Originally Posted by europa

The OP referred to the KiloTT earlier as it's often suggested here. It's suggested to people with a $500 budget. You've got a much higher budget and can afford a better bike.

Fenders (mudguards as I know them): The ones that clamp onto your seat stem and sit high above the wheel are okay but give minimal protection, they really only reduce that wet stripe up your back. For a bike that's going to commute in rain and on wet roads, you're far better off with mudguards that fit close to your tyres, front and rear - I've got them on my Europa and unless the road is very wet, I don't even get wet feet. Which raises another point, you don't only need these critters in the rain because you'll often find yourself riding on wet roads between showers and it's the wet road you're trying to protect yourself from.