The ever tedious (and getting boring) fairing saga...

[dougie]

Well after a few rides with the complete RS fairing I switched back to the S fairing.
With the RS, yes you don't get cold, and yes you don't get wet, BUT -
The difference in weight, with brackets, headlight glass, etc. is about 25 pounds, and it's all high up. I could feel the difference. The bike is also a little bit quicker after the weight loss.
And you pay for being out of the wind by hearing it. It's noisy. I do have a 2" shorter screen that I could have tried, but with my S fairing I don't have to wear ear plugs, ever.
My arms were a little uncomfortable after an hour, even with K75S bars.
I didn't feel as confident with the narrower bars like I do with the S bars. (Getting old and feeble?)
So there you have it. The only dilemna is - do I keep the RS stuff to recreate a somewhat classic Beemer for sale, or do I sell the fairing?
How do you sell an RS fairing? Do you part it out or sell it as complete kit, i.e. brackets, fasteners, lights, etc.?

[ME 109]

I'd either keep the fairing or sell it as a whole. Parting out the fairing will be a tedious operation.
RS fairings can go for less than $100 on ebay. A good complete fairing should be able to pull 350-400 bucks

I'd keep it

[dougie]

My RS killer -

April 30 2011 004.jpg

[Mal S7]

I'd keep the fairing. Hang it in your shed. If you ever sell the bike it will add more than its worth in value. If that makes sense.

When I bought the /7 it had a replica RS fairing. Like you Doug I liked it but I didn't like it. In the end I prefer the naked bike.

But now I want to commute all year round, and my bones are 17 years older .....

[dougie]

I'd keep the fairing. Hang it in your shed. If you ever sell the bike it will add more than its worth in value. If that makes sense.
When I bought the /7 it had a replica RS fairing. Like you Doug I liked it but I didn't like it. In the end I prefer the naked bike.
But now I want to commute all year round, and my bones are 17 years older .....

I think you're right Mal, and I hear ya about the old bones.

[ME 109]

I hear ya about the old bones.

IIRC, it's 'dem bones'

[twist]

I have a Pichler fairing on my 100S now but am set to put an S fairing on for many of the same reasons. I want to mount the S fairing to the frame, I have the brace all ready to go and most everything needed to install but have to find the time. The Pichler is nice for long rides, keeps me dry (mostly) and is good for keeping the wind off so I can do long rides with less fatigue. But no matter how I adjust it and fiddle with it it rattles and makes noise, not to mention the wind noise and it is difficult to add oil to the motor. The fairing looks nice (not as nice as RS fairing) but adds more than 25 pounds to the front and is all up high. The S fairing with gauges and brace comes in at about 10 pounds but adds to the stock look of the bike. That and I don't plan to long rides much any more. Death Valley or up the coast to Washington or Vancouver is as far as I want to ride these days. The S will be a bit sportier and lighten up the front end. What to do with the Pichler? I don't plan to sell the 100S but that beast could come in handy some day. One of my friends refers to the fairing as making the bike look like the prow of the Bismark.

[Bobby]

Hi Dougie,
Hey Do you need to change brake hose, throttle cable when swapping from rs to s handle bars. I have an RS which i want to change into an s and am wondering what i need to do so.

[Rob]

Twist, I really lusted after a Pichler back in the day, but I was never encumbered with one, or any full fairing, for that matter.
The biggest slug I have added to a bike was a sidecar, or me, on a 250...

dougie, what can you say, you are a 2-beemer kind of guy.

[dougie]

Hi Dougie,
Hey Do you need to change brake hose, throttle cable when swapping from rs to s handle bars. I have an RS which i want to change into an s and am wondering what i need to do so.

It was a long time ago, can't remember specifics.
I think throttle and choke cables were OK, but don't quote me.
I did replace the 2 part brake hose with stainless braided, but I was going to do that anyway. Never checked the old rubber one.
Don't remember about the clutch cable.
I will say that for me it was worth it. The "S" version was a joy - more comfortable and somewhat lighter without the full fairing.
But if you ask Jeff (ME109), who is much taller, he wouldn't have anything other than an "RS".