A simple enough question....
 

Somebody asked me a simple enough question - "Why do race bikes have a front mudguard" I opened my mouth to tell them and realised I didn't have a clue.

Why do they? They don't need them surely?

I would imagine for aerodynamics, maybe safety? possibly cooling..

I recall Mav telling me about his Hyabusa and swapping the god awful front mudguard for a TL one I think (???) and that certain affected handling at something like 170+ :o

aren't mudguards there to assist in wind force - down pressure etc as well as keeping the mud off?

Good point, I noticed several times last yeah the prillas in GP's wee minus a front mudguard. I suspect more to do with aerodynamics than anything. But and interesting question.

[Edited on 22-3-2005 by Flanks]

not all race biked do run mudguards,
I seem to remember Gary McCoy Yamaha 500 running without one quite allot.
would imagine its to do with cooling and aerodynamics

yeah, would say aerodynamics around the fork legs

I'd imagine they also help stop the front tyre from picking kitty-litter/debris up and hurling it through the radiator.

and it keeps the water off everthing in the front of the fairing when it rains

'cause you've gotta have somewhere to put even more sponsors logos!!!;)

they changed the front mudgaurd design on Fireblades after a few years as they found wind was getting uder the gaurd and making it a bit flighty in the handing department, apparently this was a real problem at the TT wher you do need to be inch perfect when lapping around 110+ mph. In this case no mudgaurd was better than the standard one, OK for the Senior and F1 bikes to run without one but the rules prohibited the Proddy bikes from removing theirs.
Sorted on the later blades with more of a wrap around gaurd and put to very good use by the Sanyo team at the TT