Do you ride Naked or not?

[GLoweVA]

I've been 3 days now without the fairing on my SG and I like it, but I also hate it.
So I want to see how many of you have 'protection':

[Yahman]

I run a small bikini fairing, it blocks the wind from hitting my chest just enough to make it comfortable on a long ride.

Ride safe,
Larry

[Jerry]

Both the XJ and the Coonie are full dress with fairings and bags. Love to ride naked, but on long trips and long commute (114 miles a day) the bag storage and extra comfort of a full dresser are really appreciated. I've considered moving the XJ back to naked as the Connie (2006 Kawasaki Concours) is now my "daily ride" and I really don't need both bikes to be full dresssers.

[BA80]

Interesting question semantically speaking.

[natemoen]

I change throughout the year. More when colder, less when warmer.

[Bonz]

I need a choice for both, as my 80G is naked and the 80SG has a Plexifairing 3.

I love the 80G becuase it is noise free on my helmet, nice clean air. And with the headlight and big 'ol tank, there is a fair amount of wind blockage goin' on in front of me to go with the smooth air.

I love the 80SG because the Plexi 3 turns it into a legit tourer, and is perfect for the colder months. If I wasn't so tall, and my head was a few inches lower, I'd be in a pocket of still air. Not as nice on really hot days at lower speeds with a full face helmet, so I use a 3/4 face sometimes.

My in between is a 2001 ZRX 1200 with a bikini fairing up front.

Now, if I could get anything with a bikini on the XS while I was naked, that'd be a "ride report" for the ages...

[crazy steve]

This is both a comfort and esthetics question...

I run a medium-size windshield as it doesn't distract much from the lines of the 'naked' bike yet offers 'enough' protection in most cases. Keeps the wind off my chest, and most of the bugs out of my face...

But I will admit, if you're doing extended riding on the superslabs a fairing is very nice. In town, they tend to cook you on warm days as you don't get enough air movement as well as reduced visibility of the road surface, plus the extra weight, etc.

But I've never cared for the looks of a 'dressed' bike, so the W/S is the best compromise for me...

[Bonz]

With respect to the poll, "Just a windshield" or "Fairing only" are a bit overlapping, as a Plexi 3 is way different than a shorty shield...

Having ridden with a fairing and plexi 3 windshield, the Plexi 3 is more pleasant from a wind noise/buffeting standpoint when wearing a helmet, and with the lower extensions has all the protection from the elements of the fairing...

Like the look of a Plexi 3 as well vs a Pacifico, etc. Old fairings just didn't have the eye appeal, no matter which brand fairing, to my eye.

[jayel]

Midnight Mystery Ride, I had boots on

[Bonz]

Gotta love the Midnight Mystery Rides!

[Courtney]

I run a Spitfire windshield for trips, but I also wear a Shoei open face helmet. If I'm running around town or on small rides on the Island here, I ride bare, and wear a full face flip up helmet. In either case I wear my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket which is totally awesome.

[Cuda 69]

Coutney,was just looking at that First gear jacket.look's nice..I like fairings,Had one on my SG,and have a half a**ed fairing on my Wee,which gives me some nice air with protectionto the face and chest.Wee is set up for full touring.

[old_skool]

Mine currently has a fairing, but may change to a windshield only, I'll let this summer decide, for looks, totaly naked, my helmet keeps the bugs at bay.

[Courtney]

Coutney,was just looking at that First gear jacket.look's nice..I like fairings,Had one on my SG,and have a half a**ed fairing on my Wee,which gives me some nice air with protectionto the face and chest.Wee is set up for full touring.

Cuda, that jacket has withstood the elements from nasty hail to full downpours without a whimper. I've ridden in near freezing weather and in boiling 100 deg. stuff, (but with the liner out and the vents open). Can't say enough about it.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey George,

I thought I saw you going Northbound on 664 around 5:30 pm Tuesday when it was stop and crawl traffic southbound!!

I have a small windscreen that I have used during cool/cold weather like riding in the mountains during the fall rallies, as well as for when I would actually RIDE the bike to the rally hundreds of miles instead of trailering it.

But once I put a backrest on my bike that can support "ME", then I find I don't need to keep the wind off of my chest/head as much, I don't have to hold on for dear life, the wind isn't going to blow me backwards, so I can ride "Naked" and enjoy the breeze. I use a fullface helmet also.

T.C.