fairings, extra weight and handling issues?

[speedbyu]

Okay before I order one, how much extra weight does it put on the front end? I am looking at the WOC with a radio. Do you notice a difference in the way it handles or turns? Also how does it do on the interstate on a windy day or behind a semi?

Thanks Guys,
Bill

[ringadingh]

Im estimating my fairing weighs about 6-7 lbs more than the OEM windshield. thats including the radio and speakers. It may have a slightly heavier feel during slow manouvers, but nothing thats close to uncomfortable. On the highway the wind protection is great. I don't notice anymore buffeting than I would without the fairing. Overall its one of the best features on the bike.

[dragon57]

I put a Harley fairing on mine. I'd have to say, I was expecting a noticable difference in front end weight, suspension dive, etc, but, in reality, it never happened! I don't even notice it being any different in weight or handling.

Same with my fairing that is a premeux w/ radio. notice difference at all. Oh ya the only difference is the look. Too Cool :)

[nomad1600]

I put a Harley fairing on mine. I'd have to say, I was expecting a noticeable difference in front end weight, suspension dive, etc, but, in reality, it never happened! I don't even notice it being any different in weight or handling.

Do you have to do a lot of modifications to get the fairings mounted?

[cliff1600]

I have also mounted the harley Fairing and have not noticed any weight difference. I like the looks and different windshields that you can get on e-bay for a good price. I change mine as the weather changes here in New England all the way from a 12 inch to the 4 inch.Just wish Kawasaki would offer fairing and tour pack from factory.

[ringadingh]

If Kawi did offer a fairing and trunk from the factory, it probably wouldn't look near as good as the batwing and tour-pak do. Thats a classic style that HD came up with.

[nomad1600]

If Kawi did offer a fairing and trunk from the factory, it probably wouldn't look near as good as the batwing and tour-pak do. Thats a classic style that HD came up with.

Ringadingh
Is that whats on your bike. I like the look of the fairing and the tour pack. Are they both HD?

[towering]

any web site addresses for these fairings

[VulcanE]

When I put my fairing on I was expecting weight issues, but I couldn't tell any difference at all, I seems to handle better. The Premeux fairing is a little expensive, BUT all you have to do is remove your windshield, Take the fairing out of the box, and put it on. It mounts were the factory windshield was. It comes exact color matched to your year model.
And for Towering, here's a link-

http://www.premeux.com/Home.asp

[ringadingh]

.

Ringadingh
Is that whats on your bike. I like the look of the fairing and the tour pack. Are they both HD?
I have the Premeux fairing and a Harley tour-pak, Premeux are a top notch product, and come painted to match your bike. I bought my bike already done as you see it. If I was to change anything, it would be to get the Tour-pak off an Ultra Classic, as they have the wraparound brakelights and sidemarker lights built into them. This gives you a lot more visibility at night, and dresses the box up a lot nicer as well.

[dragon57]

Gadgets page tells basics of mounting Harley fairing (on a 1500) I can't answer if 1600 is the same.
Hoppe, Premeaux, and a couple others sell bolt-on's for metrics.
They are NOT cheap, by any means, but very nice!
As far as modifications to the Harley pieces to fit; it's minimal, as long as you're mechanically inclined, and have decent tools to work with. I made my own brackets, but Lee Sido sells brackets, also.
Good luck with it!! I love mine!

[speedbyu]

any web site addresses for these fairings


Wide open custom : http://www.wideopencustom.com/Fairings.htm

or Gadgets page:
http://www.gadgetjq.com/fairings.htm

[speedbyu]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to buy one from Wide Open customs soon.
Bill

[VulcanE]

Well speedbyu, whitch ever one you decide on, You'll LOVE it, I promise http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif, especially if you love music as much as I do. As I said before, mine is the premeux with my on stero 200 watt system, and have the HD Ultra classic tour pak with dragonfly concepts speaker pods, 4- polk DB 650 6 1/2" speakers, and the "surround sound" is awesome http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif. Good luck with it and don't forget the pixs when you do it http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[unwind2]

VulcunE--

Just noticed where you are from. My son, his wife and one year old live in Calhoun and he commutes everyday to work in Cartersville. We have two sons and this is the one who does not ride...never took it up. He's a big TN Vol fan, his neighbor GA Bulldog - they both decorate they yards during football season and have laughs about it.
Unwind2

opps - I'm off thread but we'll pretend we're having one of those sitting around talking at a rally or somewheres conversations. ;)

I've always wondered about this issue. Conventional wisdom says that a fork mounted fairing will adversely affect the handling, yet nobody with a Nomad reports this. I think that it's because the front end of the Nomad is already so dang heavy that the affect is minimal compared to lighter bikes.

I recall riding a Honda 750 with a fork mounted fairing and I thought it ruined the front end response. The Electraglide I rode seemed much better in that respect. Or perhaps it "lost" less because it had less to lose from the get-go.

I think I'd really consider getting one if 95% of my riding wasn't in-town and below 45 MPH.

(The fairing, not the Electraglide.)

[VulcanE]

VulcunE--

Just noticed where you are from. My son, his wife and one year old live in Calhoun and he commutes everyday to work in Cartersville. We have two sons and this is the one who does not ride...never took it up. He's a big TN Vol fan, his neighbor GA Bulldog - they both decorate they yards during football season and have laughs about it.
Unwind2

opps - I'm off thread but we'll pretend we're having one of those sitting around talking at a rally or somewheres conversations. ;)

Unwind2, Lived here in Cartersville most of my life, and know Calhoun pretty well. Most folks around here are Tech & Bulldog fans. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif and to keep us on thread, ;) I'll say that the fairing is my FAVORITE MOST addition to my Nad, and the trunk, and the mustang seats, and the etc. The handling of the bike, if any, didn't seem to change at all with the trunk and fairing additions. I had the trunk first for about a year, then added the fairing. The bike, to me, feels no more heavy at slow speeds than it did, but at highway speeds, rides and handles better (to me anyway). http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Be safe Unwind2 (how was that) ;)

[unwind2]

That was very good VulcanE. Resembled a politicians answer. You know...you asked this but I want to emphasize this. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

modified cause I can't type!