AXP Racing has been manufacturing quality motorcycle protection products since 1999, including 8mm-thick high-density polyethylene (HDPE) skid plates since 2017. The French company specializes in protecting the vulnerable parts of enduro race bikes. Although the Ultimate Motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike isn’t raced, it occasionally crashes on trails where rocks and stumps are always ready to take a bite out of the engine or linkage. The Ténéré 700 has many exposed parts, and the AXP Racing skid plate protects most of them.
The stock Ténéré 700 skid plate was an obvious first upgrade for the project. I initially opted for a super sturdy aluminum skid plate. While it provides good general coverage, it needed additional protection for the water pump cover and shock linkage.
I first saw an AXP Racing skid plate on a friend’s Ténéré 700, and it caught my eye. It looks great on the bike and offers protection that my aluminum one doesn’t. He rides more extreme trails than I do and has rock-, stump-, and crash-tested his skid plate over several years. The AXP Racing skid plate’s 8mm HDPE does not dent or generate vibration, and is lighter than aluminum.
I didn’t find the included single-page instruction sheet particularly helpful, so I consulted a great installation video on the AXP site. Initial installation takes about a half hour. You need to install a T-shaped linkage protection support bracket in a tight location, just in front of the rear shock lower mount. Even though the mounting holes are easy to locate when lying on your back, it takes dexterity and patience to secure the bolt that holds the T-bracket in place. After several attempts to thread the nut with my fingertips, I realized my long needle-nose pliers could hold the nut at the correct angle to start the threads. If you have any eager youngsters at home, their skinny hands and fingers can be a big help during this part of the installation.
The 5.5-pound AXP skid plate is easy to support when installing the two front and two middle mounting bolts, which screw directly into the OEM skid plate mounts. The linkage-protection extension bolts up to the previously installed T-bracket. All the holes line up perfectly, ensuring that oil changes won’t be frustrating due to removing and reinstalling the AXP Racing skid plate.
A skid plate is one of those parts you don’t think about until you’re thanking it for a job well done. It’s an essential piece of preventive maintenance. If you never leave the pavement, the stock skid plate will suffice. However, venture off-road, and one unseen rock or angular rut can send you into parts of the trail you didn’t plan to explore. A stump, rock, or branch can easily damage a critical engine component, potentially leaving you stranded. The AXP Racing AX1564 skid plate, at €199 (plus €60 shipping), is an easy investment to protect against expensive engine repairs and the prospect of a long hike in boots that are not made for walking.
