 

[AVGeek]

Well finding these bolts is more difficult than expected. The supplied M10 x 20 bolts have a 1.25 thread but most everything out there is 1.5, slightly coarser. My local fastener store, Granger, Mc Master-Car, Fastenal and several others have all let me down!. Did find one company on-line (Metric Threaded Products) that listed them but you have to request a quote, so I am waiting on their reply. I will probably go ahead and install it with the supplied bolts for now. Seems finding the M8-1.25 x 20 bolts as a button head will be easier.

I'm also curious about cornering clearance. I tend to be semi-aggressive and have already dragged some bits on either side a couple of times. I've fitted a 30% stiffer rear spring though and that has reduced the tendency to touch down quite a bit.

One other vendor somewhat local to you (they are in Huntington Beach) is McFadden-Dale.

 

[AlsoRan]

Also check this place out. They have a minimum buy but metric only. In Saugus so not too far to ride...http://metricspecialties.com/

 

[WJBertrand]

Thanks guys, ARP doesn't have any button head bolts that I could find (all hex head) and McFadden-Dale didn't have anything. I've got a query in with Metric Specialties.

 

[WJBertrand]

Ok, got impatient and decided to install the Ravetech skid plate tonight. Pretty straightforward, took me about an hour including the optional mud guard. I think it looks great. One thing that would be helpful is if Ravetech made the holes in the skid plate and the side leg that attaches to the front of the motor a bit larger. It sure would make lining everything up a lot easier. I think some button head bolts would give a nicer finished look as well. Outside of those minor details I'm quite pleased with it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[78YZ]

WJBertrand, That looks very stout. ::008::

 

[Disting]

I ride a lot with Mr Ravetech in Thailand. He used my bike as the donor to develop the plate. I will pass on your comments just in case he has not seen the comments in this forum.

 

[WJBertrand]

I ride a lot with Mr Ravetech in Thailand. He used my bike as the donor to develop the plate. I will pass on your comments just in case he has not seen the comments in this forum.

I actually replied directly to him. I wanted to forward the minor improvement ideas that I had. He was very open and appreciative.

I've done a few hard corners, not far enough to drag a peg yet and so far no ground clearance issues. I haven't done a proper set of tight twisties yet though.