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Vetter Fairing and overall Bike performance question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
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Anonymous

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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
 
There are answers to this in your post under the performance section Rudi.
 
how can I delete or remove this thread? Don't want to take up unnecessary space...

Thanks
 
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.
 
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:
 
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
 
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).
 
I was told to run 35 psi in my metzler, Use 10-12 lbs in forks. It works for me!
 
Nick Diaz said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
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
 
Nick Diaz said:
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
Click to expand...

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

Rudi
 
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
 
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:
 
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?
 
Rudedog_USAF said:
I'm sold! Time to search for a good Vetter Windjammer SS !!! Thanks Nick!

Rudi
Click to expand...

I think the best thing about them is you don't feel so beat up after a long ride
 
Gary Lich said:
Rudedog_USAF said:
I'm sold! Time to search for a good Vetter Windjammer SS !!! Thanks Nick!

Rudi
Click to expand...

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

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.
 
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. :lol:
 
Hoomgar said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
overboardkat said:
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. :lol:
Click to expand...

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
 
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
 
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