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**T99Ford** · 03-14-2010, 02:37 PM

I would say that you really have to like the looks of the dresser first. I could personally never do it, but my Dad loves his. The storage is pretty nice, too. I just always thought the 70's fairings kind of looked like an afterthought. But don't take it from me, I don't even have saddlebags or the toolbox on mine

**DenyP** · 03-14-2010, 02:55 PM

You know Patrick, this is one of those personal preference things. I love my fairing and am still juggling bags to see what I like. I have a small set of leather saddle bags and a barrel bag. This winter I purchased a hard bag and trunk set. I like the convenience of the bags and the comfort and protection of the fairing.

When I was young (under 35) I wouldn't have been caught dead with this stuff on my bike L.O.L!

Deny

**T99Ford** · 03-14-2010, 03:05 PM

How'd you guess, Deny??

**CatatonicBug** · 03-14-2010, 03:09 PM

I really like the look of the full dresser myself, so that is what I did. The main reason I started was to add the wind protection of the fairing. I LOVE the comfort I gained by adding the windjammer. The small added storage space was nice too (equivalent to a glove compartment in a cage). One added benefit is that the headlight is now frame-mounted, and doesn't wiggle with the bars while trying to balance at slow speeds.

The lowers also greatly increase the weather ranges I feel comfortable riding in. I can ride with mesh pants over gym shorts at freeway speeds at 35F weather and not feel cold at all. I'll remove the lowers in the summer so I can use the highway pegs to increase air flow.

I use the trunk all the time to haul stuff back and forth to work, and I carry a collapsible cardboard drink holder in one of the saddlebags, so I can stop and pick up fast food on my way home if I want. I can carry over 14 2-liter soda bottles at once, and I have seen another guy drop an entire case of beer in his Vetter trunk, along with a few other things!

To me, it's a matter of being prepared and capable of carrying stuff if I wanted to.

The only drawback I can think of is the small added weight, and possible wind drag (lower mpg) added by the bags and trunk. I think the fairing actually reduces drag on the front end though. There are also more pieces to replace/repair if you go down, but then again, the bags might protect the bike a bit in that case.

**papanovember** · 03-14-2010, 03:10 PM

Full Dress All The Way!

Now, I use my bike for a daily commuter and the storage is great. I have a Vetter Windjammer and have built custom aluminum saddlebags. I also have a tail trunk wth a 4 gallon aux tank. I also do extensive touring. On my last trip, I left Colorado(where I live) and traveled through Kansas and went on to Missouri to visit some friends. I then proceeded south to Birmingingham, Alabama to visit the Barber Motorsports museum. If you haven't been there, you gotta see this place. Hundreds of bikes that they can get running in about three hours. All of them are runners. They even have their own machine shop. I then traveled up the east coast to see the folks in Massachusetts. Then off to Portland, Maine to visit more friends. Proceeded north to Bar Harbor, Maine where I had lived for five years and still had some buddies there. Then back to Colorado. Now I can tell you from experience, the weather protection from the Vetter(with lowers) are a must. Get the Tall winshield and some rainex and you truck right through the rain. Having the protection of the fairing also helps you ride longer because it cuts down on fatigue. Your not always battling wind, elements, etc...

**CatatonicBug** · 03-14-2010, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by papanovember View Post

Get the Tall winshield and some rainex and you truck right through the rain. Having the protection of the fairing also helps you ride longer because it cuts down on fatigue. Your not always battling wind, elements, etc...

I completely agree! One question though - RainEx says not to use it on acrylic. I thought about using it on my tall windshield when I first got it, but washed it off when I read the warning. Have you experienced any negative affects from using it?

**papanovember** · 03-14-2010, 03:27 PM

Vetter windshild

No negative effects, not a one. I've passed cars pulled over on the side of the road because there wipers couldn't handle the heavy rain! Also, BTW, who cares if you get laughed at with a Vetter fairing. With all the new bikes on the roads, those young wippersnappers are gonna laugh at your undressed XS1100 anyway!

**79XS11F** · 03-14-2010, 03:51 PM

I was faced with the same question when I finished restoring my 79F. I wanted to leave the bike completely stock and the bike did not come from the factory with any bags, trunks or fairing. I opted to mount a clear handlebar mounted wind screen and use soft over the seat saddle bags. The wind screen is a life saver on long rides and does not hide the bike or take anything away from its stock appearance. The over the seat soft saddle bags hold plenty for road trips.
Rob

**Incubus** · 03-14-2010, 07:05 PM

So I was out riding today on the little two-lane country roads east of my house enjoying the perfect weather. I like riding out there because you NEVER see any other vehicles. It's just you and the road.

So today there were several other vehicles. All motorcycles. I came around a bend and came up on a Harley. The rider slowed down, and I thought he wanted me to pass. I swung over to the other lane and started by. As I came abreast, however, he sped up and matched my speed. I looked over at him. He was looking at me. Then he smiled, gunned it and took off.

OK, I thought, wanna play? I dropped down a gear and twisted the throttle about halfway, which was plenty to catch him, even though he was riding full out and his barely muffled bike was roaring. I got alongside and matched his speed. He looked at me - and then I smiled and went WOT.

He may as well have been parked. I went about a half mile and slowed down to let him catch up. As he went by I looked at him.

He did not look back.

That would have been much more fun had I been riding a full dresser.

Patrick

**madmax-im** · 03-14-2010, 07:14 PM

Well mine isnt a full dresser but I like the extra comfort this setup provides... This started as a naked bike...

**CatatonicBug** · 03-14-2010, 07:15 PM

It's stuff like that which makes you love this "outdated engineering" that much more, doesn't it?

**madmax-im** · 03-14-2010, 07:23 PM

Indeed that it works sooo well given its age and still can hold its own with 90% of todays bikes. The Windjammer may be dated but Vetter got it right from the beginning. And the same can be said for Yamaha

**scalded dog** · 03-14-2010, 08:04 PM

My 79 standard is a full dresser, I have an am/fm cassette player mounted, and can hear my radio well up to 70, nothing like cruising along getting weather info, listening to some killer rock, on a hot summer night. Later 'Dog

**oseaghdha** · 03-14-2010, 08:51 PM

I likes em both ways

I have a Vetter on my SF, and I love it until it gets warm. Long rides are way less tiring also. Storage is definately cool.

That having been said, By Damm that thing is a hoot to ride without the furniture! Goes quicker, handles better too. Plus, I think it looks better.
My preference would be one of each.

I have it where I can change it out in about 2 hours.
I had it off for winter storage and had to think real hard before I reinstalled it.
I'll yank it back off in a couple of months.

I have the Vetter, hard bags, soft bags, luggage rack, big tank, small tank. I get bored and change it around a lot.

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To dress, or not to dress, that is the question...

To dress, or not to dress, that is the question...

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