Rear Shovel - does it actually do anything?

ChazzyB

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As the title says, does the lower rear shovel mudguard attached to the bevel box actually make any difference to the amount of shit getting splased around the back of the bike? I know I could take it off my bike and go for a ride, but if it does work, I don't want the bike to get any more filthy than usual. :D

I'm wondering about bunging one on my new-to-me 1200R to see if it helps reduce the rivers of shite it gets covered in at the back end. :nenau
 
It's the rear mudgaurd! Stops that rooster tail coming off the wheel in the rain!

As said, take it off and err... go for a spin in the rain

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
 
FWIW lost the one on my 1150 on a trail in Morocco, used a blanking plate since and never noticed any difference in the level of dirtiness :thumb
 
I took it off my bike (probably invalidating the insurance, according to some on here :rolleyes:) and didn’t notice any difference in how dirty the bike got. It looked much better without it, as well. I had to use some touch up paint where it bolts to the bike though, as BMW hadn’t bothered to paint that bit. :blast
 
Take it off and fit one of the deflectors that go on the number plate bracket and sticks out the bottom, that will compensate for most of the crap, there are blanking plates available to cover the existing mounting holes.
 
They are only required if you are looking to get an MOT in Germany. Their regulations say that a certain percentage of the rear wheel must be covered.

I always take mine off, and never noticed that the bike gets any dirtier without it.
 
Touratech, cymarc, Wunderlich, take your pick, or DIY if you have the skills.

Al.
 
I could be wrong ( wont be the first time and wont be the last) but isnt the shovel thing for preventing too much mud clogging the wheel up rather than stopping water spraying up

It seems to me that it is only the adventure type bikes that have these things and as the wheel is as round as any other bikes ( as long as your spokes have been fixed) that dont have a shovel how do they cope with rain ?
 
I may be wrong but I think it was originally a way of passing some country’s legislation (Germany?) about the mud guard covering the back wheel without having a giant lump of plastic hanging under the seat
 
German wet weather spray regulations require 75% of a wheel's circumference to be shielded.
 
You're all thinking about your own bike getting dirty. It's not that. It's if someone is behind you in the pouring rain! Personally I think it looks quite neat.

I've occasionally been behind sports bikes in the rain that have done the cool thing and completely removed all of the rear mud guard. Nightmare.

Oh, doesn't the Multi Strada have a shovel as well?

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You're all thinking about your own bike getting dirty. It's not that. It's if someone is behind you in the pouring rain! Personally I think it looks quite neat.

I've occasionally been behind sports bikes in the rain that have done the cool thing and completely removed all of the rear mud guard. Nightmare.

Oh, doesn't the Multi Strada have a shovel as well?

Sent from my SM-G975F using Wankatalk

One of the most effective ways of preventing that is fitting one of these behind your number plate. It also keeps your pillion's back nice and clean.

<a href="https://andressotoscastello.smugmug.com/UkGSer/n-5CFLKf/i-TfqzShf/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TfqzShf/0/213d5a15/S/i-TfqzShf-S.jpg" alt=""></a>

Andres
 


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