I see a lot of pic on here with both the rear plastics and the fender removed.  This looks awesome to me. Is there any down side to not having any fender ie. the battery getting damaged. Does anyone ride this way all the time. I use my bike for everyday commuting and don't want to jeopardize any functionality for aesthetics.

Thanks

Your back gets the road splash without the fender.  My 02 fender was cut off when I bought it and I took the splash riding in a lot of rain until I put a Givi trunk on it, the trunk catches it now.   

Remove it and in a good rain your bike probably won't run. All the electricals will get soaked. 

Like gsJack mentioned, it really keeps things clean and dry.

Some people cut off the lower end of it. I wouldn't due to so much rain in Seattle. Cut it if you want - just don't remove it.

I'm always throwing away chopped rear fenders. I can never give them away and I don't like them. How many times have I offered to trade a chopped one for an uncircumcised one?

A few more just went into the trash.