Like I said, hotblooded has a valid point. My kid has no interest in racing xc with me, but if he did, I probably wouldn't shave the fenders on his. Personal preference on my part, as I have owned quads both ways and prefer the mud protection. If you spend to much time looking at your tires while at speed, you WILL hit something eventually. Again, it is the OP's quad, feel free to shave 'em. The only real downside is less mud protection.