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ZETA Engine Protection Under Guard (skid plate)

dmonkey

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Jul 4, 2021
Messages
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I wanted a beefier skid plate than the stock one which feels as thin as a soup can. Haven't done anything too adventurous with the bike yet, but there are some very rocky OHV routes that I want to try in the future so I'm gearing the bike up for them.
I went with the ZETA / Dirt Freak Engine Protection Under Guard sold on WeBike: https://japan.webike.net/products/24515277.html
Part number: ZE55-8130
It is thicker than the stock skid plate and the edges wrap a little further for slightly more protective coverage.

Tools used were an 8mm wrench, 4mm hex key, and some blue threadlocker.

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The top/inside of the skid plates for comparison. The ZETA one uses a black bracket which moves the front two bolt holes which is why they don't line up the same. The stock skid plate has two tabs near the back bolt holes which make it easy to slide into place, screw 1 front bolt in, and then the rest without having to fight gravity against the plate dropping. The ZETA one does not so you do need to hold it up, roughly in place, while screwing the bolts in. Both skid plates have the rear cut out that allows you to drain the oil without removing the skid plate or dripping oil on it.


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Bottom view of the skid plates. The dealership put zero effort into slapping one of their anti-theft (how does that work?) stickers on the original skid plate which is what's blurred out.


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Side profile


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From here you can see the orientation of the black bracket that adapts the different bolt hole position in front.


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The photos I took didn't capture it well, but there is slightly less ground clearance on the ZETA skid plate. It dips to match the exhaust header shape and that dip is almost the full width of the plate, while the stock skid plate doesn't dip quite as much for the exhaust header and only has the dip in the center.
I haven't bashed it off any rocks yet, but it did fine scraping a tall curb and it splattered some mystery roadkill on a night ride (need to get some aux lights mounted!). My only complaint is that on the right side the lower exhaust heat shield just barely touches it. In the product photos it looks like the heat shield tucks into it more, so this might just be caused by me having an aftermarket exhaust under the heat shields. Either way seems like they could have accommodated slightly more clearance there.

Would I buy it again? Not sure yet, need to get some more advanced trail riding in with it. I can say that I would like for there to be a better aftermarket option than this, but there weren't many options to begin with.
 
Last edited:

rkutzner

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
45
Yeah, just picked my bike up and this is one of the farkles on my list.
 

m in sc

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,514
Location
Rockhill, SC
i dig that. if i used mine off road id def get or make one like that. looks like its about .090"?
 

Ec479

New member
Joined
Jan 15, 2024
Messages
4
Location
Arkansas
How’s it been holding up? I’ve been having trouble finding a suitable aftermarket skid. I’ve got the 2023 and I’ve already had to take it off twice to bash out bends/ dents in it. I’m to the point where I’m considering just building one myself unless anyone knows if the eBay ones are any good. I also can’t figure out how to order off of the zeta website.. lol
 

dmonkey

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Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,261
Location
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It's been holding up great so far. It seems the Zeta skid plate was discontinued and they don't have a new version out right now, but in this thread you will find one very similar in design that @bryanchurch06 has fitted to a 2023 model.
 
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