Is a Low Fender on an Adventure Bike Really Better? | HWY & Mud Test

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PAID PROMOTION NOTICE: The SWANKY CAT channel regularly accepts, uses, tests, & reviews promotional products in or content. Ever wonder which fender position is actually better for adventure riding? After putting on almost 5,000 miles with a high fender on my Tenere 700 I switch back to the stock low fender and take it out for a spin!
Links to my gear & parts!
(If you click these and make a purchase on the sites I earn a small commission, which goes towards more videos like this!)
Camel ADV Products (Exhaust, Skid Plate, High Fender Kit, Anti Bobble Head Kit, Tail Tidy)
: camel-adv.com/?ref=eOBjZXsn
Tusk Tank Bag: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-olympus-tank-bag-p?ref=1042&
Tail Bag: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-dry-duffel-bag-p?ref=1042&
Tusk D-Flex Handguards: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-d-flex-pro-adventure-handguards-p?ref=1042&
Tusk Chub Bar "YZ Bend": www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-chub-1-1-8%22-big-bar-p?ref=1042&
Levers: amzn.to/3R8SiSW
Grip Heaters: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-grip-heater-kit-p?ref=1042&
Bar Pad: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/search/go?w=tusk+bar+pad?ref=1042&
MotoZ Rear Tire: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/motoz-tractionator-adventure-rear-motorcycle-tire-p?ref=1042&
MotoZ Front Tire: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/motoz-tractionator-adventure-front-motorcycle-tire-p?ref=1042&
Radiator Guard:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/r%26g-racing-radiator-guard-p?ref=1042&
Motovlog Stuff
Helmet Camera: amzn.to/36BHqdM
Mic (requires adapter or media mod): amzn.to/3qEW4Ia
Hero9 Media Mod: amzn.to/3JLLF4O
Power Bank for GoPro: amzn.to/3iCxanZ
Power Cable: amzn.to/36rxlQT
Helmet Camera Mount: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTXWAZK/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swankycatprod-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01MTXWAZK&linkId=0ea5d7bd3431442c4e56ab937e098d4f
360 Camera: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M3B9754/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swankycatprod-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08M3B9754&linkId=f03dc21265252b6c21f1bbe3e328e199
Insta360 Selfie Stick: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y5ZH5SM/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swankycatprod-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07Y5ZH5SM&linkId=efd11cdadf891cafb368b149b9d29572
Clamps For Holding Selfie Sticks: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XH54M92/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swankycatprod-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07XH54M92&linkId=65ef82491e8e8406d20a24152da2f843
Protective Gear:
Boots: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/falco-avantour-2-adventure-motorcycle-boots-p?c=13?ref=1042&
Helmet: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/scorpion-exo-at950-helmet-pp?ref=1042&
Goggles: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/100%25-strata-2-goggle-p?ref=1042&
Cold Weather Gloves: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-adv-cold-weather-gloves-p?ref=1042&
Wind Block Gloves: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-adv-wind-block-gloves-w-d3o-pp?ref=1042&
Textile Coat: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KYTPQ2Y/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swankycatprod-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07KYTPQ2Y&linkId=e41df14be05d6700169072c104948f03
Textile Pants: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0821C8FCQ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swankycatprod-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0821C8FCQ&linkId=42fc8111633b32d23a72f8693921f89a
Stay Swanky My Friends!

[@2010ChargerRT]

There’s definitely no question that the OEM Fender looks better

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It does look good!

[@NomadSweden]

Great comparison. I was leaning towards getting the high fender, but I think you made me think again. The good thing with the high fender mod, you can easily change back and forth between them... Cheers!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks! Honestly I thought high was the way to go and for certain conditions I think it still is. But the difference on the highway was a lot bigger than I thought it would be!

[@redpanda1971]

I went back to a low fender, after about a year with the Supermoto fender. 2 things made me swap back; I noticed some front end wiggle under hard acceleration on the road, and my headlight would just get covered with muddy water. I see that the bigger fender stops the splash. My original low fender shattered 2 winters ago, at the attachment points to the fork covers. I ended up getting an aftermarket low fender with Integrated fork covers. This also allowed me to mount my aux lights underneath my outback motortek crash bars. Full disclosure, my bike doesn't see single track, so I'm not missing the high fender. Still have the setup, if I ever change my mind. Next mod I'm waiting for, is the new Camel ADV rear brake pedal.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Really a wiggle even with a sumo fender? I definitely noticed the messy headlight too, not cool! The Camel pedal looks like a good mod!

[@redpanda1971]

@@SwankyCatProductions yeah, i even noticed the wiggle on my DRZ, with a sumo fender.

[@richschuster1097]

On my KLR gen 2, I installed a fork brace and lowered fender to improve highway riding. I liked the performance and the look. Like you, most highway riding is to get to trails. Unlike you, I don’t experience so much water and mud. Great content; thanks!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks Rich! I might do that on my gen3 actually!

[@phillipbatho3213]

I haven't been convinced to try the high fender for any reason yet. I get that sticky mud could be a problem with my stock fender, but for everything else, I think stock is a better option...and requires no extra expense or time in the garage!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Very true! I say run it until you have a problem.

[@AdventureGlide]

*_Thanks for the comparison. Pretty cool to see. I didn't realize a tall fender would affect the bike that much on the highway. It makes sense. Looks like some nice riding there in Wisconsin. That's a lot different than here in Nevada. LOL. Great Video._*

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Same, I knew it would affect it but the difference was way bigger than I'd ever thought it would be.

[@samking4179]

5:24 ... Wisconsin mud. Cold mud. Great video! I have always loved the look of the low fender on the Dakar bikes. But a dual-sport bike without a large tank, windshield and tank cowling assembly just doesn't look right with a low fender IMHO. Another trick that some people do is add an extension piece to the bottom part of the stock fender. They take a heavy piece of rubber and bolt it on to get some more protection from flying mud, etc.

[@jimjohnson7764]

Great vid SC. Like the look of the low fender. Awesome banana bike..including springer front end! Cheers..

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks Jim! I actually built that when I was 15. Wanted a Schwinn muscle bike but only had my uncle's old Sears frame to work with so I made my own haha.

[@gee4zfpv]

Great vid! I have a deposit on a Raven T7 so while I'm waiting I'm soaking in all the mud and debris I can about these machines!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks man! It'll be worth the wait!

[@MeerkatADV]

I got into some stupid clay mud in WY with the low fender in the high position and it never packed in. I washed probably 20lbs of mud off the bike the next day but the wheel never stopped turning. The fender design on this bike is the shit!

[@clvrswine]

I've had my tire turn into a ski in that WY mud. Broke the stick I was using to dig out the packed-in mud.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Nice lol. Yeah I don't think I'll ever see mud line that around here.

[@sdgoert]

Recently encountered clay mud in MT. It stopped one bike dead and put the rider over the handlebars before tearing off the fender a bit further along. In my case, it was nothing so dramatic as that; it just ripped off the fender and fork guards. 🤷‍♂ ... I'm going to try out a high fender next (and probably never encounter that kind of mud again! lol)

[@frankcantrell1680]

Great video! i've been looking at doing this to my 09KLR, I really like the look of the lower fender.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I think I might do the same on my gen 3 actually!

[@pondhawk6804]

Thanks for the comparison, I don’t need anymore wobble either, sticking with low fender… maybe Pyramid Plastics will send you one of their “extenda fenda’s” to try out !

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I think that would make a big difference!

[@OneOldManRiding]

I prefer a high fender look, though your high fender was not my cup of tea. I woukd probably be looking for a shorter fender that does not have the large opening in the back like the Acerbis. I am sure the stock will look nice once you clean up the brake lines. - Frank

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I agree the YZ fender was a bit much lol I think something slightly less obnoxious but with good coverage would be possible.

[@davehartsock9106]

Definitely like the look of the factory low fender better.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It's definitely grown on me

[@deltabravo1257]

Before you sell your T7, a useful video would be: What mods you would or wouldn't do if you had to do a T7 bike build all over again.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed, I need to do that ASAP!

[@BigDaveTALKS]

I actually like the look of the high fender. I was thinking of putting one on my AT but was on the fence because as you say, “air shovel”😆. Great info thank you. I guess i won’t be going with the high fender because living in Texas means a LOT of highway miles to the fun off road places and the wobble is a no go. I don’t think the AT would have the temperature issue because of the split radiator design though.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Oh I definitely like it too. You might be able to get away with a slightly smaller fender and avoid the wobble. The issue is you start to lose protection on both the front and rear the smaller you go.

[@Xanatros]

Maybe get a fena extenda for the stock fender? Seems like that would solve the problem of the mud packing up underneath.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I think it definitely would!

[@JSAVGA]

From an aesthetics point of view, the high fender just looks so much better.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed, just looks right. Low fender did grow on me though.

[@PerfectlyNormalBeast]

It would look stupid, but what about both fenders at the same time?

[@brianq103]

The Royal Enfield Himalayan has it like that.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I've seen guys run the back of the OEM and the front of a dirt bike fender, definitely an option!

[@gkeller9958]

I think it’s rare that you would get so much mud packed in a low fender that it would stop the roll of a front tire. It’s only happened to me once in a corn field after a rain which I probably had no business being in anyways. Stick with the low fender.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed, around here it doesn't happen. I think you need really sticky mud, caly almost. My big fear is a stick or rock.

[@graymangw6016]

Might be more important on depth of puddles, you hit a few really deep puddles. Interesting test though, is there a larger aftermarket low fender kit for the T7 that might block more mud. I put the eagle mike fork brace on my 22 klr and it's always felt pretty good at high speeds. However I just replaced the stock fender with the UFO universal fender, the fork brace comes predrilled for 6mm x1.00 pitch screws. I used 2in screws and some spacers from ACE hardware, wish I would have gotten 2 1/2 screws but its good enough. I had the same results, way less wobbly at higher speeds and it looks much cleaner.

[@deltabravo1257]

A friend put a little rubber flap on the end of his T7's low fender. He said it keeps mud off the engine better than the normal low fender.

[@Rhunyen]

Just add a “tenere 700 fender extender” to the stock fender and you’ll get better results

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'll bet that would make a huge difference!

[@roadrunner681]

i think the fender wasn't to blame, there was places you hit that your belly was almost dragging.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah I may have gone a little overboard with the testing haha.

[@lawrencebouman]

You always have your high beam on... why? Is it just for the video?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I do yes. No just for more visibility on the road and in the woods. Won't blind anyone during the day and just helps to let them know your coming.

[@motoric5188]

You could get "fender extender" to avoid even more mud being thrown onto the engine.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I think that would be an excellent idea!

[@motoric5188]

@@SwankyCatProductions 👍

[@billcotton1551]

I've seen videos from Australia where they get a low fender on an ADV bike so clogged with mud ,it actually stops the bike.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It can definitely happen! I'm not sure I've ever been in that type of clay mud around here though. My big concern is sticks and rocks lol.

[@ogoshikimura5621]

Wasn't it on this bike where you could move the stock fender up / down?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

An inch or so yes.

[@richardchayer6597]

I added a KXF450 front fender on my 2022 KLR adventure and got ride of 90% of the high-speed wobble.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I've seen pictures of that, maybe of your bike??? Thinking I'm going to try that before a low fender.

[@richardchayer6597]

@@SwankyCatProductions yea on Facebook I posted it

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Ok, yeah it looks good!

[@starrvalley12]

How about a lower fender attachment for the stock fender?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

That would make a big difference!

[@Enjoytheinbetween]

I like the stock fender! Could a engine mud guard be fabricated?

[@MeerkatADV]

There are several available.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Definitely! I think that would make a big difference!

[@beeswings2001]

Hi commented on your flaws video about weave at 70 mph about high fender was i on the button or not i put a pyramid plastics extension on standard guard job done poop free best £21 investment

[@SwankyCatProductions]

You most certainly were! I can't believe how much of a difference it made! I think a fender extension would make this much better.

[@michealcornett7564]

What about a mud flap on the low finder?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

That would make a big difference!

[@skiphalbakken859]

I like the oem fender on my T7. Run them both 😳

[@nzstevegeorge]

High fender looks more aggressive so gets my vote

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed, I like it a lot too.

[@stevehalfpap8514]

Were are you riding 4:26?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Tigerton ORV park in Wisconsin. Closed for the season now but an awesome little spot!

[@stevehalfpap8514]

@@SwankyCatProductions Thanks!!

[@grusgubben]

In my opinion, it looks much better with the oem fender.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It definitely looks good!

[@wandersofp]

Low fender, unless you are really packing it with mud is the way to go

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Mud or sticks and rocks haha.

[@911Tweek]

why not have both

[@SwankyCatProductions]

That's an option!

[@miketheace64]

if it aint broke dont fix it. stock fender for me

[@joegiger9015]

You should talk a little bit faster.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'll try.

[@DarrellMayhem74]

Great video thank you ‼️‼️

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks Darrell!