Everything You Need to Know About Harley Davidson Fenders

The addictive rumble of the V-twin, the laid-back riding position, and effortless styling are Harley Davidson hallmarks that single out the bikes from all the rest. This pairs seamlessly with the brand heritage, the symbolism Harley bikes embody, and the endless customisation options. 

There are more aftermarket parts for Harleys than any other bike brand. Simple additions can meet your individual styling needs. However, some parts, including front and rear fenders also do double duty by providing a safety and aerodynamic element to your ride.  

The Role of Motorcycle Fenders

Fenders are an integral styling element for big touring and cruising bikes like Harleys. They’re the metal, fibreglass or carbon-fibre covers sitting above both wheels. Fenders attach to the fork or the frame, either with bolts or are welded on. All production bikes have them fitted straight out of the factory, though some riders choose to remove them when customising the bike to personal taste. The main purpose of fenders is to shield the rider and bike from flying road debris but they also cover other vital riding aspects for your Hog. 

Protection from Dirt, Debris and Mud

Roads can get rough and be littered with everything from mud, grease, tar, rubbish, and dirt. The reason to have a Harley Davidson front fender is to shield you from spraying road debris and water, protecting boots, legs, forks, the radiator, and other engine parts. Fenders also wick away water from wires and electrics, including the lights and switchgear, and prevent rusting in steel or chromed parts. For typical UK roads then, fenders on any bike are a must. 

Minimise Drag 

Big tourers reduce the effect of oncoming air or drag by using bigger fairings. Paired with front fenders in beefier sizes and designs, oncoming air flows left and right, helps with performance, keeps the bike stable, and reduces fuel use. This is particularly useful in strong headwinds and at higher speeds. The size, shape and design of the fender are often tailored to that of the rest of the bike. A Sportster front fender, while smaller and shorter does the same job of reducing frag, albeit in a neater package than the considerably bigger Dyna front fender. 

Passenger Comfort and General Safety

For bikes weighing more than 600 pounds, you’ll need a huge rear tyre to handle all that weight while still getting power to the ground. Rear fenders shield pinion passengers from the road spray created by a fast-spinning back tyre. They additionally prevent safety issues for trailing traffic. If you find the rear fender damaged or want to go with a different shape or style, then this too is easily changed. Just unscrew the fasteners that attach the supports or struts to the rear frame. 

Choosing a Design That Suits Your Bike

Harley riders can go with replacement OE fenders, or choose from a range of aftermarket designs to suit their bike. The options include rounded fenders, those with a hinged style, chopped fenders, tyre huggers, and wide or slim types to suit a range of tyre widths. 

Moreover, there’s the choice of short, standard or longer fenders if you want more of the tyres covered. Aftermarket brands also have their proprietary styling, so a good idea is to pair body additions or changes, like fuel tanks or handlebars, with fenders of the same brand.

For custom paint jobs, a Harley Davidson front fender optioned in plain metal is easy to work with and also cheaper, but you can also find painted and coated units in the colours you like. All this is about personal preference, but a few key technical aspects ensure you get one that won’t cause fitment or performance quibbles.

What Else to Consider When Buying 

When looking for fenders, consider sizes, materials, and how the fenders mount to the bike. As mentioned, front and rear fenders differ in size to accommodate smaller front and bigger rear tyres. How close to the wheel the fenders are, and how much of the tyres they cover will also mean differences in airflow deflection and protection, especially up front. 

Fenders to Suit the Wheels and Tyres

Bigger and longer fenders continue the styling element of something like the Road King or Ultra Glide but will be overkill on smaller and nimbler bikes such as the standard Softail or Street Bob. This though is more about style. 

The real consideration is that fenders work with the wheel and tyre size. Look to parts that adhere to the rim sizes (16,17, 19 and 21 inches in most Harley bikes), tyre widths and heights and inner and outer mounting widths for a clean fit. Consult your manual when choosing aftermarket fenders to ensure they adequately fulfil their main task, don’t have fitment issues or look out of place. 

Why Materials Matter

Stamped steel in thicker gauges, lightweight aluminium, reinforced ABS plastic, fibreglass and carbon fibre are the main materials that fenders come in. Steel is popular in that it goes with the look of the bike, but needs to be coated to prevent rusting. The main selling point is the rigidity it adds to forks and superior strength on less-than-perfect roads. 

Aluminium is a lightweight metal option, won’t shatter or break on harder impact, and is rust-resistant. It’s also easy to shape and cut, so a good option for custom finishes. Plastic and fibreglass shed even more weight, keep looks longer by not rusting or fading, have decent strength and are often less expensive choices. Carbon fibre is several times stronger than steel, is flexible and pliant to absorb impact, and looks good even when not treated with coatings or paint. But it’s also the most costly material Harley fenders come in. 

Look for Mounting Hardware With Easy Installation 

Both front and rear Harley fenders are sold for specific models and production years. While what you buy is compatible with your bike, getting them on may be harder than you think. Pre-drilled holes to suit the trim or parts the fenders attach to make installation a breeze, and fenders stay on when supplied brackets and bolts are torqued to the right numbers. This prevents them from coming loose or damaging the material. 

Summing Up 

Regardless if you want more style up front, or need to change the rear fender on your bike, there are hundreds of viable choices. Look for established bike accessory brands to ensure you’re getting a quality product with a specified warranty period, and fenders that suit your ride. Choose something easy to get on, easy to maintain and keeps road debris, water and dirt away from your bike. Prices vary depending on the materials, designs and sizes you choose.