Lower Fairing Air Deflectors

[tgsguitar]

I saw an ad today for some of those Lower Fairing Air Deflectors - they are those black ones that stick
onto the fairing running from just under the mirrors past the engine down to the bottom of the fairing.

I'm curious to hear from anyone who has installed these as follows;

1) Do they kick the air out a fair bit so that your shins are less in the line of the air blast ?
2) Do they reduce the engine heat on your legs ?
3) Do they effect handling in any way i.e. add any air lift ?
4) Are the benefits worth the expenditure ?

I appeciate any feeback you can provide.

JimC

 

[ToddC]

Have them on two of the three. Love them, just wish they were more economical. No lift, better wind protection, if you have forward pegs it will push your legs out a bit. I don't have highway pegs so it doesn't matter.

ToddC

 

[Catmandu2]

I like the looks of them. I like the reported performance of them. I really don't like the price of them !! I bought the uppers,, and plan to see how bad I need to deflect the heat by summertime. The nice thing is you can add them anytime. The price does not seem to change much for new stock. There was a pair on Ebay a few weeks ago,, used,, meaning all the 3m tape would have to be replaced. I think they sold for about 2/3's of new pricing,, which was more than I was willing to pay. Cat'

 

[Reginald]

Have them on two of the three. Love them, just wish they were more economical. No lift, better wind protection, if you have forward pegs it will push your legs out a bit. I don't have highway pegs so it doesn't matter.

ToddC

+1 I would also add water protection in the rain. Amazingly my legs don't get wet as long as the bike's moving and no hard crosswind. I have blades and they're no problem, like my feet in the air on hot days.

 

[CYYJ]

Hi Jim:

I have both the upper (around the mirrors) and lower OEM air deflectors on my ST1300. They do make a difference, I'm happy I installed them. The mirror ones seem to considerably cut down on the wind on my hands.

If you plan to get down to the Toronto area, send me a message ahead of time, you can take my ST1300 out for a run on a nearby expressway and evaluate the difference for yourself.

Michael

 

[roginoz]

I've had mine for a hundred thousand miles or so.

1) Do they kick the air out a fair bit so that your shins are less in the line of the air blast ?

They do seem to open up the envelope a bit

2) Do they reduce the engine heat on your legs ?

Just my subjective observation, but I think that they do.

3) Do they effect handling in any way i.e. add any air lift ?

Haven't noticed any ill effects.

4) Are the benefits worth the expenditure ?

I think so. You only pay for them once, and use them every day you ride. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat.

 

[970mike]

The deflectors work great and look great. I am happy with mine even at the high price it was still a great purchase.

 

[SMSW]

Had mine (complete set) on for two years.

1. Yes, they offer more protection from wind blast. Less wind on my legs which equals warmer down there in cool/cold weather. And, I think, a bit more hand protection from wind.
2. Because they reduce the air flow down low, I don't think they affect the heat on my legs - though that heat has not been a problem for me. Note that I don't ride a whole lot across deserts or in very hot areas.
3. Air lift? I don't ride fast enough to really test this out. Seriously, I rather doubt they would make a significant difference under the ton. They (along with larger after market windshields) probably will reduce your top speed. This is a serious drawback to the deflectors (smile).
4. Hard to say. I like the look, the increased warmth/rain protection in cooler weather make them worthwhile for me. Tis a personal choice.

One observation. Highway pegs - i.e. MCL Blades and the like will require leg lengths found on pro basketball players. Shorty that I am, I cannot get my lower legs out and around the air deflectors.