What is the best, highest quality skidplate for the M?

[AaronBND]

I am looking for a good quality skidplate that covers just the bottom of the sled. I don't want the plastic ones that wrap up around everything and hold snow or try to protect a-arms. I want preferably like aluminum that is powdercoated so snow won't stick to it. Are there any good ones out there? Thanks!

Aaron

 

[Schags]

I bought the one from AC that covers up the whole bottom and up the bumper, seems to be of good quality and hugs the bellypan pretty tight, not many places for snow to pack in

 

[M8 Rider]

Belly Pan

I bought the Arctic Cat unit for my 2008 M8 and it works well. I have not seen an aluminum unit. The float plate always interested me.

 

[Jeff K]

The new arctic cat HD skid plate (pn#5639-223) is very good for protection. It is plastic, but it does not hold any snow. It looks like the regular AC skid plates but also covers under the clutch and brake areas.

 

[stugots]

I've got the Cat skid plate on my M1000 and rode in deep sticky snow all weekend, snow didn't stick or get caught anyplace around it. I don't think you'd want aluminum, one bad hit and it'd be done, kinda like the old bulkheads from the 70's!

 

[columbus]

I removed the skid plate from my M1000 after riding in deep powder, it had almost 10 lbs of ice in it. the only area you really need to protect is directly under the motor, just rivet a plate of 1/8 or 3/16 aluminium under the motor. The skid plate I had, regular Cat plate, didnt do anything for the a-arms, and the nose is pretty stout on its own anyway. If you want a standard Cat skid plate I'll sell ya mine..

 

[bart0678]

Cat Heavy duty skid plate for the win. I just spend a week bouncing off of stuff in tog and the sled still looks brand new.
Adam

 

[Dam Dave]

take the stock plastic one off and copy it out of some 1/4 in aluminum

 

[crix]

the one that perform best are FREE like the one I got

 

[Frostbite]

Aaron, I too have to say I really like the new Cat heavy duty skid plate. I didn't see any snow packed in or around it either.

As you know, my sled was new last spring. I looked under it this summer and saw two gouges directly under my clutches that nearly went all the way through the thin plastic separating the clutches from disaster. I bought the regular Cat skid plate and sent it back because it didn't address my fears of putting stick or rock into one of my clutches.

The only two I considered were the Skins and the Cat heavy duty. I like the way the heavy duty Cat skid plate hugs the bottom of the sled so tightly, so I bought one. It's very nice and I highly recommend it.

Although, I do have to wonder, what's all this stuff I read about skid plates somehow making sleds worse in powder?

 

[polarisfornow]

does anybody trim their skid plate down so it doesn't hold snow above the a-arms. I know its only like 4inches wide but it seems like there is always snow caught up in there. I have thought about trimming it so its only like a inch wide there. anyone ever done that?

 

[ak1000m]

full factory skid

I put on the new full skid ,because in alaska we ride at 0 to 2500 feet and some of the remote places we go we have to cross open water sometimes 5 times some times 15 times so we need the full coverage from rocks and getting water in on the clutches. yes it is alittle heavy but it protects.

 

[boondocker97]

Has anyone ever tried putting foam in the open spaces to keep snow from building in. It's pretty common to put a really coarse foam in open areas on mx bikes in muddy races to keep them from filling up and weighing the bike down. I guess it wouldn't keep water out and refreezing but it would probably work in-between the a-arms though.

http://www.worksconnection.com/details.php?id=18

 

[DonoBBD]

Made my own. Just wax the crap out of it so the snow will not stick.

Don.

 

[cody7thomas]

i have float plate from skinz. Looks good and it protects a lot more than the AC one. Only thing i dont like is the snow buildup in the front but foam would work.

 

[jasn179]

Made my own. Just wax the crap out of it so the snow will not stick.

Don.

That is bloody genius i had to make my own hit a rock last year and ripped right through the cooler been looking to put a skid plate your idea works perfect i did not have enough diamond plate to go over the control arms like you next time i go to the steel shop i will be sure to get more thanks a million. hope to prevent the 6000 dollor claim like last year

 

[akinneberg]

take the stock plastic one off and copy it out of some 1/4 in aluminum

I traced the plastic one onto an old road sign and it fit perfectly in its place. It's like having an armored plate under my sled now. Its taken some pretty good hits, and still looks like new. I love it.

 

[Frostbite]

There's a perceived feeling of security when you have a full coverage skidplate on your sled.

To me it feels like when I wear my Tek Vest. It may be strange but, I just feel a little more secure and protected.