Motorcycle skid plate: how to choose the right engine protection for your adventure bike

A crankcase costs more than a 4-millimeter plate

On an adventure bike used for its intended purpose - gravel roads, water crossings, and dirt tracks connecting one pass to the next - damage to the lower part of the engine almost never comes from a genuine crash. It comes from a stone thrown up by the front wheel at speed, a rock step taken badly, or a log hidden in tall grass. The engine crankcase, oil filter, and initial section of the exhaust are collectively both the most exposed and the most expensive areas to repair: an oil pan punctured by a stone is almost never a bodywork problem; it leaves the bike stranded.

A skid plate does not eliminate the risk; it shifts it: the plate absorbs the impact energy, not the engine crankcase. It is an accessory that makes the most sense for riders who regularly leave the asphalt; on a bike used only in the city or on the highway, the real benefit is minimal, as we will see later.

Aluminum or plastic: the material defines the type of protection, not just the quality

Two main material families are found in motorcycle off-roading, and it is no coincidence that manufacturers keep both in their catalogs instead of choosing just one.

Aluminum is the most common solution on enduro and adventure bikes: rigid and resistant to a concentrated, localized impact, it is generally machined from a single piece without welds in the impact area, so it does not create a weak point. It is the material used throughout the LOBOO range covered here.

Technical plastic (often referred to as DTC or reinforced polymer) works differently: it yields slightly on impact instead of transmitting it, slides better over a large obstacle, and transmits less metallic noise on impact. With the same protection claimed by the manufacturers that use it, it can weigh up to 40% less than an equivalent aluminum plate - an advantage that matters (literally) especially on pure enduro bikes, less so on an adventure bike that already weighs over 200 kg.

The right thickness is not automatically the thickest possible

Among aluminum skid plates, the most common thickness on the aftermarket is 3 mm. LOBOO makes the entire range covered here from 4 mm aluminum, and presents this extra millimeter as an additional impact-resistance margin compared with the industry standard - a figure provided by the manufacturer, which we report as such and not as an independent third-party measurement.

The trade-off is weight: increasing the thickness from 3 to 4 mm on a plate with the same surface area adds a few hundred grams. That does not transform the overall weight of an adventure bike, but it is noticeable if you are already adding crash bars, panniers, and a reinforced stand.

The number of mounting points changes how the impact load is transferred to the frame

This is where the two LOBOO skid plates for the BMW R 1300 GS really differ, not just in list price.

The CHB131 attaches at 4 points, using the original BMW engine guard mount: fewer components and faster installation, but the load from a side impact is concentrated on fewer mounting points. The CHB151BK distributes the same type of impact across 6 points, with three dedicated brackets that replace the stock protection rather than relying on it: according to LOBOO, this improves impact resistance precisely because the load is not transferred to only two or three mounting points.

Both feature anti-vibration rubber mounts at every mounting point - a detail that, on a rigid plate bolted directly to the frame, makes the difference between an annoying resonant noise over every bump and a quiet installation.

There are two LOBOO skid plates for the BMW R 1300 GS, and they are not equivalent

The CHB151BK also covers a larger area: 553.4 mm in length compared with the CHB131's 379.1 mm, according to the figures published by LOBOO in its comparison of the two codes. The manufacturer's reference also states that it is compatible with Akrapovič front headers, a useful detail for anyone who has already replaced the stock exhaust. In LOBOO's materials, the CHB131 is listed as discontinued: it remains available for purchase while Endurrad's current stock lasts, but anyone buying today with the expectation of reordering the same code in the future would be wise to consider the CHB151BK directly. The CHB131 is currently available with actual stock at Endurrad; the CHB151BK, currently sold out, will return to the BMW R 1300 GS accessories collection with the next restock.

Anyone preparing an R 1300 GS or GS Adventure for a trip can find the complete list of compatible accessories in the BMW R 1300 GS accessories and BMW R 1300 GS Adventure accessories guides.

The Voge DS525X also has dedicated, non-universal protection

The LOBOO CHB821 skid plate covers the engine sump, oil filter and exhaust headers of the Voge DS525X from 2023 onward, using the same construction principle as the BMW versions: 4 mm aluminium, stainless steel bushings and damping rubber pads between the plate and frame to prevent the typical metallic rattling of skid plates bolted on without any cushioning.

LOBOO explicitly states that compatibility has been verified only for the DS525X: for the DS625X and DS900X, the manufacturer does not confirm compatibility, so before ordering it is worth contacting Endurrad with the motorcycle's model, year, and exact version.

The CHB821 is currently out of stock in both finishes (black and silver): you can check its current availability and the other accessories for the model in the Voge DS525X accessories collection.

Installation requires no drilling, but attention must be paid to the tightening torque

Across the entire LOBOO range described here, installation follows the same logic: no drilling is required, and the mounting points are the motorcycle's original ones or the dedicated brackets supplied in the kit. Both BMW skid plates leave access to the oil drain plug unobstructed, so routine oil changes do not require removing the plate.

• CHB131: M6×30 bolts tightened to 8 N·m, only once installation is complete.
• CHB151BK: M6×25 bolts at 10 N·m and M8×25 bolts at 18 N·m, always after final adjustment.
• CHB821 (Voge): M6 bolts at 10 N·m and M8 bolts at 20 N·m, with threadlocker included in the package.

Is it really necessary, or can you do without it

If your adventure almost always takes place on asphalt - commuting, day trips on state roads, and some motorway riding - the skid plate protects against a risk you rarely encounter: the real benefit is low compared with the cost and added weight. The situation is different if your plans include gravel roads, dirt tracks connecting one pass to another, or a trip with off-road stages: there, the skid plate stops being a cosmetic accessory and becomes mechanical insurance, together with crash bars and an enlarged kickstand plate.

A compromise worth knowing: none of the skid plates covered here protects the side of the engine or the exhaust system beyond the first section of the headers. Anyone tackling technical off-road terrain, rather than just fast gravel roads, should consider engine protection together with, not instead of, dedicated crash bars and - if the terrain is truly rough - a wider kickstand plate to prevent sinking on the weaker side when stopping off-road.

Frequently asked questions

What is a motorcycle skid plate?

It is a protective plate mounted beneath the engine that shields the oil sump, filter, and in some cases the initial section of the exhaust headers from impacts coming from below: stones thrown up by the wheel, rock steps, and logs hidden on the unpaved ground.

What is a skid plate really for on an adventure motorcycle?

It reduces the risk of puncturing or denting the engine sump off-road. On a motorcycle used only on the road, the practical benefit is marginal; it becomes significant when riding regularly on gravel roads or off-road terrain.

Is an aluminum or technical plastic skid plate better?

There is no outright winner: aluminum withstands a single, concentrated impact better, while technical plastic (DTC or reinforced polymer) absorbs repeated impacts better, weighs less, and makes less noise on impact. The LOBOO range covered here is made entirely of aluminum.

How thick should an aluminum skid plate be?

In the aftermarket, the most common thickness is 3 mm. LOBOO makes its range in 4 mm, claiming greater impact resistance: this is information provided by the manufacturer, not an independently verified measurement by Endurrad.

What is the difference between the 4-point and 6-point skid plates?

The CHB131 (4 points) uses the original BMW engine guard mount. The CHB151BK (6 points) comes with its own brackets, which replace that mount and distribute the load from an impact across more attachment points, while also covering a larger area (553.4 mm versus 379.1 mm).

Are the LOBOO CHB131 and CHB151BK skid plates interchangeable?

No: they use different mounting systems (4 points on the original mount versus 6 points on dedicated brackets) and do not share the same hardware or mounting kit.

Does the skid plate prevent an oil change?

No: all models covered here have the hole aligned with the oil drain plug, so the oil can be changed without removing the plate.

Does installing the skid plate require drilling the motorcycle?

No, none of the three LOBOO codes requires drilling: they mount to the motorcycle's original mounting points or to dedicated brackets supplied in the kit.

Is the CHB151BK skid plate compatible with the Akrapovič exhaust on the BMW R 1300 GS?

According to the LOBOO reference, yes, it is compatible with the Akrapovič front headers. This has not been independently verified by Endurrad: if you have any doubts about a specific configuration, write to us before ordering.

Is a skid plate necessary if I only ride on asphalt?

The risk it protects against (stones and impacts from below on dirt roads) is rare on pure asphalt. In that case, the benefit is limited compared with the added weight and cost: it is an accessory designed mainly for those who regularly leave paved roads.

Does the skid plate also protect in the event of a fall?

Only partially: it shields the lower part of the engine from vertical impacts and stones, but it does not cover the sides of the engine or the levers. For those, you need a crash bar and dedicated handguards, respectively.

Is there also an LOBOO skid plate for the Voge DS625X or DS900X?

LOBOO does not state that the CHB821 is compatible with these two models, only with the DS525X from 2023 onward. Before ordering for a DS625X or DS900X, you must verify the model, year, and version with Endurrad.

How much does a 4 mm aluminum skid plate weigh?

It depends on the coverage area: the shorter CHB131 weighs 1,662 g; the longer CHB151BK, with its own additional brackets, weighs 2,830 g.

Can the CHB131 skid plate still be purchased if it is listed as "discontinued"?

Yes, as long as the available stock lasts at Endurrad: LOBOO lists the reference as discontinued by the factory, but the code remains on sale until sold out.