Motorcycle skid plates

A skid plate, also called a sump guard or bash plate, is bolted beneath the engine and takes the hits from rocks, trail ledges or kerbs before the crankcase does. On an adventure bike that goes off-road it is close to essential, and on some nakeds it is fitted mainly to keep gravel off the underside. Here you will find plates from SW-MOTECH, Puig and Givi, each made for a specific model and set of years.

What it covers and what it does not

The plate protects from below: the oil sump and the lower part of the headers. A sharp hit there can crack the casing and leave the bike without oil far from any workshop. The sides of the engine are the job of crash bars, which come into play when the bike goes down on its side, which is why a touring adventure bike usually carries both. On the R 1300 GS, Puig adds guards built on the same idea for specific areas, such as the underside of the shaft drive and the lambda sensors.

How to choose yours

• Model and generation: the plate follows the shape of the engine and exhaust on each version, so the same Tiger 900 or Transalp may have more than one part number.
• Compatibility: if you run crash bars, a centre stand or an aftermarket exhaust that runs under the engine, confirm on the product page that the plate works with them.
• Maintenance: see whether the drain plug and oil filter stay within reach or the plate has to come off at every oil change.
• Material and finish: almost all are aluminium, in black or silver; silver hides scuffs better and black is less conspicuous. For KTM Dukes, SW-MOTECH also makes them in orange and black.

In the filter by your bike bar above the list, pick make, model and year and you are left with only the plates that fit.

Adventure, naked and real-world use

On adventure bikes such as the Ténéré 700, NX500, Pan America or Himalayan, the plate earns its keep on every rocky track. On nakeds such as the GSX-8S, CB1000R or MT-09 it is more about looks and shielding against gravel than impact defence, although it covers an area that is very exposed on those bikes. If you ride hard off-road, a more enveloping plate and full crash bars work better together than either one on its own.

If you have already settled on a brand, each has its own section: the SW-MOTECH plates, with the widest range, the Puig skid plates and the Givi sump guards. More protection and parts in motorcycle accessories.