To fairing or not to fairing that is the question

[bg241ihc]

I am working on my first Yamaha that I have owned since I bought a new SR500 in 78 (long gone). So now I have this XS1100 and am getting it spiffed up for the upcoming riding season. My dilemma is that I have the options of one of 2 fairings or none. I have been fortunate to acquire both a Yamaha-Vetter and a Yamaha-Pacifico Fairing. I also have the option of not running a fairing.

After all these years of riding I have never rode a fairing bike unless you count the VF750F and the 550GPz small race type fairings. I really like the look of a non fairing bike, but am tempted to try the comfort of one (assuming there is a comfort factor involved). I am currently not a long distance rider. I usually just like to go out for a couple hours on secondary roads and sometimes play around a bit on the straights and corners. I also commute about 4 miles one way to work regularly and usually trade off bikes over the course of the week just to give each a workout.

Any advice based on the experience of the group would be welcome.

[natemoen]

I am working on my first Yamaha that I have owned since I bought a new SR500 in 78 (long gone). So now I have this XS1100 and am getting it spiffed up for the upcoming riding season. My dilemma is that I have the options of one of 2 fairings or none. I have been fortunate to acquire both a Yamaha-Vetter and a Yamaha-Pacifico Fairing. I also have the option of not running a fairing.

After all these years of riding I have never rode a fairing bike unless you count the VF750F and the 550GPz small race type fairings. I really like the look of a non fairing bike, but am tempted to try the comfort of one (assuming there is a comfort factor involved). I am currently not a long distance rider. I usually just like to go out for a couple hours on secondary roads and sometimes play around a bit on the straights and corners. I also commute about 4 miles one way to work regularly and usually trade off bikes over the course of the week just to give each a workout.

Any advice based on the experience of the group would be welcome.

To each their own. I plan on only using the Pacifico that I have in early spring and later in fall when it is cold so that I can ride longer in the year. Other than that I plan on removing the fairing.

The pacifico is more rare and harder to find lowers for, although they are available I got a set of pacifico lowers on ebay for $20. Vetter parts are easier to find and some are still available from Craig Vetter.

[CatatonicBug]

I really love my fairing, and would never ride without it. I felt like a human parachute in the freeway when I first got the bike, with no wind protection at all. The Pacifico is said to be the best all-around fairing for these bikes. however, they are the more difficult of the two to install/remove (2-piece bracket).

I'd say to try the fairing, then if you don't love it, remove it. It should only take an hour or so to remove the Vetter fairing and re-install the headlight/signals. Since you have a Standard, you will probably have to take the whole headlight bucket off the bike to install the fairing though. Just fold the ears into the center after removing the headlight bucket.

[natemoen]

I really love my fairing, and would never ride without it. I felt like a human parachute in the freeway when I first got the bike, with no wind protection at all. The Pacifico is said to be the best all-around fairing for these bikes. however, they are the more difficult of the two to install/remove (2-piece bracket).

I'd say to try the fairing, then if you don't love it, remove it. It should only take an hour or so to remove the Vetter fairing and re-install the headlight/signals. Since you have a Standard, you will probably have to take the whole headlight bucket off the bike to install the fairing though. Just fold the ears into the center after removing the headlight bucket.

I was under the assumption (not that it is correct though) that the Pacifico was set up so that the headlight bucket could stay in place with the fairing on?

[CatatonicBug]

I was under the assumption (not that it is correct though) that the Pacifico was set up so that the headlight bucket could stay in place with the fairing on?

That may be true. I only really know the Vetter version, and watched a crew of folks struggling with the Pacifico removal/installation last Spring.

[crazy steve]

...but am tempted to try the comfort of one (assuming there is a comfort factor involved)...

Well, given the description of your riding habits you won't see much benefit from a fairing IMO. They mainly show their usefulness in distance riding and/or on the superslabs, where they really help in reducing rider fatigue. But they will help keep weather off you and you won't have to 'work' quite as hard while riding. So yeah, there's a comfort factor.

Downside? You're adding weight to the front of a bike that already has marginal front forks, so you'll see a noticable reduction in handling in the twisties. A fork brace can help with this, but only to a point. Some people don't mind the trade-off, some do; only you can decide which is more important.

Of the two, the Pacifico is reportedly the better choice as it has superior aerodynamics; it's supposed to be the only fairing that won't reduce fuel economy at highway speeds.

And you do have to remove the bucket for the Pacifico, and the ears too IIRC.

[natemoen]

And you do have to remove the bucket for the Pacifico, but you can leave the ears in place.

Ok, good to know!

[Wildkat]

Personally, I can't stand riding with a fairing. Mine came with a sport fairing which is a bit shorter than the norm and even it was detracting (and distracting) to me.

I've done several long distances rides without one and never had much of a problem. Head winds can be a nuisance at times, but one less layer of anything between me and what I want to see is worth the extra buffeting IMHO... plus a fairing in a head wind (to me) makes it feel like you're pushing a brick (not to mention can hurt your gas mileage)

As has been suggested, try riding with and then try riding without... everyone has their own preference.

Reading back over Steve's response...
Yeah... what he said
lol

[crazy steve]

Personally, I can't stand riding with a fairing. Mine came with a sport fairing which is a bit shorter than the norm and even it was detracting (and distracting) to me.

I've done several long distances rides without one and never had much of a problem. Head winds can be a nuisance at times, but one less layer of anything between me and what I want to see is worth the extra buffeting IMHO... plus a fairing in a head wind (to me) makes it feel like you're pushing a brick (not to mention can hurt your gas mileage)...

I'm with you Kat; I've never cared for fairings enough to leave one on. I do run windshields, as I like keeping some of the buffeting off me, but a WS doesn't block so much of your view and can become 'invisible'.

Not being able to see the area right in front of the bike really bugs me too....

[fredintoon]

- - - My dilemma is that I have the options of one of 2 fairings or none. - - -

Hi bg,
fairings? Some love 'em, some hate 'em and some can go either way.
Only you can decide which group you are in. Try it with and without and pick an option.
Personally, I don't use one, my perversion is different.

[STEPPENWOLF]

Now I can't ride without a fairing.I put a clear windshield on when I first got my 1100 and then moved up to the Vetter in '81.My partner has a bike with a small windshield on it and I feel "nakid" when riding it.
Mileage wise,can't really tell ya,only had the bike a few days without a shield.Handeling wise,I keep up.Nothing beats a fairing with lowers in the rain or cold.I don't do any long trips now but just a short trip to the pony keg or local state park, I won't leave home without it
It really boils down to what you like,ignore what other people tell ya,I would say go for the fairing for a month and then take it off for a month,,,
the reason I say try the fairing first is you will realy see the difference in the ride more once it is off.
But I do more casual riding than city commutes:-)

[bikerphil]

Since we're doing pictures, I prefer the 1/4 fairing. No additional weight and blocks the wind from your chest...

[bg241ihc]

Thanks a lot for all the insight. I was pretty sure there were those that love them and those who hate them and those who think they sometimes have a purpose.

I suppose if there is a way to easily leave the wiring harness in place and take the hour or two to swap out the unit I would leave it off and in case I decided to make a long ride, I could put it on for that reason.

Is it practical IYO to leave the wiring and/or the mounting bracket in place while riding without the thing?

[natemoen]

Is it practical IYO to leave the wiring and/or the mounting bracket in place while riding without the thing?

For the wiring you would have to make up splitters then if you were to leave it in place but it would be doable as long as you could fit it somewhere to keep it out of the way when the fairing is not on. And you could totally leave the bracket in place (might look a little funny), but its only 2 bolts holding it to the frame so it would not be hard to remove and out it on.

In reality once you figure out how the fairing goes on and off the first time it really will not take you all that long to do the whole process the second time around, easily under 2 hours.

[cywelchjr]

And with the Vetter fairings you can leave the mount on without the fairing, but it does look a little goofy.