05-19-2014, 04:32 AM
Since there seems to be so much debate/opinion/pluses/minuses over fairings for these bikes, I thought I'd toss my two cents in here, being that I just got this fairing and put some miles in with it over the weekend.
I have to say that I'm not really a fairing fan on "naked" bikes, but I think I'm going to be putting more long-ish rides in on this bike, and I figured that putting something on it to break the wind could be a really good idea. Being detachable/quick release was a necessity, because I really have no interest in leaving it on full time, especially since 90% of my riding is through local canyon and mountain roads.
I looked at all of them mentioned on the forum - thanks to all of you guys for your write-ups and recommendations - and as much as I dislike big clunky aftermarket pieces, I thought that if I was going to do this, I might as well "go big" and make it worthwhile...hence my choice.
The Street Shield EX is pretty big, and is, in fact, even larger than the standard Street Shield. It's also VERY easily removable, like in literally less than 60 seconds. It took a while to do the first install, but that's mostly just doing fine adjustments to make sure it's on straight, not rubbing anywhere, at the right rake, etc. If you've ever had an aftermarket fairing before, you know the drill.
From the moment I pulled away on the first ride, I was amazed at the coverage it gives. It only gets better as you move faster - and I rode city streets, some canyon roads, and spent some time on the freeway. It's definitely the best coverage fairing of its kind I've ever used. In fact, it's almost like being in a vacuum - being as warm as it's been here lately, it got uncomfortably warm fast; there was literally no cooling wind hitting me anywhere. Surprisingly air-efficient - great feature if it's cold, or you're moving along at freeway+ speeds obviously, but being an ATTGATT guy, it made my run like being wrapped in Saran Wrap.
At 75 or so on the freeway, I felt a little buffeting; I'm guessing the air was only hitting the top of my head, because it wasn't bad at all, but I thought I'd mention it.
The really weird thing is the noise. If you've ever surfed, and gone "over the falls", where you're being churned around under water like you're in a washing machine, that's about what it sounds like. At almost all speeds. It was probably even more noticeable because my Shoei helmet is nearly whisper quiet, which is what I'm used to when riding - quiet. But I couldn't hear either the engine or exhaust, which is a really odd effect. After years of shifting "by ear", instead of having to watch the tach, I was really thrown off. I finally used the vibes coming through the grips, rather than continually monitoring the tach, but it made for a bizarre experience, at least for me. Since I felt no air buffeting on me anywhere, it shouldn't have been from air hitting my helmet. I can only assume that it was caused by airflow around the fairing and over me? I don't know if adjusting the rake will help, but I'll have to play around with it a little and see if any improvements can be made. Anyway, I'll have to decide if I can live with it. YMMV...
If you missed my other thread about my recent mods, here's some pics:
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/022_zpsaf79a670.jpg.html]![[Image: 89b78c39d6af0e772dbb37eaa8f398d7.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201405/89b78c39d6af0e772dbb37eaa8f398d7.jpg)
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/028_zpsdaaf995d.jpg.html]![[Image: 17db46176a15881908e773103160cf30.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201405/17db46176a15881908e773103160cf30.jpg)
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/031_zps5e1c7bea.jpg.html]![[Image: c7b740ed540bbcb172a5faa8f2667174.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201405/c7b740ed540bbcb172a5faa8f2667174.jpg)
I have to say that I'm not really a fairing fan on "naked" bikes, but I think I'm going to be putting more long-ish rides in on this bike, and I figured that putting something on it to break the wind could be a really good idea. Being detachable/quick release was a necessity, because I really have no interest in leaving it on full time, especially since 90% of my riding is through local canyon and mountain roads.
I looked at all of them mentioned on the forum - thanks to all of you guys for your write-ups and recommendations - and as much as I dislike big clunky aftermarket pieces, I thought that if I was going to do this, I might as well "go big" and make it worthwhile...hence my choice.
The Street Shield EX is pretty big, and is, in fact, even larger than the standard Street Shield. It's also VERY easily removable, like in literally less than 60 seconds. It took a while to do the first install, but that's mostly just doing fine adjustments to make sure it's on straight, not rubbing anywhere, at the right rake, etc. If you've ever had an aftermarket fairing before, you know the drill.
From the moment I pulled away on the first ride, I was amazed at the coverage it gives. It only gets better as you move faster - and I rode city streets, some canyon roads, and spent some time on the freeway. It's definitely the best coverage fairing of its kind I've ever used. In fact, it's almost like being in a vacuum - being as warm as it's been here lately, it got uncomfortably warm fast; there was literally no cooling wind hitting me anywhere. Surprisingly air-efficient - great feature if it's cold, or you're moving along at freeway+ speeds obviously, but being an ATTGATT guy, it made my run like being wrapped in Saran Wrap.
At 75 or so on the freeway, I felt a little buffeting; I'm guessing the air was only hitting the top of my head, because it wasn't bad at all, but I thought I'd mention it.
The really weird thing is the noise. If you've ever surfed, and gone "over the falls", where you're being churned around under water like you're in a washing machine, that's about what it sounds like. At almost all speeds. It was probably even more noticeable because my Shoei helmet is nearly whisper quiet, which is what I'm used to when riding - quiet. But I couldn't hear either the engine or exhaust, which is a really odd effect. After years of shifting "by ear", instead of having to watch the tach, I was really thrown off. I finally used the vibes coming through the grips, rather than continually monitoring the tach, but it made for a bizarre experience, at least for me. Since I felt no air buffeting on me anywhere, it shouldn't have been from air hitting my helmet. I can only assume that it was caused by airflow around the fairing and over me? I don't know if adjusting the rake will help, but I'll have to play around with it a little and see if any improvements can be made. Anyway, I'll have to decide if I can live with it. YMMV...
If you missed my other thread about my recent mods, here's some pics:
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/022_zpsaf79a670.jpg.html]
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/028_zpsdaaf995d.jpg.html]
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/031_zps5e1c7bea.jpg.html]
![[Image: 28da93ba17b60e27d71b0e5ec3dcdcb5.jpg]](http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/024_zpsb07bfe41.jpg.html)
Also did you take your bike to Don for dyno?