Vetter Fairing and overall Bike performance question

[Anonymous]

Hey guys..quick question:

How would mounting a Vetter Windjammer fairing to my 1980 GS1100E affect it's overall performance?

-would it make the ride more noisy?
-would it weigh the bike down and make it sluggish?
-etc?

Thanks!

Rudi

[Hoomgar]

There are answers to this in your post under the performance section Rudi.

[Anonymous]

how can I delete or remove this thread? Don't want to take up unnecessary space...

Thanks

[Anonymous]

That's fine. Keep this thread. To answer your questions:

1. Yes, the ride will be noisier. Some top end engine noise will reverberate off the fairing. This is unavoidable. You can make the situation more livable if you

a) wear a full-face quality helmet
b) wear ear plugs 100% of the time.

I do both a and b above.

2. No, it won't weigh your bike down, nor will it slow it down. You probably won't tell the difference, especially on a hot rod like the 16-valve 1100. My 8-valve 1100 shaftie has plenty of power for all road conditions, believe me, and it is, as expected, not the charger your bike is. I have a Windjammer IV on my GK, with lowers.

Make sure your tires, especially the front, are inflated properly. Pressure on my front tire is about 40 lb. I also check the air in the front forks regularly, to no less than 12 lb, ensuring both forks have the same pressure. The fork oil is always fresh, and the seals are new.

As long as you do that, you won't have any trouble with the fairing. You'll enjoy the extended riding you'll be able to do with the Windjammer on your bike.

[redliner1973]

Hey Nick, doesn't 40PSI in the front give you a harsh ride? even with my 'GK, I put 28-30PSI in it, any more and it becomes bouncy to me (Fork pressures are 10-12PSI) :twisted:

[Anonymous]

Tim, I've been using 40 psi in my front tires for many years. No, the ride isn't harsh in my estimation. It's what one is used to, I guess.

I keep up the pressure in light of the kind of twisting, hilly riding that I do in my neck of the woods.

Nick

[Gary Lich]

To me anything over 32 psi in the front tire and 11psi in the forks feels way too stiff....however, I like the softer ride and tend to take it pretty easy on the big old GK (I just don't feel as confident pushing it as hard as I do on my lighter bikes).

[SqDancerLynn1]

I was told to run 35 psi in my metzler, Use 10-12 lbs in forks. It works for me!

[Anonymous]

That's fine. Keep this thread. To answer your questions:

1. Yes, the ride will be noisier. Some top end engine noise will reverberate off the fairing. This is unavoidable. You can make the situation more livable if you

a) wear a full-face quality helmet
b) wear ear plugs 100% of the time.

I do both a and b above.

2. No, it won't weigh your bike down, nor will it slow it down. You probably won't tell the difference, especially on a hot rod like the 16-valve 1100. My 8-valve 1100 shaftie has plenty of power for all road conditions, believe me, and it is, as expected, not the charger your bike is. I have a Windjammer IV on my GK, with lowers.

Make sure your tires, especially the front, are inflated properly. Pressure on my front tire is about 40 lb. I also check the air in the front forks regularly, to no less than 12 lb, ensuring both forks have the same pressure. The fork oil is always fresh, and the seals are new.

As long as you do that, you won't have any trouble with the fairing. You'll enjoy the extended riding you'll be able to do with the Windjammer on your bike.

hmmm...so the noise is really that pronounced? Not sure I understand why, though. Wouldn't the fairing "cutting" through the wind be less noiser than without one? I would think a windshieldless bike would bring more overall noise...

Am I wrong?

[Anonymous]

It's a different kind of noise, Rudi. Without a fairing you hear a wind roar. With a fairing you hear the echoes of the mechanical sound of the top end. Remember it's an air-cooled bike, without water jackets to muffle the sound.

I'm used to this noise. It isn't objectionable at all. As I said, with a full-face helmet and ear plugs, it just isn't there for me. With an open-face helmet and without ear plugs, you may be bothered.

I thought I'd warn you about this noise. Don't let it deter you from making your bike much more functional in all kinds of marginal weather. That's what the fairing is for.

Plus, it looks good. This is all, of course, a matter of opinion -- the looks, the noise, etc., and what one is used to.

Nick

[Anonymous]

It's a different kind of noise, Rudi. Without a fairing you hear a wind roar. With a fairing you hear the echoes of the mechanical sound of the top end. Remember it's an air-cooled bike, without water jackets to muffle the sound.

I'm used to this noise. It isn't objectionable at all. As I said, with a full-face helmet and ear plugs, it just isn't there for me. With an open-face helmet and without ear plugs, you may be bothered.

I thought I'd warn you about this noise. Don't let it deter you from making your bike much more functional in all kinds of marginal weather. That's what the fairing is for.

Plus, it looks good. This is all, of course, a matter of opinion -- the looks, the noise, etc., and what one is used to.

Nick

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

Rudi

[Anonymous]

To me anything over 32 psi in the front tire and 11psi in the forks feels way too stiff....however, I like the softer ride and tend to take it pretty easy on the big old GK (I just don't feel as confident pushing it as hard as I do on my lighter bikes).

You're lucky you have "lighter bikes". I don't. My GK is my only bike, and in this area I live in, it's important to be able to ride all kinds of bumpy and/or curvy and/or mountainous roads.

Believe me, I've been riding GS shafties since 1986, and I can tell you one can safely push these bikes, even the fully loaded GK, and they'll behave predictably and handle quite well.

If you're going to ride more aggressively, which my riding friends and I do all the time (yes, Gold Wings, Ventures, full boat BMW's, etc.), I recommend the 40 psi on the tires. Both of them.

Nick

[redliner1973]

Seems alot of pressure, but i may have to try it just to see what it feels like. my roads are hilly/twisty here too, as I live in the hills of Arkansas (twang...), but it is beautiful and fun. :twisted:

[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?

[Gary Lich]

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