New rider, Do I go faired or naked?

[HandyManPhill]

Hi fellow riders.
Am nearing the stage where if all goes to plan, and I pass my direct access, I will be getting my first big bike. I'v windilled it down to either a Honda CB500 or Bandit 600N. The next question I really would appreciate an experienced riders answer to is whether I should get a faired model of either or a naked? Naked looks nicer but I have been told that faired models give you a bit more protection and help with the wind buffering when at speed.
Many thanks guys!

Phillip
____________________
HandyManPhill

[syl]

(Part) faired get's my vote.
____________________
Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S

[Trixie]

Depends on what you're mainly using the bike for.

If you're doing a lot of higher speed miles (such as motorways/fast A roads) then I'd recommend the part fairing that comes as standard on the S-models.

If you're just bimbling round town, then it doesn't matter - either or.
____________________
Dead nobodies in company cars...

[dabigginger]

Cruising along on the Hornet at 70, the wind doesn't present a problem, especially with the flyscreen. 80+ and you'll really want the screen. I've never really taken the bike past 120, as the wind is just too much to handle!

Personally, I'd go for a naked, as if you drop it, there will be a much smaller repair bill. Crash bungs help lots, as I found out myself a few weeks ago. Whether you're going naked or faired, I'd get some!

[niceguyeduard...]

like it's already been said, depends on what the main use is. If you will be doing a lot of commuting then some fairing will be essential. But if commuting is not the main reason, you should buy with your eyes and heart. You want to think how god damn sexy your bike is every time you see her, so go for what YOU like.

[Andy C]

depends what you want it for, if its just summer rides and your new to riding i would say naked as you feel the speed more. When you have a screen you can just duct behind and get 120+ which isnt a good idea on roads.

I use to hate naked bike and now i own one, if you want the feeling of speed yet staying more legal that if it was on a faired bike, id say get a naked bike
____________________
99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[mark83]

Something which doesn't get mentioned a lot, but is well worth thinking about:

If you're doing a lot of stop-start commuting, a faired bike will overheat more than an unfaired bike. Something that I've recently been finding out on my CBR!!!

Hope this helps.
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

If you're new to biking then buying a naked bike will help you keep your speed down in the beginning until you get more confident.
____________________
My Flickr

[dew]

buy faired bike and go naked..
PLEASE dont forget to put on helmet
____________________
Theory: 34/35, 64/75 Test: 23-Oct-06 PASSED (No minors)
Current: Ninja ZX- 6R Future: ???

[TheShaggyDA]

I'd go for naked first, then once you are used to it you can put a small screen on. You'll be less wind battered, slightly less wet, and have less flies over your chest. You might also hear the engine differently, which can be off-putting at first.

I find I'm ok on the motorway on my (naked) CB500 up to about 80-85, then the wind gets tiring.
____________________
Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Gazdaman]

Having crashed a faired bike I've tried both. The fairing is a god send if you do any motorway work regularly.

It's also the first thing to die in a crash. Although my bandit fairings were fine after a crash the broke the frame.

Personally I'd go part faired, like the bandit S or the faired hornet. Both do their jobs excellently and kind of out the way if you lay it down. Especially with crash bungs.

Gaz

[skida]

I would recommend a naked as a first big bike. That way you will be able to feel how fast you are going without having to keep looking at the speedo. With a faired bike you just don't get the sensation of how fast you are going and the realisation can come when you have to take sudden action .

When you do get a faired bike you will find you have to go a lot faster to get the same "speed-fix" as you did on a naked.
____________________
Previous: Suzuki GT125, Honda C50, Honda C90, Suzuki GS125, Yamaha XJ600N, Triumph 955i Sprint ST, Triumph 955i Speed Triple, Triumph 955i Tiger, Triumph 955i Sprint ST
Current: Honda CBR600FR

[St0rmer66]

Go naked, you will drop your bike at some point. May as well get it out of the way with a naked rather than having a cracked fairing like I do now .
____________________
:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[Pte1643]

[Demonic69]

Just got my 1st Naked bike, don't like it!!! The wind is awful. I'd personally choose a faired bike with a double-bubble screen but, as said above, fairings do get damaged and can make you feel like you're going slower. Not that that's ever bother most faired riders.
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[kawashima]

When I had CB400SF, I couldn't enjoy highway at all, so I ordered large aftermarket screen after 1 month. I once dropped the bike at crossing, but the meter was safe because the screen saved it. Meter unit was expensive so I was helped. Screen got scratch but was ok. It was unexpected merit for me.

[kawashima]

When I had CB400SF, I couldn't enjoy highway at all, so I ordered large aftermarket screen after 1 month. I once dropped the bike at crossing, but the meter was safe because the screen saved it. Meter unit was expensive so I was helped. Screen got scratch but was ok. It was an unexpected merit for me.

[BFG]

Fairings are for girls.

[kawakid]

Naked.

If you ride a naked at motorway speeds you can ride anything.

They are soo much easier to maintain, you have immediate access.
(Ohh that needs a bit of grease on a naked takes 10 seconds), plus you notice it straight away. If you have a faired bike, if you care about it, the fairing's going to have to come off fairly often once a month at least to give it all a check over.

Plus its far easier to add stuff to a naked bike to.

Another idea from me is get a naked bike with a centre stand, then your not messing around with paddock stands etc. And lubing your chain takes seconds and can be done anywhere.

Not like me sat on my mates RGV250, pusing it for 40 feet as he does the chain.
____________________
I've a twin and a 4.

[TheDonUK]

[Pte1643]

[Demonic69]