klr fairing - general vetter comments on fairing design
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:39 am
You might be interested in my design thoughts. I design fairings for the rider, not the
bike.
Consider this:
This new KLR fairing is rider size. Riders tend to be the same size, no matter what bike
they ride. KLR riders seem to be even bigger (and older) than most. To protect the rider,
the fairing needs to be the same size as the rider, no matter what size the bike is.
Make sense?
I also have learned that you tend to like what you are used to seeing.
The manufacturers have "trained" us to be used to seeing the little things they present as
fairings. You are used to seeing Dakar stuff. We are not used to seeing anything like what
I design because there is nothing like what I design. It is usually very different and thus,
odd appearing at first.
In 1969, I designed what became the Triumph Hurricane. the first people at Triumph,
when they saw it, had no idea of what to make of it, it was so different. "Sure is orange"
was about the best they could do. The Hurricane went on to become a very famous and
sought after motorcycle. Time is kind to my designs.
If, I do produce this fairing, and people buy it, we will get used to it. Then the Dakar style
will look too small to you.
A year ago, when I was building the first of these new fairings, they looked big on the
KLR and my wife's GS. Now, without it, the bikes look wrong. In other word, I have
gotten used to the size. This is nothing new in my career. I am an inventor. It takes time
for people to get used to my stuff.
So, the main thing here is that this fairing is for the rider. Thus, it is "rider size."
Important, too, is the fact that this fairing is very slippery. It likes to go through the air.
For example, if you put it on a 220cc Serow and compared performance with and without -
sitting up in normal riding position - the Serow with the fairing will go faster, get better
mileage and be more comfortable to ride. That is what streamlining does.
Of course, if the Serow rider crouches down on the tank, making himself small, he will
beat the rider with the fairing. Frontal area is very important.
Enough for now. Time for church. Craig Vetter, designer