Hi all,

I am a relatively new xtr owner, I got my 2011 white xtr new last December. Since then I have been reading and learning (mostly through this forum) about different mods are available... Mods so far are:

Stain Tune Slip ons
Michelin T-63 Tyres
Stage 1 and 2 DNA air filters
Power Commander V
Custom mapping (thanks to Fred at Pro Cycle Dyno)
Acerbis Rally Pro Hand Guards,
Touratech Gear Lever,
Touratech Brake Lever Extender (en route),
Metal Mule Radiator shield (en route)
and... the most disappointing of all an OTR aluminium bash plate (which I ordered early Jan and only showed up a week ago).

The bash plate is killing me. First off it didn't really fit - so I had to go to the dealer to get it put on and they had to bend it to get it to fit but the more frustrating part is that it has made the bike so, so unpleasant to ride. Its like having a resonant bell attached to the bottom of the bike! It emits a nasty mid range pitch even when the bike is just running at idol. If I push my boot up against it it does drastically reduce the vibration and noise but obviously this is not a "fix".

I guess I am just trying to work out if all aluminium bash plates do this? Or if it is just the OTR one given that it is at the cheaper end of the spectrum?

I have searched the forum and there are a few posts about it... some guys seem to be able to get a slight fix with the use of rubber washers, I've also been told to try spring washers? If I knew for sure another brand that didn't have this problem I would happily toss this one in the trash and upgrade. However I can't seem to find a clear answer.

Other brands I have looked at are:
touratech - they do say "vibration free" on their website
B&B - i called them and they say they do line it with rubber to help with the vibration - can anyone out there vouch for this?
metal mule - ?

Any help on this would be much much appreciated!

Cheers,
-Brad.