MSR Aluminum Skid Plate for the 2016 YZ 250X

What it is

• Solid protection for your under parts, including the all important water pump and cases.

A skid plate, in the off-road world, is a "must have" protection item for any off-road machine. To the point that many models come stock with one. For those that don't, or if you are looking for additional protection, MSR has a set up for you. They have a line of aluminium skid plates such as the one featured here which fits the 2005-2017 Yamaha YZ250's along with the new YZ250X. Not only does it protect the undercarriage and frame of the bike but also deflects damage to the water pump and cases from rocks, roots, other foot pegs and more. Constructed with Aluminum, it also features an added oil drain bolt hole and four key mounting points that serves as a solid option for all your rock smashing needs. On top of all that, it is made in the USA.

How it works

• Install is easier if you have four hands. But simple in concept.
• Does its job taking the abuse and protecting your bike.
• Hole for oil drain could be bigger.

The concept is pretty basic. Cover up the important stuff without getting in the way or adding too much unnecessary weight. This skid plate does all of those perfectly.

The skid plate comes with four mounting brackets in the packet accompanied by four Torx bolts. The Torx bolts are a great addition as the bolts on the plate generally get pretty smashed up and can some times strip out. The down side is that the packet doesn't come with the appropriate wrench if your tool box is as incomplete as mine.

As with most skid plates, this one was an exercise in balance and coordination. All four brackets must be balanced on the frame before starting the mounting as the tolerances are too close to put them in afterward. (Yes, I could have mounted one and then let the plate hang and done the others but personally I don't like doing that so that everything stays lined up where it should be) Once you get all four bolts a few threads in - if some one lends a helping hand it makes it super easy - you're ready to go!

The plate itself mounts very solid to the frame. Being a solid mounted system it does add a level of rigidity to the frame but personally I can barely tell the difference. If it really bothers you some rubber pieces under the brackets - fashioned from old tubes or something similar could make you feel a little more at ease.

There is an oil drain hole on the bottom of the plate; however, not all of the oil flows smoothly through it. Removing the plate completely or drilling a slightly larger hole would fix this problem though.

Since every plate is a little different due to being hand welded, it is possible you could need to hammer a few things. This one was a little close to the water pump but a few taps fixed that right up.

In use the plate did its job and saved the water pump on a few occasions as well as protected the bottoms of the frame rails from the grinding of rocks. We never had it come loose and the additional noise reflecting off the aluminium plate isn't too bad but you do hear it and notice it in the beginning. The Torx heads survived the damage better than the usual Allen head hardware as well. It does not get in the way of your feet when shifting or braking and that is a plus. The plate can pack up with mud and add weight in muddy conditions or even catch and trap rocks between the plate and the engine, but some foam can also limit this if it is important to you.

At $110, the skid plate serves as cheap insurance for your bike and it will pay for itself over time. This one might not be the sleekest one out there but skid plates aren't utilized for a fashion statement but rather for a piece of protection. This one fits that purpose perfectly.

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