エンジンガード

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an engine guard and a crash bar?

An engine guard (skid plate or bash plate) mounts under the engine to protect the oil pan, sump, and exhaust headers from rocks and debris that come up from the trail surface below. A crash bar is a tubular steel guard that wraps around the engine sides to absorb lateral impact during a tip-over. They protect against completely different threats — one from below, one from the side — and many ADV riders run both simultaneously, since the two systems mount independently and don't interfere with each other.

Can I still change my oil with the engine guard installed?

Yes — all LOBOO engine guards include pre-cut access ports aligned to the oil drain plug and filter on each specific model. This was a deliberate design choice: skid plates that require removal for every service quickly get left off. By keeping your drain plug accessible through the guard, LOBOO ensures you actually keep the protection in place. The access port positions are verified against each bike's OEM service layout, so the alignment is exact.

Why does LOBOO use 4mm aluminum instead of the more common 3mm?

Three millimetres is adequate for light gravel trails and low-speed off-road use. Four millimetres provides meaningfully better resistance to the sharp, high-energy rock strikes that occur on technical ADV terrain — a rock corner at speed, a hard landing off a step, or a fast trail section with exposed roots. The weight penalty is small (typically under 200g difference for a full-size skid plate), but the impact resistance increase is significant. LOBOO's X-Team validated the 4mm spec through actual trail use, not just lab testing.

Will the engine guard affect ground clearance?

Minimally. LOBOO engine guards are profiled to closely follow the engine's existing underside geometry, adding only the plate thickness (4mm) to the effective lowest point in most cases. The guard is designed to clear the same obstacles your stock bike clears, with the difference that when contact does occur, it's the aluminium plate taking the hit rather than your oil pan. On the BMW R1300GS, the guard profile is matched to the OEM chassis contours to minimise any clearance reduction.

Does the guard rattle or vibrate at speed?

No — LOBOO engine guards use rubber gaskets between the guard and the frame mounting points. These vibration-damping mounts absorb the resonance that causes bare metal-to-metal guards to rattle at highway speeds or on rough roads. The rubber also cushions secondary impact force, reducing stress at the bolt attachment points over time. If you ever notice any vibration after installation, check that all bolts are torqued to spec — this is the most common cause of post-install noise on any bolt-on guard.

Is the engine guard compatible with aftermarket exhaust systems?

LOBOO engine guards are designed around OEM exhaust routing for each supported model. If you're running an aftermarket exhaust with a different pipe path or header position, check the clearance between the guard profile and your exhaust before ordering. Full-system exhausts that re-route headers low and wide are the most likely fitment conflict — slip-on exhausts that only replace the muffler section are generally compatible. Contact our team with your exhaust brand and model if you're unsure.

What other protection should I pair with an engine guard?

For comprehensive ADV protection, an engine guard works best alongside crash bars (side protection from tip-overs), a headlight guard (stone chip and branch protection for the headlight lens), and a radiator guard if your model is covered. Together, these form a complete protection layer — underside, sides, and front — that covers the three most common impact zones on technical terrain.