Experiences with California fairings?

[Mwether]

Hi, all.

There are so many options for screens/fairings, I'm trying to figure out what you've had the best experience with. For the record, I'm a shrimp (5'8", 160#) so rider size will probably not be a factor. Except for seeing over the thing! 

What I understand from y'all is that the H&H/Swanee/Pacifico Aero Foil is the gold standard. Pretty sure that's what's on these Cal IIIs?





The Swanees seem to be pretty uncommon(?), so if I can't find one, I'll be looking for whatever would be the silver medalist.

There's the full fiberglass job on some Cal IIIs.


And the EV OEM, which doesn't seem to have the best reputation??



Then you get into more minimalist ones and the aftermarket.





The lowers on this seem like they might be helpful?



I do like the idea of the smaller ones, at least in terms of forward visibility. It seems like they would provide the best view of the road but the least protection. I guess everything is a trade-off...

[bigbikerrick]

I am a fan of the national cycle plexifairing III. I have them on both my 76 Convert,and my 98 V 11 ev.  I went from the Guzzi 'barn door" windshield to the plexifairing 3 on the EV, since the barn door gave me alot of distortion due to its curves.  I have ridden a couple of ev's  with the swanee fairing, and it was nice, but IMHO, not necessarily  better than the national cycle.
Rick.

[Tom]

Plus one on the National Cycle Plexistar II & III windshields.  I have a II on my '97 California 1100i.  I've ridden on a California EV with a III.  The difference is the III extends a little longer to the turn signals.  It'll extend your riding season with better cold & wet weather coverage.  I'm your height and prefer the II for the weather that we have on my side of the island.  If I still lived in Mesa, AZ probably the III.  👍

[DoubleGuzzi]

Gotta say, from an across The Pond perspective, most of them look hideous. I'm biased away from "monster" bikes though, with few exceptions.
The Cal III one I like; reminds me of a better looking Vetter.
((((Scurries off...))))

[Mwether]

...The Cal III one I like; reminds me of a better looking Vetter.
((((Scurries off...))))

DG, I'm scurrying right with you!
 
That Cal III touring rig is growing on me. The fairing DOES look like a Quicksilver with a little Italian "non so che"!

[fotoguzzi]

There is also the Moto Guzzi Sport shield that was a fantastic summer time screen.

[glenm64]

Depends how much weather or air you want to keep off. Here in Oz you dont want to keep too much air out or you get hot in summer. I fitted a fairing from a Scura/Titanium to my 94 1100.

[DoubleGuzzi]

I fitted a fairing from a Scura/Titanium to my 94 1100.

Looks surprisingly good, as not the most obvious thing to do. The colour match helps a lot.

[lazlokovacs]

the first question is, what cruising speed are you aiming for?

Most barn door/police style screen will be perfectly serviceable up about 50mph but will become downright nasty above 70mph.

I found that the H&H or Swanee (they're the same design), really came into it's own at speeds above 80mph.

I used to cruise my Cali at 90+mph all day so the H&H was essential for me.

And on occasion I LOVED smoking a cigar behind that windscreen in total serenity!

[Mwether]

I fitted a fairing from a Scura/Titanium to my 94 1100.

That looks great, Glen!

[Mwether]

the first question is, what cruising speed are you aiming for?

Good question, lazlo.

I'm looking for effectiveness on US interstates, which sounds like the H&H/Swanee.

Why does something so functional have to look so goofy? 

[Ncdan]

[Stretch]

The Swanee on my California Touring is fantastic.

Haven't tried a plexifairing yet, but I hear good things about them.

                                             -Stretch

[Wayne Orwig]

I had a Plexifairing III on my California for over 100,000 miles. Put that on my EV when I got it. I always liked the Plexifairing, but the wind noise/rumble was bad. I tried a number of things and nothing helped.
I found a Swanee and installed that. It was magical. No more horrible rumble.

[LowRyter]

I've had Plexi fairing 2 & 3.  The 2 buffets really badly.  The PF3 does a good job.  I believe the moderator "Dan" found the PF3 for the Honda Shadow 750 is the right one.  I've got one on '98 EV.  Which BTW- would like to sell it to a new home.

[Mwether]

I've had Plexi fairing 2 & 3.  The 2 buffets really badly.  The PF3 does a good job.  I believe the moderator "Dan" found the PF3 for the Honda Shadow 750 is the right one. 

Thanks! I was wondering about this, since the fitment chart says there isn't a PF3 for the EVs...

...'98 EV.  Which BTW- would like to sell it to a new home.

I will send you a PM, good sir! 

[Mwether]

Dan, what fairing are you running on the CalVin here?

[lazlokovacs]

you have a fair few hundred thousand miles of Cali touring experience steering you to the H&H.

Paint it black and pinstripe it or something or paint it like an old loop police fairing, you'll love it!

[Ncdan]

Dan, what fairing are you running on the CalVin here?

The Clearview, tallest available. I also incorporate the Harley fork wind deflectors. This combo offers a great dead air space which I find comfortable on long rides. Also offers good rain, bug and debris protection.

[DoubleGuzzi]

..Also offers good rain, bug and debris protection.

Much needed when wearing short leg pale trousers and exposed socks. 

[lazlokovacs]

FWIW my friend had a calvin and put on some home made fork deflectors. (think he posted on here as elvis a couple of times, so there may even be pictures of his bike up somewhere...) He asid they really helped with the buffeting. I tried his bike and it was not even close to how good the H&H functions.

[dguzzi]

 I use a Gustafson windshield on my stock EVTouring fairing, I bought the tall one thinking I would trim the bottom if I wanted to lower it. Heck its so nice I left it it tall, it works great!  I think the little curve at the top is important.  I'm 6' in case that's a factor.