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Front Fender Mystery. [meta]bacon[/meta]

9K views 29 replies 11 participants last post by  SLO-KLR 
#1 ·
Ok, seriously, I see this in threads over and over and over again about the front fender causing some sort of aerodynamic anomaly making our rigs break dance down Americas infinite spans of concrete and tarmac.
I don't get it. I keep trying to notice any issues. I ride every day around 70-80mph to and from work. And I've ridden behind cars and trucks that cause wicked turbulence that bounces my head around like a pinball. I've ridden past semis that displace enough air to shove buildings off the road and the wind...oh man, the wind in AZ can get really movin some times and I gotta be honest. I've had no adverse handling at any speeds.
So, what gives? Why do so many people seem to have issues with the front fender, yet I have none?

 
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#3 ·
I rode with the stock one for a long time. It works. It's one of those 'you won't notice the difference until it's different' things. Trust me, though, it makes a big difference.

No reason to change it if it doesn't bother you...I liked the stock one, good in rain, etc. It's just too windy here.
 
#5 ·
I have a blue 08 and I'm going black. Ordered the Acerbis for the front and a black 09 OEM for the back. At $90 each, I'm going to opt for the Fusion on the side covers. Now I just need to figure out the cover up decal for the blue at the bottom of the tank....
 
#7 ·
The issue was more pronounced on the Gen I bikes. The factory fender shared aerodynamic similarities with a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, carried by a one armed midget, against the wind. The Gen II bikes have a different designed fender, which is similar to the Acerbic after market fender that the Gen I people upgraded to.

Most riders, for the most part, simply learned to handle and deal with the stock fender, and respond in unison that "they all do it". Ever hear of the "dream catcher"? We have a wind catcher. I believe the issue is more of a "becoming accustomed to", than a need for modification. However. I do know there is no dissuading the rider intent on farkling. It is the unspoken code that we support these actions without question.
 
#9 ·
Interesting. So, then there is no issue with the Gen 2's fender? I'm pretty sure it's not me being used to it as I've owned other bikes.

Also, I'm just curious as to what these after market fenders look like on the KLRs. Can someone post some pics?
I'm looking to replace my reds with some blacks when I remove the stickers. So, I'm willing to look at some non oem replacements if they look better than the factory front, which I think is rather handsome.
 
#10 ·
There's a before and after here, it's the Cycra fender. It is shorter, with less of a 'beak'.

Somewhere LJ has some pictures of the Acerbis.

T
 
#15 ·
I didn't install it on my Cycra fender, no problems the speedo cable doesn't flop around without it.

Of course I don't have a chain guard, lower chain guide, or gulp... no pin in the back axle nut either.

Danger is my middle name... :28:
 
#13 ·
#18 ·
Try taking it off (four bolts) and riding and see if you notice a difference.
 
#20 ·
I'm curious to see what you think. My bet is you'll notice a difference, but I've bought snake oil before. ;)
 
#22 ·
Only one way to find out. Let us know.
 
#23 · (Edited)
I'm a believer that the new model, stock KLR-650 front fender's rather huge front surface area, combined with the "beak" attack angle, allow the front end of the bike to be more affected by any oncoming air stream. I just posted a link to the pic under a new thread for "Front Fender Mod" -

http://www.klrforum.com/showthread.php?t=10318



it shows a comparison of the two front fenders - stock and aftermarket. I remember putting my hand out the car window as a kid, going 75 MPH with my folks, and wow - what a difference attack angle and surface area can make in an oncoming airstream!

AM
 
#24 ·
I didn't get a lick of riding in this weekend. /sigh. And I really wish I'd gotten a chance to get into the garage to take it off as it's very windy this morning and it would have been a great time to test while OTW to work.
Oh well. It's still boinging around in my skull. It'll happen sometime.
 
#29 ·
I think you will be disappointed if you put a gen2 fender on a gen1 bike. It may look more aerodynamic, but I don't think it is. My .02.
 
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