Is naked sexier?

[Turd Ferguson]

I like the looks of the "F" version of the GS.  I also really dig the wind protection.  The fully faired GS500 is actually what initially attracted me to the bike.

Lately I have found myself wetting my pants a little bit everytime I see a naked bike.  At this point I am pretty sure that my next bike will either be a Yamaha FZ6 or a Honda 599.  I think the "naked' sport bike just looks so bad ass and like it means business.  I could also end up making a profit off of selling my fairings, headlight and all mounting brackets.  The fairings get washed once a week and get waxed way too often, so they are showroom perfect.



Alpha will likely complain because he wont be the only 2005 GS500E...but alas...his bike is deffinately one of the factors motivating me to do the conversion.



Should I do it?  At this point i'm deffinately 50/50.

-Turd.

[TadMC]

x

[Egaeus]

*looks in the mirror*
*strips*
*looks again*
*shudders*

I guess it depends on the person.  And by person I mean bike.  Or something.

[Turd Ferguson]

Well...yes...but at the moment I'm poor.  No new bike.

-Turd.

[Turd Ferguson]

*looks in the mirror*
*strips*
*looks again*
*shudders*

I guess it depends on the person.  And by person I mean bike.  Or something.

wait...you didn't help me. 

*pissed*

-Turd.

[TadMC]

x

[Turd Ferguson]

How about the Buell dual head lights?  That's what I'd end up with.



-Turd.

[Alphamazing]

I think you know my answer on the matter... but just in case: NAKED!!!

Some things to consider: Wind is MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more a factor. That means in the cold months you get chilled a lot quicker. I rode with mine naked through the winter and wished for wind protection on more than one occasion.

Summer on the other hand... 

Also, you'll be able to use case guards now just in case.

I think that the naked version looks far better, IMO. The fairings on the GSF don't look very sporty. They are wide at the sides and tall in the front, as if the bike was punched in the nose. It's a bit like the KTM 950 Adventure.

I think you should save your fairings, personally. In the winter when the temperature drops you can take an hour or two and put the fairings back on for the wind protection, but take them off in the summer. Hell, you could probably even leave the headlight mounting brackets on the fork tubes for an even quicker change. No need to remove the bars or top triple clamp.

Things you'll need to buy:
Headlight mounting brackets (go over the tubes)
Headlight "rabbit ears"
Headlight bucket and lense assembley
Mirrors

That't pretty much it.


And, on a fun note, I just got a '99 Kat wheel for $23 I am the king of cheap!

[Egaeus]

*looks in the mirror*
*strips*
*looks again*
*shudders*

*pissed*

-Turd.

I hope you went to the bathroom.  I'd hate to think of a Turd sitting in a pool of piss.

Seriously though, you just asked everyone for their personal tastes.  I don't have a preference.  I like faired and naked bikes.  Wind protection is nice, better aerodynamics are nice.  Exposed engines are nice, and that Ducati is damn sexy.  

In the end, do what you like.  Maybe keep the fairings and switch it around depending on your mood.  

[TadMC]

x

[Alphamazing]

Have you guys ever run in to some sporters on liter bikes and they talk down on you because they think you cant afford or arent experience enough to get a "real" sport bike.

The reason I ask this is because I talk to a guy who had a ducati 999 and when told him that I love my GS he kinda just blew me off.

BTW: I still pop one when i look at ducatis and I want one one day

I've ony had it happen once, and it was from some tool. I think he didn't feel good when I smoked him in the twisties. Most REAL riders appreciate the GS for what a great bike it is, and only posers and tools look down on it.

[12thmonkey]

i've only ridden naked, so i have nothing to compare it to. (That sounded awesome ) Ahhh...when will the naked jokes get old? But seriously, i like my bike naked. i think they look much better in the nude. There is the wind factor, but it's not like it's a problem. And if it's too cold, you can always slap a windshield on it in the winter.

So i voted for naked. But...i do like pickles... 

Alpha, how did you get that wheel so cheap???

[Turd Ferguson]

Awesome replies everyone!  Especially Egaeus, your posts win "funniest posts in this thread".

Alpha, I deffinately agree with your opinions on the GS fairing.  It isn't proportioned correctly. 

I can't keep the fairings, I'm moving out of my house with the garage and into an EXTREMELY SMALL apartment in three weeks.  I'm getting hitched...

*puts on flame suit*

The naked bikes that I find myself popping like 8 boners over (credit to realultimatepower.net and My Name Is Dave) are the Honda 599/919 and the FZ6/FZ1.  I am afraid that once I go "naked" that my bike just wont look as sexy as these bikes...and I'll be wishing I hadn't.

Wanna know what the turning point for me was on the "naked" thing?  My almost-wife who HATES motorcycles (and me for riding one) saw a copper Honda 599 today.  She said (this is a first...cause she seriously sees motorcycles and nazi's on the same level) "That looks kinda cool.  Not like yours, yours is all covered in cheap plastic."




As crazy as it sounds, I might pull off the fairings in the next few days and stare at the bike for a few days to help me make up my mind.

I love you people.  But not you Alpha, because I spent $140 on a wheel/rotor.  You are an ass basket.

-Turd.

[Turd Ferguson]

Alright, so far the "fairing" option isn't looking so good...it's being edged out in the poll by pickles.

Yours in upping my post count and avoiding studying for a final,
-Turd.

[Alphamazing]

But seriously, i like my bike naked. i think they look much better in the nude. There is the wind factor, but it's not like it's a problem. And if it's too cold, you can always slap a windshield on it in the winter.

You'd be surprised how much difference they make. The windshield makes some difference, but you won't get the wind protection for your legs.

Some bikes look good naked, some look better faired. Example: Ducati 916 looks amazing faired, crap naked.

Alpha, how did you get that wheel so cheap???

$25 Buy it Now on eBay, $18 shipping. However, there is a spot on the inside rim close to where the bead seats that is really rough, as if someone took a hammer and screwdriver to it. I just need to smooth it with a dremel or file and I should be fine. The seller offered me a partial refund of $20. $23!! Woooo! Needs a new rotor though, but I can find one for $20 or so.

The naked bikes that I find myself popping like 8 boners over (credit to realultimatepower.net and My Name Is Dave) are the Honda 599/919 and the FZ6/FZ1.  I am afraid that once I go "naked" that my bike just wont look as sexy as these bikes...and I'll be wishing I hadn't.

My father got me into the whole naked bike thing.
He took his FZ1 from this:

to this:

I love you people.  But not you Alpha, because I spent $140 on a wheel/rotor.  You are an ass basket.

Yeah, but I have to work on mine to get it perfect. But yeah. I'm a cheap ass. You should see my budget sheet for my list of mods. The most expensive thing I've done on my bike is my front springs, but you'd be surprised what's next: the case guards.

[Turd Ferguson]

Wow, your dads bike is perfect.  My only complaint with the FZ is the upper fairing.  Your dad could totaly beat up my dad.

-Turd.

[Phaedrus]

I am afraid that once I go "naked" that my bike just wont look as sexy as these bikes...and I'll be wishing I hadn't.

Well, you got a pretty good idea of how it will look naked. There are TONS of naked GS500s. Haha. But look at Alpha's. That looks awesome. Plus, his is an '04, and yours is an '05 - so you won;t have to do the tail conversion, you are already there 

It is your bike, if you like the naked look and it suits your riding style, go for it. But keep in mind the wind protection element and a little less "wow" factor from your adoring neighborhood kids. I don't know how it effects insurance either; by rights it should be cheaper since you don't have fairings to replace. Maybe check into it? Part of the cost of the F's insurance is the fairings; E's are cheaper partly because of the nakedness.

And of course resale value but let's not talk about that. You want to keep it forever and ever =)

BTW, congrats on getting married 

[pantablo]

as far as the GS goes I prefer the naked look. something about the F model doesnt look right-the proportions arent sexy to me...

Well...yes...but at the moment I'm poor.  No new bike.

-Turd.

well, if you're poor just leave well enough alone and spend your meager savings on gas and ride the snot out of the bike...

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[h

[Turd Ferguson]

well, if you're poor just leave well enough alone and spend your meager savings on gas and ride the snot out of the bike...

I would probably make out pretty well by selling my fairings.  Even after buying a new headlight, I think I'd end up with a bit of money for some goodies.

-Turd.