Aluminum skid plate

[bgmny]

I was looking at a aluminim skid plate for my sportsman. Does anyone have any advice on these things? Is it really necessary to have one or is it a waste of money?

[Dave]

The underside of most machines are protected pretty well already. Unless you are riding in rocky terrain a lot, rubbing the belly of your machine, I would spend the money on something else.

[Fisher Dave]

I've had the aluminum skid plates and I dont recommend them. Once you hit anything to put a dent in the plate they get *tweeked* and it can be near impossible to get the to bolt back onto the machine if you take it off for any reason(maintenence).

[Dave]

Also, Polaris does offer the plastic skid plate. They've worked well for me. This does offer some added protection from scuffing up the metal undercarriage to protect from rusting. Anything you add-on though will also hold more mud and debris.

[FMJ]

I made my own aluminum skid plate for my rancher, I went aluminum because the stock one was starting to rust otherwise i wouldn't of bothered. I also have a sportsman 500 and the stock one is rusted pretty bad on it and its a 2004 with very low miles.