High Front Mudguard - Pros & Cons
 

Hiya, I'm toying with fitting a high front mudguard. I wont pay the extortionate Touratech price! I do like the aggressive look of the higher fender and I do some greenlaning. I haven't as yet had any issues with the lower guard, but I was wondering what you guys think???

Has anyone successfully fitted a mudguard from another bike? Are there any handling issues with a higher guard? Is it easy enough to swap? Could I put the lower one on for touring and swap for greenlaning?

Your thoughts are much appreciated

Cheers

jay

Here is some food for thought from a true stalwart of this forum "pleiades":

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?...ghlight=fender

This is why you want one...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n..._5509050_n.jpg

My front wheel wouldn't actually go round - it was just sliding along without spinning - until I poked some of the mud out with a stick.

Shortly after that was taken, the low guard got swapped for a UFO one meant for a Suzuki RM-Z450.

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/..._7518675_n.jpg

Looks alright IMO. To get it to clear the radiator it's bolted on underneath the towing loop *and* has a few washers under the rear two mounts. Also had to open up the mounting holes a bit as the bolt spacing is a few mm different.

I broke the low guard at the Lakes meet on a gravel track. A largish stone got drawn round the tyre lodged in the tread, got stuck under the guard and levered it up. The rear two mounts snapped clean off. Had to remove the guard altogether and strap it to the rack, and subsequently got abosolutely soaked during the rest of the day!

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps64095b5e.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa0af1a31.jpg

Wouldn't have happened with a high mudguard.

I now have an Acerbis Supermoto high guard, but any third party guard can be made to fit easily. All you need to do is drill the holes at the correct spacing and either use spacers, or refit the towing eye upside down between the guard and bottom yoke so it clears the radiator.

It would be a relatively quick job to swap between the two if needed.

Only thing with a high guard is you will get a bit more spray on the engine, but there is a fix for this by fitting a lower half mudguard from an XTR....

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=19894

This will catch the spray and is a 2 minute, 2 bolt job to fit/remove depending on where/how your riding.

I have not found that fitting a high mudguard messes up either handling or engine cooling.

What about this one?
 

OK this sounds like I'm gonna go for it!!

Do you think this one would be fine for fitting?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-YAMAHA...item519a529a6f

Cheers

Jay

Looks like the generic Acerbis one used on all Supermotos... but �8 more.

I had whittled it down to these ones. It all goes on taste really and what protection/looks you are after.

No.1 is quite rounded with few angles (a short version of No.4). The cheapest.

No.2 is my fave, shorter and looks quite sporty with the angular/contoured look.

No.3 has length on its side and will cover the front wheel very well but may look tooooo long

No.4 is on a par with No.2.

1. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2706180491...#ht_1488wt_709

2. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4004865469...#ht_6119wt_946

3. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2708902073...ht_3024wt_1038

4. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2611158611...#ht_1520wt_758


I dont see there being any problem with fitting any of them as long as you are prepared to elongate some of the fixing holes to match with the mounts on the yoke.

As uberthumper said, you may have to add some washers/packers (included in No.3) in between the yoke and the rear mounting holes to angle the mudguard down and away from the radiator.

Has this helped or confused even more?!?!?!?! :BangHead:

Thank you Sandman!!
 

That's perfect! That's exactly what I needed!

I've ordered this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-YZF...item3a819a8af7

Pretty much the same as the other one I mentioned but cheaper and with free postage!
I think its the same as your number 4 but white.

Thanks everyone!

I fitted one from a Suzuki drz and it looks the nuts....

�15 I think and it fit with only tiny modification...

see my post called "check this out" below

link http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=21461

Remember to post some pics and show us how it looks :045: