Tire Hugger Required?

[mikimoto]

I want to remove the rear tire hugger, will it affect me/my bike in any major way? Other than making my bike look much better.

Miki

[Torben]

It will affect you only in the wet weather. I have found that the stock Doc geometry on the back end saves the rider's back and head from undue wet splatter.

[mikimoto]

Ahh - very good. As I try to avoid riding in the rain, it won't matter much to me.

Miki

[darkduc]

The only other thing I've been told by DS techs is that the hugger prevents debris from getting caught in the hole where your suspension meets the swing arm. Oddly enough though, the new SBKs don't come with huggers from the factory so it must not be a significant problem. Of course, the OEM clutch slave leaks and they're still using it....

YMMV. I'm not certain as to how the geometry of your suspension differs from mine.

I'd take it off. :D

[Dave R]

I also would point out that it keeps crud off your rear shock as well. Often on SBK's you will see excessive dirt build up on the shaft of the shock, not good.

[DJS]

If you have to have a hugger at least make it carbon fiber! But no its really not required. But here is something to think about. Your rear shock is right there in front of the rear tire. Think about how much crap is going to get flung on that bad boy. Not good in my book. Does DS have a short carbon fiber hugger? Maybe Cindesmo can chime in here. Her Monster has all the cool aftermarket CF and performance mods!

[CINDESMO]

The bikes look cleaner without a rear hugger, but don't you have a Monster, Miki? I don't remember very many monsters without one (my hugger is also the chain guard), but the rear fender eliminator kit is very cool because you remove the gutter and clean up the license plate area. If you do the eliminator and then run a cf hugger it will look sweet. You could always remove it and see!

I ride in all weather conditions except snow and have bags so I haven't removed any of that stuff, just used the cf goodies.

[Gemini]

I've had my rear hugger off for the past year with no problems... I'm thinking of removing the belt cover too.

In my opinion, go for it! It looks awsome!

[mike]

I've been running without a rear hugger on my Monster for about a month now. As long as you wash your bike occasionally I don't see a problem. The one problem, as DaveR mentioned, is that of getting dirt and crap stuck on your rear shock. I also think a dirty yellow spring is ghetto, so I try to keep mine at least moderately clean.

Take that puppy off - you won't regret it! (or if you do for some reason, then screw it back on...)

[mikimoto]

my hugger is also the chain guard), but the rear fender eliminator kit is very cool because you remove the gutter and clean up the license plate area.

I ride in all weather conditions except snow and have bags so I haven't removed any of that stuff, just used the cf goodies.

Prior to last night, I had the CF Rear Fender w/mini turn signals. I was looking at the hugger and realized that yes, it's also the chain guard. Now I'm rethinking the hugger situation. But the tail chop process has begun.

Everyone teases me about not riding in the rain "WTF - You live in SEATTLE" is there usual response. But let me 'fess up, I'm extremely anal when it comes to my bike being clean.

Attached is the "Before Shot" I'll post the "After Shot" when it's completed.

Miki

[Gemini]

In my opinion, the chain guard is more or less useless. If that thing snaps, it could very well going through the plastic.

[CINDESMO]

It keeps the chain wax from spraying on everything and catching something in the chain.

[-dj]

No hugger, no problems. Been running without for over a year now. Just takes a bit of extra time to clean up the rear of the engine and shock. :)