So I recently bought a 500F, and I like very much. But I really like the appeal of a naked bike, so my question is if I decide to defect from my fairings, is there a good aftermarket windscreen/mini-fairing I could get with decent wind protection? I'm probably going to do a good bit of touring on it when it warms up so that's important to me. Just looking for people with actual experience in the area.
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id5.html
I also like my bikes naked, but someday I definitely want to find something like this that still looks semi sporty, but that you can put a decent sized fairing on if I ever need to do 300+ miles in a day and want something to hide behind. Look around ebay and see what you can find.
I actually typed in "ducati monster fairing" in google images, and that website came up with the gs. How random.
Neither that nor the somewhat larger factory small fairing (I have one - here's a pic) does much to cut or deflect the wind. Small is as small does in this case...
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/18510/normal_BikeRedF.JPG)
I run Plexifairings in the winter: http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/Classic.shtml
-Jessie
The street sheild http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/StreetShield.shtml (http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/StreetShield.shtml) might be a choice for a summer touring fairing with more coverage then the tinys, but not as much as a plexifairing, and easily/quickly put on or removed (well, I think the plexifairings do that as well, but they have the dorky look you only really want if you are riding when you really need all that coverage.)
I wouldn't mind a giant one that covers the grips and everything for when winter came around. I've seen some bigger than the one that comes on the monster but still aren't full out touring fairings. I know I won't be able to find one without an hour of searching because I don't remember where I've seen ones I like, but there's definitely a couple the fit on like the monster fairing, but actually give you a whole sportbikes worth of fairing. I know those fairing aren't meant for touring and will just blow a lot of wind at your head, but depending on what you're gonna be doing, it's better than nothing.
I have a Buell cyclone flyscreen that I'll probably put on when spring comes around. I usually didn't put it on because Heather hated it, and it's technically her bike, but now that she said she doesn't have interest anymore I get control back. It won't do anything for normal wind protection, but if I'm cruising on the highway just for an exit or two and feel like tucking in, it'll give me a little pocket to avoid the wind. Plus the GS gauges bug me with how high they stick up, especially since I put the clipons on, so the flyscreen kinda hides that.
I use a NC Plexi 2 shield for winter and a Spitfire for summer on my naked GS. The Spitfire is about same size as a NC Street Shield or Deflector Screen. I have done 400 mile 70-80 mph interstate days with the Spitfire and find it comfortable enough for wind protection. Don't think I'd like anything less for serious travel.
Hard to beat the Plexi 2 for rain protection though, much better than the Spitfire if you don't get the rain gear on in time. I used a Plexi 2 type year around for many years on my previous Hondas.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/summer-winterGS.jpg)