Vetter Fairing and overall Bike performance question

[Anonymous]

I'm sold! Time to search for a good Vetter Windjammer SS !!! Thanks Nick!

Rudi

I think the best thing about them is you don't feel so beat up after a long ride

Yeah..that's what I'm thinkin'. I'm gonna keep my eyes open for a good vetter fair (needs to be the Windjammer SS) on ebay.

[Anonymous]

hey all;

Just a note to let you know putting a full size vetter on a 1100 e will especially a 1980 will change the handling. comparing the 1100 e to the 1100 gk in handling is like apples to oranges.

The 1100gk was in response to those who wanted a 1100 suzuki touring bike like yamahas xs1100. the 1100 gk has a longer trail and is 100 pounds heavier putting more weight on the front end and lowering center of gravity. The handle bars are wider on the gk and the bike was designed for a fairing. the 1100e on the other hand has a longer wheelbase but has a higher center of gravity.

The 1980 1100e also had a problem with headshake at hi speed ( though usually at very high speed) that is one reason why they changed the rake of the 1100e for 1981.

I had a quicksilver on mine though not a full size fairing and had a few problems. I bought a cafe fairing and though not as bad a problem still was buffeted by cross winds.

If you do get a fairing make sure your bearings are tight and like the others said bump up the fork pressure. have fun.

[Hoomgar]

My manual says 18 is top psi and that anything above can potentially damage the seals. I'll look up exact numbers when I get home if anyone wants?

OK the Haynes and Clymer manual actually agree lol
for my bike this is though, others may be differant but
11 to 18 psi is normal operating range. It says you can
go as high as 35 psi for short period of time but that you
need to release it because leaving it that way will result
in fork seal damage. So if your riding at psi's as high or
higher than 35 then either the manuals are conservitive
or possibly my forks are way differant. I said all that not
to debate but because I just went through redoing the
forks and also plan on putting on a bikini faring so I am
looking for feedback to my concerns as well. Thanks guys.

[Anonymous]

hey all;

Just a note to let you know putting a full size vetter on a 1100 e will especially a 1980 will change the handling. comparing the 1100 e to the 1100 gk in handling is like apples to oranges.

The 1100gk was in response to those who wanted a 1100 suzuki touring bike like yamahas xs1100. the 1100 gk has a longer trail and is 100 pounds heavier putting more weight on the front end and lowering center of gravity. The handle bars are wider on the gk and the bike was designed for a fairing. the 1100e on the other hand has a longer wheelbase but has a higher center of gravity.

The 1980 1100e also had a problem with headshake at hi speed ( though usually at very high speed) that is one reason why they changed the rake of the 1100e for 1981.

I had a quicksilver on mine though not a full size fairing and had a few problems. I bought a cafe fairing and though not as bad a problem still was buffeted by cross winds.

If you do get a fairing make sure your bearings are tight and like the others said bump up the fork pressure. have fun.

What is a "rake"? Also, would you recommend simply getting a plexafairing windshield. That would help cut through the wind..and it wouldn't weigh much

Rudi

[Anonymous]

On my two 1982 GS850G's, which I rode for 11 riding seasons, I had a Plexifairing III by National Cycle. Good windshield, highly protective and light. The product works just fine.

A Windjammer or any full-size fairing and lowers is the ideal for me, though. The Plexifairing III, which comes down the fork tubes and flares out to cover the hands, is a solid alternative.

What makes the full fairing desirable to me is the storage space. One can stuff a heck of a lot of items in those side pockets. The right pocket is lockable on Windjammers SS, IV, and V.

Nick

[Anonymous]

Also look for a Rifle fairing. I had one on my '82 1100E and it worked like a champ. Not as big as a Vetter but still plenty comfortable on long rides.

[gremlin]

when you mount the fairing use rubber gaskets on the fram mouting and on the bolts it will help with some of the sound echoing thogh the fiberglass.

once you learn the sounds and how you bike handles you will wonder why you did not do it sooner.

[Anonymous]

Windjamer

When I purchased my 78 GS1000 it came with a Windjamer SS fairing installed. It was fine until I hit cross wind situations and it would throw the bike around. Also, at higher speeds I found it to cause the bike to vibrate alot. Since then I replaced the windjamer with a small Maier headlight fairing, similar to the fairing on Kawi's ZRX1200R. This small fairing, when used in combination with a set of drag bars, will direct the airflow just over your head while riding upright.

[argonsagas]

No comment on the E installation.

I have a G and a GK....same drive train, but different front ends.

The G has a Vetter IV......I found no flaw whatever up to an indicated 220kph/135mph. Cross winds are no worse than expected, reagardless of the buffeting.

Admittedly, I have been blown across a lane once or twice, but that had to be attributed to the fact I was riding on ice, and the cross-wind was coming in VERY strong gusts (45 to 50mph) .



The GK has factory fairings, (without lowers) and seems stable at most riding speeds. It has not seen the same top speeds, but has seen 190kph/120mph. It has been run at 160kph/100mph for hours.


Stability is not limited to fork pressures.

The GK came to me with a vertically wobbly front end. The bike ran straight, but was susceptible to bumps of all sorts.

With a new pair of progressive springs and a longer pre-set insert, very little air pressure was needed to give a decent ride. With an airborne bounce off a very harsh road dip at 160k/100mph the bike must have covered at least 150 feet in the air, but it settled almost instantly once it got back on the road.