Is this a good buy - Vetter Fairing & Panniers

Hi Folks,

I need your opinions on this.
In our local classifieds there is a Vetter Fairing with paniers for sale asking $250 or BO. Ad says the windscreen is in perfect shape, the rig is below.

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(Note the bike in the background, an '82 XJ 750 RH just like mine!)

My bike currently has the stock yamaha windscreen which doesn't offer a whole lot of protection from the wind. After an hour or two of riding, fatigue definitely sets in.

Do you guys think this set up worth $250?

Thanks!

George

 

I liked the full size Vetter on my Maxim, really made long trips a lot more bearable. You will have to make the bags new mounts but other than that, more storage is a good thing. Just remember that all this stuff will make maintenance a bit more of a chore. I'd offer $200 and see what happens.

 

will the square/round headlight situation matter?

 

As long as there are no signifcant areas of damage that is a fair price.
No the headlight situation will not be a problem. The only thing you have to becareful of is that you seal up the existing headlight after you make the wiring connections. There are many round headlight caps out there but I can't say as I have seen square light caps.

 

I've got a full Vetter on mine and I couldn't imagine life without it. I've heard of steeper prices on the fairing alone, so if I were looking I'd be awfully tempted @ $250.

 

Does it have a stereo like mine? (See my gallery) If so, and if there is no damage, it's a good deal.

 

The stereo enclosure is a seperate piece on these. They sell on e-bay for 120+ alone. I know, I've been looking.

 

I can't believe my dad threw mine out . . . :roll:

 

If I didn't already have a fairing I'd buy in a heartbeat......

 

Hey George, you and I have twin bikes, nearly. I've got the Yamaha faring, same color, same year with saddlebags and trunk. I've yet to ride mine on the highway, but was optimistically (maybe) thinking that the faring was a good thing. You don't feel like it screens you from wind adequately? I've ordered a replacement windscreen for mine (the old windsc. is missing a piece) and spec.d the taller version (2" above stock) hoping that this would add to my protection. So, my question- Are you really tall, and stick out above the WS (I'm 6', for reference) or does it just not do the job?

Sounds to me like the WJ faring and bags are a deal, assuming decent shape.

 

Steve,

I didn't mean to say the stock shield was ineffective, it does make a positive difference. I've ridden without it and I can immediately feel the difference. Your fairing is slightly different but the windscreen sure looks to be the same. By the way, very nice bike. I wish I had the Yamaha panniers/cases.

I'm 5'7" but let me elaborate a bit more on that comment. If you notice on the picture of my bike, the foot pegs have been moved back and the handle bars lowered so when I'm riding I'm leaning forward, for me, this is fine for relatively short trips and cruising hills around here. I live in San Jose, CA and would drive to the Central Valley (about 180 miles) every so often. In the summer time, valley temps are typically in the upper 90's-low 100's. After about 2 hours of riding in the leaning position, moderate wind buffeting as the typical speed was about 75 mph+ - any slower and you get run over! and I realize now, a bad fitting helmet - I was done riding for the day after the trip.

I think it was a combination of the high speeds, excessive heat, fast traffic, seating position, ill-fitting helmet and wind buffeting that all combined to wear me out. At slower speeds say 55-65 it isn't as bad.

George

 

George-

Thanks for the reply and bike kudos. I wish I had more to do with the bike's good condition (and suspect I will- just a matter of time). But your feedback is good information to know. I primarily bought the bike for my 64 mile rt commute, but have yet to get my "M," (next week is classes) so time will tell how that works. Apart from some reports of the bike getting wobbly at high(er) speeds due to the faring, I can't see it hurting, and may indeed help make the commute more comfortable.

Cheers-
S-

 

I have a 78 KZ1000 that has that exact fairing and "bags" setup. It is great for longer trips on the freeway and really helps with the wind buffeting. I prefer the Seca with no fairing in town though. It gets hot behind that big wind screen at slower speeds. I am 5' 9 and I have to stand on the pegs to feel the wind coming over the top. The seca feels like it is easier to handle in a parking lot too.

I took the fairing and bags off to do some touch up on the paint and decided to take a ride with out them. It does change the feel of the bike with out the fairing so you might think about spending some time in an empty parking lot getting used to the way it handles.

 

George- I was playing with my bike this weekend and realized that you may be abandoning a part I need (not likely, but possible). If you get rid of your Yamaha faring, wouold you be willing to part with the glass lens that goes over the headlight? Mine was busted by a stone throw, and is the last piece I need to make my bike reasonably complete.

Thanks-
Steve