Why is it that Honda seems to be the only mfr that ships its bikes with these plastic front rotor guards? Do they really help? If so, more for MX or woods? I would assume they must otherwise the engineers and bean counters at Honda would just leave it off and save the $$, but still find it odd that their competitors don't.
My bike came with an aftermarket plastic one from Acerbis and I still run it. I assume by the scratches on it that it's doing some good, and it does seem to keep mud and sticks out of the caliper area when I compare my bike to my buddies after a ride in mud. I guess the negatives are it makes tire changes longer and the front end look less racey.
I wondered if maybe Honda fits them for close MX racing, when you try to get a wheel under someone in a block pass so you don't nick the rotor? I believe I noticed Bubba running a black one recently, too.
Doug