Tuning and modding » PUIG rear tire hugger impressions (pics)

So I've been going through the forums some months ago looking for something to address the rear tire spray, namely to cover the pillion legs and the fancy ESA/Shock from all the crud.

People mentioned the GS rear tire cover which is.. well a bit too much GS and I'm a bit too far leaned over to aesthetics on that point. The 'Mudsling' cover was another option but it mainly deals with the stuff going to the rear of the bike not as much up and around - and the zip-tie solution just didn't sit with me.

In the end as I had a few PUIG bits on my old bike I went with the rear tire hugger and I can report after 50km on slimy, damp, messy highway and B-roads it performed wonderfully. (The winter type conditions where it's not raining but everything is damp and you can't read the plate on the back of the cars since they're completely covered in brown/gray spray). The whole install took 15 mins mostly trying to find the right torx bits.

My pillion, bar a few drops around the boot ankles was fine, and almost everything was kept below the bike - no spray to the top fairing/hands/thighs.

Note: the spray above the hugger visible on the pics came before the hugger as I was riding back from the dealer, the aforementioned weather makes it pointless to wash the bike.

I'm very pleased with the results, as this is the main protection I wanted from it - if and when we get caught in a torrential downpour then everything is wet anyways.

I have one, and it’s been on all 3 RS and done over 45000 miles. However in the UK, BMW now expressly advise they are removed from the bike due to bolts breaking or working loose and the paralever collapsing with disastrous results. If I can find the comms I’ll post a picture here. Despite my experience with the hugger (actually I’m not convinced it stops the muck just looks better than the naked tyre) I will be getting it removed as soon as I can find the original bolts!

Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #2

---

I have one, and it’s been on all 3 RS and done over 45000 miles. However in the UK, BMW now expressly advise they are removed from the bike due to bolts breaking or working loose and the paralever collapsing with disastrous results. If I can find the comms I’ll post a picture here. Despite my experience with the hugger (actually I’m not convinced it stops the muck just looks better than the naked tyre) I will be getting it removed as soon as I can find the original bolts!

---

Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #2

---

I have one, and it’s been on all 3 RS and done over 45000 miles. However in the UK, BMW now expressly advise they are removed from the bike due to bolts breaking or working loose and the paralever collapsing with disastrous results. If I can find the comms I’ll post a picture here. Despite my experience with the hugger (actually I’m not convinced it stops the muck just looks better than the naked tyre) I will be getting it removed as soon as I can find the original bolts!

---

Mine is the wunderlich version (same mold, different markings?) and has been on both 2015RS and current 2017 model.

Probably around 20/25k miles and no issues I can see, no cracking as reported on very early threads regarding this hugger.

One thing I did, apart from thread lock, correct torque applied was to coat the cup insert with grease, left bolt, not the caliper fitment.

Repeat of that earlier thread but as the suspension moves the flex between swing arm connection to bevel drive would mean 1/8 inch rotation on the front connection.

As the bolt goes through to the torque arm but the bracket is fixed against the bevel there would be some movement creating an issue if this seized.

There was very minimal polish on that 'top-hat' looking insert when swopping over from each RS but is does prove it needs some lubrication.

White tipex pen across any caliper bolts is an easy way to confirm nothing is coming loose as part of any safety check as I set tyre pressures.

P1020478.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Finally got my hugger removed last week. Couldn’t find the bolts so had the dealer do it when I had the 6000 mile service.

It was a nasty mucky day, after the 60 mile journey to the dealers the bike was grubby, the fairing rimmed with black muck, salt, and the lower part of the back of the bike (passenger pegs down) pretty black as well.

Same day, a bit dryer now 4 hours later with no hugger and a clean bike, after the same 60 miles, the fairing was a little spotty, the back of the bike from the ground up was filthy! The rear pegs were covered as was the shock, paralever, back wheel, etc.

Other observations - I had new tyres fitted but same make, similar type (R5 - R6) so I doubt that made much of a difference. Whilst I doubt it (I ain’t that good!) I thought the read suspension was a bit more compliant (less unsprung weight?) but that was probably ‘new tyre’ syndrome.

In conclusion the hugger really does work to help keep the bike clean (I was never convinced but the evidence was very clear) it keeps the back of the bike, the shock, the rider, passenger pegs, under seat area much cleaner than without.

I had my hugger on 3 different RS and did 50k miles in total with no problems. I only had it removed as I was constantly being nagged by BMW! I had it disposed of, but I’m seriously thinking of getting another, that shock looks so vulnerable and the zip tied Mudslinger just looks a bit homemade.

The puig carbon fibre one would look very tasty!

I had a Puig hugger and a Mudsling fitted for 4 years, they worked well in combination, however I removed the hugger last year when I was contemplating selling my RS ( and then thought better of it). The hugger has rubbed against the Mudsling and one edge has worn away, so there is clear interference but nothing you can sense whilst riding.
I haven’t refitted the hugger but that’s mainly because the RS is now a sunny day bike for me.

Can you take a clearer photo and show where the break occurred?
Also was the internal sleeve or bolt/cap assembly greased prior to fitting? (It does look rusty in the blurred image)
Have the internal sleeve parts seized together and then been damaged by suspension movement?
I assume it is at the torque arm bolt failure rather than the brake caliper bolt as one is static and the other does move.
I will be taking mine apart to grease the driveshaft splines and will give mine another check.
May post photo here if all ok and show the movement/polish marks I saw when changing it over from my last RS.

As bad as that photo is it maybe it has been failing for some time looking at the dirt and a lack of a clean area of a recent break.

I know I have mentioned it before about my decision on lubricating the insert when fitting but it is not in the instructions.

This demonstration from Puig (Can't find a Wunderlich version despite being same item!) just mentions adding a "liquid fixator" - threadlock?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR1c5iVg2a8

Nothing in my paper fitting instructions so I am not surprised if there are stress failures once the bearing movement becomes corroded, restricted etc.

Also my paper instructions are in english/spanish so any wunderlich/german links are somewhat doubtful as the nippynorman ones are all Puig now.

Obviously these are still on sale today for many models and if there were so many failure then why are not getting worldwide recalls?