I just purchased a 2023 Rally and am a little concerned about how exposed the battery and oil cooler is. I have been searching for a manufactured skid plate but it seems like no one makes one. Has anyone custom built one? Do you have shop drawings to share? Photos are helpful too.
Custom Skid Plate Design FTR Rally
- Thread starter TommyD66
- Start date
cupcake_mike
Active member
The oil cooler already has a cover and some mesh aftermarket examples are available if you think it's not enough. The plastic cover that goes over the battery is pretty damn strong, but I guess you could replace it with a CF cover from thomas kopp if you really feel you need something stronger.
Are you meaning a "bash plate" to protect the battery and the oil cooler? Where would you attach it? Typically, a plate of that sort would be attached to the frame to spread out the impact. Being a trelis framed/stressed engine bike, the only real place to mount it would be to the engine, unless you made it absolutely huge and wrapped it up the frame. If the skid plate is mounted to the engine, any impacts would be directed to the engine, which it wasn't designed for other than the points in which the battery and oil cooler are already mounted to anyway, so I guess I just don't understand what you'd gain? More weight on a bike that could already stand to lose about 75 lbs?
Are you meaning a "bash plate" to protect the battery and the oil cooler? Where would you attach it? Typically, a plate of that sort would be attached to the frame to spread out the impact. Being a trelis framed/stressed engine bike, the only real place to mount it would be to the engine, unless you made it absolutely huge and wrapped it up the frame. If the skid plate is mounted to the engine, any impacts would be directed to the engine, which it wasn't designed for other than the points in which the battery and oil cooler are already mounted to anyway, so I guess I just don't understand what you'd gain? More weight on a bike that could already stand to lose about 75 lbs?
NeopolitanShake
New member
Im more concerned with my oil filter. Had a leak due to road debris gouging it.
cupcake_mike
Active member
Aeromach (CI-1900) Indian Scout, Indian FTR1200 and Victory Octane Aluminum Debris Shield/Engine Protector Plate - Skid Plate - Made in The USA https://a.co/d/7xXTykQ
Thanks for the response. I hear what you're saying. Typically it doesn't need it. I will be riding a lot of back country roads where I can't afford a breakdown because a rock takes something out. I would have a bit more peace of mind if there was a even a light duty plate there.
MMC
Member
There is a gentleman out of Germany named Thomas Kopp on the FTR FB group that makes metal and carbon fiber guards for the FTR
NeopolitanShake
New member
You’re the man!
MMC
Member
that one is pretty lame. single mounting points. have heard negative reviews. been around for a bit
MMC
Member
I have seen these but it doesn't look like they cover the very items I am worried about, the battery and oil cooler.
tk-funsport
Member
tk-funsport
Member
Hi, my skidplate is made in carbon/kevelar, very strong and light!