Skid Plates, Sliders & Spools
About Skid Plates, Sliders & Spools
Skid plates, sliders and spools protect the lowest and most exposed parts of a bike. A skid plate covers the underside of the engine and frame on dirt and adventure bikes, so rocks and logs hit it instead of the cases. Frame sliders and bar-end sliders are small pucks that let a street or sport bike slide in a fall rather than catching and breaking parts. Spools are bolt-in mounts on the swingarm for a paddock stand. Riders shop here after a gouge or hole in a plate, before off-road trips, before track days or when adding a stand.
Match the part to how you ride. Skid plates are made for specific models, such as KTM, Husqvarna, Sherco, Yamaha YZ and Kawasaki and Suzuki models in the listings here, and some are made of carbon fiber. Frame slider kits, such as the one for the CBR600RR, mount to the frame's bolts, and some require changes to the bodywork, so read the instructions. Bar-end sliders protect the end of the handlebar. Spools must match the swingarm's mounting points and your stand's design. Sliders and plates reduce damage in tip-overs and slides, but they do not make a bike crash-proof. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page.
Brands in this category include Vortex, PSR, Puig Hi-Tech Parts, Acerbis and SW-Motech. For other protection, see Engine Guards & Highway Bars, Frame & Crash Protection and Exhaust Guards, all part of Guards & Protection.
FAQs on skid plates, frame sliders and spools
What is a skid plate for?
A skid plate covers the underside of the engine and frame so rocks, logs and the ground hit the plate instead of the engine cases. It is common on dirt and adventure bikes, and it is made for a specific model.
What is the difference between frame sliders and crash bars?
Frame sliders are small pucks that mount to the frame and let a bike slide in a fall. Crash bars are tubular frames around the engine that take the impact. Some riders fit both. Choose by the model and how you ride.
What are swingarm spools?
Spools are threaded mounts that bolt to the swingarm so a paddock stand can lift the rear wheel. They must match the swingarm's mounting points and the stand's hooks, so check both before buying.
Do frame sliders require cutting my fairings?
On many fairing-equipped bikes, the sliders need holes or cutouts in the bodywork, though some kits avoid this. The listing and the instructions explain what is needed, so check before you start.
Which skid plate material should I choose?
Aluminum is stiff and common on off-road plates. Plastic is lighter and quieter against rock. Carbon fiber is the lightest option. Choose on how rough your terrain is and what is made for your model.
