Definitely a noticeable difference with the brace and without. Especially when diving into a turn and braking.
As far a water in the face this is Fl. when it rains I'm pouring water out of my boots daily anyway..
As far as the look, I feel like the fender puts the bike in kind of a "show" type of look, without the fender I can now hang out with my friends in low places...
All kidding aside, I'll do a quick simulated chrome or aluminum powercoat on the brace to hide the corrosion and flaking chrome that got me started on this path to begin with.