P3 Carbon Skid Plate

What it is

• Carbon Fiber, Kevlar and Biaxial Fiberglass composites construction.
• Used by Factory KTM and Husqvarna Off-Road.
• Comes with necessary mounting hardware.

P3 Carbon has been producing skid plates, pipe guards, and more for several years and offers skid plates for a wide variety of bikes. Their products are used by Factory KTM and Husqvarna Off-Road who employs their skid plates on all of their race bikes. The Carbon Skid Plates consist of Carbon Fiber, Kevlar and Biaxial Fiberglass composites which are claimed to increase strength while an epoxy finish preserves its look through its abused life. It boasts a molded design for a precise fit to follow the contours of the frame and engine cases and is made right here in the USA. It retails from $199.95 for the standard Carbon Fiber Skid Plate and goes up to $369.95 for the Factory Replica and is available in Black, Orange, and Blue.

How it works

• Easy Install.
• Loud when hit with debris.
• Slim, precise fit.
• Doesn't affect handling of the bike.

Skid plates can often be a pain to install with floating mounts and having to lay under the bike in hopes of lining up the bolts correctly. P3’s skid plate features one floating mount in the front of the frame and a solid mount that wraps around the bottom of the frame. The front mount can be a little tricky the first time around but is still much easier than some other mounts we’ve used before. Similarly, the back mount is very easy using only two wood screws while it typically stays in line when removing/installing the skid plate. We found that installing the back two screws first is easiest before moving to the two front bolts where you can hold the mount in place as you line it up with the holes in the skid plate.

Similar to the install, the fit and finish of the skid plate is about as good as it gets. It offers a compact fit protecting all of the vitals like the water pump and all the way up to the bottom of the exhaust port without being too exposed. The skid plate itself it thick enough to take a beating without being too spacious. We’ve hit the skid plate hard on a few different occasions and all we have to show for it are a few minor scratches that are nearly undetectable. Additionally, some skid plates have a tendency to affect the handling of the bike by increasing the rigidity of the frame; however, the orange machine handled just as well with the skid plate installed. It may not be the most protective skid plate out there, but for most applications, it covers all of the vitals while keeping a minimalist style and weighing in at a mere 1lb.

If we had to complain about P3’s product, it’d be that we need to remove the skid plate to change the oil. At this point, we’re just being lazy but some skid plates do allow for this. However, the removal and installation is such a quick and simple process that it doesn’t hurt to remove it every once in a while. Also, it’s quite loud when a rock strikes it resembling an aluminum skid plate in that fashion, but the performance and durability is there. Overall, P3 Carbon’s Standard Composite Carbon Fiber Skid Plate is a winner in our books. The fit and finish along with the installation is second-to-none and it has proven its durability over the last few months. Coming in at almost $200, it is a bit pricey, but the quality makes up for the price. Oh, did we say it looks pretty cool as well?