950 Adv: which aftermarket bashplate, and why?

Interested in people's experiences of aftermarket bashplates on Adventures.

Which one did you fit, and why?

And has it pleased or disappointed?

I picked up a bashplate from GiT. The other plate that came into question was the one from Weld86. Both looked really solid but I ended up with the GiT plate mostly because living in the EU, the shipping and duties would not have made the Welder plate competitive.

Speaking technically, I like the way the GiT plate has a contoured plate to match up with the stock cast alu piece up front: there is no gap for crud to get in. Also, the storage slot in the front is nice for tools, a spare tube, or whatever. Finally, the GiT offers a bit more protection than for the sidestand and engine cases than any other plate aside from the unit being sold by an Australian skid plate (sorry, forget his name).

Finally, install was simple, all hardware was top quality, welds were purty, and it installed in about 30 minutes. If my 4 year old hadn't helped me, I could have done it in 20...

Had a friend make me one back when I had an adventure...sold it with the bike when it went. Worked great, was bomb proof and basically had the same curved shape as the stock one with better side protection. Cost about $400 to have a friend fabricate it on short notice...costly compared to what was out there but at the time 2005...there were not many options.

Very happy with my Weld86 skid plate! Great price and over-build to high-spec.

I tried the Motech plate and found it to be too flimsy so I got the Touratech....much better, stronger, more heavy duty and looks good. If I didn't get the Touratech it would have been the Black Dog plate.

I'm planning on the Weld86.

Can't decide on the Weld86 sidestand relocator or the one CJ now sells, but am inclined to go with the PABiker one sold by CJ.

I got the Weld86 sidestand reinforcement plate (doesn't relocate it per se), but I wish he'd have countersunk the holes where the sidestand mounts back up as it still bolts to the engine. I'm gonna pull mine back off before any heavy riding and do it. I believe CJ's IS countersunk and he includes the new nuts & bolts to re-mount.

Weld 86 plate for me, blackdog relocator. Best of both worlds!

Steve

That's BDCW that are countersunk. I took mine off a while back.
CJ sells the relocator that puts it behind the foot peg. It's a very different system which I prefer.

Black Dog because it's tough as s#*t. Also got their sidestand relocator and it's great.

Right you are... this head cold has me spacey today

Hello Terence, where did you get the GiT plate ?

I have a brand that looks very sim to the Weld.. I have broken the front attachment and see that the weld is much more beefy in that area.. If I had to buy another it would be the weld version..

which brand is that?

+1 for the GiT.

Not very common stateside but love the design- especially the extra room for tools- and it's rock solid.

I have the touratech plate on mine and it's beefy. It has a subframe on the engine-side of it which inspires a lot of confidence in the design.

I almost hate to say. BD... Its a great plate just needs a bit more weld on the forward lip. Rocks are hard...

I have the touratech. It's been on the bike for nearly seven years of abuse, taking lots of hits. It serves as maximum protection, a jack point, has optimal air flow, allows for vent tube to stick thru, self drains, removes in seconds, can store tools and a toolbox, and costs a small fortune.
I bought it cause it was the only one available at the time. I would, in fact, buy it again.

I have pounded my Blackdog for years. It continues to amaze me. I just got the CJ sidestand bracket and really like it.

+2 on the G-IT. I had one on my SE and just put one on the Adventure. Adventure spec.com has them and I bet they would deliver well before Black Dog or Touratech. Mine showed up in two days from the UK to Arizona with no extra shipping. Also the price was much less then the other plates out there.