Motorcycle fairings are one of the most important and often overlooked pieces on a motorcycle. They play a huge role in the safety of the rider, as well as the aesthetics of the bike. Most motorcyclists do not need to explain what a fairing is – everyone is familiar with the look of a motorcycle for road racing. However, today we will talk not about sports cars, but road ones. If a fairing is installed on a racing motorcycle, it pursues one goal – to minimize the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the motorcycle with a rider for the sake of achieving the highest speed. Such a fairing, as a rule, is not suitable for road motorcycles, and not only because the rider takes a different, semi-reclining position.
The fact is that the shield, mounted on a road bike, should perform another important function – to protect the rider from the direct impact of oncoming airflow. It is known how not easy it is to ride a motorcycle without a fairing at high speed and in a strong headwind 70 km/h will seem very high – the muscles of your back and arms let you know about it very quickly. The fairing should relieve the driver from the need to squeeze the handles with a death grip, provide a free landing, which facilitates driving, reduce the risk of catching a cold. It’s also important that it can keep your suit from getting dirty to a great extent.
In this article, we will discuss what motorcycle fairings are, what they do, and how to install them on your bike. We will also cover some pros and cons of using motorcycle fairings.
What are fairings and what do they do on a motorcycle?
Motorcycle fairings are the outer shells that cover certain parts of a motorcycle. These can include the engine, exhaust pipes, wheels, or even just decorative pieces on the bike. They help to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics for high-speed riding as well as provide protection from wind damage during long trips.
Fairings allow riders to customize their bikes to suit what they want or need. Some riders prefer to ride without protection at all, while others want everything protected, not just the head and hands.
The main purpose of fairings
Today, a large number of plastic elements are installed on motorcycles, which:
- Protect the metal from serious damage.
- Lighten the overall weight of the vehicle.
- Significantly reduce the overall complexity and cost of repair.
It should not be forgotten that the fairing on the motorcycle plays an important role in giving the right aerodynamic properties, as the maximum speed, fuel consumption, and ease of operation largely depends on this parameter.
What are motorcycle fairings made of?
Each motorcycle fairing is made of lightweight composite materials which make it lightweight. What’s more, they are shaped especially so that air flows are evenly “cut” by the motorcycle while it is in motion without much resistance.
Already an additional feature of the fairing becomes the creation of an attractive appearance of the vehicle. Often their owners choose models with a sophisticated pattern or logo, and if you want you can put your own desired image. This fact already plays an indirect role, but some manufacturers emphasize this, positioning their products as “elite”.
Some are fully satisfied with the simplest “windbreaker”, inexpensive, easy to repair. Indeed, it may be most suitable, for example, for driving on bad roads. Firstly, it is unlikely to use often high speed there, and secondly, among bumps and ditches, the risk to fall and break the fairing increases – with an elementary one, it is somehow safer! Is the motorcyclist right? Absolutely.
His colleague does not see off-road, he rides on asphalt most of the time. He would be glad to get a real, full-fledged fairing, even for a good price. The third one is not bothered by the reasoning of theorists: the main thing for him is the appearance of his favorite motorcycle, and if the people around, seeing it, lose the power of speech, he is happy!
How to install motorcycle fairings?
Installing a motorcycle fairing is not as difficult as it may seem, but it should be done by someone who has some experience working with motorcycles. The process usually involves removing certain bike parts in order to fit the new fairing in place, so if you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, I suggest taking your bike to a professional.
Once the fairing is installed, there are a few things you need to do in order to keep it in good condition. This includes regular cleaning and waxing, as well as checking for any damage that may have occurred during installation.
What are the pros and cons of using motorcycle fairings?
There are many pros to using a motorcycle fairing, including:
- Improved safety while riding
- Reduced drag, which increases fuel efficiency
- Improved aesthetics
- Protection from wind and weather conditions
However, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
- They can be expensive to purchase and install
- They can add weight to the bike, which can affect performance
- They can block visibility if not installed properly or too large/tall for the rider’s height/size
- They’re not always easy to find aftermarket options for when you want a different look or design on your bike.
So it’s not the rightest choice to buy very cheap motorcycle fairings as they probably would be heavier and more massive.
What are the Different Types of Motorcycle Fairings?
There are four main categories of fairing styles: full, half, three quarter, and no coverage at all (this is what most cruisers have).
- Full Fairings offer maximum protection from wind and weather conditions while providing good aerodynamics as well. They typically cover all parts of the engine, as well as both wheels and the upper part of the motorcycle.
- Half fairings usually have a windscreen and go down below the handlebars. Half Fairings have less coverage than a full fairing, but still offer protection from wind and weather conditions on the upper side of the motorcycle. They’re usually only mounted on one side of the motorcycle or don’t cover wheels at all.
- Three-Quarter Fairings are similar to half fairings except they have less coverage than what you might find with a full fairing. For example, the front of your bike may be covered partly but not the back or the sides. This includes a windshield and a fairing that goes around the headlight.
- No Coverage refers to what most cruiser-style bikes have: no covering whatsoever over anything other than what’s already protected by the clothing worn underneath such things as a helmet or jacket with sleeves that go past elbows etc.
Fairing Care and Maintenance
As with any motorcycle accessory, proper maintenance and care are essential to ensure your fairing lasts as long as possible. The most important thing you can do for your fairings is kept them clean and free of dirt/debris build-up by washing them regularly.
The second thing that will help extend the life of your fairings is waxing or polishing them on a regular basis – this helps prevent scratches from happening in the first place (and if they do happen then it’s easier to remove). Finally, check for any damage at least once per year, if there are cracks or chips in what might be visible areas like headlights, etc then these should probably be repaired before they get worse over time due to exposure elements such as rain/snow, etc.
Where to buy fairings
Those motorcyclists who are actively looking for fairings to buy, want to get the maximum benefit:
- prompt shipping;
- low prices;
- high-quality parts.
Often fairings are bought at salvage yards or specialized stores to save time. Practice shows that the choice is limited there, and the cost of products is overstated tenfold.
To exclude the possibility of such a fraud, you should give preference to large online stores that value their reputation and are always ready to help their customers.
Motorcycle fairings can be a great way to improve the look and performance of your bike while also providing protection from wind and weather conditions. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, so there’s sure to be one that fits your needs and preferences. We’ve covered what they are, how to install them, what types are available, care and maintenance tips, as well as the pros and cons of using them. So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself the best motorcycle fairings!