[Review] The Ultimate Skid Plate by Black Dog Cycle Works (For KTM 790/890)

There are certain stock parts on the KTM 790/890 that just need to go right away and the skid plate is one of them. If you plan on taking your 790/890 Adventure off-road, the Black Dog Cycle Works Ultimate Skid Plate is an important upgrade that will take on abuse and also protect your motorcycle in ways that the stock skid plate will not. Let’s dive into why we were impressed when these skid plates came out of the box and why we’re still impressed after 6,000 miles of use (~1,000 off-road use and ~5,000 on-road use).

First of all, these skid plates are built with a robust 3/16 inch 5052 aluminum. It’s durable and thick and will take the abuse so your motorcycle doesn’t have to. The thickness of this skid plate is important but what’s also very important is how it mounts to the bike. There is a “crush zone” meaning that if you hit a rock, your skid plate will take the impact and won’t push into the exhaust/oil pan, etc. This is imperative for optimal protection. In addition to the crush zone, another key mounting point to talk about is the reinforced bracket that works as a mounting point for the skid plate but also reinforces the footpeg brackets. An added bonus and peace of mind with having this skid plate mounted.

The Ultimate Skid Plate is a two-piece design meaning that maintenance access is easy. The upper portion of the skid plate stays mounted and you can easily remove the bottom for maintenance such as an oil change. You can leave your tank guards in place and simply remove the bottom plate for access.

You may be thinking that with the mounting bracket between the footpegs, you can no longer use a center stand. We rode with a center stand for about 40 miles before realizing that it was absolutely a pain in the ass. Not only would it bounce down on every bump or rock and then slam into the bottom of the motorcycle, it is also extremely heavy. Yes, center stands are nice for maintenance but even if it was lightweight and out of the way, I couldn’t take the beating up against the motorcycle on bumps. The Ultimate Skid Plate is compatible for use with the Enduro Star TS3 Trail Stand which eliminates the need entirely for a large and clunky center stand. The Trail Stand easily packs into your tool kit, is lightweight, and is easy to use. It is not included with the Skid Plate but can be added on and shipped with the Black Dog Skid Plate. (Note that it may save you a few dollars if you order the Trail Stand directly through Enduro Star depending on shipping charges).

Overall we’ve been happy to have the Ultimate Skid Plate installed on both the 790 and 890. We do most of our riding off-road with the exception of our last Central America trip, so having the protection is absolutely necessary. We know that these skid plates will take a beating so that the motorcycle doesn’t have to. Plus they look badass and sleek! Check out Black Dog Cycle Works and all of the parts they offer for the 790/890 in addition to the Ultimate Skid Plate.

*We received this gear for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.