Dirt bike riding may seem overwhelming and even dangerous to those who are not into the sport. But for dirt bike enthusiasts, the joys of riding a dirt bike are unlimited. And only they know what these amazing bikes are capable of.
However, if you want to get the most out of your dirt bike and want to ride it off-road through rocks and other hurdles, having the right dirt bike accessories is necessary. After all, you need to drive properly and protect your ride just as much as you need to protect yourself. And one of the best accessories that will help you use your dirt bike better and safer are skid plates.
What are Skid Plates?
A skid plate is a cover for the bottom part of your dirt bike. It protects the vital parts of your bike’s engine like the radiator, oil pan, water pump and more. It also keeps your bike’s frame and frame mount intact.
There are different types of skid plates according to the material used.
- Plastic Skid Plates. These are strong, durable and slide better compared to other types of skid plates. They are mostly preferred for wood riding.
- Aluminium Skid Plates. Strong but not very flexible is how riders describe aluminium. It is also kind of noisy. However, this is the ideal skid plate when going through rocks.
- Carbon Fibre Skid Plates. Carbon fibre is the lightest skid plate available today. And even though it’s light, it is also quite strong. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive.
Along with other protective dirt bike accessories, such as bash plates, frame guards, and radiator braces, you can make your ride tougher and safer no matter where you take it.
Why do you need skid plates for your dirt bike?
When you take your dirt bike for a ride, it is subjected to beatings from flying stones, jagged rocks, roots, tree stumps, branches and everything you can see on and off the road. And without proper protection, your bike can suffer a lot of damage from these elements.
Your dirt bike can get dents, which are minor and can be fixed. But it can also acquire more serious damage, such as a battered engine, which is usually irreparable.
With all these pointed out, you should know how necessary it is to have some protection for your dirt bike. It is where a skid plate proves to be the perfect accessory. It provides your bike with protection from the following:
- Frame dents and disfigurement
- Motor damage and destruction
- Broken and smashed linkage
Source - Pixabay
Another advantage that skid plates bring is that it allows your dirt bike to glide through things, like logs and cliff edges, better.
Imagine getting stuck on a log during your offroad dirt biking. It’s not a very good picture. Thankfully, skid plates help you prevent such problems. Skid plates are the best forms of protection you can give your dirt bike, as well as yourself.
However, arming your ride with skid plates is not enough. You need to choose the right accessories that are strong and durable enough to last through countless off-road courses. And when it comes to skid plates, high-quality ones are the best choices. These plates are tough and can stand the hard beatings that biking entails.
