Is This the BEST SKID PLATE for Your KTM 790 or 890 Adventure?

[@ABSOLUTfreak]

Good protection but less side tank protection.

[@davindersangha3761]

I have the AXP skid plate on my T7 and 450L. The best skid plate I have ever bought for any bike!

[@BraaapoholicBob]

Just installed on my new 2022 890 ADVR...there are no other skid plates as good as this one...period. The protection level is massive. Perfect fit and finish as well.

[@fredrikbengtsson4050]

Hi! I hade this skid plate for a while and put it through allot! It’s greate for splash damage… It does not offer protection for “bashing” . There is no side to side support. It will smash into the tanks. To day I bent my header pipe and nearly punctured the right tank as they got squished into the bike and a bolt almost penetrated the inside of the right tank. The crash was a tip over on a “pebble” mountain hill climb. I got it on video, so I will share later.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Excellent feedback and points made.

[@comfortablyunknown700]

I came across AXP not long ago. Excited that I did. Planning on putting one on my T7. Thank you for the video

[@RIDEAdventures]

Enjoy it, good choice from our perspective so far after 8+ months on multiple bikes, and Customers doing who-knows-what with our bikes : )

[@stevehicks616]

Just put one on my 690 great skid plate, and great video

[@devildog8768]

On my 790 r I am on my second AXP skid plate. The first one I had I laid the bike on it's side. I was going up a hill at the top I went to stop and put my foot down. I stopped on uneven ground and couldn't stop the momentum. The bike hit hard breaking the seam of the skid plate. The dealership got me a new skid plate for free . It's a good skid plate but it does have it's weak points. I installed second skid with the stock side protector to close the gap between the skid plate and tank to prevent this from happening again. it does present a challenge when changing oil have to take out the two bolts that mount to the foot pegs and pull the skid plate down about two inches to make enough room to get oil filter out. Now I need extra stickers for both side.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Good idea, closing that gap with the original protection. Thanks for sharing, as we're all curious to see how these hold up. So far, ours are working fine on multiple bikes. Yes, some of the stickers have been shaved completely off, but the plates are holding up fine.

[@galynnedavis2996]

I'd love to see some pictures of that setup /install!

[@specialed8219]

I was going to go with this skid plate on my 890 Adventure R, but ran into clearance problems with the new OEM fuel elbow guard. With the plate installed it was touching the guard, so I felt if I took a hit in that area it would transfer the energy directly to the tank. Because of that I returned the plate and I think I will be going with a Black Dog plate now.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Interesting info, thanks for sharing. Wonder if the @AXPRacing folks are still watching the comments as they were earlier, and may have a solution. Maybe too late it sounds like.

[@specialed8219]

@@RIDEAdventures I know rottweilerperformance has a Note about this on their web site. Hope to see a solution without buying extra components.

[@norbertwangnick8356]

Glad to be the rider to contribute 3 full action scenes here! My 1.5 sec of fame - when are the Oscar nominations again? Cheers, guys, good stuff!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Norbert, thanks for contributing : ) Your bike is on its way back up from Cabo right now, will be at Mike's Sky Ranch tonight.

[@1990-t1j]

They look so much better than the metal scaffolding jobs. And so light.

[@jamescummings4130]

There is not enough protection for the fuel taps, just exposed in a bad way! Ian chappel bash plate is the one I went for,retains oem side tank gaurds and replaces the stock one and has the added shit gaurd as one piece with 790/890 logo.

[@greatfallskam]

I am not sure what you mean by not enough protection for the fuel taps using AXP skid plate. Could you be more specific. Seems like the fuel taps are well behind ( inside ) AXP skid plate. I am considering AXP. Just want to get more detail. I assume you own a AXP or did?

[@jamescummings4130]

@@greatfallskam the original sides cover each fuel tap nicely, the axp doesn't come as far back and a tip over just the right spot will damage the fuel tap, seen it happen on a axp bash plate, also they have a tenancy to rub on the fuel pump plate of you have the 890. It's a must on the 790 if you don't

[@greatfallskam]

@@jamescummings4130 Thanks. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@k_plax]

You forgot mention a key plus of the axp skid plate- not mounts to the engine block or sump. Also, at 4:52 I see axp have now added small metal brackets between the front piece and ‘wings’. This wasnt on my skid plate I bought 6months ago

[@k_plax]

@Axp Racing can these be shipped and retro-fitted to existing customers with axp skid plates?

[@galynnedavis2996]

@Axp Racing thx for the update!

[@aaronczysz8758]

I have one of these on my KTM 390 Adventure and other than two bolts that were too short (solved with a trip to my local hardware store) install was pretty straight forward. I have taken 2-3 solid hits and a steady shower of rocks/pebbles and it is holding up great. I was concerned when I test fitted it and saw how little space there is between the exhaust and the plate, I used heat reflective/proof tape on the inside and haven't had any issues with melting. The fit is good, however keep stuff loose (whenever possible) during install as the last corner bolt was a pain in the butt to line up. Good product but based in France so customer support for non-francophones can be frustrating (or non-existent).

[@johnscott9829]

I also have the 390adv. When looking at skid plates I have seen a couple 390 owners melt the plastic plate or in one case they had it catch fire. Make me a little nervous about getting a plastic skid plate. Not sure how you would get heat tape to remain stuck in wet conditions.

[@aaronczysz8758]

@@johnscott9829 I applied an overlapping layer of heat reflective tape between the exhaust and the plate prior to final installation and haven't seen any melting, deforming or god forbid fire. I have 2k miles on it without any issues. Of course I haven't beached it on a log or rock after a long hot ride and left it sitting there long enough to test whether it is or isn't possible.

[@aaronczysz8758]

@@johnscott9829 It has stuck for the last 2,000 miles and I get it wet all the time so... I will check it during the next oil change and apply fresh stuff if necessary but it looks fine so far.

[@JBean_COCR]

Thanks for all your videos. I'm looking at an AXP Racing skid plate for a Tuareg 660. My only concern is the Euro 5 compliant catalytic converter as is gets quite hot. I will likely put on some heat reflective tape near the converter, but any issues with melting these skid plates? Also, have you seen any issues with the screw/bolt holes opening over time due to vibration? Thanks

[@SuperCheesyMan]

Is it compatible with the center stand ?

[@Ariautoace]

I have this, while it looks fantastic and protects - the heat dissipation is extremely bad. Your boots or any footgear has to be very clear of where you had them before you installed it. The heat is a real problem should you be in the slow rough stuff. If I find an alternative I will consider switching.

[@Ariautoace]

@DS-tw3gg Neither would I. It just looks nice. I'm glad I am not the only one. It has it's merits but holy cow.

[@Ruckus_Crawler]

Thanks for all the great info! I was looking at this skid plate and the website recommended a low profile fuel pump cover for clearance issues. Is that something you had to do or is the website just trying to upsell?

[@pbinpg7168]

I looked at all the skid plates available for my 2020 790R and went with the Camel ADV. Easy to install and bullet proof.

[@Angeldust0301]

Can you still install crash bars along with this plate?

[@scottt4337]

Hey there, I ve got an 890 and was wondering if you are still happy with the axp option? Great content, thank you.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for the note and nice words, and yes, we're quite pleased with how they've held up. Just finishing a Baja season up and down all winter long, and yea, each bike with that plate has been down a few times. Chews up the plastic of course, but it holds up and is a great value.

[@Ironhawx]

@@RIDEAdventures thanks Eric! I’m going to order this for 790, let’s hope they ship to Canada!

[@tommyk3978]

Can you do a review of the KTM 390 adventure?

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yep, it's on our "to do" list.

[@johnscott9829]

I also want to see that 390ADV review!!!

[@jacknelson8061]

Can I attach a center stand with the AXP ?

[@keesverhagen9227]

Thanks sir for your video. I am looking at several bikes and trade my 1190 r in. Offroad it is becoming to heavy. And picking it up i becoming a real challenge. I use my bike also for longer trips. Between 5000 till 7000 miles. I have still one large trip in my bucketlist. Turkey, Iran, Armenia. Even going more up to Israel. Starting in the Netherlands. A lot of my focus is going offroad. Been doing this for more then 30 years. There is just one problem. I always need to go through Germany almost all of the time. And that is a long stretch without much fun. What do you think about the 890 R adventure i regard to reliability. Riding alone in far away remote areas. And for 7 till 10 weeks at a time ? I have not much more options then that. The Ten 7 is so topheavy. A very unpleasant bike to ride in the dirt. To me it is so weird that people are telling that it is such a great bike in the dirt. Try to lift it up. After crashing sometimes your muscels are tight and an injury while getting a t7 upright is easy. Otherwise it would be no brainer for me and i would buy a t7 immediatly. And getting better springs. I really would like a reliable ktm adventure 890 r. But is it ?

[@RIDEAdventures]

To us as a Tour and Rental Operator, the 3 best bikes in the ADV world right now are: CB500X, Tenere 700, Africa Twin. ---- We haven't bought 890's yet, and our reliability issues with the 790's have pretty much removed the possibility that we'll be buying 890's anytime soon (as if suddenly, 100cc's would make the Orange bikes so much more reliable.) I know, I know.....some folks have no/few problems with their KTM's. Great if so. I had a great one years ago (2004 950 Adventure S.) Others though.......wow, what a hassle. ----- Have fun with your travels and thanks for watching.

[@greatfallskam]

After the initial AXP setup and install, do you have to remove the big foot peg bolt again when removing AXP skid plate for routine oil change? Just trying to find out if you leave the rear left and right brackets after the initial installation setup.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yikes, don't have a bike next to me, but I think you can just leave those rear bolts in and pivot the AXP down for oil changes. Someone will confirm.

[@sdefiel3719]

How is the plate attached in the front? Is it fixed to the engine or the frame? If the engine, is there a possibility to damage the engine? The same question goes to the 390 Adventure. Thx, S

[@RIDEAdventures]

We can't speak for the 390, but it's attached to the frame in the front with 4 screws. Think we pointed those out in the video.

[@sdefiel3719]

@@RIDEAdventuresThanks, must have missed it. Do you think it wise to NOT purchase one that is attached to the engine?

[@RIDEAdventures]

@@sdefiel3719, if avoidable, yes, best not to mount a skidplate directly to the engine. Huge oversight in our video, not having mentioned that. Fairly uncommon these days that mfg's are doing that though.

[@timpitera7067]

Can you keep the center stand?

[@Mightycaptain]

No

[@RIDEAdventures]

The AXP folks responded to another similar question, suggesting that "yes, you can, with modifications." We don't know what mods though. --- Curious....when you said "keep" the centerstand, are you somewhere in the world where a 790 came with a center stand included?

[@quentinrance8974]

I have this on my 790 and just did an oil change last weekend. Not a fan, the maintenance of the engine was an afterthought. Sorry, just being honest.

[@greatfallskam]

After the initial AXP setup and install, do you have to remove the big foot peg bolt again when removing AXP skid plate for oil change? Just trying to find out if you leave the rear left and right brackets after the initial installation setup.

[@opusdei51]

I like the looks but paying EUR 250 for a piece of plastic and slapping on another EUR 200 shipping costs because it's a bulky item is just a rip off! I just had a helmet + boots delivered to the other side of the world with express shipping for about EUR 50.

[@strokenumber3]

Are KTM's as unreliable as their internet reputation suggests ? I've been close to replacing my KLX 250 with a 390 Adventure , but Bret Tcaks' experience has made me completely forget the idea and driven me to look at KLX 300.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Others may comment, but the frequency with which we have an issue with our KTM's, compared to the Yamahas and Hondas, is noteworthy. As a rental operator, we just cannot have folks' vacations interrupted by mechanical/electrical issues, so the % of KTM's in operation remains limited.

[@humzilla707]

Any of the 390's are built in India and don't have the build standard the bigger bikes do. Japanese brand tend to stick with older tried and true designs where ktm is constantly innovating and releasing new models focused on high performance with cutting edge doodads and that comes at a cost of reliability. Generally nothing catastrophic that ktm or aftermarket can't address. If you're not an aggressive rider that wants that level of performance or tech Japanese brands are a better choice generally.

[@g18210]

humzilla707 ktm is a pistol

[@aaronczysz8758]

I have a 2020 KTM 390 Adventure (with just over 2,500 miles on it) and it has been solid. No issues at all. It is a blast to ride. I would humbly suggest you keep the the KLX for tight and technical dirt and ADD a 390 for all of the other stuff. That is my plan, add a KLX 300 to the garage and have most of the bases covered. Up here in New England there is such a wide range of terrains that I don't think ANY one bike would do it so...