Motorcycle manufacturers are set to save millions, and riders are less likely to be fined for customising their bikes under changes to the Australian Design Rules.

Australia-specific requirements surrounding rear mud guards have been abolished. Until now, new motorcycles had to be retrofitted with large, unsightly mud guards that extended beyond the rear wheel.

Many riders removed them, and some have been fined as a result.

A joint media statement issued by Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Jamie Briggs and Parliamentary Secretary Josh Frydenberg says the mudguard requirement was "outdated and has no bearing on vehicle safety".

"This change is expected to deliver $14.4 million in industry compliance and manufacturing savings every year, which should lead to lower prices for new motorcycle owners," it says.

Manu riders choose to subvert regulations with "fender eliminator" or "tail tidy" kits.

"Consumers in Australia will finally have access to motorcycles as originally designed by the manufacturers, bringing Australia into line with other major markets including the European Union and Japan."

Yamaha Australia spokesman Sean Hawker praised the change.

"Anything that makes it easier to sell our motorcycles locally has got to be a good thing," he says.

"The more we get in line with global regulations, the better we will all be."

Hawker says many people removed the guards as a matter of course.

"It's very common," he says.

"Once we've sold the unit, all bets are off.

"[The government] has realised that its quite counterproductive. The customer doesn't want it and it's not a safety issue. It's red tape."

Sydney motorcyclist Matthew Deeks is one rider who has removed Australian-specific guards from his bikes.

"This is great news," he says.

"I've taken them off my bikes numerous times.

"They are ugly and a waste of space."

Ungainly rear mud guard extensions, such as the unit on Yamaha's MT-09, are set to be phased out. Ungainly rear mud guard extensions, such as the unit on Yamaha's MT-09, are set to be phased out.

Manu riders choose to subvert regulations with "fender eliminator" or "tail tidy" kits. Australia-specific motorcycle design rules cost more than $14 million to implement each year.