-
There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.
Do huggers serve any real purpose?
- Thread starter ironbeak
- Start date
ScottRNelson
Adventure and Dual Sport
Most Ducati models come with them. They keep the rear shock and spring clean.
budbandit
Well-known member
They are most useful as replacements for fenders when the fender gets chopped by someone who has spent too much time with the LP catalog.
Leonard
Active member
Are you guys talking about tire huggers or tree huggers? 
Dar25
Couch Potato
They look cool, but you end up cleaning back of the bike, license plate and the tail light much more often esp during winter time
Leonard
Active member
Dar25 said:
Are you talking about taking off the fender and putting on a hugger?
On my bike I have a hugger and the stock fender and my shock stays clean and so does the back of the bike.
Ducky_Fresh
Treasure Hunter
ScottRNelson said:
What this guy said. I think they are a GREAT investment. Dirt and moisture getting at the seals of the shock isn't great, especially if you have a trick ohlins or penske unit. Not to mention dirt and water might work its way onto engine stuff and just plain make a mess.
flynbmw
New member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2003
- Location
- Gilroy, CA
- Moto(s)
- 1999 BMW R1100S R.I.P. 2000 KTM Duke II 1995 Yamaha XT225 "Little Motard" 2004 BMW R1100SBCR
Protects the shock on any single shock motorcycle, cheap insurance for the Ohlins...
Joebar4000
New member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2002
- Location
- Los Gatos hills
- Moto(s)
- Anything I can get my hands on for now
- Name
- Ian
They prevent windage losses. Think about it - the top of your back tire (and front of course) is going TWICE as fast forward as the rest of the bike.
They were originally put on race bikes to help get a little extra down the straights.
It's debatable how well they work with some bikes because there is normally something of a turbulent void there anyways.
PB did a test with the Haybusa (might have been another UK mag) where they took off the front fender, the hugger and then both. I seem to remember it was about 5mph down with the rear off and almost unrideable above 170 with the front taken off.
Think about it - at 200 mph, your tires are going 400mph forward at the topmost point....that can be a lot of air-drag.
They were originally put on race bikes to help get a little extra down the straights.
It's debatable how well they work with some bikes because there is normally something of a turbulent void there anyways.
PB did a test with the Haybusa (might have been another UK mag) where they took off the front fender, the hugger and then both. I seem to remember it was about 5mph down with the rear off and almost unrideable above 170 with the front taken off.
Think about it - at 200 mph, your tires are going 400mph forward at the topmost point....that can be a lot of air-drag.
JamesBrown
Active member
I think a nice carbon fiber one adds a nice look to the bike. Looks good matched up to a carbon fiber can.
Mars_D
New member
mcleonard52 said:Are you guys talking about tire huggers or tree huggers?
