Carbon and Kevlar skidplate

I drive a 2008 WR250R and have on this moment a Flatland skid plate. I'm quite satisfied about the skid plate but don't like the fact that it vibrates.

I started searching on-line for s carbon fiber skid plate for the wr250r (which are used as well for f.e. dakar bikes) but couldn't find one so I started to look to companies that could produce such items (just out of interest).

I found a company, not far from where I live, that produces carbon fiber / Kevlar parts for rally cars and they are willing to make a few samples if there is a need. The owner of the company told me that the parts, known as carbon parts, are made from layers of Kevlar (which is the strong part of the plate, but yellowish of color) with a small layer of carbon on the side which you can see. The carbon part seems to have, according to the owner of the company, no additional features other than looks.

The production price of 5 pieces (the owner is willing to invest his time in this) of carbon fiber / Kevlar skid plates would be around 500 euro. The shape of the product would be similar to the aluminum ones but with round corners. I saw samples of other products they make and it looks very professional. This company is using modern technologies (including CNC robots for making holes and cutting the plates).

So what do you guys think of this product? Would this plate be of added value? Would someone be interested? Would there be a need to add carbon (would be more expensive)? For sure the weight of the product will be lower than the one of aluminium.

Looking forward to hear some suggestions and/or Ideas.

Johan

To be honest with you, as cool as it sounds... I don't think I could justify paying more than twice the aluminum plate price for a carbon unit. More than $150 USD and I'm out.

One skid plate would cost in this case 100 euro (122 USD). I paid the same for my aluminium plate.

$122.00, is that with shipping to the US?

Well seems to be fairly priced considering the apx plastic guard (http://en.axp-racing.com/n-777/Phd-Enduro-skid-plate-4-stokes-777/Phd-Enduro-skidplate-Black_axp-777-AX1037.html) costs 119 euro. Any chance of seeing any pictures of a plate (doen't have to be for the wrr) from this company or at least of the kevlar? can't really imagine what kind of tone this yellowish colour is supposed to be...

ongediertebestrijder wrote:

One skid plate would cost in this case 100 euro (122 USD). I paid the same for my aluminium plate.

I misunderstood. I thought you meant 500 each not total for all 5 pieces.

I'd consider $122 USD pretty fair for a nice piece.

From my limited understanding, carbon is stiff but brittle, kevlar is strong but flexible. Hence the combination of the two either in carbon kevlar weave or in alternating layers gives you a rigid but strong piece. I have also heard cores being used to keep the expense of using multiple layers down. $100 euro for one is quite reasonable, 500euro for one wouldnt surprise me but no way i would pay that price.
I'd make sure the design that is modelled is the best you can find too, making sure all the right areas are protected as there is no welding extra bits on like some people have had to to protect things like the water pump.

There are several threads on advrider on the topic. Will try to find a link to one in particular i think would be of benefit.

Very long thread but a wealth of knowledge:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=592734

Thanks for the replies and for the link.. will get into it after work.

Shipping of one item (maximum of 1 kg) with normal post to USA, Germany, UK etc. would cost 17,50 euro (around 20USD).

The manufacturer didn't make items for motorbikes before but is specialized in car rally parts (mainly EVO 9&10). As well he produced the slide of an Olympic sledding team that won silver two years ago.

Here you see some samples of products they produced.




Any further suggestions are more than welcome :)

I've had my Flatland skid plate on my '08 for 3yrs and it never vibrates. I took heed from other forum members and placed foam tape on the frame before bolting it up. It's done it's job we'll and never complains.

Thanks for the comments. In the beginning of August, when I'm back from my business trip, I'll ask to produce a few pieces of Carbon fiber skid plates with a inner layer of Kevlar. Next to vibration issues (which can be solved I believe) the weight of the skid plate will be lower compared to an aluminum item. And I hope it will look better. If you don't try, you'll never know.
As soon as it's finished (and tested) I'll post it here.

gas_pig70 wrote:

I've had my Flatland skid plate on my '08 for 3yrs and it never vibrates. I took heed from other forum members and placed foam tape on the frame before bolting it up. It's done it's job we'll and never complains.

+1. Never a problem

VERY interested (money in hand) in one. Lets get it going. contact me directly at norman_perez @ me . com

+1 keen to see the final product

ongediertebestrijder wrote:

So what do you guys think of this product? Would this plate be of added value? Would someone be interested? Would there be a need to add carbon (would be more expensive)?
Johan

I'd be keen for one
Personally i don't see the need for any carbon whatsoever, Kevlar (Aramid) has awesome impact resistance - and that's what a skid plate is for, plus excellent strength.
To me carbon fiber is just used for show off value, exposed (visible) weave deteriorates badly in the sun anyway. It's too stiff a material for this application IMO.
It will need some sort of finish/paint to keep the fibers out of the UV rays though.

It's good to see some more people are interested.
I'll be working on it soon and will inform as soon as there are updates. Can't promise much as other people have holidays.

Today I went with an example aluminum skid plate to the manufacturer. The manufacturer will make a rough mold. Next week I'll come with my motorbike. They will make a 3d scan of the motorbike and re-design the mold according to my wishes.

The skid plate will be made of 5 different layers. 3 carbon, 1 Kevlar (for stiffness) and 1 layer of 'visual' carbon. It will have a rather big hole to make oil change easy. We will try to reduce the amount of flat surfaces as round surfaces seem to be stronger in case of crashes. As well the amount of holes will be limited as it might reduce the strength of the skid plate.

He will produce in total 10 skid plates which should be ready between now and a month.

Updates I'll post here.
If there are any wishes I would be glad to hear them so that we could take it in consideration when designing the skid plate.

Johan

Interested as well!

I'm tired of my flatland vibration noise.

any progress?

Subscribed. Interested.

No progress :(
The producer of the skid plate seems to be not motivated any more to help. He recalculated the price (two times higher because of mold which before he told it would be his costs) and it became a different story now. I'm trying to check how the price could be reduced (maybe higher production or use of different materials). It looks that there will not be any progress to the skid plates soon, unfortunately.

ongediertebestrijder wrote:

No progress :(
The producer of the skid plate seems to be not motivated any more to help. He recalculated the price (two times higher because of mold which before he told it would be his costs) and it became a different story now. I'm trying to check how the price could be reduced (maybe higher production or use of different materials). It looks that there will not be any progress to the skid plates soon, unfortunately.

Thats a shame their not playing ball anymore. I'm still interested in one if you do happen to get them to make them at a resonable cost origionally quoted. I really like the carbon ones that you can get for the KTM's I have one for my SX and let me tell you they can take a beating. my 2 buddies run them one on his 450exc and 250xcf and my other friend has one on his 250exc and they have never cracked after taking a few blows by rocks or sliding over logs.

Just as an aside - if you buy a DH mountain bike tube (heavy duty), cut it in half and wrap around the frame and zip tie in place it takes care of all the vibration of the Flatline skid plate. I have zero vibration with mine.

Resurrecting an old thread, I have a friend who makes Carbon parts Down Under. His work is of high quality and has multiple parts recently rally tested at the Condo750 rally and Australasian Safari in Australia this year (including a crash that destroyed the roadbook however his fairing survived unscathed).

His website:
http://www.rallyraideng.com/
https://www.facebook.com/rallyRallyRaidENG

Here are some pics of a bash plate and water carrier he made for a KTM. KTM bash plate currently priced at $220AUD plus shipping.

Anybody still interested in one for the WR? I could see if he has a min qty to make a new design for the WR? A group buy could also reduce the international postage costs by sending to a single point of contact in the USA?


Water carrier for a rally bike: