I would suggest you remove the plastic first. Much cleaner job. You will cut the metal plate if you want to mount a side plate. Keep it for a rear plate. You need the plate either way, because it holds your brake light. See the post attached. It was spoken about awhile ago.
http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/index.php/topic,419.0.html
http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/index.php/topic,419.0.html
