So Un-fair (or is it?)

DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

Now that the old GS500 is running perfectly and all the little niggly problems are out of the way, I have to decide whether to put the fairing back on or not.

I like the look of it naked, but can't really remember what it looked like with the fairing on. I know that with the winter coming the fairing will give it's poor old frame a bit of protection (as well as me).

With the fairing on, will it give me a 1980's style retro Streethawk / Black Rain look - or will it just look gay?

The photo is my actual bike with the fairing on, the other is one I grabbed off ebay (mines black not green) but bear in mind that even unfaired mine has the screen on.

Any thoughts?

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/dance_like_a_monkey/GS50e.jpghttps://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/dance_like_a_monkey/notmygs500e.jpg

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

I would but I haven't got a camera *sniff*. Sad

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Keep it unfaired then.

Flog the fairings and buy a camera! Very Happy

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DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

Do I have to buy a camera? Couldn't I buy beer instead please?

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Only if you send one to every BCF member.

Incidently i think unfaired.
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Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

palmer · Fiddled Kiddy Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Karma :

I quite like the fairing, plus it will give you a little bit more weather protection.

DEN MONKEY · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 May 2005 Karma :

Fairing is my personal opinion.
Can always ride it round for a bit with em on then make the call.
Also maybe count how many chicks you pull with it on and off and let us know about it so we can make an informed judgement.

DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

And at least if I don't pull any chicks, the lovely violet slash on the side will get me a bloke. Thumbs Up

All right then, since we have a split decision, I'll stick it on this afternoon and ride around for a week or so and see if I like it. (Damn that means I have to go try and find all the fitting brackets - and then remember where they go!)

Cheers for the thoughts. Thumbs Up

Method · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :

Keep it unfaired...

Sell me the fairing Wink

Nah seriously it looks better with the fairing off, also in the winter itll mean less pocket damage when the fairing cracks when you drop it in the snow Wink

Personally i think it looks better without a fairing like that... but thats just my oppinion.

I find that my neck bloody aches without any kind of wind protection, but thats character building Wink

And it also gives you super strong neck muscles! (but according to r4nger, that makes you snore more Wink

)

Good to hear you got yours running nicely Wink

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DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

Cheers!

Actually, you talking about snow has just reminded me how cold my knees got last year riding the (obviously) unfaired SR125. My Gay-Streethawk Fairingtm will protect me from that!

Craggles · Traffic Copper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

What do you plan on doing with it over the winter?

If you're doing any sort of distance I'd say stick the fairing on - or at least put it on for a bit to see the difference it makes to protection. Also if I'd stick it on if you plan on keeping the bike outside over the winter as it's an extra layer of protection for the engine.

I do agree with what Method said about dropping it in the snow/ice though. (I came off on a roundabout last year... still have the cracks/scratches!)

Craig
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Dracan · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

I reckon, keep it unfaired, but also take the screen off too (like the second picture). Would have to see a picture with it unfaired and the screen still on, but I can't imagine it looking quite right. The other picture you got off the net looks quite nice though.
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DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

It lives outside all the time and I will be using it for work everyday (almost) - all these things are pointing to me keeping it on (as soon as my brother turns up I am going to put it on - lazy shoite wanted to finish his breaksfast first! )

Last year I got the bus into work whenever it was icy or snowy, so if I do come off it'll be down to my own ineptitude, not due to conditions Very Happy

Snip: Oops Dracan, missed your post. Unfortunately it's a factory fitted fairing, so if I take the screen off, I'll need to buy new indicators, headlight and (possibly) mirrors.

tater · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Karma :

I perfer it without the fairing, but like Dracan said i think it looks better with no fairing or screen.

well if you ride it unfaired make sure you wash it more often to get that salt off, its easy to forget! Thumbs Up

Craggles · Traffic Copper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

Yeah, but let's be honest - with me it's far more likely to be ineptitude than weather conditions! Laughing

DEN MONKEY · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 May 2005 Karma :

Well its sorted then. Stick the fairing back on, ride it like a mad man on a mission during winter. lay it on the deck and then take em off cause their rooted.....Piss easy best of both worlds .

DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

Hmmmm...

Right I have put the fairing back on (a lot harder than taking it off!)

If I look at the bike from the front it looks fine, if I look from the back, the right hand fairing sticks out about an inch further than the left handside. Is that normal? It makes it easier to use the brake without catching your foot on the fairing, but it seems strange not to make it symetrical.

I used all the bits that I had from when I took it off, but I can't remember if it was the same then.

Any one know?

ps It rides fine though Thumbs Up

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you are going to be riding it through the winter, you'll be glad of the fairing.

On the other hand, if you are going to ride it through the winter, it will look tatty by the end of the winter. Leaving the fairing off then re-fitting it before you sell the bike on will fool prospective buyers into thinking it is like brand new.

So, depends if you are planning on keeping the bike long-term or not. If you are keeping it, bung the fairing back on and enjoy the weather protection it gives. If you are going to be selling it again in the next 12 months, leave it off.
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