How to Choose the Right type of Motorcycle Fairing for you2015.11.18. // motorcycle fairing

Motorcycle fairings are attachable shells that protect your motorcycle from air resistance. It also provides an awesome look to your motorcycle as well, which is why a lot of people are getting one for their ride.

But, if you’re still new to this, you must know a few key things before buying your motorcycle fairing. The first thing you need to know is the brand of your motorcycle. You see, not all fairings fit on all motorcycles. Fairings can only fit from a variety of motorcycles and you have to know if that particular fairing you had your eyes on will fit perfectly on your bike.

fairings-motorcycleThe second thing to note, there are many types of motorcycle fairings out there. There are fairings that are suitable for motorcycle racers, and there are also fairings that suit for the general public as well. For the scope of this article, we will focus on the motorcycle fairings that is fit for the masses.

Some popular types that are quite common nowadays are:

  1. Bikini Fairing
  2. Half Fairing
  3. Full Fairing

Let’s find out more information about each fairing. The Bikini Fairing dated back in the 70s and 80s. This fairing usually consists of a windscreen that provides adequate wind protection for the rider. If you own a Ducati, you can get the Bikini fairing for your motorcycle to give it a classic look.

Next is the half-fairing. The half-fairing is a more common choice than the full fairing because it gives you enough room for more customization. The Half Fairing starts from the front to help with wind resistance, and it extends way into the back. But, it doesn’t cover the entire motorcycle and some parts will still be exposed (like the engine casing for example).

Last is the Full Fairing. The Full Fairing is commonly used in motorcycle racing because it provides not only an aesthetic edge, but also enough protection the motorcycle needs in order to combat the rigors of racing.

Although, this fairing is quite popular in motorcycle racing, it can also be used for private motorcycles as well. This provides the maximum protection for your motorcycle above all the other types of motorcycle fairings.

When choosing a motorcycle fairing for your own bike, you have to think about the reasons why you’re buying one. Is it just for the aesthetics? Is it for protection? Or, is it for future-proofing? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your choices, and it will ultimately lead you to the type of fairing you want to install for your motorcycle.

So in summary, choose the Bikini fairing if you want to give your motorcycle a classic look. Opt for the Half-fairing if you want to customize your bike even more by adding additional motorcycle parts such as crash bars and bash plates. And, you can go for the full-fairing to give you the maximum protection against the wind, rain and other dangerous elements.

Different styles of motorcycle fairings2013.11.12. // motorcycle fairing

When looking at motorcycle fairings, you’ll find two basic types, compression molding and injection molding. Both will have a similar look and may be difficult to tell apart, but the methods in which the fairings were put together are quite different. This is important because depending on the type of motorcycle you have, selecting the proper molding for your fairings can make a considerable difference in the time it takes to apply them to your bike.

What is Compression Molding?

Basically, compression molding is where the material is first pre-heated and then placed into a heated mold. At this point, the mold is then closed and compressed. motorcycle_fairing The compression forced the material to come into contact with the mold and take its shape. The heat and pressure are continually applied until the molding process is completed.

Compression molding is quite popular because it is fairly quick and effective. Many motorcycle fairing manufacturers prefer compression molding because they can produce a high number of molds quickly and for complex molds, it works quite well.

What is Injection Molding?

Unlike material that is poured into the mold, this process injects the material instead. The material that is used is first poured into a heated barrel and then mixed with other properties before being injected into the mold itself. Once injected, the material then cools and hardens to the shape of the mold.

This process generally uses molds that are crafted from steel or aluminum which are then precision-machined into the exact shape the mold is desired. Because the steel or aluminum is far stronger than the mold material itself, they can be used a considerable number of times. In fact, proper maintenance and cleaning will keep these molds useful for quite some time.

Injection molding is often used for a wide variety of parts from very small pieces to large body panels for vehicles. It is a safe, reliable process of making fairings for motorcycles.

Compression vs. Injection Molds

The actual physical quality of the mold will be determined by the mixture of materials that were used, at least in terms of durability and ruggedness. However, in terms of accuracy, injection molding is generally far more accurate. In fact, injection molding is roughly 98% accurate in terms of fittings which is the standard for factories.

However, injection molding also costs more as well. The process is not quite as quick or efficient as compression molding. Generally speaking, if you have the time to reshape and perfect the fitting of your fairing, then you can save money by choosing those that were compression molded. If you like the fitting to be nearly accurate with little in the way of work, then injection molding is for you. Consider however that with many older bikes, only compression fitting molds are available which will naturally limit your choices.

Overall, both methods have their advantages and disadvantages that will come down to what exactly you want and how much you will be willing to pay for it.