When you think of a motorcycle, fairings probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But they’re an important part of many bikes, and they serve a variety of purposes. In this post, we’ll take a look at what motorcycle fairings are, what they do, and how they differ between different types of motorcycles.
What are Motorcycle Fairings Made of?
Motorcycle fairings are usually made from one of two materials: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic or carbon fiber. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
ABS plastic is the more affordable option and is therefore more popular among riders on a budget. It is also lighter than carbon fiber, which can be an advantage for smaller bikes. However, abs fairings are not as strong as carbon fiber and are more susceptible to damage from UV rays and other environmental factors.
Carbon fiber is the more expensive option, but it is also stronger and more durable than plastic fairings. It is also less likely to be damaged by UV rays or other environmental factors. However, because it is heavier than abs plastic, it is not always the best choice for smaller bikes. In addition, carbon fiber can be difficult to repair if it does become damaged.
What’s Are the Different Types of Fairings?
Motorcycle fairings are aerodynamic panels that are mounted on motorcycles to improve their aerodynamic properties. Fairings are generally considered to be full, half or quarter fairings
Full fairings cover the entire motorcycle, from the front wheel to the back. They often extend down to cover the rider’s legs. A common example of a full fairing motorcycle is a sports bike.
Half fairings only cover the front of the motorcycle. From the handlebars to the headlight, and usually do not extend down past the fuel tank. Cruisers are often considered to be half fairing bikes, with their use of handlebar fairings covering a large part of the front half of a motorcycle.
Fun Fact: the front wheel guard on cruisers is often called a Dolphin fairing due to its resemblance of a dolphin’s beak from the side.
Quarter fairings only cover a portion of the front of the motorcycle, usually from the headlight to the fuel tank. They offer less aerodynamic protection than full or half fairings but are often lighter and easier to remove and install. For a quarter fairing think cafe racer style motorcycles.
Lastly, we have no fairings at all, such as a naked motorcycle.
What are The Benefits of Motorcycle Fairings?
Motorcycle fairings are Leo Fender’s 1948 invention and are designed to streamline the wind around the bike thus reducing wind resistance and air drag. Reducing wind resistance is important for a number of reasons.
First, it greatly reduces fuel consumption because the engine does not have to work as hard to overcome wind resistance. This is especially important if you regularly go for long rides and travel at high speeds on freeways.
Second, it allows the bike to attain higher speeds because there is less wind resistance pushing back against the bike. For this reason, fairings are more commonly seen on sport bikes. By changing the resistance on a bike, it also greatly impacts the handling and feel of the bike.
The other main benefit of motorcycle fairings is the extra safety they provide. This is because they are designed to push air around the rider. By pushing air around the rider, they also incidentally redirect any road debris around the rider.
Lastly, they make a huge difference to the look of a motorcycle. By simply adding or removing fairings to a bike it can dramatically alter its appearance and even make it look like a completely new bike. Let’s be honest the look of the motorcycle is often more important than the aerodynamic drag of its front fairing or the aerodynamics of the bike.
What are The Downsides of Motorcycle Fairings?
One of the main cons of motorcycle fairings is that they can add weight to the bike. This can make the bike less agile and more difficult to handle, which is far from ideal when weaving through traffic or taking tight corners.
Additionally, fairings are often quite costly, which can be a deterrent for budget-conscious riders. The extra costs of fairing can often be seen when comparing sports bikes to their naked equivalent. Think Ninja 400 vs z400. These two bikes are about as close as you can get frame and engine wise. The main difference between the two are the fairings on the Ninja 400, that come with an extra cost of around $300.
The other time that fairings will impact your wallet are if you drop your bike. This is especially important for beginners. A set of new fairings on a sports bike can set you back anywhere from $500 up, depending on if you buy OEM or aftermarket fairings.
If you are interested in racing motorcycles like a Ducati Panigale, the cost of new fairings will be a lot closer to the $2000 mark.
And finally, fairings require extra cleaning and can cause maintenance to be a lot harder. This is because you will have to spend the extra time to remove some fairings to access parts of your bike.
All of this can add up to quite a bit of time and effort, which some riders would prefer to avoid. So, while fairings may offer some benefits, there are also several potential downsides to consider before making your decision. These reasons are why many beginner riders chose a naked bike as their first motorcycles.
How Do You Look After Motorcycle Fairings?
Motorcycle fairings come in a variety of materials. Fiberglass fairings are the most common type of fairing, and they can be carefully maintained with a few simple steps.
First, it’s important to clean the fairings regularly with mild soap and water. If there are any stubborn stains, you can use a soft-bristled brush to lightly scrub them away.
It’s also important to wax the fairings regularly, as this will help to protect the paint and keep the fairings looking like new. There are a variety of common methods for waxing motorcycle fairings. For best results it’s recommended that you use a dual-action polisher. With proper care, your motorcycle fairings will continue to look great for years to come.
Conclusion
As you can see, motorcycle fairings serve a variety of purposes depending on the type of motorcycle you have and your type of riding style. If you’re looking for better aerodynamics or wind protection for those long trips. Or you’re looking at getting into motorcycle racing and are heading to the race track then a set of fairings might be just what you need.
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