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Product Review - Ricochet Offroad Skid Plate - Honda Rancher
<table id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%">When I first purchased my 2008 Honda Rancher I was never totally satisfied with the OEM skid plates. The plastic skid plates on this machine are less than adequate for the trails that I ride on; heck, the OEM plates are less than adequate for the trails that anyone rides on. All it takes is for one rock or other object to break the plastic and puncture the bottom of the block or differential. So I contacted Don Gibbs at Ricochet Offroad and within a few days I had a brand new complete set of the best undercarriage protection that money can buy arrive at my door. The money you pay for this protection is very minor in comparison to buying a new differential on even a new axle. And not only does Ricochet skid plates provide ultimate protection for your frame, A-arms and CV Joints, they also provide greater support and rigidity for your frame.
</td> <td width="27%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
First Inspection
<table id="AutoNumber2" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="27%">
</td> <td width="73%">Upon arrival, the Ricochet Offroad skid plates were individually packaged in thick plastic with decals and instructions for each component. The full undercarriage protection comes with A-arm guards, Front bash plate, rear swingarm plate and of course the main skid plate.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%">I was extremely pleased with the 5/16” aluminum and coverage area that was provided by the skid plates. The main skid plate’s surface area was much wider than the stock plastic providing much more protection. The rear swingarm plate was a welcome addition because in this area the Rancher does not have any protection except for a small plate under the brake drum and differential which only created a trap for mud and debris. The OEM A-arm guards were non existent and the plastic CV boot protectors were a joke so it is needless to say that the Ricochet Offroad A-arm guards are a much needed add-on for any Rancher owner.
</td> <td width="27%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Installation
<table id="AutoNumber4" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="26%">
</td> <td width="74%">Installation begins by first removing the OEM skid plates. Removing the CV boot protectors on the Honda Rancher is not necessary as the Ricochet skid plates will clear them just fine and may provide an extra level of protection.
An inventory was taken to ensure all fasteners and pieces were included. The quality of fasteners has been improved to a new zinc plated T40 Torx bolt which Ricochet also provides a tool with the complete set of skids. This is a vast improvement over their older hex head bolts.
The instructions from Ricochet read something like stand the vehicle up on its rear. That is not too difficult to do on the Rancher but lucky for me, I have access to a fork lift, so I just simply attached a strap to the front of the Rancher and lifted it up providing a much safer alternative. But most folks won’t have a fork lift sitting around so driving the Rancher on some automotive style ramps will also do the trick just as well.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber5" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%" height="199"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%" height="199">Install time took about 2 hours total and required minimal tools. The install time could have been shortened even more with the use of an impact wrench or motorized nut driver for the belly skid which reuses all of the same mounting points as the plastic Honda Rancher OEM skid.
Ricochet recommended that you use blue Locktite for the belly skid to prevent the self tapping screws from coming loose. Along with using the Locktite we also used anti-seize compound on all other fasteners to prevent them from seizing up later on. Another great thing about these skids is that they allow complete access to all of the service points on your Rancher. This prevents you from having to remove the skid plates in order to perform general maintenance like fluid changes.
</td> <td width="27%" height="199">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Rider Report
<table id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="27%">
</td> <td width="73%">I was eager to take the Rancher out to my favorite rock garden and test out the skids. Within minutes into the trail, I immediately realized how essential the Ricochet Offroad skid plates are when I started banging the bottom of my quad on large rocks in a creek section I was riding. I was certain that I had damaged my skid plates due to some hard impacts in the creek. Remarkably, our inspections at the end of our ride revealed no damages to the skids.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber7" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%">The front a-arm guards protected the vital CV boot area extremely well and the entire kit added a sense of invulnerability and seemed to push me a little further into the trail without worries.
At the end of the day it was clear that skid plate protection is a must for any extreme riding in rocky areas.
</td> <td width="27%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber8" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%"> 
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</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber9" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%"> 
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</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Conclusion
<table id="AutoNumber10" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="27%">
</td> <td width="73%">I am a firm believer that anyone who rides an ATV or side by side a lot whether it be for work or pleasure needs to have a quality set of skid plates installed on their machine. The cost of frame damage and torn CV boots alone, or simply the idea of being stranded out on a trail can justify the cost of a set of skid plates from Ricochet Offroad.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
For more information on Ricochet Offroad Products, contact them with the following information.
Ricochet Offroad Armor®
3375 S. West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
1-866-273-1197
<table id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%">When I first purchased my 2008 Honda Rancher I was never totally satisfied with the OEM skid plates. The plastic skid plates on this machine are less than adequate for the trails that I ride on; heck, the OEM plates are less than adequate for the trails that anyone rides on. All it takes is for one rock or other object to break the plastic and puncture the bottom of the block or differential. So I contacted Don Gibbs at Ricochet Offroad and within a few days I had a brand new complete set of the best undercarriage protection that money can buy arrive at my door. The money you pay for this protection is very minor in comparison to buying a new differential on even a new axle. And not only does Ricochet skid plates provide ultimate protection for your frame, A-arms and CV Joints, they also provide greater support and rigidity for your frame.
</td> <td width="27%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
First Inspection
<table id="AutoNumber2" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="27%">
</td> <td width="73%">Upon arrival, the Ricochet Offroad skid plates were individually packaged in thick plastic with decals and instructions for each component. The full undercarriage protection comes with A-arm guards, Front bash plate, rear swingarm plate and of course the main skid plate.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%">I was extremely pleased with the 5/16” aluminum and coverage area that was provided by the skid plates. The main skid plate’s surface area was much wider than the stock plastic providing much more protection. The rear swingarm plate was a welcome addition because in this area the Rancher does not have any protection except for a small plate under the brake drum and differential which only created a trap for mud and debris. The OEM A-arm guards were non existent and the plastic CV boot protectors were a joke so it is needless to say that the Ricochet Offroad A-arm guards are a much needed add-on for any Rancher owner.
</td> <td width="27%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Installation
<table id="AutoNumber4" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="26%">
</td> <td width="74%">Installation begins by first removing the OEM skid plates. Removing the CV boot protectors on the Honda Rancher is not necessary as the Ricochet skid plates will clear them just fine and may provide an extra level of protection.
An inventory was taken to ensure all fasteners and pieces were included. The quality of fasteners has been improved to a new zinc plated T40 Torx bolt which Ricochet also provides a tool with the complete set of skids. This is a vast improvement over their older hex head bolts.
The instructions from Ricochet read something like stand the vehicle up on its rear. That is not too difficult to do on the Rancher but lucky for me, I have access to a fork lift, so I just simply attached a strap to the front of the Rancher and lifted it up providing a much safer alternative. But most folks won’t have a fork lift sitting around so driving the Rancher on some automotive style ramps will also do the trick just as well.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber5" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%" height="199"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%" height="199">Install time took about 2 hours total and required minimal tools. The install time could have been shortened even more with the use of an impact wrench or motorized nut driver for the belly skid which reuses all of the same mounting points as the plastic Honda Rancher OEM skid.
Ricochet recommended that you use blue Locktite for the belly skid to prevent the self tapping screws from coming loose. Along with using the Locktite we also used anti-seize compound on all other fasteners to prevent them from seizing up later on. Another great thing about these skids is that they allow complete access to all of the service points on your Rancher. This prevents you from having to remove the skid plates in order to perform general maintenance like fluid changes.
</td> <td width="27%" height="199">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Rider Report
<table id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="27%">
</td> <td width="73%">I was eager to take the Rancher out to my favorite rock garden and test out the skids. Within minutes into the trail, I immediately realized how essential the Ricochet Offroad skid plates are when I started banging the bottom of my quad on large rocks in a creek section I was riding. I was certain that I had damaged my skid plates due to some hard impacts in the creek. Remarkably, our inspections at the end of our ride revealed no damages to the skids.</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber7" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="73%">The front a-arm guards protected the vital CV boot area extremely well and the entire kit added a sense of invulnerability and seemed to push me a little further into the trail without worries.
At the end of the day it was clear that skid plate protection is a must for any extreme riding in rocky areas.
</td> <td width="27%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table id="AutoNumber8" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="50%">
</td> <td width="50%"> 
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Conclusion
<table id="AutoNumber10" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="27%">
</td> <td width="73%">I am a firm believer that anyone who rides an ATV or side by side a lot whether it be for work or pleasure needs to have a quality set of skid plates installed on their machine. The cost of frame damage and torn CV boots alone, or simply the idea of being stranded out on a trail can justify the cost of a set of skid plates from Ricochet Offroad.</td> </tr> </tbody></table> For more information on Ricochet Offroad Products, contact them with the following information.
Ricochet Offroad Armor®
3375 S. West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
1-866-273-1197
