The Heavy Hitter V1 Talaria Skid Plate, sold by GritShift, is a 7075-T6 billet aluminum motor guard for the Talaria Sting MX3, MX4 and MX5. Its 10 mm bash plate is tested to withstand over 6,000 lb of force, the bash plates are replaceable, and the side rails carry a lifetime warranty against bending.
Specs verified September 2026 against the live GritShift product page.
Specifications
| Material | 7075-T6 billet aluminum |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.1 lb |
| Bash plate | 10 mm thick, replaceable, swaps out in minutes |
| Impact rating | Tested to withstand over 6,000 lb of force |
| Cooling | Strategic ventilation to keep the motor cool under sustained abuse |
| Tail section | Extended tail adds protection from perpendicular strikes |
| Mounting bolt torque | 2.6 Nm (1.92 ft·lb / 23 in-lb) |
| Thread locker | Blue medium-strength on all hardware |
| Motor clearance | Does not fit the EBMX XTA Core motor |
| Controller clearance | Torp controller covers require slight modification to fit |
| Side rails | Lifetime warranty: replaced free if they ever bend (bash plates excluded; replacements available on request) |
| Sections | Each section removable for routine maintenance |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold, Purple, Red, Silver |
What bikes does the Heavy Hitter V1 Talaria Skid Plate fit?
- Talaria Sting MX3
- Talaria Sting MX4
- Talaria Sting MX5
Why armor the Talaria Sting motor?
The motor is the most vulnerable part of a Talaria Sting, and this plate exists to take the hit instead. Heavy Hitter set the strike angle so logs, rocks and other obstacles slide under the bike rather than bogging it down, while the extended tail section covers the motor against perpendicular strikes. Ventilation openings keep air moving across the motor case while the plate absorbs sustained abuse.
Will the V1 plate clear my motor and controller?
On a Talaria Sting MX3, MX4 or MX5 with the stock motor, the V1 bolts on as designed. It does not fit the EBMX XTA Core motor, and Torp controller covers need slight modification to sit under it. The product page notes that the V1 will not work with all of the newer aftermarket motors and points riders with those motors to the V2.
How do I install the V1 Talaria skid plate?
Put blue medium-strength thread locker on every bolt and torque the mounting bolts to 2.6 Nm, which is 1.92 ft·lb or 23 in-lb. That is barely hand-tight; Heavy Hitter states that the thread locker, correctly applied, is what keeps the bolts secure and still removable. Each section of the plate comes off on its own for routine maintenance, and a damaged bash plate swaps out in minutes. Replacement bash plates are available on request.
V1 or V2: which Talaria skid plate?
The V1 is the original Heavy Hitter design for the Talaria Sting and suits bikes running the stock motor. Riders with an EBMX XTA Core or another current aftermarket motor should look at the Heavy Hitter V2 Talaria Skid Plate, which clears those motors without modification and is rated to over 6,500 lb of force.
Where can I get it?
The Heavy Hitter V1 Talaria Skid Plate is made by Heavy Hitter and sold by GritShift.
