I bought my R early last spring and rode it without a fairing for about 5 months while I waited for the fairing to be delivered. While I really liked it tyhe look of it without the fairing, to me it makes the bike really unique and special with it. To me it screams 1960's-70's and I haven's seen anything like it besides the Paul Smart Ducati and now maybe the new BMW on the R90T platform. Performance-wise, without it at speeds above 75mph there was significant wind buffeting on my head and chest (I'm 6'1) which was kind of a grind after about an hour, and the fairing completely solved that issue. Now I ride 80+ all day long and after the day is over I don't want to get off the bike. I notice a bit more engine heat with the fairing at lower speeds, but nothing to worry about. The fairing is incredibly well made and looks and feels like it came like that from the factory. As the Dude would say, "It really ties the bike together"...
At the end of the day you either like the look of the bike with the fairing or without...good luck.
When I owned a 500cc BMW R50US I bought a handlebar fairing with windshield. It slowed the bike but it could still maintain 70 mph on level terrain. I never checked the gas mileage with the fairing but if it slowed the bike, then it seems logical that it would also reduce gas mileage if that is a concern. Engine noise was louder with the fairing. I took the bike to work including about 11 freeway miles and the fairing made it possible to do that to around Thanksgiving if there was no snow; otherwise late October was about the end each year. A handlebar fairing offers considerable but not complete protection from rain. My feet and lower legs would get much wetter than the rest of me in rain.
PS, I want to add that after the newness wore off I used my handlebar fairing in the early spring and late Fall but didn't use it when the weather was nice. I considered it as being a tool to enable cool weather riding.
Does anyone else have an opinion on the functionality of the fairing? I was hwy riding in DC, and over 65, the wind can be a bear... To be honest, I don't love nor hate the thing, but if it is a vast improvement then I would consider the $1k investment.
I think the fairing Is a very nice piece but I would like the upper portion and windscreen to be 2" higher.
The cockpit fairing on my 85 BMW blocks the wind much better
Was that a K or an R? They were more sport touring though. Agreed, as I've owned both RS's. The Thruxton R is more race-inspired. Suppose Triumph could offer a slightly taller accessory shield but much more would kill the look. Somehow I doubt they'll bother.
Sorry, I missed this, have been doing some digging out until recently.
Lambroving got it right, after 3 mild winters with virtually no snow we were nailed with a 16" dump and weeks of cold weather.
It has given me time to reflect on riding the R last year and whether it really is that good of a machine.
The answer is YES!, can't wait to get back out on it with new rubber mounted, possibly tubeless with the Steve Betts method.
I found the fairing to be one fashion accessory that improves the ride quite a lot.
With stock bars and the fairing my body position is high enough that the wind coming over the screen at 70mph + is enough to reduce wrist weight to almost nothing. This is a very comfortable position for me, maybe not for everyone. I rode the bike from Twin Butte, Alberta to Langley BC in one day last fall, about 1100 kms. Felt just fine afterward, minimal soreness which was a pleasant surprise.
The fairing keeps the wind off most of the body while still offering the aforementioned windlift. By keeping most of the body in calm air fatigue is reduced .
The standard Triumph parts mount with a pair of holes: The larger is for the wires, whilst the smaller one takes an M6 (6 mm) bolt to hold the indicator in place. Rizoma and Motoblaze use a single M8 (8 mm) fastener.
However, I'm considering getting the fairing brackets cut down along the dotted line, and opening up the remaining hole to fit an M8 bolt. My random ramblings can be found in my technical thread.
I think that short indicators will work on the brackets, but they might not be as visible due to the bike's bodywork. Here's a shot of a Thruxton that might help.
It does look squarish - no match for the OEM fairing IMO. I do however like the Powerbronze 210mm screen. It seems to even come in a light blue shade that would match my bike's painting... Thanks for the head's up on their products - I had never heard of Powerbronze before.
The fairing is constructed from carbon fibre with a foam core, meaning it doesn't need a support frame. The UK price is £575, which includes the bracket and screen, and is about the same as the Triumph equivalent.
I thought that it looked a bit boxier than the Triumph part, and would probably go with the official one.
Anyway, here are the photos from the Powerbronze website.
@Valley Rat I prefer the stock fairing, largely because the Powerbronze model is, as you said, a bit square. I'd like to see one with a rider in place, because it might work better in motion.
Here's another fairing photo, this time on a standard, black Thruxton.
Thanks Graemsay. Yes I think the stocker looks better too. I'm trying to justify the coin on one and am wary of value for money over the fly screen I have. I have to paint the bugger too and considering how much I spent so far on a respray, it's an expensive upgrade for me. My Scottish bloody got pumping when I saw your first pic of the powerbronze, seeing it was larger (more effect) and hopefully cheaper. But not so... all good the opportunity will come along.
@Valley Rat the stock fairing comes pre-painted as far as I know. The Powerbronze comes in a clear-coat carbon finish, which would probably look awesome with a matt black bike.
The Triumph fairing is about £555, or somewhere around $910, in the UK. I think that shipping from Jack Lilley might bump it up to around $1000. That's a pretty hefty saving versus going local, as you'd be saving GST assuming you buy before July.
The Powerbronze has to come over from the US, and (just) slips under the $1000 GST threshold at current exchange rates.
I considered getting a Rickman CR fairing from Airtech. The bare plastics and Gustafsson screen come in at about $530 (Australian), plus shipping, but I haven't found anyone willing to give me an estimate for fitting one.
If you want to go down the custom route then give me a shout. I've been considering it, and splitting the costs by getting a couple of sets of brackets fabricated might make it more reasonable.
I've got a Caledonian heritage too, so understand where you're coming from. But I think that the cheapest and easiest options will be to get either a Powerbronze or Triumph one shipped in.
Ah....my fairing will be here tomorrow. I went with the Triumph ... Pure white .. That light green one on the Thruxton looks good but really makes that tank look fat or like a guppy
I finally got to see the factory fairing in person at my local dealer. An employee had a black one on his red R. It really looked awful. Black fairing, black fender, silver fender mount, red tank, etc. That aside, it just doesn't do it for me. Pushes the nose too far forward.
I'd like to see an aftermarket job that keeps the headlight closer to its original position.
Still the factory job. it looks the business from the front, but loses it for me on top and sides. bike looks good in that knee down shot, though!
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