An Incomplete Guide To Fairings

AN INCOMPLETE GUIDE TO FAIRINGS

TOURING

24 Ways to Beat the Breezes

Sally Tatom

Ours is a society of creature comforts. Or rather creatures who sometimes seem to go to extremes in the pursuit of a comfortable life—especially where recreational time is concerned. When it comes time to have a good time, we want to have a Good Time, and be as comfortable and at ease as possible.

The surfer's idea of a really smashing time is to get up with (or before) the birds and get to the beach early to catch the best waves. You can bet he'll wiggle into a wetsuit before dashing into the cold water. Makes his favorite pastime lots more enjoyable.

The backpacker knows the tent and sleeping bag he carries add weight to his pack, but there's nothing like a comfortable bed after a long day's trek in the mountains.

And so it is with the motorcyclist. When it's time to break away from the day-to-day anxieties and problems, when he's decided where he wants to go and has tucked his traveler's checks into his jacket next to his heart, he's sure to climb on his bike and either look through or over a fairing.

It's a fact of life for the touring enthusiast—life is more comfortable on a bike equipped with a fairing. He doesn't need insects and road grit flying at him at high speeds. There's no sense in fighting the wind blast. The tall windshield on his fairing forces the air up and over him. And if it should sprinkle or rain lightly, rain drops are directed over and around the fairing. (With some fairings designs, however, pity the poor passenger who receives all those droplets the rider was spared.)

There are many different kinds of fairings on the market. Two types are most suitable for touring: A handlebarmounted fairing consists of a flat or curved windshield on a plastic or fiberglass section that surrounds the headlight and extends to cover the rider's hands; or a framemounted fairing. The frame-mounted type provides greater protection, sometimes features storage compartments, and makes provisions for another protective shield to be added to guard the rider's lower legs.

When choosing a fairing it is necessary to take into consideration the conditions under which you will be traveling. Road conditions, wind, speed and the amount of time you'll spend on the road are determinents for how much protection you may want.

Air speed is a combination of the speed at which you're traveling and the velocity of the wind. The greater the air speed, the more protection you'll need and the more pressure there will be on your fairing. And because you won't always be riding directly into the wind, crosswind protection must be considered. This can be dealt with by a fairing that creates a large air pocket. A large fairing is the best way to protect your passenger since he/she is further away from the fairing.

The bike's handling will be affected by the addition of a fairing. Neither the surface of the road nor whether it is winding or straight will affect the air pocket created, but the ease of negotiation of various kinds of roads must be considered.

The weight of the fairing affects the stability and maneuverability of the bike. With handlebar-mounted fairings the bars may be more difficult to turn but this is most apparent in slow maneuvers like parking.

Consider the temperatures you're likely to encounter on your trips. The greater the extremes, the more protection you'll require. Keep in mind that your passenger will be more comfortable and less a victim of the wind and weather if your bike is equipped with a large fairing.

Front-end maintenance should not be a big task once the fairing is attached. Fuses and the headlight and gas tank should be easily reachable. Of importance to some people is the versatility of the fairing—a growing percentage of bikers own two bikes, one for long-distance touring and one for the daily commute and want one fairing that is easily interchanged. Some manufacturers are trying to meet that need.

The list of options and accessories available boggles the mind. Most fairings come in black or white but can be color matched to your bike (and/or pinstriped) for an extra charge. You can also buy a clock, cigarette lighter, 40-channel CB radio, side lamps, turn signals, lined side pockets, driving lights, oil temperature and pressure gauges and a sound system consisting of an AM/FM radio with your choice of either a cassette or 8-track player and speakers.

The person who is in the market for a fairing will notice right away that prices vary greatly. A bare-bones model can be purchased for $44.95; a fairing complete with everything but a bathroom can cost $1100. Like anything else, you sometimes get what you pay for, but the most expensive model may not necessarily be the best for your particular needs.

After all, you're the creature who best knows what comforts you require.

BATES INDUSTRIES, INC.

The Clipper from Bates is currently available only for the Honda GL 1000. Future applications will include BMW. Honda 750K, Kawasaki KZI000, Suzuki GS750 and Yamaha 750-SX 1100 This one-piece affair includes a lower fairing, two headlights, a locking storage space in front and a windshield that is adjustable for height. The windshield comes clear or tinted green. The fairing is supplied in black or white with a wide choice of colors for pin-striping. Cost of the fairing is $475. Add $70 to that for custom colors. Options like AM/ FM radio, digital clock and map-dash light are available—all from your local dealer.

Bates Industries, Inc.

701 W. Cowles St.

Long Beach, Calif. 90801 (213) 435-6551

MICHAEL BONDY ASSOCIATES

The Avon Arrow is a frame-mounted fairing with a replaceable windscreen, two locking glove compartments, built-in turn signals and provision for a 7or 8-in. headlight. The fairing is currently avail able for most BMWs and the Honda GL1000,and is available on special order for most other touring bikes. The Avon Arrow lists for $380 in either black or white. The entire package, upper and lower fairings,costs $475. Avon fairings are sold through motorcy cle dealers only.

Michael Bondy Associates Box 123 Haworth, N.J. 07641 (201) 385-2552

CAMBER FAIRINGS

Construction of this frame-mounted fairing is done by hand, using fiberglass cloth and mat. Comes with removable lower panels. locking storage compart ments, automotive-style headlight and a dash large enough to mount a CB radio, stereo speakers, or optional VDO fairingmount gauges. The price is $320 for white. $330 for black.

Camber Fairings 1640 Pomona St. Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627 (714) 646-4852

CASLER PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

This fork-mounted fairing is made of fiberglass and the manufacturer claims that the good fit of the fairing allows no gaps around the headlight or turn signals. It comes complete with windshield and mounting instructions. It's available from motorcycle dealers and is priced at $80.95.

Casler Performance Products P.O. Box 3397 Ontario, Calif. 91761 (714) 983-5212

C-F INC.

The Slipstreamer II, a transparent han dlebar-mounted fairing, is offered for most Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasakis and Suzukis, and the Moto Guzzi 1000 and Norton 850. The windshield is available in three sizes. The fairing is billed as being easily installed and easily removed. Selling price for the clear fairing is $59.95, tinted costs $64.95.

C-F Inc 869 Pierce Butler Route St. Paul, Minn. 55104 (612) 489-8053

EL DORADO MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES

The latest from El Dorado has a rec tangular halogen headlight and two rec tangular halogen driving lights. The manufacturer says it is wider than all other fairings available today and that its "V" shape deflects the air further out away from the rider and passenger. The listing of options is almost endless, and this fairing is so new that at press time a price had not yet been determined. For more informa tion contact:

El Dorado Motorcycle Accessories Ltd, Inc. P.O. Box 30038 St. Paul, Minn. 55165 (612) 429-1091

DICK'S CYCLE WEST

The Racer I Quarter S/2 handlebarmounted fairing fits all of the popular model motorcycles. Installation time is claimed to be about an hour. It's made of ABS thermoplastic, has flared sides, built-in spoiler, and comes complete with mounting hardware and instructions. Price is $75.95, black or white. Available through your dealer or from:

kslet 401 Agostino Rd. San Gabriel, Calif. 91776 (213) 287-9656

ARTHUR FULMER

The Fulmer Cy/Clear fairing is available for Big Four bikes as well as for Moto Guzzi and BMW motorcycles. The manufacturerclaims the fairing will not warp or change colors and that in stallation takes a mere 15 minutes. The plexiglass acrylic fairing comes ei ther clear ($45) or with a bronze tint ($50). Available from Fulmer are two other fairings-a frame-mounted fairing (pic tured) is claimed to provide better top speed and minimum drag because of its small frontal area design. Plug-in safety bars and a quartz head light are optional, but included in the package are turn signals. side lights, covered storage pockets, vinyl trim and chrome-plated hardware. The windshield is available in three lengths. Price is $325 for black or white, $375 for color match. The Big Daddy from Fulmer is his Gen eration II Travel System. Standard items include built-in stereo speakers, two lock ing side panels. a locking glove compart ment that can accommodate a radio or CB unit and a dashboard ready for any num ber of instruments. It's expensive-$975 in black or white, $1125 color matched to your bike.

Arthur Fulmer P.O. Box 177 Memphis. Tenn. 38101 (901) 525-5711

HUGON FAIRINGS

Hugon's Lexan GT and Lexan Sport fairings fit all popular motorcycles and are mounted with a six-point universal mount ing system. Brochures for these fairings say "Dare to be Different." They are manufactured from a polycar bonate resin called Lexan made by Gen eral Electric and are guaranteed for one year against breakage and cracks. Both models may be ordered without the chrome side edging but the cost is $10 more. Suggested retail price for each is $239.

Hugon Fairing Co. 27 Loring Rd. Weston, Mass. 02193

JACWAL CORPORATION

Two offerings from Jacwal: the SuperWedge and the Mini Wedge. The SuperWedge is a full upper and lower fairing. The fairing is mounted to the frame; the windshield, dash panel and handshields are mounted to the handlebars for steering ease. The SuperWedge covers the top of the front wheel, a design the manufacturer claims captures the air flow and eliminates turbulence. Prices vary according to what bike will carry it, but count on spending between. $315 and $400. The Mini Wedge is handlebar-mounted, comes with headlight (quartz is optional). dash panel and room for additional instru mentation. The headlight shield is op tional because it is not legal in all states. Suggested price on the Mini Wedge in black or white is $186.95. Color matching and pin striping is available for $306.95 or you may have your choice of metalfiake in one of 45 colors for $294.95. Smoked windshields are available for both models.

Jacwal Corporation 13310 Mapledale Norwalk, Calif. 90650 (213) 921M406

KIMSTOCK, INC.

Kimstock's Voyager is a new design in frame mounted fairings. The windshield slants close to the rider for more wind protection and it has wind wings that move out of the way when the handlebars are turned. The manufacturer claims more than two cubic feet of storage space in the lockable compartments. The recessed headlight adds to the sleek look of this fairing, which comes in black or white and sells for $319.95.

Kimstock, Inc. 2200 S. Yale St. Santa Ana, Calif. 92704 (714) 546-6850

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORPORATION, USA

Kawasaki Motors offers. a (airing de~ signed by Vetter. The frame-mounted fair ing is an attractive design-and is adaptable to a number of options available-from a pop..vent windshield to a cigarette lighter button. A black or white model costs $258. For $295. you have your choice of Luminous Dark Blue, Luminous Burnt Red, Lumir nous Green or Luminous Red. Available from your Kawasaki dealer;:

NATIONAL CYCLE

The Plexifairing fixes to four points at both the handlebars and headlight. It is made of transparent acrylic and has reflec tive Scotchlite decals. The fairing is avail able for most bikes and sells for $89.95.

National Cycle 136 S. 8th Ave. Maywood. Ill. 60153 (312) 343-0400

OCELOT ENGINEERING

The Ocelot Airstream is a frame-mount fairing that fits all popular bikes. It uses standard headlight and turn signals and comes with a locking tonneau cover. Op tions include a 2-in, taller windshield, slide lights and snap vents. Price is $149.95 for black or white.

Ocelot Engineering Products 895 W. Mill St. San Bernardino, Calif. 92410 (714) 887-6567

SHOEI

The SF-i fairing from Shoei is a full handlebar fairing that appears to be some what larger than other such fairings. Shoei offers a full line of accessories like sad diebags. helmets, rear boxes, etc. for tour in~ enthusiasts.

Cost is $114.95 from: Shoei Safety Helmet Corp. 1717 Pontius Ave. Los Angeles. Calif. (213) 477-6051

PACIFICO, INC.

The Pathfinder handlebar-mounted fairing is billed as the most advanced handlebar fairing on the road. It is de signed to blend with the lines of today's bikes rather than look like an added-on part. Comes with turn signal/running lights, a choice of standard or tall windshield and is available for most popular motorcycles. Another offering from Pacifico is the Shadow Royale fairing. We reported on this fairing in our September. 1976 issue and commented on the ease of installation. Standard features include locking storage compartment doors, combination turn sig nals/running lights, built-in dash panel and double pin-stripe. Available from your local dealer.

SILHOUETTE FAIRINGS

This is a chassis-mount fairing. claimed to allow for quick installation and removal. The windshield is adjustable, allowing you to either look through the clear plexiglass acrylic, or above it. Price for the tinted fairing is $89.95, clear costs $84.95. Available from:

Silhouette Fairings P.O. Box 1672 Martinsville, md. 46151 (317) 342-2300

TORQUE

This frame-mount fairing is made from ABS plastic, is available in black or white and has chrome trim and chrome side reflectors. Striping is available. The fairing has covered side storage compartments and sells for $169.95 complete with mounting hardware. Available for all pop ular models.

Torque Products 895 W. Mill St. San Bernardino, Calif. 92410 (714) 884-0484

DON VESCO PRODUCTS

This handlebar-mounted fairing from Don Vesco is called the Colt and is de signed for small motorcycles, It comes with universal mounting hardware, windscreen, edging and matte finish panel. It is hand laminated fiberglass and retails for $69.95.

Don Vesco Products. Inc. 7565 North Ave. Lemon Grove, Calif. 92045 (714) 465-8256

VETTER FAIRING COMPANY

These popular fairings are made by the best-known name in the business. The Windjammer SS and Vindicator fairings have pop-vent windshields, a locking ton neau cover on the right side and a soft pocket on the left. 12-volt headlight, head light adjuster. clear windshield and come with installation details. Both are available in white, black. silver or primer. The Windjammer comes with running lights, the Vindicator does not. Cost of the Windjammer is $305: the Vindicator is $250. Lower panels and other options listed in our introduction are avail able for both models. From your local dealer or directly from Vetter:

Vetter Fairing Company Rantoul, 11!. 61866 (217) 893-9300