Wingjammer Commander Flairing
WINGJAMMER COMMANDER FLAIRING
CW EVALUATION
Whiz-bang wind protection from Craig Vetter
FAIRINGS TRADITIONALLY ARL A WHATyou-see-is-what-you-get proposition: When big enough to give a lot of protection, they’re usually too big for comfort in the heat; and when small enough to be unobtrusive during ideal weather, they’re too small to offer much protection from the cold and wet.
Obviously, the solution is an adjustable fairing, one that can be big when you want it to be big and small when you want it to be small.
That is precisely the idea behind the WingJammer Commander Flairing from Craig Vetter, creator of the legendary Vetter Windjammer fairing of the 1970s. The Commander is the first product of Vetter’s new company, Winged Wheels of America (P.O. Box 2019, Monterey, CA 93942; 800/8421949). Presently, it is only available for Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, Heritage Special and Heritage Classic models. Fitment for more Harleys and select Japanese cruisers is planned.
The Commander features an electrically controlled windshield with 7 inches of adjustment in height, and lower side deflectors that have 8 inches of variation in width. Within those limits, the rider simply regulates the exact amount of coverage he desires with a toggle switch mounted on the Flairing’s backside.
Basically, the Commander consists of three main components: the bracketry that attaches the unit to four preexisting holes on the Harley’s triple clamps; the adjustable windshield/deflector assembly, which includes the electric motor that moves the windshield and deflectors in unison; and the central fairing assembly consisting of a cast-aluminum centerpiece and bolt-on, injection-molded plastic wingtips, which serve as hand-andarm protectors.
Installation requires about two hours for the average home mechanic. No special tools are needed-unless you consider wire strippers and crimpers “special.” No permanent modifications to the bike are necessary, either.
When fully extended, the wind-
screen gives good protection for its size, routing air over the top of the helmet of even a 6-foot-2-inch rider. And the lower deflectors divert most of the air outward and around the rider’s knees. At full retraction, the wind effect at chest level is much like riding an unfaired motorcycle, although we noticed a small amount of turbulence that wasn’t there without the Flairing.
Moreover, the shield moves in a narrow slot in the module’s housing and is guided by small felt pads on both sides of the slot. If the shield isn’t reasonably clean before being raised or lowered, dragging bugs or road grime past the pads will, in time, permanently mar the lucite.
Vetter designed the Commander in the image of his father’s WWII air crew wings after observing that the wings followed essentially the same contours as the handlebar and headlight on an unfaired Harley. He also thought the winged theme appropriate, given that eagles have become widely recognized icons for Milwaukee’s finest.
But while the match-up of those shapes is interesting, and there is an obvious connection between Harleys and wings, most people we encountered disliked the Commander’s styling.
Price is also an issue.
Winged Wheels is asking $1344 for the basic Commander with the black ABS wingtips.
Polished cast-aluminum wings are available for another $350, or $155 for H-D color-matched
wings. An optional Dash Bag that attaches to the backside of the mounting bracket retails for $69. Opt for top-ofthe-line, and the total, including sales tax, will set you back almost two grand.
In the end, the Commander’s appearance and price are issues that everyone will have to weigh on his own. But that shouldn’t cause you to overlook the fact that, as a fairing, the Commander works. Better than any fixed cruiser fairing on the market.
