Front fender removal, besides rain spray (you're getting wet anyway), how necessary is it?

[MThomas]

I've been liking the no-front-fender look - what are the issues that I'd be in for if I take off the fender?

Specifically the front (painted) portion. I'd prefer to remove the front frender entirely but if the rear (black unpainted) portion of the front fender serves an important purpose(s), I can leave that on.

[towerworker]

The fender will (help)keep dirt, crud etc off the front of the motor. Top (painted part) keeps the same crap off the underside of the instruments, headlamp etc.

[MThomas]

Then as long as I make sure to rinse off the front of the motor and the bottom of the instrument cluster, I should be fine, correct?

[wncbmw]

The spray coming up from the road is much nastier than rain. And it will get on you too! And the rocks kicked up are tough on your engine and your shins. Sounds foolish to me.

[Buckster]

It's your bike, do want you want to it. I'm not sure of the look you are going for....flat tracker maybe.
Go for it and then you can tell how you like it.

[EasyBee]

Like wncbmw states : "The spray coming up from the road is much nastier than rain. And the rocks kicked up are tough on your engine".
Then consider this : What's behind that big plastic cover on the front of your engine block.

[towerworker]

Then consider this : What's behind that big plastic cover on the front of your engine block.

The rear (black) fender is right in front of the black engine cover. Directly behind the lower end of that cover is the crank pulley. Behind that pulley is the "Hall Sensor". That sensor gives the pulse that tells the ignition system to fire. That sensor is sensitive to water. And there are small holes in the bottom end of that cover. I know of at least a couple of instances where the rider rode thru a puddle and water made it's way to the Hall Sensor. Literally dead in the water. I have heard of sharp fellas with electronics engineering their own Hall sensors. But generally it's going to be buying a new one if you kill it.

This off of Max BMW Motorcycle's parts fiche. 12 11 7 673 277 IGNITION SENSOR 0.35 1 $362.23

You'd be wise to leave that fender alone.

[MThomas]

I ride enough in the rain that I think I'll leave it on, thanks

[towerworker]

Smart move!

[peels]

I ride enough in the rain that I think I'll leave it on, thanks

also, beaksters arent really beaksters without a beak

[EasyBee]

I have a fender extender to keep water and dirt away from the engine block and the black engine cover.
http://www.wunderlich.de/shop/en/extend ... 000-1.html


And on the rear I have a Ilmberger carbon hugger to keep the water and the dirt away from the rear suspension
http://www.ilmberger-carbon.de/web.aspx ... A5A98196A8

[gregor]

Rode home in the dark and rain last night. Not pleasant even with a fender extender and a mudflap at the front and a hugger on the rear, my visor and me got damp and mucky..

[ron prior]

Not to discourage anyone from 'personalizing their motorcycle....so I won't..But

Think...tobacco spit, animal remnants, animal waste, truck driver urine bottle contents.....and a whole litany of other nasty stuff....