I'll admit I loved the look and only got caught once, but it was nasty. One reason the fender was off was that I was swapping tires from street to knobbies, front and rear, for scrambles racing.

 

In the 60s and early 70s the front fender always came off and became the back fender. That's where the flip on the Wide Glide comes from. It worked well except in the rain.

 

small fender, good.

no fender, bad.

 

i plan on taking mine off along with a few things once my struts and new rear fender come in, belt guards , front fender and turn signals (got leds coming). do whatcha like. myself i dont mine getn grimey.

 

I ran without a back fender while my new fender was in for paint, and got caught in a very light rain. Might as well have been a downpour because the rooster tail shooting out the back made sure I got soaked.
If it never rains where you ride, go for it.