Joined
·
4,037 Posts
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber8" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="13%"> 
</td> <td width="87%">Ricochet Offroad Skid Plate – Polaris RZR – Product ReviewPolaris RZR 2008-2009 P/N 7112
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="79%"> One of the first things I always do with any new ATV is to replace the factory skid plates directly after the machine arrives at it’s new home. I have always chosen skid plates from Ricochet Offroad. Ricochet makes some of the best undercarriage protection for your ATV or side by side that I have ever used. Not only do Ricochet skid plates provide the ultimate protection for your frame, A-arms and CV joints, they also provide greater support and rigidity for your frame.
</td> <td width="21%">
![]()
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
First Inspection
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber2" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="29%">
![]()
</td> <td width="71%"> Upon arrival, the Ricochet Offroad skid plates were individually packaged. The A-arm guards came in a smaller 12x 16 size box while the belly skids came packaged in a much larger box.
I was initially shocked at how heavy the second package was. But the Ricochet skids for the Polaris RZR provide complete coverage for the underbelly of the vehicle. Measuring in at 5/16” the Ricochet skids for the RZR are definitely a very heavy duty option for your RZR.
The belly skid offers much more coverage than the OEM skid plate. This gave us some piece of mind knowing that the underside near the rocker panels were protected.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="33%">
![]()
</td> <td width="33%">
![]()
</td> <td width="34%">
![]()
</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" width="100%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Installation
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber4" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td rowspan="2" width="75%"> Installation begins by first removing the factory skid plates. Removing the A-arm guards on the Polaris RZR 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 have been improved to a new zinc plated T40 Torx bolt which is provided with the complete set of skids. This is a vast improvement over their older hex head bolts. I had once considered using stainless, but the type of fasteners available locally were made from a very soft grade of stainless steel and would have most likely caused more problems later on.
The instructions from Ricochet read something like stand the vehicle up on it’s rear. This would have been easier said than done as the RZR weighs over 1000 pounds. We found simple automobile ramps were adequate for the installation. Starting with the front differential skid plate and working our way back we began “armorizing” the bottom of the Polaris RZR.
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 re uses all of the same mounting points as the plastic Polaris RZR 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.
</td> <td width="25%">
![]()
</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%">
![]()
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="65%"> Another great thing about these skids is that they allow complete access to all of the service points on your RZR. This prevents you from having to remove the skid plates in order to perform general maintenance like fluid changes.
</td> <td width="35%">
![]()
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Ride Report
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber7" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="26%">
![]()
</td> <td width="74%"> With our first trip in the RZR being with the skid plates installed we immediately realized how essential the Ricochet skid plates are on this particular machine. The longer wheelbase and lower stance makes the RZR hit a few more rocks than quad does.
We hit large rocks during our test; I thought for sure that the Ricochet's skids were going to have dents in them. Remarkably, our inspections at the end of our ride revealed no damages to the skids.
The front a-arm guards protected the vital CV boot area fairly well with the rear section open to allow for easy run out of water, mud or snow. I really liked this feature of the front a-arm guards. The rear a-arm guards completely enclose the CV boots and axles area. This area will easily get packed with mud and snow, so some care needs to be taken in some circumstances to keep the area clean.
At the end of the day it was clear that skid plate protection is a must for any extreme riding in rocky areas.
</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="26%">
![]()
</td> <td width="74%">
![]()
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
![]()
Conclusion
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.
Another thing we felt worth mentioning was the availability of different colors for Ricochet skid plates (black or green).
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
</td> <td width="87%">Ricochet Offroad Skid Plate – Polaris RZR – Product ReviewPolaris RZR 2008-2009 P/N 7112</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="79%"> One of the first things I always do with any new ATV is to replace the factory skid plates directly after the machine arrives at it’s new home. I have always chosen skid plates from Ricochet Offroad. Ricochet makes some of the best undercarriage protection for your ATV or side by side that I have ever used. Not only do Ricochet skid plates provide the ultimate protection for your frame, A-arms and CV joints, they also provide greater support and rigidity for your frame.
</td> <td width="21%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
First Inspection
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber2" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="29%">
I was initially shocked at how heavy the second package was. But the Ricochet skids for the Polaris RZR provide complete coverage for the underbelly of the vehicle. Measuring in at 5/16” the Ricochet skids for the RZR are definitely a very heavy duty option for your RZR.
The belly skid offers much more coverage than the OEM skid plate. This gave us some piece of mind knowing that the underside near the rocker panels were protected.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="33%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Installation
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber4" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td rowspan="2" width="75%"> Installation begins by first removing the factory skid plates. Removing the A-arm guards on the Polaris RZR 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 have been improved to a new zinc plated T40 Torx bolt which is provided with the complete set of skids. This is a vast improvement over their older hex head bolts. I had once considered using stainless, but the type of fasteners available locally were made from a very soft grade of stainless steel and would have most likely caused more problems later on.
The instructions from Ricochet read something like stand the vehicle up on it’s rear. This would have been easier said than done as the RZR weighs over 1000 pounds. We found simple automobile ramps were adequate for the installation. Starting with the front differential skid plate and working our way back we began “armorizing” the bottom of the Polaris RZR.
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 re uses all of the same mounting points as the plastic Polaris RZR 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.
</td> <td width="25%">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="65%"> Another great thing about these skids is that they allow complete access to all of the service points on your RZR. This prevents you from having to remove the skid plates in order to perform general maintenance like fluid changes.
</td> <td width="35%">
Ride Report
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber7" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="26%">
We hit large rocks during our test; I thought for sure that the Ricochet's skids were going to have dents in them. Remarkably, our inspections at the end of our ride revealed no damages to the skids.
The front a-arm guards protected the vital CV boot area fairly well with the rear section open to allow for easy run out of water, mud or snow. I really liked this feature of the front a-arm guards. The rear a-arm guards completely enclose the CV boots and axles area. This area will easily get packed with mud and snow, so some care needs to be taken in some circumstances to keep the area clean.
At the end of the day it was clear that skid plate protection is a must for any extreme riding in rocky areas.
</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="26%">
Conclusion
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.
Another thing we felt worth mentioning was the availability of different colors for Ricochet skid plates (black or green).
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
