R1150R Fairing Options & Dealers

[dans58]

I am looking for more wind protection and found this link: http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/BMWR1150R.htm In the Windscreen section, it lists several fairing manufacturers that I would like to get more info about. Specifically, Haensle, Gimbell and Fallert

Does anyone have contact info for US distibutors or dealers? thanks Dan S.

[Airman]

I am looking for more wind protection and found this link: http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/BMWR1150R.htm In the Windscreen section, it lists several fairing manufacturers that I would like to get more info about. Specifically, Haensle, Gimbell and Fallert

Does anyone have contact info for US distibutors or dealers? thanks Dan S.

Dan,
I have a Fallert fairing hanging on my garage wall. The reason it's on the wall instead of the bike is because the airflow hits me square in the chest. (I'm 5'10) I need to find someone to make me a taller screen. As far as I know, Fallert does not have a US importer. You can buy them direct from Germany, but it would be very expensive. My BMW touring windshield gives much better protection then the Fallert.

Is it the Gimbell that looks like an FZ-1 fairing ? I believe someone on this site installed one and found the installation difficult and the final results disappointing. I seem to recall there were some quality issues. I think it was then sold to one of the others here.

I've about come to the conclusion that Givi's selection of fork mounted fairings are hard to beat. For looks, protection and cost. I may try an A760 this summer. Kristi has some pictures of her A750 over in the ride report forum. They look good, and there may even be aftermarket screens for them.

[beemerphile]

I have one of these. It is the cats pajamas for wind protection...

http://www.hanniganmotorcyclefairings.c ... r1150r.htm


Lee

[Airman]

I have one of these. It is the cats pajamas for wind protection...
http://www.hanniganmotorcyclefairings.c ... r1150r.htm
Lee

Not my style. I'd rather have a smaller, lighter fork mounted fairing. But... If I was inclined to do this, a setup I have seen done once is a adaptation of the R1000RS fairing which I consider to be a really good looking fairing on the RR. The fellow who posted the pictures allowed that it was not a casual installation and not for the faint of heart. Some clever fabrication was called for.
Even the fairly simple Fallert installation made me say unkind things to my bike. I will probably do the A760 as a said. I need to look around, I think I saw a windscreen dealer that made screens at least for the A146's and the like. Zero Gravity perhaps ?

[rdsmith3]

just a thought -- I don't mean this to be critical -- at what point do you trade the Roadster in for an RT? If you find that you want more wind protection, it seems that all the solutions I have read about in this forum over the last four years are a compromise, at best.

[beemerphile]

-- at what point do you trade the Roadster in for an RT? If you find that you want more wind protection, it seems that all the solutions I have read about in this forum over the last four years are a compromise, at best.

I bought the Roadster for the sole purpose of wearing the Hannigan. To me it is the RT that is the compromise. The Hannigan / R combination is the best long distance tourer I have ridden. Specifically, vs. the RT, the Hannigan / R:

* Has better wind & weather protection

* Has much more internal storage space

* Is repairable (hand-laid fiberglas vs. injection-molded plastic)

* Does not need fairing parts removal for maintenance

* If ordered with the mid-lowers instead of the full lowers it does not encase parts of the exhaust system within the fairing. And if you are into motorcycles, you can actually see most of the motor.

* It has a wide, deep, flat dashboard on which to mount the GPS, radar detector, and other electronic necessities without a lot of Rube Goldberg bracketry.

* It has a standard 7" round headlight which is easily fitted with a true projector beam bixenon HID headlight vs. the compromised H4 replacements fitted to the RT.

* Using an R allowed me to fit Al Jesse aluminum luggage in place of the fragile plastic boxes on the RT.

* It is about $3,000 cheaper.

I am sure there are more that I've forgotten. I didn't buy my R to ride as an R. I bought it as a platform for a custom tourer. Something like the RT that is built for mass market is intentionally a compromise of fit, function, and cost to meet the largest possible mix of needs (read: size of market). Because mine is purpose built for a market size of one, it may fit nobodys needs but my own, but it fits me exactly. The R is a great basic two cylinder BMW. It has many technological advances over my old Airhead BMW, but it does not do technology for technology's sake. The Hannigan fairing has been a staple of BMW-dom for 30 years. It has survived because it works. Jerry Heil's craftsmanship is world class. - Lee

[beemerphile]

My bike visits the Hannigan factory in Paris, AR (shown with Jerry Heil - Owner of Hannigan Fairings):

[rdsmith3]

beemerphile

I wasn't commenting on Hannigan in particular -- I don't know anything about them -- just fairings in general. If you look at all the posts on this board and the old one over the last four years regarding wind screens and fairings, you will see that very few people have found a satisfactory solution to wind issues. I am glad that you have found something that works for you.

[Boxer]

I have found a satisfactory solution in my BMW Touring shield. For me its a great compromise between loving the wind and wanting a little protection for touring. Now if I could just find a lightweight, quiet helmet to replace my aging noisey Nolan flip-up!

[beemerphile]

beemerphile

...very few people have found a satisfactory solution to wind issues.

Finding a minimalist, fork-mounted, stylish windscreen that provides a "satisfactory solution to wind issues" is impossible if your definition of "satisfactory solution" means well-controlled noise and no helmet buffeting. It's like trying to find a pocket gun that shoots as strong as a .44 magnum. You give up something for what you gain in compactness. These small fairings and windshields usually help but don't fix the problems as evidenced by Boxer's search for a "quiet helmet" to go with his "satisfactory" BMW Touring shield. With the Hannigan it does not matter for noise level what kind of helmet you wear or whether the faceshield is up or down.

GS riders have searched in vain for years for the low noise, no buffeting add-on windshield. I had one on my GS that buffeted my head around so badly that I took it off and strapped it to the back of the bike for the trip home because the undisturbed airflow was more comfortable. Since I often ride successive 800-1000 mile days I'll take the .44 magnum. My old KLR with the flyscreen was nice for a couple of hundred miles or so. If that is the duration of your rides, there are lots of "solutions".

.

[priapismic]

I will probably do the A760 as a said. I need to look around, I think I saw a windscreen dealer that made screens at least for the A146's and the like.

Here are some picts of the Givi A760 on my bike. I added a Saeng Wing tip to the top edge for adjustable additional wind management.

[Airman]

I will probably do the A760 as a said. I need to look around, I think I saw a windscreen dealer that made screens at least for the A146's and the like.

Here are some picts of the Givi A760 on my bike. I added a Saeng Wing tip to the top edge for adjustable additional wind management.

I appreciate the pictures of the A760. It may be just what I need.
Tell me though why you added the Saeng wing. Were you looking for still air or did the A760 channel the air too low ? And, did you look for aftermarket screens that might push the airflow higher ? I suspect what my Fallert needed was a turnup of the screen to direct flow as the air directly behind the fairing was quite still.
I see that the A760 only has one mounting point as opposed to two on the upper body of the fairing on Kristi's A750. How is it mounted ?
As far as the BMW touring screen; It's not perfect, but it gives good rain and bug protection. It IS noisy, and you can feel the buffeting from the turbulent airflow on the freeway. That may not be it's fault. Could be any screen will reflect that bumping to the frame.

beemerphile,
Nice pictures of your bike. The black Jesse cases look really good.
Overall a very clean nice installation of selected accessories.

[priapismic]

I apprciate the pictures of the A760. It may be just what I need.
Tell me though why you added the Saeng wing. Were you looking for still air or did the A760 channel the air too low ? And, did you look for aftermarket screens that might push the airflow higher ? I suspect what my Fallert needed was a turnup of the screen to direct flow as the air directly behind the fairing was quite still.
I see that the A760 only has one mounting point as opposed to two on the upper body of the fairing on Kristi's A750. How is it mounted ?

I added the Saeng wing tip to attempt to move the airflow over my head and reduce the wind noise in my ears. The air wasn't turbulent, just noisy. Behind the fairing my torso is in nice calm air, but due to the wrap-around shape of the shield I get lots of noisy air coming off the sides of the screen. Interestingly, I can move the wing tip up for calmer but noisier air, or tilt it so that the airlflow comes right into my face, where it's quieter.
The A760 mounts to the headlight mounting bolts, plus there are support struts that run to the handlebars, where clamps on either side allow for some up/down adjustability of the entire fairing. Hard to see in this pict, but look closely next to the tach and speedo and you can spot the support struts.

[vinman]

I have one of these. It is the cats pajamas for wind protection...

http://www.hanniganmotorcyclefairings.c ... r1150r.htm


Lee

Just my opinion but I think the hannigan fairing completely ruins the style and lines of the bike. I'm sure it probably gives good wind protection but at a very high price.

[beemerphile]

Just my opinion but I think the hannigan fairing completely ruins the style and lines of the bike. I'm sure it probably gives good wind protection but at a very high price.

If you want "style and lines" get a Harley. This is for people who ride rather than sit and admire their bikes. "Style and Lines" have an even higher price than the Hannigan - the price of discomfort on long trips. Listen to priapismic talk about trying to cure the horrible noise caused by his cute fairing. Oh, you don't make long trips? Get a Harley. Oh, and get a trailer too.

It must be that the R1150R.net crowd is composed of people without a lot of history on BMW bikes. The "style and lines" of the "R" including it's Mod Deco Fenderbeak monstrosity is the neue David Robb style BMW that most long-term BMW afficiandos see as new age crap. David is a "style and lines" kind of guy. Probably hasn't ridden one from the front porch to the kitchen. BMW's have been wearing Hannigans for 30 years. Most of their owners probably don't give two toots in hell for "style and lines".

[priapismic]

Interesting how all the Hannigan fairings we've seen in this thread have some sort of wind management added in the form of a wing/windshield extension at the very top of the windscrren, No?

[beemerphile]

Interesting how all the Hannigan fairings we've seen in this thread have some sort of wind management added in the form of a wing/windshield extension at the very top of the windscrren, No?

The bubble comes with the fairing unless you order the short sport windshield. The windshield is fitted to shoulder-height. You look over the top of the bubble if you sit very straight, but through it if you slouch a bit. This is the same way most touring shields are sized except some of the jumbos (Markland, etc.) on Gold Wings. The advantages of the bubble, over a taller shield are many. It has less wind resistance (drag) than a taller shield. It doesn't create as much backdraft to blow an open visor down. You can look out to the sides of it as well as over the top when it is obscured by rain and such. Sometimes it gets obscured by all the bugs I didn't eat and I have to look around it until I stop for gas. I am claustrophobic and don't enjoy a closed faceshield. I've had a Gold Wing, A GS with a Parabellum, and BMW-RT's and this is the first thing that has really worked with an open shield. - Lee

[GeoffJ]

The Hannigan is a nice functional fairing, but its retro styling is better suited for older boxers. It doesn't compliment the R1150. I use BMW's short windshield on my '96 R1100R. It works fine.

[LonestaRR]

web site for the Wing Tip as shown in Priapismic's post: http://www.saeng.com/default.htm I've ordered the edging they offer that applies to the edge of the windshield to help cut down on noise and some wind. The testimonials were encouraging regarding it. It's a cheap alternative to the wing tip. It may not work as well, but it's a place to start. Since I am not that tall, it may be all I need. Link to the edging they offer
http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm

[owldaddy]

I personally have always liked the Hannigan fairing. I lusted for one way back in 78 when I bought my GS 750. I ended up with a Vetter Vindicator for that bike, just because I made a deal with the Suzuki dealer, he had a bike that needed a new paint job, I wanted a fairing. I did the custom paint on a GS 550 for him, and in return he gave me a new Vetter. Having a full sized fairing had many positve aspects to it. Storage and comfort were the biggest. I had a machine shop at my disposal in those days, and made many custom parts for that Suzuki. Always trying to make the bike a more enjoyable experience. I never rode that bike naked again. I rode that machine for almost 20 years. I find myself doing to the R1150R, the same thing I did to my old GS. Taking a naked bike, and adding the things that make it more enjoyable. Riding should be fun and enjoyable. If it isn't, why do it? I have been watching the disscussion about fairings on this board for quite awhile now, and have not seen one of the biggest arguments for frame mounted fairings vs fork mounted fairings made. Frame mounted fairings dont have a direct connection to the front wheel, and are less likely to impart steering inputs in a wind. When was the last time you saw a fork mounted fairing, mounted to a REAL performance machine? Smooth airflow is a must when speeds rise, or you will have a very ill handling bike, and you just don't get that with a fork mounted unit. Having said all this, I use a BMW touring screen. It was the easiest way to get some protection from bugs, birds, and wind. I will probually look at a frame mounted fairing again next year. Maybe I will finally get that Hannigan fairing I lusted after 28 years ago, maybe not, but there are few other choices to look at now. As far as the argument that the Hannigan makes the R bike look retro, I submit that the retro look is selling a lot of NEW bikes. I look around and see new bikes, like the Triumph 900 Scrambler, Bonneville, and all the new Asian V twins with a retro look. Even Ducati is doing it. Retro sells these days, and of course HD wouldn't be selling any motorcycles if that were not the case. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What I think may be beautiful, isn't the same as what someone else will. So I will continue to do those things to my bike that make it a more enjoyable experiance. Having a good time while riding, and enjoying it, makes it a more beautiful machine in my eyes. I certainly didn't buy the R1150R because I liked the lines, I thought it was weird looking at first. I bought it because I took it for a test ride, and fell in love with the way it made me feel. I enjoyed riding it, the handling and ride quality was wonderful, and so I plunked down my hard earned cash. I always come home with a smile on my face after a ride. So I believe we all should do what makes the riding experiance more enjoyable. If coming home with bugs in your teeth is what does it for you, then do it. If your of the mind to have a quieter ride, with less wind in your face, then find a way to get that. What ever it takes to make the ride more enjoyable to YOU. I know my R will be the most beautiful bike on the planet, because of the way it makes me feel, it doesn't matter what other folks think of the looks. So get out there and have fun, feel good about your ride.
Don