Black Dog Cycle Works has announced the release of their ‘Ultimate Skid Plate’ for the Yamaha Ténéré 700 (T7). Knowing the key to a good skid plate design starts with how it’s attached, a rugged mounting system was developed from scratch that does not solely use the stock mounting points and bolts. And after months of rigorous testing, BDCW is confident their new skid plate for the T7 is the toughest on the market.

The plate is constructed of heavy-duty 3/16-inch 5052 aluminum which unlike harder materials, gives a bit upon impact, lessening the force transmitted to mounting points as well as being less likely to crack. The mounting design maximizes available ground clearance while allowing for a “crush zone” between the plate and critical components like the header pipe. 

There are no drain plug holes and it also uses flush mounting bolts on the bottom of the plate to ensure there’s no catching as you slide over roots and rocks. And like all of the BDCW Ultimate Skid Plates, it is designed to be quickly removed for easy oil changes and maintenance. In addition, a large number of ventilation holes are strategically placed in front to ensure the engine stays cool at slower speeds.

When asked about the T7 and his design, Kurt Forget, owner of Black Dog said, “In a rare move, Yamaha actually gave us a cradle frame to work with. Unfortunately, the bolts used at the stock mounting points are way too weak to support a rugged skid plate. So, we started with a clean slate and re-engineered a sub-mount at the front to support the skid plate in the most burley way, attaching to the bike at four different points. Additionally, we designed a steel rear sub-mount that attaches directly to the frame.”

For those riders who plan to push the limits of their new T7’s in the rough stuff, the BDCW Ultimate is definitely worth a look. You can find the Ultimate Skid Plate and other products for the Yamaha Ténéré 700 at BlackDogCW.com.