What Is A Fender?
In the US the term ‘fender’ originally related to cars. They were the metal covers that enclosed the wheel area and literally meant ‘fending off’ road debris.
In the UK they are more commonly known as mudguards but the word ‘fender’ is often used.
On motorcycles the front fender is designed to prevent debris and water being chucked up into the air by the rotation of the front wheel.
Should You Buy A Supermoto Front Fender?
Whilst there is nothing wrong with retaining the existing dirt bike fender, there are a couple of good reasons to replace it with a proper Supermoto fender.
A dirt bike front fender is designed for low speeds. Because it’s long and wide it can act a bit like a sail at higher speeds which can make the bike unstable.
On the cosmetic side, the original front fender will look out of proportion once the 17” wheels have been fitted and simply not in keeping with the Supermoto style.
Supermoto Front Fender Design
A Supermoto front fender is shorter than a standard dirt bike fender and doesn’t flare out so much at the sides.
This shorter, slimmer and more rigid design is much more aerodynamic at higher speeds.
Choosing the correct fender is a great way to style up the front end of a Supermoto and a sleek well-formed fender can transform the look of the bike.
Some fender designs have rear vents which helps with airflow and suits the aggressive Supermoto style.
Most front fenders are just fixed on with 4 bolts so fitting one is a simple process.
Modifying A Dirt Bike Front Fender
To save buying a Supermoto front fender some owners choose to modify their existing fenders by cutting off around 2” – 3” from the front end.
However, caution needs to be exercised as this can weaken the fender if done incorrectly.
If you choose to modify the existing fender then apply masking tape to the front and draw out the profile required.
With a hacksaw carefully cut out the rough shape and then use an angle grinder to achieve the final profile.
Finally, use some sandpaper to smooth off all the cut edges to get a good finish. If you use a belt sander be sure to have it on a low speed or you might melt the plastic.
Caution: If you cut a front fender too short there is a possibility you may get a constant spray of water thrown up into your face when it rains.
Supermoto Front Fender Suppliers
There are plenty of aftermarket Supermoto front fenders to choose from, it’s just a question of what style suits your bike the best.
Some suppliers of Supermoto fenders –
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Final Thoughts
Like most parts in a Supermoto conversion it is best to do plenty of research and find out what front fenders other owners have fitted to their Supermotos.
Most of the aftermarket front fenders will come with a hole centre template that will require you to carefully drill the mounting holes.
Whilst the shorter fenders do look really cool if you are going to get drenched every time it rains then this is not a wise choice.
