We've been running the Moose Racing PRO LG Skid Plate on our CRF450RL Project Bike for the last year or two. This skid plate is imported by Moose from Europe and is made by AXP Racing, so it's the same skid plate sold there under the AXP Racing name. Here are some details...
Why do you need one? The CRF450RL/L comes from the factory with a very small plastic skid plate. If you are going to do any off-roading on your CRF450RL, a larger skid plate is a good idea because it will do a better job at protecting the sides of the engine, frame, lower shock linkage, and so on. We wanted to try a plastic skid plate on our bike after using a few aluminum skid plates, and I think this one from Moose is one of the better choices for the bike at this time. I like the idea of plastic because it will be lightweight and cause less vibration and engine noise, compared to an aluminum skid plate. This particular one is made from a super strong 6mm thick plastic, so it should do an excellent job at protecting the engine and frame.
How easy is installation? The skid plate includes everything you need to mount it to the bike, and no modifications are required. It bolts up at several points on the bikes frame, and includes a strong plastic bracket that hangs down at the back of the skid plate to hold it in place. Instructions are included, and I found it very simple to install. Once installed, it's very secure and seems like it would be very easy to remove if you wanted to clean it or change your oil. It does have an oil drain hole built in, however.
What are our thoughts? Overall, really pleased with this skid plate. It does an excellent job of covering key parts of the bike, and will help protect the sides of the engine, the frame, and also the lower shock linkage. Additionally, the plastic construction doesn't seem to cause any extra vibration or noise like you might get from an aluminum skid plate. We would definitely recommend the Moose Racing Pro LG Plastic Skid Plate if you plan on taking your CRF450RL/L off-road. You can never have too much protection on these bikes, and this skid plate is cheap protection when you think about what damage could be done to the bike if you didn't have one installed. The plastic construction means it's lightweight and won't cause noise/vibration, and still allows the frame to flex.
WHERE TO BUY:
• Moose Racing PRO LG Skid Plate for Honda CRF450RL from SRmoto
HONDA CRF450RL PARTS and ACCESSORIES...
• Honda CRF450RL Parts at SRmoto
• Honda CRF450RL Parts at Revzilla
