Got Protection?

The Honda CRF450X is a serious off-road machine. Tough in every way with one notable exception; the stock skid plate and engine guards. Lets face it, those cheap plastic parts aren't going to protect anything but Honda's profit margin.

What's to protect you ask? Just some of the most expensive parts on your brand new CRF450X. For example, the frame rails, center engine cases, left and right engine cases. Seriously damage one of these parts and you'll be seriously sorry you didn't do something to protect them.

Got protection? If not, Works Connection believes they have the protection you need and this bike deserves. We couldn't wait to get our hands on their version of a heavy duty, full-coverage skid plate. It's like no other we've seen. Not your typical "snow shovel" design. Rather a tight fitting glide plate for the frame rails and center engine cases mated to engine guards that protect the side frame rails and engine cases. Combine this unique design with Works Connections quality materials and craftsmanship and the end result is a functional piece of art that provides excellent protection.

Honda CRF450X Works Connection Skid Plate

So how do we really feel? This is the best skid plate on the market for the Honda CRF450X. It provides excellent protection, fits like a glove (literally), quality material and construction, all this at a reasonable weight. So, what's the downside? At $195.95 this type of quality and protection is not cheap...then again, neither are those cases this skid plate protects.

Conclusion

The entire skid plate, with additional mounting hardware, weighs in at 4lbs. The weight of the stock parts it replaces weigh in at 15.4oz. The net weight increase is 3lbs. 1.0oz. That is very reasonable given the increased protection.

The installation went very smoothly. Works Connection provides some of the best installation instructions period. They were spot on and detailed enough to lead any weekend mechanic to a successful installation. The only real challenge is installing the engine mount bolt with the provided spacers. The coverage is so good there's little room for fingers to hold them in place. Works Connection recommends using glue stick to hold them in place. My toolbox was found void of this recommended tool, so I used an allen wrench to position the spacer. This worked reasonably well. Bottom line on the install? Precise fit, all necessary hardware included, excellent instructions, reasonably quick.

Is it worth separating yourself from 195 hard earned dollars? If you don't plan on riding where rocks live, then the answer is no. However, rocks live off-road and that's where you'll be riding, so the answer is absolutely yes. If you can't afford this top-of-the-line skid plate then look into a less expensive alternative. Protect your investment.

Installation Notes

Just a few notes on the installation. The instructions are excellent but I thought these pictures might help.

• The radiator hoses need to be aligned parallel to each other as shown (Fig. 1). This will prevent the skid plate from pinching them when installed (Fig. 2)
• You'll need to remove the hose retainer as shown (Fig. 3)
• The skid plate uses the rubber pad from the stock "skid plate". Remove it and position it as shown (Fig. 4)
• You'll have to remove the stock engine mount bolt as shown (Fig. 5). This is very easy and is a tribute to Honda's precise manufacturing (Fig. 6). Works Connection provides a replacement that is longer to accommodate the increased width with the skid plate on.
• It is very important to get the rear mounting brackets aligned perpendicular to the rear frame cross member. The easiest way to verify or adjust them is to check from the rear of the skid plate as shown (Fig. 6).

Honda CRF450X Works Connection Skid Plate Installation Pictures

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4.5.6.

Works Connection Honda CRF450X Skid Plate Installed

As you can see from these pictures, the Works Connection Skid Plate looks like it belongs. Like it was part of the original bike design. In fact, several friends, when asked about the skid plate, confessed they hadn't even noticed it. Hey, it's about protection not bling!

Honda CRF450X Works Connection Skid Plate Installed

CRF's Only Review June 2005
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