--- title: Get a better BMW R1200GS skidplate, the original will cost you... description: "It's the most satisfying sound, when you actually \"hear\" your BMW R1200GS skidplate protection doing it's job..." image: https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/file-14273923-jpg/images/altrider_skidplate.jpg --- [![rideadv-logo no bottom text](https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rideadv-logo%20no%20bottom%20text.png?width=288&name=rideadv-logo%20no%20bottom%20text.png "rideadv-logo no bottom text")](https://www.rideadv.com?hsLang=en-us) - [+1-458-836-5426](tel:+1458-8365426) - [** WhatsApp ](https://wa.me/14588365426) - [Contact Us](https://www.rideadv.com/contact-ride-adventures?hsLang=en-us) - [Blog](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog?hsLang=en-us) - [**](https://www.rideadv.com/search-results?hsLang=en-us) - [Request Information](https://www.rideadv.com/contact-ride-adventures?hsLang=en-us) [**](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/bid/88386/Get-a-better-BMW-R1200GS-skidplate-the-original-will-cost-you#mobile-nav) ### RIDE Adventures Blog # Get a better BMW R1200GS skidplate, the original will cost you... Posted by [Eric Lange](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/author/eric-lange) on August 15, 2012 ![Eric Lange](https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/hub/43106/file-2225857620.jpg) Since riding his KTM 950 Adventure down to South America in 2008 and launching RIDE Adventures in 2010, Eric now resides in Oregon for most of each year. Riding is still a regular part of his work though, in that guiding tours is a passion he'll always have, and researching new routes and regions allows RIDE Adventures to continue growing and providing reliable travel services to adventure minded riders and travelers from around the world. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![AltRider Skidplate](https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/file-14273923-jpg/images/altrider_skidplate.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=altrider_skidplate.jpg) Another gripe new owners of a BMW R1200GS or GS Adventure will have is that the original skid plate that BMW gives us is a bit of a joke.  Directly from the underside, it's probably not too bad.  It'll take some pounding from rocks or whatever kicks up directly underneath, but not too much, as it's pretty thin and not too rigid. What about that cross-pipe / exhaust balancer that resides directly behind the front wheel though?  It just sits there, directly in the line of fire of any rocks or road/trail debris that the front tire decides to kick up.  For this reason alone, you need better protection, and the good folks at AltRider have once again come up with a solution. The simple curl on the front of the [AltRider R1200GS Skid Plate](http://www.altrider.com/altrider-skid-plate-for-bmw-r-1200-gs/pcid/688-1) protects the exhaust balancer and the rest of the front engine housing (like that front cover of your alternator belt.)   Easily installed in about 10 minutes with easy to use instructions included, the AltRider skid plate will *easily* pay for itself when you start hearing that "PING!" noise on the trail (the sound of big rocks kicking up and hitting your new skid plate.)  Without it, your exhaust balancer is likely to sustain a serious dent, after which it can't equalize backpressure the way it's supposed to and further problems can develop.  In addition to not doing its job properly, once it's been damaged, rust and corrosion will become a factor and you'll have to replace it for sure. SPEAKING of header protection, did you know they made these clamp-on [Universal Header Guards](http://www.altrider.com/altrider-universal-header-guards-pair-bmw-r-1200-gs-adventure/pcid/890-1) as well?  Another easy 10-minute install job for both sides, see the picture below for how they look. Spend a little now, and save a bunch down the road.  Not to mention the sharply farkled look these items add to your bike! ![AltRider Header Guards](https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/file-14273869-jpg/images/altrider_header_guards.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=altrider_header_guards.jpg) ![AltRider Skidplate BMW](https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/file-14273891-jpg/images/altrider_skidplate_bmw.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=altrider_skidplate_bmw.jpg) ### Subscribe to the RIDE Adventures blog by Email  [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/43106/952ef3c8-c8e3-4b4d-833a-e2ce5b612f3c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/43106/952ef3c8-c8e3-4b4d-833a-e2ce5b612f3c) ### Browse by Category - [4x4 Adventures (2)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/4x4-adventures) - [Adventure Packing & Planning (37)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/adventure-packing-planning) - [Fixes & Maintenance (16)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/fixes-maintenance) - [Motorcycle 101 (3)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-101) - [Motorcycle Gear (93)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-gear) - [Motorcycle Product Reviews (59)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-product-reviews) - [Motorcycle Rentals (10)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-rentals) - [Motorcycle Reviews (49)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-reviews) - [Motorcycle Safety (39)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-safety) - [Motorcycle Tours (39)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-tours) - [Motorcycle Training (27)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-training) - [Motorcycle Travel Info (102)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/motorcycle-travel-info) - [News & Events (138)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/news-events) - [thailand (1)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/thailand) - [travel advice & suggestions (1)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/travel-advice-suggestions) - [Trip Reports (40)](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/topic/trip-reports) [see all](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/bid/88386/Get-a-better-BMW-R1200GS-skidplate-the-original-will-cost-you#) ### Latest Posts ## Start Your Reservation Process Now. Contact Us! © 2026 www.rideadv.com | [Privacy Policy](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us) [Book Your Trip Now!](https://www.rideadv.com/contact-ride-adventures?hsLang=en-us) [Shop](https://shop.rideadv.com/) [Video Gallery](https://www.rideadv.com/motorcycle-adventure-tour-videos) [RIDE Adventures Blog](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog) [Call Us +1 (458) 836-5426](tel:+14588365426) © www.rideadv.com | [Privacy Policy](https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/983010303/?guid=ON&script=0) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eric Lange", "url" : "https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/author/eric-lange" }, "datePublished" : "2012-08-15T15:44:00.000Z", "headline" : "Get a better BMW R1200GS skidplate, the original will cost you...", "image" : [ "https://www.rideadv.com/hs-fs/file-14273923-jpg/images/altrider_skidplate.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/bid/88386/Get-a-better-BMW-R1200GS-skidplate-the-original-will-cost-you", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.rideadv.com/hubfs/ride%20square%20logo.png" }, "name" : "RIDE Adventures" } } ```