What to do with the M696 bikini fairing?

[giordy]

I'm thinking about taking off the bikini fairing from my M696; to those of you who have already done it: do you notice much difference riding at 75mph or so (I am 6' and I'm not sure that it's really protecting me all that much).

Thanks
Giordy

[Danmack_98]

there's been a thread on this.  I'll some it up for you.  if you don't like the look of it (like me) take it off.

[giordy]

if you don't like the look of it (like me) take it off.

Yeah, I don't really like it, but on the other hand I'm already finding it harder than expected to ride at 75mph or so on the freeway (this is my first bike... somehow I never considered that the wind would be a big factor when riding...), so I hesitate to take it off.

[sfarchie]

I took mine off a few weeks ago. I've been riding around 70 mph and tonight I got into the 80s to get away from some lane changing cages and I can't say I noticed a diff. I think it's a cleaner look, so off it went, and no regrets.

[Holden]

No more flapping about in the breeze with it off. Saves almost 10 ounces.

P.S. more naked is more better!

[duclvr]

P.S. more naked is more better!

+1 don't really notice much difference with it off.

[Slide Panda]

From the size of it, I'd find it hard to belive it really provides any wind protection.  Hell even the larger ones of the previous monsters did very little unless you tucked in tight behind them.  I found that mine with the stock clear bit actaully made things worse on me since more air was directed up, right at helmet level for me.  I replaced it with a slightly taller, lipped bit that cured that problem. 

But, for the majority of the year, I go naked.

Giordy, you might just still be adapting to riding.  Thoough it was a few years back, I still remember the bobble head feeling I had when I 1st spent time on the highways.  Over time you body will adapt to the weight of the helmet, neck gets stonger etc and your perception changes a bit - so that bobble head feeling will disappear for the most part... until you start going faster    Now I don't notice any head bobble at highway+ speeds  - I'm sure some is still there, but I'm used to it so it just gets taken in stride.

[giordy]

Thanks everybody, I went ahead and took it off.

Giordy

[breakdown]

I'm only 5'9 and I've noticed that on a lot of bikes, bikini fairings (or double bubble windscreens) actually make the wind blast worse.  Instead of nice smooth air on my upper chest and helmet, I end up with turbulent air that is kicked up from the screen.

[roggie]

i use mine for salsa when i am having chips.... 

[duc996]

It's so small in the first place,i doubt if you'll notice a diff. Go naked all the way :-)

[Raux]

i will say that at higher speeds the fairing when tucked helps. that's all i'll say and i'll not say more (ie what higher speeds means)

[nkryptit]

I didn't notice any difference after I took it off..It's too small to get behind.  Not very functional, just for looks.

[Raux]

well now that i'm in Germany and my bike gets here next week, i'll have to experiment legally at higher speeds.

But when i tucked under the stream at highspeeds as compared to sitting semi-upright i noticed a huge difference. but then again i didnt tuck when not using the fairing. soooo still need to check that aspect of the experiment.

[psycledelic]

From the size of it, I'd find it hard to belive it really provides any wind protection.  Hell even the larger ones of the previous monsters did very little unless you tucked in tight behind them.  I found that mine with the stock clear bit actaully made things worse on me since more air was directed up, right at helmet level for me.  I replaced it with a slightly taller, lipped bit that cured that problem. 

I agree.  The fairing seem really small.  I doubt you are gonna notice.