With 125 horsepower, the new water boxer motor is an impressive machine. All that power flying down the trail can produce some tough hits to the bottom of a 500 pound motorcycle, requiring much heftier protection than the thin stock plate.
Like the AltRider crash bars, the AltRider skid plate was completely redesigned for the water cooled R 1200 GS. To maintain greater ground clearance, a flat plate of 3/16” (4.76 mm) anodized aluminum is utilized, with no bolts on the bottom side to snag. This revolutionary mounting system allows the move from the AltRider original corrugated design, saving over half an inch of ground clearance. The plate was designed to be extremely narrow at the bottom to maintain the great cornering ability of the bike. It is a one piece unit that provides tire to tire protection. From the leading front corner of the headers to just before the rear tire, the entire bottom side of the motor is shielded from impact. Even the catalytic converter is safeguarded. There are no gaps in protection or plastic pieces to break and no parts to continually repurchase--just one smooth 3/16” (4.76 mm) plate that provides complete coverage. In an effort to maintain simplicity, AltRider designed the skid plate so it doesn’t require removal to change the oil on the bike.
The AltRider skid plate is the only design on the market that doesn’t rely on the engine as a mounting point. The inherent weakness of all other current designs is that they use the motor itself as an anchor point. No matter the number or complexity of brackets, they still transfer impact directly to the motor. The front of the AltRider plate gets its brute strength from 3/16” (4.76 mm) stainless steel brackets that mount directly to the frame. The brackets are secured with the two sturdy M12 torx frame bolts, preventing the flange from pivoting on impact. Another key innovation of the AltRider design are the rear mounting points. Other plates attach to the frame cross member below the swing arm using thin or complicated brackets. These long brackets have more leverage, allowing impacts to create shearing or bending forces that break the mount. The AltRider skid plate is held in place with two custom machined fasteners that replace the center stand pins, lowering the mounting point by a notable 4” which dramatically reduces leverage. This mounting system is an industry first that provides an extremely clean look, while remaining very powerful and simple to install.
The one piece skid plate is simple to install, and all stainless steel hardware is provided.
-AltRider motorcycle accessories are 100% designed and manufactured in the USA
-3/16” (4.76 mm) hand TIG welded anodized aluminum
-Protects entire bottom side of the liquid cooled motor including headers and catalytic converter
-Oil change does not require removal of skid plate
-One piece unit that provides tire to tire protection
-Available in silver and black (choose below)
Note: If you have BMW or AltRider crash bars on your GS, please use the AltRider R1200GS ADV WC (14-) Skid Plate, dimensional weight listed. AltRider products cannot be shipped to Canadian addresses.
AltRider R1200GS WC (13-) Skid Plate
Produced by AltRider of USA
