In my plan to turn my savage into a bobber, I was thinking that I would take off both the front and back fenders. I've never really heard if it gets really dirty or wet.

What are your experiences with taking off the:
Front fender?
Back fender?
Putting on a short back fender?

Yep, yer gonna get dirty.  If ya only ride on nice days, then it's not generally too bad, but there will definitely be some grit in your teeth and up your..... ahem, backside.

I'd also suggest keeping the back fender for safety reasons.  That rear wheel is just itchin' to grab your jacket, wallet chain, baggy jeans or what have you.  If you've ever run a solo seat, you've probably found yourself between the back of your seat and the rear fender at least once, and if you have no fender, well.....  Ouch.  Some seats have a pretty large curve on them (like the BCB seats or Redtail Leather, which are pretty darn sweet, by the way) which helps to limit front to back travel of your butt, so if you run so rear, I'd strongly suggest picking one up despite the cost, which is anywhere from $200 to $290+ for the brands mentioned.

I've run no front before, as I really dig the look, and it's not too bad if you have a full face helmet or ride bandito style; a helmet, glasses or goggles and a bandana covering your lower face.  I've never run no rear fender, and don't think I'm ever going to.

Yea, when I first got he bike, I rode with an open face helmet & goggles, till I stopped a few bugs with my cheek bones & I s the light on face protecting helmet, thanks to Mike at MPH in Houston. He's the one who told me I want wearing enough helmet. Im sure glad I listened to him.

MotoBuddha wrote on 05/04/11 at 06:07:40:


Sure.  I was only speaking to my experiences, and giving a couple of suggestions.  

All I'm sayin' is that I have personally planted my arse between solo's and the back tin after hittin' a pothole or bump enough times to know that the rear fender is the only thing what kept me able to make babies.  All on friends bikes, mind you, so it might not be a common problem for people who aren't me.  

I'm also not running a front fender right now, 'cuz like I said, I dig the look.  And yup, I get some grit with my lunch most days.  No biggie.

This is not worth starting a new thread, so I'll hijack yours. For those without fenders and a dirty engine case (front and bottom) I use Armor All wheel cleaner and a GI type bristle brush. Makes the case like new. Be careful to keep it off your clearcoat--it may harm it. Thanks for the space.

I ran no front fender for a while, first time it rains or the road is even remotely wet you will hate it. it also provides bracing support. mine's black so it's hardly noticeable.
pretty much anything shorter than a stock rear will give you a skunk stripe up the back, but thats more forgivable than getting crud in your face.

Gack! I have no fenders on my Mt. bike and when it rains it's a mess!

I couldn't imagine riding the S40 without fenders.

I have never ridden a mc without fenders,
well at least not yet..
I did ride a bicycle without them, even
went thru the mudpuddles..
Oh yes had the streak up the back.
Due to that is one reason, I prefer
fenders. I do like the look of the 1/2 fender
that Serowbot and, a couple others on here
have.   Kim