ON the newer GS500F models, how much actual protection does the new fairings give you? I may pick up a 500F for a commuter and fun backroads cruiser.Way back in 1980 I bought a new GS450ST-the 500s great gandpa.It was a pretty cool model in its time.It had a small sports fairing, chrome bar-end mirrors from the factory.That bike averaged 66 mpg too.I did pull the throttle slides and shim the needled due to the factory lean condition.After that the bike ran much better.Do the nw ones have this problem also?

   Jon

in my opinion it only give you a small amount of crash protection because it is made of plastic but it seriously helps aerodynamics/ actually i've never had a problem with any lean problems but then again i had it rejetted and it now runs much better so i dont no/ but i do no that it want average 66mpg more or less 41-59 depending on how you drive it but this is my 2 cents worth

Quote from: Birdmove on September 03, 2006, 10:50:51 AM

    ON the newer GS500F models, how much actual protection does the new fairings give you? I may pick up a 500F for a commuter and fun backroads cruiser.Way back in 1980 I bought a new GS450ST-the 500s great gandpa.It was a pretty cool model in its time.It had a small sports fairing, chrome bar-end mirrors from the factory.That bike averaged 66 mpg too.I did pull the throttle slides and shim the needled due to the factory lean condition.After that the bike ran much better.Do the nw ones have this problem also?

The fairings actually do provide a decent amount of wind protection. You might want to upgrade to a taller windscreen though (Puig and ZeroGravity both make one) in order to divert windflow over your helmet.

Our bikes typically average 55mpg in stock form when you rag on them, and can achieve upwards of 65 if you treat them nicely. I recall that board member scratch got a whopping 70mpg on one ride! With rejetting and/or gearing changes, the averages can be as low as 43mpg in my experience, but again it depends on how you run it and the severity of your jetting differences. If you keep it stock, I suggest at minimum opening the air/fuel screws to 3 turns out. This will help with warm up time and off idle transitions. The bikes are inherently lean, but I believe the F models corrected the worst of that.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on September 03, 2006, 11:12:45 AM
The fairings actually do provide a decent amount of wind protection. You might want to upgrade to a taller windscreen though (Puig and ZeroGravity both make one) in order to divert windflow over your helmet.

I can second this.  I rode on the highway without the side fairings one day to get a part from the dealer.  I was getting tossed from side to side.  It was brutal.  I will NEVER make my GS go naked.

Ditto Alpha, on fairings and mpg.
I went to an F from a DRZ so for me, the fairings are a world of difference.  Most of my running is at highway speeds.
I run a Zero G touring cut windscreen.  search Codger in the photo gallery.

and yes, teh new models still are subject to the lean condition and benefit from rejetting, even in stock trim.

Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 03, 2006, 12:53:17 PM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on September 03, 2006, 11:12:45 AM
The fairings actually do provide a decent amount of wind protection. You might want to upgrade to a taller windscreen though (Puig and ZeroGravity both make one) in order to divert windflow over your helmet.

I can second this.  I rode on the highway without the side fairings one day to get a part from the dealer.  I was getting tossed from side to side.  It was brutal.  I will NEVER make my GS go naked.

What are you, a sissy? I've done 5 hour interstate roadtrips on my naked GS, nary a quiver, nary a shake, nary a problem. Perhaps  you have tiny arms to go with your tiny gonads?

Anyway, I have an E, so I can't answer the question about the fiarings. I will say that I never have issues with my E, though.

[d

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on September 04, 2006, 02:43:10 PM

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on September 03, 2006, 02:43:32 PM

Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 03, 2006, 12:53:17 PM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on September 03, 2006, 11:12:45 AM
The fairings actually do provide a decent amount of wind protection. You might want to upgrade to a taller windscreen though (Puig and ZeroGravity both make one) in order to divert windflow over your helmet.

I can second this.  I rode on the highway without the side fairings one day to get a part from the dealer.  I was getting tossed from side to side.  It was brutal.  I will NEVER make my GS go naked.

What are you, a sissy? I've done 5 hour interstate roadtrips on my naked GS, nary a quiver, nary a shake, nary a problem. Perhaps  you have tiny arms to go with your tiny gonads?

Anyway, I have an E, so I can't answer the question about the fiarings. I will say that I never have issues with my E, though.

I was going to say something similar. More politely, of course... but I've never been "tossed side to side" on my naked '02, up to 85 mph. I've been in crosswinds, and it almost leans itself to correct, no hassle unless you have a death grip on the handlebars.

Haha, polite isn't exactly my forte..

The F is definitly the GS to get...

[33

Naked is overrated

Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 04, 2006, 09:47:34 PM
Naked is overrated

Just cuz you don't get to see anything BUT a bike naked, don't be hatin!

I was suprised how much of a difference it made when I put the small headlight fairing back on my bike after it being off a few months. It kept the wind off my chest and kept me from buffeting arround when going 80. I'm sure the F is much better.

Meh, panzies, all of you.

dam i was riding a rental gs500 K5 when my gs500f K6 was getting fixed and dam when i got home my neck was so sore because of the wind but then again i was going 170 so maybe thats why

3d

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on September 05, 2006, 03:36:59 AM
If you really want out of the wind, what the heck are you doiing on a motorcycle? Buy a Buick and be done with it. Being out and unenclosed is what riding a motorcycle is about, it is the essential fact that separates us from the cagers.

So far, at least, I have no desire to retreat from that.

No kidding man.