While engine components on your bike determine top speeds and overall performance, and tyres and forks have a big say in handling, it’s the inexpensive bodywork lining the wheels, chassis and engine that ultimately turns heads.
Whether you ride a cruiser, tourer, adventure, café racer, or sports bike, the fit and finish in parts like fairings, fenders and radiator covers speak volumes about the bike’s character and that of the rider.
Bike brands go to extremes to design motorcycle body work parts that define the brand look. Harleys in this sense are instantly recognisable from other big V-twin tourers and cruisers, and more so from brands with a strong dirt or adventure bike following. Besides aesthetics, however, individual motorcycle body parts perform other vital roles.
The Evolution of Motorcycle Bodywork
Basic motorcycle designs have largely remained unchanged for well over a century. Frames house engines and transmissions and connect the wheels via forks and swingarms. Fairings and fenders only appeared as accessories in speed trial runs or to alleviate damage from poor-quality roads. The first full fairing emerged in 1926 on a one-off Norton at the Isle of Man, eventually morphing from the dustbin and dolphin designs to the full fairings we find on big touring and sports bikes today. Similarly, fenders have grown in size to accommodate wider tyres and prevent drag that comes with higher speeds.
As motorcycles have become more powerful and faster, the role of motorcycle bodywork parts has expanded. The same component can perform several tasks, while still fitting within the design aesthetic of the bike and brand.
What Bodywork Parts Do
Basic design elements understandably determine looks, but they also add a level of rider and bike protection while aiding performance. Their aims are obviously different with different bike categories. Bodywork parts like fenders, fairings and accessories have a huge say in:
- Aesthetics – customising motorcycles to personal tastes isn’t new, with the Chopper and Bobber scenes in 1930s America removing or adding motorcycle bodywork parts to attain a specific look. Riders also removed parts that they thought were superfluous or added unnecessary weight to get higher speeds. Similarly, 1970s off-one high-end sports bikes toyed with fairing designs, a styling element that has become an industry standard. Today, parts can be specified in different sizes, colours, textures and stylistic details.
- Protection – parts like front and rear fenders were born from the need to protect vital engine and frame components from road debris, mud, oil and other contaminants. Front fenders for instance protect the forks, wheels, brake components and radiators from loose asphalt, gravel and rocks while preventing mud and water from causing corrosion or staining. Other parts shield the frame and engine from potential accidents and falls, and they’re considerably cheaper to replace.
- Aerodynamics – oncoming air and wind resistance is the largest detriment to handling and top speeds. Fairings reduce drag by redirecting air, thus minimising the affected surface area. Moreover, specific fairing design elements like winglets increase downforce and keep the front and rear tyres glued to the road. Parts lining the frame like engine and transmission covers, hand guards and fenders also contribute to a more aerodynamic ride, albeit to a lesser degree. When combined, however, the different parts aid stability at higher speeds and make for a safer and more maneuverable bike.
- Increased comfort – faired windshields, deflectors and covers decrease buffeting or keep engine and exhaust heat away from the rider, thus increasing comfort levels. Like aftermarket seats or heated grips, these motorcycle body work parts are often the first additions to stock bikes.
- Better engine longevity and lower fuel use – reduced drag means lower engine stress and RPMs to sustain set speeds and reduced fuel consumption.
What to Look For
New and upgraded body parts can be used as replacements due to general wear and tear such as rust, sustained damage from falls or accidents including scratches and dents, and when you want to change the look of the bike. There are different factors to consider depending on the parts you need.
For fenders, consider the range of styles and sizes to suit tyre widths and ensure a clean fit with the rest of the motorcycle. Popular designs include rounded, bagger, hinged, hugger and chopped fenders, as well as short, standard and full-length fenders depending on the overall length and how much of the tyre needs to be covered. Widths and sizes also need to adhere to that of rims, ranging from 16 to 21-inch fronts, and 16 to 19 inches in the rear on most motorcycles. And for a secure fit, spend more on fenders with pre-frilled mounting points and matching hardware.
For fairings, choose between quarter, half or full variants, depending on the required wind protection, the size of windshields you plan to use, and whether you’re considering other changes, like updated infotainment systems, new headlamps or extra storage space. And when choosing other extras like engine, airbox and radiator covers, chin spoilers, and 2-seat conversion kits, go by OE specifications to ensure you’re getting the right part. Aftermarket covers for instance may impede on engine cooling.
Materials and How They Determine Strength, Durability and Prices
Materials determine durability, weight, whether parts can be customised for the desired look, and of course, prices. Fenders for instance come in hard-wearing ABS plastics, fibreglass or carbon fibre if you’re after lower weight and a degree of flexibility, or stamped steel and aluminium if rigidity and strength are your main priorities. They also look different and will suit some bike types more than others. Big tourers use metal for a vintage look, while sports bikes gravitate towards engineered plastics or carbon fibre.
The same applies to fairings and frame, fork and engine bodywork. Fairings in ABS are relatively cheap, but can crack in falls and drops, and will fade faster under harsher sunlight. Fibreglass offers more impact resistance at the cost of added weight, while composite materials are dearest but outperform both ABS and fibreglass for strength, flexibility and chemical resistance. This is the best material for areas prone to impact, such as the headlights and radiators.
Lastly, engine and transmission covers are often made of aluminium or chrome or powder-coated steel to highlight specific details and draw attention. Riders also get a choice of matte or gloss finishes. While customising your bike is largely based on personal preferences, match parts from the same brands and in the same price brackets to get the desired look and still stay within budget.