Fairing and MPG

Nubbs · 03-06-2012, 09:24 PM

Ok, I know the topic of MPG with the Nomad has been beaten to death in these forums but I was unable to find anything specifically stating how the addition of a bat wing fairing effects the MPG. Can someone please enlighten me on this? I already get crappy mpg (will be looking at tfi settings and cleaning the throttle body soon) SO I am just curious how the addition of the fairing will effect the average.

Thanks,
Nubbs

mobandy78 · 03-06-2012, 09:31 PM

Interesting topic... I would think it would go down a bit, but I have no idea. I want to add a fairing also, so I'll watch what others say.

Monkeyman · 03-06-2012, 09:58 PM

I doubt there will be much difference. Stock, you already have a fairing of sorts, just a different shape. The batwing might add 50# once you've got a stereo, speakers and gauges in but 50# on an 800# bike isn't much of a difference.

zoom45 · 03-06-2012, 09:58 PM

I can't tell any difference after adding the fairing. Speed is what makes my mileage drop.
Zoom45

**ray2** · 03-06-2012, 10:04 PM

No fairing on my bike but the trailer makes the mpg go down about 2mph on a still day.

cactusjack · 03-06-2012, 10:33 PM

A fairing is more aerodynamic than the big slab of plexiglas that comes on the front of a Nomad. I doubt my fairing weighed as much as the stock windshield and brackets weighed.

danimal2 · 03-06-2012, 10:38 PM

I just recently made the change. Mileage is pretty much the same as it was before switching to the fairing. Might've picked up 1 mpg if anything. I don't keep charts and graphs but I do check it every fill. Ranges anywhere from 38 to 42 mpg with mixed riding. Usually 40 mpg. Carb'd 1500,

I also run a car tire. No change there either. Dunlop 404 MC stock size I got the same mileage as the CT.

**ringadingh** · 03-06-2012, 10:57 PM

No difference with the fairing, But cleaning the throttle body will make a huge difference.

**Jared** · 03-06-2012, 11:32 PM

Not nearly as much of a difference as your speed and acceleration, and a well maintained bike.

Nubbs · 03-07-2012, 12:36 AM

Thank you all for your replies. Bike is an 08 that I bought new and have yet to clean the throttle body (on my list of things to do in the next few weeks)
Wife had given her blessing on the fairing but after doing the day long seat funds are a little more scarce right now. If everything works out I hope to have it ordered by mid month.

danimal2 · 03-07-2012, 09:21 AM

Can't speak to the throttle body since mine's a carb'd model but from everything I've read, cleaning it will make a big difference. Fuel mileage not withstanding, IMO the fairing works way better than the stock windshield. No buffeting and works much better in dirty air (wind coming off semi-trucks and rv's and such). I've even got the low windscreen on mine (5") and it still works better than the stock piece did. I think you'll be very glad you made the change.

Here's a post from when I made the change. I really didn't expect it to make that much difference, but it did. Still thrilled with it.

Memphis Shades fairing

Sin City Stan · 03-07-2012, 10:52 AM

Fairing or windshield there is not much aereodynamic about a Nomad. Either one creates a huge low pressure area around the rider. The weight difference is minimal when compared to the total weight of the bike. I've found on a well maintained bike it's how fast your bore that hole through the air that affects mileage the most.

03-06-2012, 09:24 PM	#1
Nubbs Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rensselaer, Indiana Posts: 259	Fairing and MPG Ok, I know the topic of MPG with the Nomad has been beaten to death in these forums but I was unable to find anything specifically stating how the addition of a bat wing fairing effects the MPG. Can someone please enlighten me on this? I already get crappy mpg (will be looking at tfi settings and cleaning the throttle body soon) SO I am just curious how the addition of the fairing will effect the average. Thanks, Nubbs __________________ Nubbs Rensselaer, Indiana Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-06-2012, 09:31 PM	#2
mobandy78 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 1,485	Interesting topic... I would think it would go down a bit, but I have no idea. I want to add a fairing also, so I'll watch what others say. __________________ Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday
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03-06-2012, 09:58 PM	#3
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	I doubt there will be much difference. Stock, you already have a fairing of sorts, just a different shape. The batwing might add 50# once you've got a stereo, speakers and gauges in but 50# on an 800# bike isn't much of a difference. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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03-06-2012, 09:58 PM	#4
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	I can't tell any difference after adding the fairing. Speed is what makes my mileage drop. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
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03-06-2012, 10:04 PM	#5
ray2 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 939	No fairing on my bike but the trailer makes the mpg go down about 2mph on a still day. __________________ Ray Minnesota 2010-1700-Nomad VBA#01525 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-06-2012, 10:33 PM	#6
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	A fairing is more aerodynamic than the big slab of plexiglas that comes on the front of a Nomad. I doubt my fairing weighed as much as the stock windshield and brackets weighed. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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03-06-2012, 10:38 PM	#7
danimal2 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 987	I just recently made the change. Mileage is pretty much the same as it was before switching to the fairing. Might've picked up 1 mpg if anything. I don't keep charts and graphs but I do check it every fill. Ranges anywhere from 38 to 42 mpg with mixed riding. Usually 40 mpg. Carb'd 1500, I also run a car tire. No change there either. Dunlop 404 MC stock size I got the same mileage as the CT. __________________ VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider Last edited by danimal2; 03-06-2012 at 10:43 PM.
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03-06-2012, 10:57 PM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	No difference with the fairing, But cleaning the throttle body will make a huge difference. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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03-06-2012, 11:32 PM	#9
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Not nearly as much of a difference as your speed and acceleration, and a well maintained bike. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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03-07-2012, 12:36 AM	#10
Nubbs Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rensselaer, Indiana Posts: 259	Thank you all for your replies. Bike is an 08 that I bought new and have yet to clean the throttle body (on my list of things to do in the next few weeks) Wife had given her blessing on the fairing but after doing the day long seat funds are a little more scarce right now. If everything works out I hope to have it ordered by mid month. __________________ Nubbs Rensselaer, Indiana
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03-07-2012, 09:21 AM	#11
danimal2 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 987	Can't speak to the throttle body since mine's a carb'd model but from everything I've read, cleaning it will make a big difference. Fuel mileage not withstanding, IMO the fairing works way better than the stock windshield. No buffeting and works much better in dirty air (wind coming off semi-trucks and rv's and such). I've even got the low windscreen on mine (5") and it still works better than the stock piece did. I think you'll be very glad you made the change. Here's a post from when I made the change. I really didn't expect it to make that much difference, but it did. Still thrilled with it. Memphis Shades fairing __________________ VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider Last edited by danimal2; 03-14-2012 at 09:11 AM.
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03-07-2012, 10:52 AM	#12
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	Fairing or windshield there is not much aereodynamic about a Nomad. Either one creates a huge low pressure area around the rider. The weight difference is minimal when compared to the total weight of the bike. I've found on a well maintained bike it's how fast your bore that hole through the air that affects mileage the most. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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