- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by adrenalinerush.
Questions about fairings
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October 19, 2008 at 7:05 pm #2273samgoodyParticipant
Hello everyone,
I am looking to start riding motorcycles (having never ridden a motorcyle before) and I have a few questions about fairings. Most recommendations I’ve seen on the Internet say it would be better to get a naked bike as a first bike because I will likely drop it several times in the first year. So my first question is what would it take to crack the fairing? Would a simple drop at no/low speed crack the fairing?
Also, I have specific questions about the fairings of the Suzuki GS500F (and possibly the Kawasaki Ninja 250R). I live in Saudi Arabia, and there aren’t many choices for beginner bikes to buy as new, never mind used. It seems like the above bikes are the most ideal choices I have (I mentioned the Kawi as “possible” because I’m not sure if they bring it here). Also, the nearest motorcycle shops require a three-hour drive to get to. In order to change the fairings I would either have to ship the bike via UPS or some other carrier (costs a small fortune); or perhaps purchase a trailer for it (I have nowhere to park the trailer). I wouldn’t like to do either of the above if the fairing is going to be cracked several times during that first year. Does anybody have any idea what these fairings should cost if they get cracked?
October 19, 2008 at 7:16 pm #14004RabParticipantI don’t know what they cost, but I’m sure it would be really easy to order the parts and change the fairings yourself rather than sending the bike to the dealers (if necessary). By the way, it’s not a given that you *will* drop the bike; just “likely”, so all the more reason to go with a light bike (i.e. one you may be able to prevent from falling over).
You know, you *could* take the fairings off for the first six months and ride it without fairings; probably kinda ugly, but that’s where the streetfighter / hooligan bike came from, which, incidentally, has now gone commercial as a “design concept” (see the Triumph Speed and Street Triple, etc.).
Probably best all round though if you can find a naked bike.
October 19, 2008 at 7:28 pm #14006megaspazParticipantit doesn’t take much to crack fairings, but if you do a low speed drop (< 5mph) then chances are the most likely damage to your fairings will be scratches or small dents. You can always get fairing sliders to protect the plastics in these drops. If you're gonna bin your bike at speed, then anything goes. You could get away with only scratches or you could destroy your fairings. it's a luck of the draw in how your bike crashes. If it tumbles, say hello to replacing them. If you lowside the bike, then the sliders may keep your fairings intact... again depends of environmental factors. If the sliders get caught in the ground, it could cause the bike to tumble, the fairing slider to break off causing fairing rash, or get bent into the plastics causing a need to replace the fairings. If you bin it in gravel, fairing sliders ain't gonna protect against rocks flying up and scratching up the fairings. As far as my opinion goes, if you can get fairing sliders, than getting a naked bike or a bike with fairing is all a matter of preference. —
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…October 19, 2008 at 7:51 pm #14011samgoodyParticipantHi Rab,
Thanks for the advice. I will consider the first course of action you mentioned in case I do get a bike with a fairing. I also realize that it’s not a given that I will drop the bike, but a naked bike does provide some more peace of mind (it doesn’t hurt that I am a fan of the naked look). As for taking the fairings off, how is the headlamp assmebly attached to the fairing? Wouldn’t it have to come off with it?
It seems that of the bikes that are labeled beginner-friendly, the only one I could find here is the GS500F (and possibly the Ninja 250). There are other bikes that are in the market here (or will be very soon) that are naked/semi-naked, but are ones which generate an endless amount of debate about whether they are suited for a complete beginner. There is the Kawasaki Versys (seems a bit too tall for me, as I have a 32″ inseam); the Ducati Monster 696 (don’t know whether they have arrived or not, and they are quite pricey); the Suzuki V-Storm 650 (again seems a little too tall for me); Harley 883 Sportster (way too heavy); and the BMW F800S (a couple of reviews label it a beginner-friendly bike in the Monster 696 mold; it’s way too expensive because the dealer imports it with every conveivable option installed, including heated grips). Physically I am around the 5’11”, 165lb mark. Of this bunch, I would lean more towards the Monster, especially considering its super-light dry weight. Could any of these bikes be handled by a complete beginner?
October 19, 2008 at 8:02 pm #14012samgoodyParticipantThanks for the advice, megaspaz. Your answer makes things a lot clearer for me now. I will certainly take frame sliders into consideration. Would it be easy for me to fit them by myself?
October 19, 2008 at 9:48 pm #14016RabParticipantYou’re probably right about the headlight assembly; I never thought that one through
Hooligan bikes were originally, cheap to buy, well-used bikes with busted fairings so I guess they pulled-off the bits that were damaged and left the bits that served a purpose. Probably not a practical solution for a new bike after all (unless you rigged-up a separate headlamp, which you probably don’t want to get into with a new bike).
Depending on your traffic situation over there, you might very well get by on a 250 for a while (Honda Nighthawk 250, Suzuki TU250, Kawasaki Ninja 250 or one of the 250 cruisers). The first two are good for about 75 mph max. and the Ninja, probably about 95-100. Definitely ideal for learning on and completely practical if you won’t spend much time on freeways (Ninja could cope better than the others), but you’re in a difficult situation over there for selling-on or trading up if / when you get more confident / ambitious.
How about a Suzuki 400 c.c. dual sport or a 650 dual sport from any of the jap manufacturers? You can get lowering kits if the seat hight is too high and being single cylinder, they’re light, simple, reliable, rugged and not very fast.
Read back through the posts where your questions on what bike to choose have been answered many times, but I think the general consensus is that you can learn on any bike (to a greater or lesser extent) but lighter and less powerful is a good thing at the beginning.
October 20, 2008 at 1:39 pm #14033adrenalinerushParticipantyou can also look around to get the gs500E… this is the same bike, without the fairings….
on the other hand i have the gs500f… and admittedly did drop it twice in the first month of riding… both times i wasnt really paying enough attention and wasn’t barely moving – didnt have any damage luckily. Im not sure how sturdy they would be at anything faster than 5mph lol, but the bike is pretty easy to handle for a beginner… love it!
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