How much difference does a fairing make?
Discussion
I did a 500+ mile day yesterday, mostly on motorways, doing a few errands around the country. Not a big deal compared to some days that others will have had sure, but more than I'm used to, particularly when it included torrential rain as it was getting dark coming out of the West Country.
I did it on a gsx 1400 with a fly screen and I was surprised at how much difference the screen made - took loads of windblast off my chest. It got uncomfortable in my arse and less so in my knees after about 150 mile stretches but a 15 min break normally loosened that back off. Worst feeling was cold hands after dark and squelching into the services with drenched trousers (hein gericke master iv jacket stayed bone dry).
So my question: how much more comfortable would I have been on a (e.g.) triumph trophy, gs adventure or gold wing and how much harder would it have been on e.g. a fireblade? I get the feeling that with heated grips and maybe a better pair of trousers (and definitely a new visor), I'd have been ok to about the 7 or 800 mile mark in the day.
Tank bag was enough for a spare jumper and the paperwork i needed (fortunately in a plastic ziplock bag), so take carrying capacity out of the equation.
I did it on a gsx 1400 with a fly screen and I was surprised at how much difference the screen made - took loads of windblast off my chest. It got uncomfortable in my arse and less so in my knees after about 150 mile stretches but a 15 min break normally loosened that back off. Worst feeling was cold hands after dark and squelching into the services with drenched trousers (hein gericke master iv jacket stayed bone dry).
So my question: how much more comfortable would I have been on a (e.g.) triumph trophy, gs adventure or gold wing and how much harder would it have been on e.g. a fireblade? I get the feeling that with heated grips and maybe a better pair of trousers (and definitely a new visor), I'd have been ok to about the 7 or 800 mile mark in the day.
Tank bag was enough for a spare jumper and the paperwork i needed (fortunately in a plastic ziplock bag), so take carrying capacity out of the equation.
On a Gs or Goldwing like uv mentioned, tht kind of mileage would be a breeze compared to what ur used to on the Gsx.
Even sports bikes deflect the wind from you ALOT compared to the non-fared bikes!
I have a fireblade thts been modified.....no fairing, renthal bars etc and the difference between tht and when it was faired is unbelievable! I had to do a 'short' run from Edinburgh to Glasgow and back the other night to collect anti-b's for my Son, all motorway work and my neck n shoulders were killing me! Granted the speeds were 'slightly' high but couldnt believe the pain i was in the following day! Or maybe im just getting old!! :-(
With it faired, or even on my last bike, gsxr600 k6, tht relatively tiny journey would have been alot easier because of the fairings!
Even sports bikes deflect the wind from you ALOT compared to the non-fared bikes!
I have a fireblade thts been modified.....no fairing, renthal bars etc and the difference between tht and when it was faired is unbelievable! I had to do a 'short' run from Edinburgh to Glasgow and back the other night to collect anti-b's for my Son, all motorway work and my neck n shoulders were killing me! Granted the speeds were 'slightly' high but couldnt believe the pain i was in the following day! Or maybe im just getting old!! :-(
With it faired, or even on my last bike, gsxr600 k6, tht relatively tiny journey would have been alot easier because of the fairings!
I can only give you my experience .
I had a Speed triple for 3 years. Great bike and loved it. Longest day I had was 400 miles to lands and and back to Bristol on the speed triple. over 70 on the motorway was hard work and the wind blast was hard work.
I did 2k on my Fireblade over 6 days the following year touring europe and doing 400-500 miles a few days it was so much less work. I loved my Speed triple but would not go back to a naked bike for the type of riding I do. I don't often go out and do less than 50 miles ( apart from Weston bike night). Most of my runs out on the road are 100 miles +.
Having experienced this any future bikes will have fairings
I had a Speed triple for 3 years. Great bike and loved it. Longest day I had was 400 miles to lands and and back to Bristol on the speed triple. over 70 on the motorway was hard work and the wind blast was hard work.
I did 2k on my Fireblade over 6 days the following year touring europe and doing 400-500 miles a few days it was so much less work. I loved my Speed triple but would not go back to a naked bike for the type of riding I do. I don't often go out and do less than 50 miles ( apart from Weston bike night). Most of my runs out on the road are 100 miles +.
Having experienced this any future bikes will have fairings
Yep, the difference in comfort levels between a well designed full fairing and a fly screen are quite staggering ! A full fairing will double or treble the distances you feel like doing, to the point that petrol stops can be an inconvenience . Having said that, as I ride for pleasure these days, rather than transport, an unfaired bike suits me better. The main downside I found with a fully faired bike is that it is very easy to carry too much speed everywhere, resulting in a bruised licence !
Longest day on a naked was a speed triple in 2012 coming back from assen which was 710miles, found it comfortable but cruising at 120 ish through Belgium and northern France does make the neck ache a tad!!!, did 940 miles on my k1300s not long ago which was a long old way, but surprisingly I got off with no aches and cruising at fast motorway speeds was a pleasure!, it does make a massive difference with a full fairing !
My GSX-R600 SRAD has a very substantial fairing, in a full tuck, chest on the tank and head low behind the screen it's very calm and serene. Even at 80-90mph when sitting up, most of the wind is deflected away from my chest and head. Compared to the naked bikes I've ridden, it's a lot less blustery at motorway speeds. That said, the CBF600 that I learned on was naked, and it wasn't too bad at regular motorway speeds. I imagine that sustained 100mph+ riding would get tiresome on a naked bike after a while.
I've just got back from a 3 day 800 mile trip round the south west coast on my CB1000R. Aside from a slightly numb arse only on the last day did I start to get achey in the upper body. Up to 80 or so for 90% of the trip I didnt feel the wind blast too much at all but the last day I started getting a bit of neck ache. When I swapped with my mate and used his blade it was bloody awful. I'm a fat s
t so couldnt get down over the tank much, this meant anything over 60 or so and the screen sent the wind straight at my head, got fed up after a few min and swapped back. No doubt a double bubble would help.
t so couldnt get down over the tank much, this meant anything over 60 or so and the screen sent the wind straight at my head, got fed up after a few min and swapped back. No doubt a double bubble would help. 
Hooli said:
I find my GSX14 more comfy without a screen at all. The ones I've tried with screens make my head & shoulders buffet around. TBH unless your holding over 100mph then I don't think fairings/screens have much point. Just ride more often till your neck gets used to it & it's fine.
When I swapped the ST13 for a Speed Triple on last year's Eurohoon I was struck by how little wind noise the STriple had at 100mph compared to the Pan Euro with its screen down. In fact I found the ST13 got even worse when I put a headlamp protector on it!Granted on the STriple you knew when you were doing the speed but the only noise was the wind around your helmet: on the faired bike it's the noise of the air that's already been deflected around the huge nose (of the bike
) that you're listening to.I went from a Speed triple to a Tiger 1050, it's a very similar bike apart from the fairing.
The main reason I swapped was touring comfort.
On nice days the lack of wind protection isn't really an issue, however if I'm going a long way fast or in bad weather I prefer to have something to hide behind.
I've done Germany trips on both bikes, for us this involves 3k miles in a week and stupid speeds where available.
The tiger made the trip far more comfortable, on the Speed triple my neck made crunching sounds for two days after the run.
I now have a VFR1200. The fairing is the best one I've used for protection and lack of buffeting. My CB1300 has a small aftermarked screen on it and when speeds are sensible it's fine, but for sustained high speeds the VFR is ideal.
The main reason I swapped was touring comfort.
On nice days the lack of wind protection isn't really an issue, however if I'm going a long way fast or in bad weather I prefer to have something to hide behind.
I've done Germany trips on both bikes, for us this involves 3k miles in a week and stupid speeds where available.
The tiger made the trip far more comfortable, on the Speed triple my neck made crunching sounds for two days after the run.
I now have a VFR1200. The fairing is the best one I've used for protection and lack of buffeting. My CB1300 has a small aftermarked screen on it and when speeds are sensible it's fine, but for sustained high speeds the VFR is ideal.
I now ride a MV Dragster 800RR and find anything about 'real' motorway speeds is uncomfortable
You actually feel the wind less when you go into a valley type motorway but when completely open its not nice
If you do alot of motorway or longer rides at consistently over 70-80mph I would get a faired bike. I only went for this after my Benelli Tre to slow me down...which it kinda has
I have looked at a screen on it and but got shot to flames by other people riding similar saying how damn ugly they are :-/
You actually feel the wind less when you go into a valley type motorway but when completely open its not nice
If you do alot of motorway or longer rides at consistently over 70-80mph I would get a faired bike. I only went for this after my Benelli Tre to slow me down...which it kinda has
I have looked at a screen on it and but got shot to flames by other people riding similar saying how damn ugly they are :-/
Fairing makes a lot of difference, but it won't protect you from other things such as pi$$ on your passport.
You really need better gear. Getting cold means you make mistakes and you do not want to make mistakes on a bike. You should invest in better gloves, heated grips and fully waterproof gear. You should not get wet on a bike at all, regardless of weather. Cold hands also slow the muscles in your hands down, which means you will take longer to actuate the brakes should you need to do so in a hurry.
You really need better gear. Getting cold means you make mistakes and you do not want to make mistakes on a bike. You should invest in better gloves, heated grips and fully waterproof gear. You should not get wet on a bike at all, regardless of weather. Cold hands also slow the muscles in your hands down, which means you will take longer to actuate the brakes should you need to do so in a hurry.
Edited by creampuff on Wednesday 29th April 16:39
Huge difference, but its about the bike as well as the fairing.
My ZXR750 failing would shield me from the elements at a decent speed, but unless you went everywhere over 70 would make your wrists ache. High pegs meant legs were always uncomfortable after a while.
My V-Rod naked is OK up to 70 but then tries to pull you off the back causing you to stick your arse in the seat to prevent your hands aching and your hands do get cold. Forward pegs result in legs always being comfortable.
When it comes to rain, as others say you just need decent gear or become a fair weather biker.
My ZXR750 failing would shield me from the elements at a decent speed, but unless you went everywhere over 70 would make your wrists ache. High pegs meant legs were always uncomfortable after a while.
My V-Rod naked is OK up to 70 but then tries to pull you off the back causing you to stick your arse in the seat to prevent your hands aching and your hands do get cold. Forward pegs result in legs always being comfortable.
When it comes to rain, as others say you just need decent gear or become a fair weather biker.
creampuff said:
Fairing makes a lot of difference, but it won't protect you from other things such as pi$$ on your passport.
You really need better gear. Getting cold means you make mistakes and you do not want to make mistakes on a bike. You should invest in better gloves, heated grips and fully waterproof gear. You should not get wet on a bike at all, regardless of weather. Cold hands also slow the muscles in your hands down, which means you will take longer to actuate the brakes should you need to do so in a hurry.
I've ridden in some crap before (including a 200 mile sub zero run in January and have stayed warm and dry so if isn't bad gear, and the jacket stood up to everything brilliantly but it really was very heavy rain (cars had fog lights on and spray was bad enough that The cars had wipers at double speed. Armoured jeans just won't hold that level of rain out - tbh I was amazed the jacket managed it.You really need better gear. Getting cold means you make mistakes and you do not want to make mistakes on a bike. You should invest in better gloves, heated grips and fully waterproof gear. You should not get wet on a bike at all, regardless of weather. Cold hands also slow the muscles in your hands down, which means you will take longer to actuate the brakes should you need to do so in a hurry.
Edited by creampuff on Wednesday 29th April 16:39
Better pair of gloves are probably on the cards though - they weren't bad hein gericke winter ones and were fine until the last 100 miles or so when he temperature dropped hard after still being soaked. Still, I could probably spend more and get more quality without going to a luxury item iyswim.
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