May we be honest about the RS fairing?

[Bluethumb]

In the summer very hot in slow moving, stop and go traffic. No where near as hot as any K bike, K75 or K100. I use to take the lowers off when temps got warmer which helped considerably.

[Moonshiner]

I dunno, my '77 RS is a helluva lot more comfortable to ride in wet or cool weather than my '94 R11RS, I can tell you that.

But then, I've only been riding my '77 for 11 years, and it's the ONLY fully-faired bike I've ever owned.

[Max Headroom]

Originally Posted by Airhead Wrangler

Except for this which came over 20 years earlier. The RS is often quoted as being the first bike with a full factory fairing. I think even BMW claimed that at the time. It just wasn't.


1954 Vincent Black Prince
*snip*

Yeah, I've seen that quote too, but I've also seen the RS referred to as the first production bike with a full factory fairing, which is probably closer to the truth.

I understand that there were only about 200 Black Princes built during a production run lasting less than two years, so they are a rather elusive animal. Ya gotta admit, they have the looks only a mother could love . . .

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Yeah, I've seen that quote too, but I've also seen the RS referred to as the first production bike with a full factory fairing, which is probably closer to the truth.

I understand that there were only about 200 Black Princes built during a production run lasting less than two years, so they are a rather elusive animal. Ya gotta admit, they have the looks only a mother could love . . .

That's just one example, I'm sure there were others. I'd still consider the black prince a production bike. The only reason only 200 were made is that A) they were butt ugly, as you pointed out and B) Vincent went out of business

[LonerDave]

Originally Posted by blaine.hale

I think another big claim of it was being the first wind tunnel tested bike.

I have heard that is was Moto Guzzi that first built and used a wind tunnel for motorcycle design (1950?), and that BMW rented it from MG when they started testing fairings. Possibly urban legend perpetuated by guzzisti.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by LonerDave

I have heard that is was Moto Guzzi that first built and used a wind tunnel for motorcycle design (1950?), and that BMW rented it from MG when they started testing fairings. Possibly urban legend perpetuated by guzzisti.

Um, yeah, I'd call that legend. They used Pininfarina's wind tunnel, at least that's where they took all the photos.. It's plainly visible in all the photos. They're an Italian coach builder turned design house that did design work for Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, and plenty of other non-italian car makers.




Moto Guzzi does have a wind tunnel though:

[jellycow]

Originally Posted by ozmoses

I was gonna say, maybe I'm doing it wrong!

Yeah, your osmosis all over the place!

Maybe time to change your nickname?

[gsd4me]

Originally Posted by Airhead Wrangler

Except for this which came over 20 years earlier. The RS is often quoted as being the first bike with a full factory fairing. I think even BMW claimed that at the time. It just wasn't.


1954 Vincent Black Prince

I`m trying to remember the name of another British manufacturer that supplied a factory full fairing which also included a deeply valanced front mudguard. I had the idea that it was Royal Enfield, but can`t seem to find any info. Ideas anyone?

[FR700]

[gsd4me]

^ Nope; the bike I`m thinking about was a four stroke. Wish I hadn`t thrown out all those " The Classic Motorcycle" magazines.

[FR700]

Originally Posted by GSD4ME

^ Nope; the bike I`m thinking about was a four stroke. Wish I hadn`t thrown out all those " The Classic Motorcycle" magazines.

... maybe it's not ALL about you


The thread did wander into who had the first factory fairing ... it sure as shit wasn't bm'.

.