SW-Motech Aluminum Engine Guard Skid | Suzuki DL650 V-Strom and V-Strom 650XT
This product is no longer available.
Description
New design with a 4mm-thick base plate and 3mm-thick side plates overlap at the seams to provide 7mm-thick rails on the outer edges of the skid plate for added strength and stability. Two-tone black and aluminum finish.
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Brand: SW-MOTECHQuestions? Call 1-855-255-5550 or contact our sales team
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- Description
- Part Numbers
- Fitment
- Resources
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Description
The SW-MOTECH skid plate can be used with:
- OEM center stand
- SW-MOTECH center stands
- Suzuki or SW-MOTECH crash bars
Front mounting bracket connects directly to the motorcycle without the need to connect to a crash bar. Recessed rear mounting bracket prevents damage to screw heads when sliding over rocks. Front and rear connection points are rubber mounted to reduce vibration which lowers noise and the possibility of fracturing the skid plate. The shock absorbing mounting points can be inexpensively replaced if damaged.
The skid plate has a pre-drilled hole in the bottom so that the oil drain plug bolt can be accessed without removing the skid plate. This allows the oil to be changed without removing the skid plate.
To change the oil filter the skid plate must be removed. This can be achieved by removing four bolts from the bottom of the skid plate and four additional bolts from the front end of the skid plate. The four skid plate mounting brackets can remain attached to the motorcycle. The process of removing and reattaching the skid plate from these points should add no more than 10 minutes to an oil filter change.
Optional SW-MOTECH Skid Plate Toolbox Available
Fitment Note: This skid plate was designed to work with the stock exhaust system. We cannot guarantee fitment or compatibility with any other aftermarket accessories.
Twisted Throttle Tech Tips: Skid Plate Installation Explained
Fitment Notes2012-2016 Suzuki V-Strom DL650
2017-2018 Suzuki V-Strom 650
2015-2019 Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT
Part Numbers
Our part number: | MSS.05.759.10001.B |
Manufacturer part number: | MSS.05.759.10001/B |
Fitment
Resources
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Ask a Question
Mark Struthers –
Will this also fit the 2020 V-Strom 650 XT?
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The Kilted Canuck –
Was riding up in the mountains down a rocky trail… and well, ended up landing on a large rock to the bottom of my bike. The guard totally took the hit, and while it needs to be replaced, I’m VERY glad it was that, and not my engine! (I just wish there was a discount for if you do take a hit and need another haha)
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SebasLaf –
Just hit a big rock with my V-Strom equiped with this skid plate ; the skid plate saved the day! I can confirm that this one is solid ! Now I just need to replace that brake pedal .. Breaking your engine is not Adventure.
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Van_Vstrom –
This skid plate came with my bike, I hit a rock and it sheared the bolts off the engine cover! Everyone I was riding with said this was a poor design and I was lucky to have not required a new engine after this. Most skid plates do not attach directly to the motor (the item on the bike they’re designed to protect).
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Van_Vstrom –
This skid plate came with my bike, I hit a rock and it sheared the bolts off the engine cover! Everyone I was riding with said this was a poor design and I was lucky to have not required a new engine after this. Most skid plates do not attach directly to the motor (the item on the bike they’re designed to protect).
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Ian –
I haven’t taken my 2017 DL650 off-road, so I haven’t really tested my skid plate, but I can confirm that what people say about this skid plate being difficult to install is accurate. I had to unbolt the front bracket completely in order to get the bottom bolts to meet their connections underneath the skid plate, they were still maybe half an inch short when I tried before with the bolts just extremely loose. Also, I didn’t expect to have to remove the side stand entirely to install, and can confirm that they are very tight. I had a very tedious time putting a box-end wrench on the bolt, standing on the end of it until rotating it 1/8 of a turn, then going back down to reset its position for another 1/8 turn. Expect to use a breaker bar and to lift the bike up on a swingarm stand — if only to get enough clearance.
I rarely write reviews, but I wanted to share this one to confirm I was able to successfully install this engine guard (SKU MSS.05.759.10001.B) on a 2017 Suzuki V-Strom 650. I really thought it was the wrong fit, but after removing the little 8mm bolts around the clutch cover and bolting it in from the bottom first, everything worked out.
Once installed, it looks very sharp, and I like SW Motech gear, but I had to give this one a 4 out of 5 for the instructions not explaining what exactly I was in for. Also I wouldn’t hate it if they used the same size fasteners as the originals; 17mm bolts are now 19mm, 8mm are now 10mm (I think?) Otherwise an excellent product.
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Suitcase –
SW Mo …bash plate for ’15 DL650 ax-expl abs. Fit and finish on the Motech unit very good, well engineered with good under engine and exhaust protection still with access to oil drain plug and oil filter, hopefully allowing oil/filter changes without removing the bash unit. With a bit of surgery, the upper portion of the OEM plastic engine shroud was salvaged and fits nicely over the uppermost area of the Motech unit. I did this to retain the OEM portion of protection for the rad and upper leading engine parts. Chris and others at Twisted T expedited my order and got it to me free and fast. TNX
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Markman –
I purchase this skid plate for my 2017 Vstrom 650 also the SW center stand and SW Crash Bars too 3500 miles later with off-road detours and my skid plate works so good! SW has mastered Vstrom addons I’ll be ordering more add ons for sure.
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Mark –
Purchased to replace a competitor’s plate, whose plate and mounts would bend under light impact.
Having read reviews here and other places, I was prepared to remove the sidestand bolts (installed with yellow Loc-tite, threadlocker of the Gods). I supported the bike on swingarm spools with a race stand, heated the sidestand bolts with a propane torch to soften the threadlocker, and used a half-inch drive socket to remove them. Laying on the ground, I pushed against the race stand with my foot to achieve the necessary leverage and they broke free on the first attempt. Annoyance: the bolts you remove are 17mm heads and the replacements are 19mm, so have your whole socket set handy. The same is true of the bolt you take out of the exhaust bracket on the other side – the replacement bolt head is 2mm bigger. Same deal with the five bolts you take out of the engine side cases – they’re 1mm bigger.
From there, installation was easy until I got to the four main bolts on the bottom. Even with the bolts to the engine case brackets loose (per instructions), the four bottom bolts were a challenge to line up. I used a tapered punch as a drift to help with alignment, but ultimately, I ended up enlarging the holes slightly and using larger, hardened washers under those bolts. The original washers tended to “cone” when torqued up snug against the holes in the plate, even before I enlarged the holes.
Per another review here, I replaced the countersunk socket head screws up front with harder, stainless ones to make sure the socket heads don’t round out under removals. It says you have to remove the plate for oil filter changes, but I run a K&N with the little nut on the front and I feel like I can do it without removing the plate. The oil drain plug hole appears to line up well.
I feel this is a well-designed part that should stand up to heavy use. The vulnerable oil filter and exhaust headers are well protected. The installation was a little fiddly, but not beyond the skills of a careful driveway mechanic – just remember to warm up those sidestand bolts before removal and have the bike well supported.
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Castledad –
Solid and a perfect fit. The only challenge is taking of the Vstrom’ side stand off (needed a propane torch to heat the bolts to loosen them). Otherwise, and uneventful build. Once you tighten everything, this skid place is rock solid,more than sturdy enough to take some solid hits.
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Rainier01 –
Good that it looks great after install. Bad that bolt hole alignment was not real accurate had to modify by opening up holes in bottom of skid plate to provide some adjustment. Will have too go though a process to change the oil filter. A couple glue lam blocks cut at 13″ works good to get the back wheel off the ground to remove side stand bolts.
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ygx –
Exactly what I needed. .
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ChrisG –
If you can avoid it, don’t try to install this without having the bike in the air (on a lift etc), it’s a royal pain to get the kickstand bolts out. I was on my back for an hour and a half pulling these bolts out but everything else was easy.
One other thing I’ve noticed , as with most of the bolts on the bike the bolts that hold the plate on to the brackets at the front are made of butter … well at least that’s what I found. The first time I had to remove the plate for an oil change I didn’t quite get the hex key in the slot completely and stripped it. I had to hunt around a bit to find them but found hardened bolts that will stand up better to being removed regularly.
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Okrider –
4 Stars only because I have not ‘tested’ it against a rock or such. But it should protect the oil filter and exhaust from trail debris.
Quality product like all SW-Motech products. Installed on my 650 V-Strom. Install was simple except removing the bolts that hold on the side stand (you have a center stand right?) was a pain. Use a universal and long extension to remove and install the new bracket and bolts. Finally, contrary to the instructions, I found it easier to install the 4 bottom bolts loosely before installing the 4 front bolts. Not everything lined up correctly and I couldn’t flex the front mounting brackets enough to line up the back bottom bolts. The reverse was just easier.
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Husky Man –
I am an enduro backwoods explorer by nature. For increased range and comfort I have added a DL650 V-Strom EXP to my toy collection. With limited ground clearance, and the desire to go stupid places, an exhaust and engine skid plate guard was immediately essential.
Twisted Throttle is great to deal with and my new SW-Motech Aluminum Engine Guard Skid Plate arrived at my door step in no time. After removing to OEM plastic under cowling it became obvious how vulnerable the power unit actually is.
Don’t be concerned with the apparent weakness of the front portoin of SW-Motech guard design. Once the guard is fully installed you will be impressed with the security and strength under the exhaust and engine where the protection is required.
The most difficult task in the procedure is the removal of the two heavy bolts that mount the side kick stand. Suzuki does not want these bolts to come loose and they never will.
Simply follow the directions and your SW-Motech guard will be installed in no time. Remember to keep the final guard bolts loose until you get them all started.
My engine is safe and bullet proof now. Happy Trails !!!
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Dean –
This is where Suzuki dropped the ball. They should have this from the factory. This is a quality item that fit like custom glove. Thank you for your high quality product.
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Davidyya –
The looks and finish of this skidplate are outsatnding. It is clearly designed from a serious engineering point of view, with multiple tolerances for adjustment and perfect fit. Only downside that I found was that in the instructions and description was never stated that the the lateral stand has to be removed for installation. So if you don’t have a motorcycle ramp, you will have a hard time installing this skidplate, most probably having to lean the bike on its side. Other minor difference that I found is that in some other models of skidplates, they are hold to the lateral guards that cover the engine and unite in front of the front cylinder, this SW_Motech skidplate does not hold to laterals guards which can be an advantage if you are not installing the lateral guards and a disadvantage in terms of rigidity/protection
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AndyTAZ –
I’m really pleased with the protection this provides for the engine. The installation directions are straight forward, the installation is not. I needed to use some serious tools to get the sidestand bolts out because of the thread locker used at the factory.
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BusyBob –
Just installed this on my 2015 DL650A. Very well built, and not difficult to install. This is a vast improvement over the plastic piece on the bike.
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Tim –
Excellent product that is well engineered and worth the $. Install is easy, with exception of swapping out the bolts that attach to the left rear frame/kickstand!! Not a fault of SW-M, but Suzuki (DL650 XT) really didn’t want those bolts to come out! Also worth noting, since you need to loosen the two bolts holing the kickstand, it is a good idea to have a centerstand already installed to support bike.
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Ken –
After purchasing a 2014 Suzuki Vstrom I knew right away that a skid plate was a necessity due to it’s exposed oil filter and underbelly.
The installation was pretty straight forward, directions clear and no big surprises. Most of the work was just getting to the bolts on the kick stand, without using the kickstand to do it.
Recently I rode up some pretty rough (rocky and steep) fire roads and more than once I could hear rocks scrapping the bikes underside. Very worthwhile purchase.
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Ken –
After purchasing a 2014 Suzuki Vstrom I knew right away that a skid plate was a necessity due to it’s exposed oil filter and underbelly.
The installation was pretty straight forward, directions clear and no big surprises. Most of the work was just getting to the bolts on the kick stand, without using the kickstand to do it.
Recently I rode up some pretty rough (rocky and steep) fire roads and more than once I could hear rocks scrapping the bikes underside. Very worthwhile purchase.
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pofolk2000 –
Exactly what I wanted to protect that oil filter and fit perfectly.
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Dwight –
I had all the parts I needed to install. The holes lined up the way they are supposed too. I am pleased with my purchase.
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