Bash Plate for the Honda CRF300L

Should you install a bash plate to your Honda CRF300L?

First things first, are you really going to take your Honda CRF300L offroad? Maybe you are planning to do the BDR(Backcountry Discovery Route) or TET(Trans Euro Trail), or whatever trip where offroad is required and you need to rely on your motorcycle more than ever. If that’s the case then a skid plate is definitely recommended.

In summary, a skid plate will protect the bottom of your engine. That’s also the cover for your oil sump and it is no fun to fix that while on the trail… well, actually it could be a lot of fun but it can also cut your trip short.

What bash plate to choose?

I would classify 3 main types of protection for the bottom of your engine:

• Skid plate made of plastic.
• Skid plate made out of steel or aluminium
• Skid plate integrated with crash bars.

A good example of a bash plate made out of plastic is the Acerbis model 0024816.

Its advantage is low weight and flexibility. Flexibility is important as it will add very little, if any, additional vibration to your motorcycle and handlebar. Its disadvantage is that it offers less protection than the other options.

A good example of a bash plate made out of aluminium is the Adventure Spec.

Its advantage is the higher impact and piercing protection and as a bonus, it also adds some additional coverage to the water pump on the right side of the motorcycle. Its disadvantage is higher weight (compared to plastic) and due to its stiffness, it can add more vibration to your ride. I personally think that vibrations have gone up a little bit when I’m riding on the highway at a constant high speed. However, on B roads and offroad I can’t notice anything.

In case you are wondering, I have the Adventure Spec installed on my CRF300L. Here is a video about it:

 

A good example of a bash plate with crash bar integration is the SCR Moto H-CRF300RL-V3-17-01

Its advantage is the higher impact and piercing protection and as a bonus you reduce the chances of damages to the sides of your motorcycle, be the engine cover or fairings. Its main disadvantage is weight. To be precise, this bash plate adds 7,5KG to your Honda CRF300L!

You got to make up your mind. The SCR is overkill for me and I’m not willing to get the extra protection for this amount of weight.

What is my recommendation?

There isn’t really right or wrong but you simply have to pick your priorities.

If you are not planning on going off road. Forget about it. Makes no sense to add a skid plate / bash plate.

If you are doing some light offroad and mainly trips around your area with easy access to help if needed. Go for the Acerbis made of plastic.

If you are doing BDR or TET trips. Several days on the road where a damage to the oil sump would be a terrible idea. Go for the Adventure Spec.

Personally the way I like to ride, the SCR just doesn’t fit. I’m not saying is a bad product, in fact it might even be a good quality product, but the concept of it is not for me.

If you’ve got any questions shoot me an email! Ride safe!