Cooler weather driving

Does anybody add a fairing as cooler weather starts nearing the end of the riding season. I have a fairing but its not installed, wondered how much difference it makes and would it considerably extend the riding season in these parts?

Was about 8c 38F this morning for my 55k (40 mile) commute. I had goosebumps but not shivering.

Keep the shiny side up!

 

It helps a lot.

I used to drive my 650 everyday last fall, just like yourself in the mornings to work (almost the same temperature), which had a windshield. I would highly recommend it.

This morning I rode to work (38 miles one way) with an extra pair of pajama pants on under my work clothes. The brisk mornings are here & approaching, so I'll be swapping my windshield off the 650 & putting it on the 550 (my daily ride) very soon

 

Yep, I say go for it. I have just a small fairing, a Maier universal, & it helps a lot. Fall is my favorite riding season, I can ride with all the safety gear without "overheating". Any kind of shield will help for cold weather riding IMO.

 

Will ask the old man to install it on the weekend. Too bad it's not the same colour as the bike. I need to find a cooler weather armoured jacket now. Textile and fleece just is not cutting it in the mornings anymore.

Regards

 

Get some good leather, works the best IMHO.

 

I rode 35 km to work in 3*C and heavy fog last week.

I've got a totally naked bike, no windscreen and just the leathers. It felt like that scene in "Dumb and Dumber" when they're coming through the mountains on the scooter. Nobody took a whiz on me though...

I love Alberta!

 

Spitfire windshield helps lots - I leave the hardware on the bars at all times so installing and adjusting is a snap

 

I've got a small windscreen now. Too small to crouch behind it though. Tank bags in the way and I'm not comfortable riding in that position. I wear good chaps. I go for first road test Thursday. Going to put the fairing on after. Start wearing my red long underware with the bum flap.

 

I know the whole wind in your face deal is cool, but I personally do not like the wind buffeting at speed. I use a fairing/windscreen all the time.

Anything that you can do to direct the airflow over, or around you will dramatically help keep the temps at a more bearable level. A good leather coat, gloves, and neck/face cover can help keep you comfortable well into november.

Ghost

 

Wow, it's already cold up there!! I'm a year-round rider but I do get cold. In fact, I freeze my jewels off but I still ride all year. Yesterday morning I rode my Vstrom (faring equiped) into work and wore my windbreaker pants over my riding jeans to keep from getting cold....and it was 58F<LOL>!!!! I put a change of clothes in my topcase then change to proper office attire once I'm here.

I skipped riding o work this morning since A. GF came over and spent the night and B. it was 52 out this morning. Saturday it was 90F....I can't go from 90 to 50 practically overnight!

More power to you though.....but your dad is going to put the faring on for you? You mentioned your "old man" so I assume you meant your dad..........


just bustin your chops....I've never refered to a woman as "old lady" unless I was talking about my mom....just a respect thing for me.

jeff

 

I have a windshield and i have been wearing a hoodie under my leather jacket and some thin riding gloves all week... works for me...
I ride about 20kms from the airport to downtown Ottawa.
The heavy traffic on the highway prevents me from going fast so i havent had to surfer the effects of wind chill yet.... lol.

 

I must be a sissy then - rode back from syracuse last night (32mi ride) and it was 62*F on the way home. I just had my leather jacket n jeans on and I thought I my tauntauns were gonna freeze before the 1st marker. X_x Im definatley a fair weather rider after last night :0 -Ben

 

JeffK, Noo, Old man is my husband. However I'm sure my Dad would give it a go if I asked him. Probably I'll do it but the guys will supervise / assist.

Rookie Rider, Maybe we'll see ya out on the roads. We're going to cruise night tonight. I'm coming in from Embrun/ Russell area to Sussex Drive.
Mornings chilly for sure at 100kph. Wool sweater under the leather jacket. Was still cold. Maybe going out with wet hair isn't helping either.

 

Installed a fairing off a stripped down 81 gl 1100' taped, sanded and spray bombed it black. (I'm a better taper than spraypainter) I Like the headlight on the fairing better than stock headlight. Maybe we (they) installed it a little low. Have some interesting back draft now, pushes on the back of my helmet and seems to push me into the handlebars. Maybe the sissy bar is causing the back draft now. Liking the engine heat the fairing cups. Specially at lights and dead stop traffic. :wink:

 

JeffK anything above freezing is bike riding weather in Ontario!

 

Your backdraft comes from the speed differences in the seperate flows, and where air on your sides comes back together. The air passing by the fairing is merging behind you and the air passing over is forced back towards you at that point-it is normal but suddle tweaking of the fairing can redirect the point of empahasis.

I find that when the weather first turns cold it affects me much more than after it's been that way for a while. That being said I still layer and cover my neck when it drops below 45.

 

I was going to take a pic in the spring of my cool weather set-up before I removed it. Shoei fairing and my handlebar mitts, works great.

Throw a pair of windbreaker pants over my mesh overpants on the nastier days.