Ricochet Skids or Not

[Sterg]

I'm getting some feedback from a tech that that the Ricochet skids do more harm than good if you get mud in between the skid plate and frame. I traded my 06 for an 08 and the tech took off my old skids for me. He said the frame was weak from corrosion from mud being impacted between the frame and skids. I need help making a decision to install the skids onto my 08 or not. I live in Houston and don't do any deap water riding but there is definality mud holes on almost every ride. No real rocks to speak of but we do go over logs and other debre on the trail. My old skids have some pretty big gashes in them I would hate to see on the frame. Also, I have hit some pretty deap ditches at a fast speed that I was glad to have the extra support on the frame from the skids. I intend for this bike to last at least 6 years with no real issues so again I need help figuring the best thing to do.

[abe65]

I would still put them on. If you are worried about the corrosion , maybe just take em off every once and while to clean and check the frame. Or maybe coat your frame with something before installing them? Rhino liner or sometghing?

[fmj40]

yeah, I would say to lightly sand the bottom of the frame to rough it up, spray some primer and a coat of the spray on bedliner in a can.. that should be more than adequate. Here's another idea.. they have a very sticky foam tape you can use to seal the edges of windows to a house to prevent drafts.. I bet that would work even better! Its even the same width, or pretty close. With that said, how bad was this corrosion? Even if it WAS corroded... I wouldn't say the proper response would be to not use skids.. there's plenty of ways to limit corrosion, but the skids are a must on any quad, especially this one.

[grizzlander]

If you are worried about corrision I would go with the frame mod by Kewltech and forget the skids, but then you would not have any floor board protection.

[Sterg]

fmj40 wrote:

Quote:

yeah, I would say to lightly sand the bottom of the frame to rough it up, spray some primer and a coat of the spray on bedliner in a can.. that should be more than adequate. Here's another idea.. they have a very sticky foam tape you can use to seal the edges of windows to a house to prevent drafts.. I bet that would work even better! Its even the same width, or pretty close. With that said, how bad was this corrosion? Even if it WAS corroded... I wouldn't say the proper response would be to not use skids.. there's plenty of ways to limit corrosion, but the skids are a must on any quad, especially this one.

I'm SCARED. Sanding the frame on brand new bike? Probably one of the better ways to go though. Did you do this?

[fmj40]

No sterg, I didn't sand the frame. I threw that out there so that if you decided you wanted to spray on the bed liner stuff, that the paint would stick to the frame. One should lightly sand anything you are gonna throw primer or paint on before doing so, if you can. The primer is always going to stick better when you sand first. If you don't want to sand, then don't, but at least make sure the surface is clean and free of grease. Here's the thing.. many folks will put on skids after they have ridden their bikes for a while.. that means the frame is already scraped, possibly down to the metal. If this happens, then you will get some rust. but if its a brand new quad.. this possibility is reduced a bit. Either way you slice it, we should be removing the skids at least once a year, IMO, to clean and remove and debris, as well as to check for rust and clean up any that is found. Thats kinda why I don't leave my skids on over the winter.. Before I reinstall this spring will change all fluids so that I won't have to this summer.

[fmj40]

Sterg wrote:

Quote:

fmj40 wrote:

Quote:

yeah, I would say to lightly sand the bottom of the frame to rough it up, spray some primer and a coat of the spray on bedliner in a can.. that should be more than adequate. Here's another idea.. they have a very sticky foam tape you can use to seal the edges of windows to a house to prevent drafts.. I bet that would work even better! Its even the same width, or pretty close. With that said, how bad was this corrosion? Even if it WAS corroded... I wouldn't say the proper response would be to not use skids.. there's plenty of ways to limit corrosion, but the skids are a must on any quad, especially this one.

I'm SCARED. Sanding the frame on brand new bike? Probably one of the better ways to go though. Did you do this?

And by the way, I will certainly consider putting something between my skids and my frame this year.. it just sounds like a good idea to me. So thanks for bringing it up!

[glwbear]

I JUST INSTALLED THR RICOHET SKIDS AND I USED TWO THICK 1" INCH WASHERS TO GIVE ME A SPACE BETWEEN THE SKIDS AND THE FRAME AND THE "A" ARMS. THIS WAY WHEN I WASH IT ALL THE DIRT & MUD WILL WASH RIGHT OFF AND NOT STAY ALL SOGGY WITHIN THE SKIDS AND THE "A" ARMS.

THE RICOHET SKIDS ARE WORTH IT AS THESE MACHINES SURE NEED SOMETHING BETTER THAN STOCK ALUMN BRP SKIDS.

GOOD LUCK

GLWBEAR
2008 OUTLANDER 800 XT
2006 YAMAHA YFZ-450
2004 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 350 4X4:dan::ban:

[outlandish]

I installed Ricochets on my 06 as the instructions said. I took them off when I sold it 2 years later and the frame was fine. No rust at all. Will be putting some on my Renegade soon. It's amazing how this stuff gets started. LOL

[QUADAHOLIC]

Alot of good tips here, I think the tech kinda overeacted with the corrosion thing. But it can't hurt to spray a little protectant of somekind and to drop the skids occaisionally for a good cleaning and do some touch-ups.