fairings and fuel economy

metallibiker · 12-22-2009, 11:15 PM

I've been researching differtent "batwing" style fairings for my 08' 1600. From what I've read there are a lot of options, but aerodynamically they'er pretty much all the same. has anyone noticed any difference in millege after installing a fairing? - Also, I have already installed 5" risers, will a Premeux still bolt up okay and clear the risers/handlebars?

superduty · 12-23-2009, 08:47 AM

I put a fairing on in early July, and have not noticed any mpg difference. I track all my stats in an iPhone app called Gas Cubby, and before-fairing averages are the same as after-fairing.

I don't get as good of mileage as a lot of people here though, only average 34.5 mpg over the last year.

dhomoney · 12-23-2009, 09:47 AM

That fairing looks great on your bike SD.

psychocycle · 12-23-2009, 09:52 AM

If the risers are pull back risers should be no problem. You can send Serge an email along with a picture to confirm. That's what I did and he got back to me right away.

VulcanE · 12-23-2009, 10:10 AM

Like SD, I noticed no change in mileage due to the fairing, But when I opened up the exhaust and intake, and added the TFI fuel processor, my mileage and horsepower went up. I get a consistent 42 mpg, as long as I stay out of towns.

I can't answer on the riser question, but if your going to use a non-marine stereo (one where you have to use a bubble cover over it) the risers will get in the way of the bubble covering when you open it.

ccmjr77 · 12-23-2009, 10:56 AM

No change in mpg after fairing for me. I have the premuex with chucksters 2" spacer risers. I had to leave the radio cover off.

macmac · 12-23-2009, 04:27 PM

desert dawgs crash bar covers appear to streamline my 1600. no farings.... yet.

I discovered a few years ago with these on I was seemingly getting parts of a mile better in MPG's... I can't prove it, but I do believe it.

rewindgy · 12-23-2009, 05:02 PM

Premuix fairing & lowers / trunk - no change in mileage. However big change in comfort! I got rid of the supplied radio cover and am using the on from Hoppe ( Quadzilla) doesn't interfer with the risers ( scootworks phat's)

timebandit · 12-23-2009, 07:56 PM

Radio caddy fairing and haven't noticed any mileage difference.
You shouldn't have any problem with the risers, I have f&s 1.5" risers, my TomTom GPS mounted underneath the radio and there is still space left

bulldog · 12-23-2009, 09:25 PM

There was no difference for me 42 MPG that's with pipes, air cleaner and processor. Well worth the money for comfort.

Bulldog

metallibiker · 12-24-2009, 02:48 AM

just seems like the windshield has the aerodynamics of a brick and the fairing is more streamlined, there theoretically should be an increase, but obviously not :)
Anyways, two or more of ya'll have mentioned 42mpg after adding pipes, air cleaner, tuner. I get 35mpg average highway stock everything. Can I expect 42mpg after upgrading? or were ya'll getting closer to 40mpg before mods?
I'm considering Vance & Hines baggers, Baron Big Air kit, DynoJet tuner.

VulcanE · 12-24-2009, 02:20 PM

Metallibiker, before my baggers, Thunder air kit, and TFI, I was getting 36-38 mpg. I can't answer for the dynojet though. A friend of mine has an '07 set-up with baggers, hyper charger and power commander, and he averages around 40 mpg.

watchman · 12-24-2009, 02:30 PM

I believe most reports are giving you mpg's riding 1 up. I get around 40 mpg riding 1 up with my fairing, V & H pipes and K & N breather, no fuel processor. If I add a passenger or get the bike up running 75+ I can expect around 35+/- mpg. I have gotten as bad as 32 mpg. As stated it is the comfort factor of stopping the wind etc. The bike just seems more stable to me with the fairing and it seems to cut through the air better even with a cross wind. My wife No-Mad-Liz agrees completely with my opinion as she also has a fairing on her 08 Nomad.

cactusjack · 12-24-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timebandit

Radio caddy fairing and haven't noticed any mileage difference.
You shouldn't have any problem with the risers, I have f&s 1.5" risers, my TomTom GPS mounted underneath the radio and there is still space left

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the Radio Caddy, and which one did you buy?

[rant]The website says "Call for pricing". Why bother to have a website if people have to call for prices?[/rant]

timebandit · 12-25-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timebandit

Radio caddy fairing and haven't noticed any mileage difference.
You shouldn't have any problem with the risers, I have f&s 1.5" risers, my TomTom GPS mounted underneath the radio and there is still space left

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the Radio Caddy, and which one did you buy?

[rant]The website says "Call for pricing". Why bother to have a website if people have to call for prices?[/rant]

the fairing I got
http://www.trikeshop.com/shop/produc...caddy-fairing/

the mounting brackets
http://www.trikeshop.com/shop/produc...ting-hardware/
modified them a bit so they would fit with the CWdriving lights

the windshield it came with
http://www.trikeshop.com/shop/produc...ar-windscreen/

the shield I got last year
http://www.trikeshop.com/shop/produc...ke-windscreen/
i actually got the 6"

12-22-2009, 11:15 PM	#1
metallibiker Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 47	fairings and fuel economy I've been researching differtent "batwing" style fairings for my 08' 1600. From what I've read there are a lot of options, but aerodynamically they'er pretty much all the same. has anyone noticed any difference in millege after installing a fairing? - Also, I have already installed 5" risers, will a Premeux still bolt up okay and clear the risers/handlebars? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-23-2009, 08:47 AM	#2
superduty Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 259	fairings and fuel economy I put a fairing on in early July, and have not noticed any mpg difference. I track all my stats in an iPhone app called Gas Cubby, and before-fairing averages are the same as after-fairing. I don't get as good of mileage as a lot of people here though, only average 34.5 mpg over the last year.
	0

12-23-2009, 09:47 AM	#3
dhomoney Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lake Tenkiller, OK Posts: 737	fairings and fuel economy That fairing looks great on your bike SD.
	0

12-23-2009, 09:52 AM	#4
psychocycle Advanced Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 822	fairings and fuel economy If the risers are pull back risers should be no problem. You can send Serge an email along with a picture to confirm. That's what I did and he got back to me right away. __________________ Psychocycle VBA # 1125 2002 1500 fi Nomad
	0

12-23-2009, 10:10 AM	#5
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	fairings and fuel economy Like SD, I noticed no change in mileage due to the fairing, But when I opened up the exhaust and intake, and added the TFI fuel processor, my mileage and horsepower went up. I get a consistent 42 mpg, as long as I stay out of towns. I can't answer on the riser question, but if your going to use a non-marine stereo (one where you have to use a bubble cover over it) the risers will get in the way of the bubble covering when you open it. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-23-2009, 10:56 AM	#6
ccmjr77 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anthem, AZ Posts: 642	fairings and fuel economy No change in mpg after fairing for me. I have the premuex with chucksters 2" spacer risers. I had to leave the radio cover off. __________________ ccmjr77 2007 Kawasaki Nomad 1600
	0

12-23-2009, 04:27 PM	#7
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	fairings and fuel economy desert dawgs crash bar covers appear to streamline my 1600. no farings.... yet. I discovered a few years ago with these on I was seemingly getting parts of a mile better in MPG's... I can't prove it, but I do believe it. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

12-23-2009, 05:02 PM	#8
rewindgy Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 959	fairings and fuel economy Premuix fairing & lowers / trunk - no change in mileage. However big change in comfort! I got rid of the supplied radio cover and am using the on from Hoppe ( Quadzilla) doesn't interfer with the risers ( scootworks phat's)
	0

12-23-2009, 07:56 PM	#9
timebandit Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Casselman, Ontario Posts: 790	fairings and fuel economy Radio caddy fairing and haven't noticed any mileage difference. You shouldn't have any problem with the risers, I have f&s 1.5" risers, my TomTom GPS mounted underneath the radio and there is still space left
	0

12-23-2009, 09:25 PM	#10
bulldog Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Medicine Hat, AB Posts: 36	fairings and fuel economy There was no difference for me 42 MPG that's with pipes, air cleaner and processor. Well worth the money for comfort. Bulldog
	0

12-24-2009, 02:48 AM	#11
metallibiker Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 47	fairings and fuel economy just seems like the windshield has the aerodynamics of a brick and the fairing is more streamlined, there theoretically should be an increase, but obviously not :) Anyways, two or more of ya'll have mentioned 42mpg after adding pipes, air cleaner, tuner. I get 35mpg average highway stock everything. Can I expect 42mpg after upgrading? or were ya'll getting closer to 40mpg before mods? I'm considering Vance & Hines baggers, Baron Big Air kit, DynoJet tuner.
	0

12-24-2009, 02:20 PM	#12
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	fairings and fuel economy Metallibiker, before my baggers, Thunder air kit, and TFI, I was getting 36-38 mpg. I can't answer for the dynojet though. A friend of mine has an '07 set-up with baggers, hyper charger and power commander, and he averages around 40 mpg. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
	0

12-24-2009, 02:30 PM	#13
watchman Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Macon, Missouri Posts: 1,175	fairings and fuel economy I believe most reports are giving you mpg's riding 1 up. I get around 40 mpg riding 1 up with my fairing, V & H pipes and K & N breather, no fuel processor. If I add a passenger or get the bike up running 75+ I can expect around 35+/- mpg. I have gotten as bad as 32 mpg. As stated it is the comfort factor of stopping the wind etc. The bike just seems more stable to me with the fairing and it seems to cut through the air better even with a cross wind. My wife No-Mad-Liz agrees completely with my opinion as she also has a fairing on her 08 Nomad.
	0

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