Naked versus Screen

[dawnrazor]

See, this is odd because in nearly 40 years, I've never experienced any problems with neck on long rides (did Auckland to Wellington, and back same day once). Arse, yes, I've been so arse sore I couldn't stand up. Wrists , yes (more vibration though, turns them numb, they hurt once feeling comes back). Hands, legs, thighs , shoulders, back. Never had a sore neck . I think maybe it's a tourer vs sprotsbike thing. My bikes are always set up for touring (well, the ones I'll be doing long distances/high speeds on, trailies etc are obviously different). A naked sprotsbike , maybe not. Naked tourer, shouldn't be a problem. Tourers are very rare now though, so maybe that's why people feel they need screens. Got to admit though, screen is REAL nice when it starts raining!

Yeah you might a have a good point there, it is rare to find a naked bike that you can sit into that hasn't got a sports angle or for that matter isn't more cruiser like in appearence, good friend had a honda 400 - 4 which he toured all over europe with a tankbag and a set of panniers, can't think of a modern bike that is unfaired in this class, the naked tourer. I guess the advantages of big screens and fairings are too many, just look at any BMW

[Hitcher]

Riding a naked bike certainly makes one more aware of the speed at which one is travelling. Amongst the things I had to get used to when transitioning from a ZRX1200R to the ST1300 was not just the willingness of the ST to gain speed (after all the Zrex was not unwilling in this regard) but also its ability to do this without me noticing. A screen is nice to deflect wind off one's chest, particularly in cold weather, and bugs off one's visor but there is something "elemental" and "raw" about riding a naked bike.

[Ixion]

Yeah you might a have a good point there, it is rare to find a naked bike that you can sit into that hasn't got a sports angle or for that matter isn't more cruiser like in appearence, good friend had a honda 400 - 4 which he toured all over europe with a tankbag and a set of panniers, can't think of a modern bike that is unfaired in this class, the naked tourer. I guess the advantages of big screens and fairings are too many, just look at any BMW

I personally maintain that the steering head height relative to the seat on modern bikes is too low for touring. The result is that the rider is forced forward into a crouch, with load on arms and back, and also has to tilt his head back in order to see the road ahead. Which is probably where the neck pain comes from, the airflow hitting the already tilted back head and trying to force it further back. When riding here should be no load on the head at all, the head being inclined FORWARD. The back shoulders and head should form a straight line , inclined somewhat forward (the amount of inclination depending on cruising speed) , with the lower legs at the same angle as the body. Upper legs and upper arms at right angles to the body (more or less), which should bring lower arms almost horizontal. In this position you can ride all day on a naked bike without strain. it's the arse that gives out.

[zadok]

All I know is, as much as I liked my last naked bike, I won't be geting another one. Travelling any reasonable distance gave me a pain behind my left shoulder. No such problem with the new bike. I think a bikini fairing would be the best compromise. The SV's come with that option as far as I know.

[Jonty]

To be honest my personal preference is a fully faired bike as everytime I see a naked bike I am reminded of the god awful XL185 (with the big round headlight) and an old Kawasaki (can't remember what it was) that I was forced to ride as a kid when everyone else had a KDX CR or YZ.

Something that has always interested me is that when you look at the new cages coming out for example, they are generally always a more modern look than its predecessor. Even the new Minis have had a modern upgrade. Having said this, why is it then, that motorcyclist seem insistant on riding something that was "modern" in the 70's or 80's? I realise many like to see the build of the bike and how it is not covered up with plastic and this I completely agree with.

That said, why revert to something that still has old stylings (eg big round headlight, twin rear shocks etc? (referring to the thruxton etc). In the end it all comes down to personal preference and I think everyone needs to be happy with their bike. But for me I have never managed to warm up the naked bike.

[Sniper]

Im not a fan of nakeds for that very reason KS. Although, the new SV650 looks nice.

[Ixion]

Im not a fan of nakeds for that very reason KS. Although, the new SV650 looks nice.

So , question here. I've always thought of modern naked bikes as being tourers . But the SV650 is a sprotsbike, is it not? So if they have a sprotsbike with a fairing, and they put out a naked version, do they change the riding position. Is is the naked bike just the faired sprotsbike with the fairing removed .I must try to look at a "Thruxton" (The Triumph , not the real Thruxton) and see what the riding position on it is. In theory it should be set up as a fast tourer.

[Pancakes]

Jonty, same reason people want to drive Valiants. Not cos they handle well! Bikes are different to cars in that they're ridden for fun so style is way more of a deciding factor. Me, I like the chrome etc of a naked bike but not the harley/cruiser style. Having the engine right out there is cool too.

[Beemer]

I've noticed a few subtle differences after riding the Goose - for a start I get much colder in the chest region than on previous bikes. Even with a neck sock and the neck insert in my DriRider jacket, it is noticeably cooler. The low bars mean I usually get a bit of a stiff neck anyway, but I have noticed a lot less pain in my wrists and arms from riding.

At speeds above 120 it is a bit breezy and you do tend to notice that you are going at that speed pretty quickly! Not enough to put me off, but I am hankering towards a small Givi screen as the wind seems to whip right under the front of my helmet too, making my face quite cold.

I do like the look of it without a screen though, so I may leave it for a while and see how I get on.

[limbimtimwim]

As some of you know I ride a VTR250. ... And as for an upgrade, if I take up bodybuilding and pile on some weight, perhaps the naked may be the way to go, but in the meantime, think I'll stick to something with a fairing.

When I first went 100+ on mt vtr (2 years ago.. Heck..), I couldn't handle how my head was being chucked around by the wind, being twisted side to side.

Anyway, I stopped noticing and got used to it. Perhaps my neck got stronger, who knows. I don't really get that tired riding unless the roads are straight, then my legs cramp up.

[Ixion]

I've noticed a few subtle differences after riding the Goose - for a start I get much colder in the chest region than on previous bikes. Even with a neck sock and the neck insert in my DriRider jacket, it is noticeably cooler. The low bars mean I usually get a bit of a stiff neck anyway, but I have noticed a lot less pain in my wrists and arms from riding.

At speeds above 120 it is a bit breezy and you do tend to notice that you are going at that speed pretty quickly! Not enough to put me off, but I am hankering towards a small Givi screen as the wind seems to whip right under the front of my helmet too, making my face quite cold.

I do like the look of it without a screen though, so I may leave it for a while and see how I get on.

A naked bike is certainly going to be colder than a faired one - and you'll get wet. Bad weather is when a fairing and screen is really nice. Warm and dry and no need for waterproofs!

Experiment with your bars, not just height, but how far back they come. Often the HEIGHT is right, but the bars are too far forward, so you have to lean forward to reach them. Put the bike on its centre stand and sit on it (or prop it up vertically which is better, cos forks will be loaded) . Sit upright and straight , like you were back at school. Now lean forward, between 10 and 20 degrees depending on cruising speed. Bend your legs at right angles to your body, and your knees at right angles to the upper legs. Your feet should then rest on the foot rests. Put your arms out , bent, comfortably, as if you were typing something. Your hand should rest on the grips. If feet and hands are wrong, note what needs to move and adjust (easier said than done of course, modern bikes are shit for not having adjustable controls).

The correct position for touring on a bike is almost the same as the OSH guys say you should sit at when using a computer keyboard, just angled forward a bit (not much) , so your weight balance the wind force.

[Big Dave]

Screens are for Homos. Toughen UP!

[skelstar]

Something that has always interested me is that when you look at the new cages coming out for example, they are generally always a more modern look than its predecessor. Even the new Minis have had a modern upgrade. Having said this, why is it then, that motorcyclist seem insistant on riding something that was "modern" in the 70's or 80's?

I think the cost of a cage dictates that the style of a new cage has to be modern. A new car costs a lot of money (unless you buy shit). A new bike generally costs alot less, therefore the motorcyclist purchasing a new bike can afford to be more picky about the style of their new bike. Therefore there is a market that motorcycle manufacturers will cater for. People who want an old style (retro?) cage probably cant afford to spend $50 on what is essentially an old car with old technology. They are more likely to buy an old car and fix it up thats cheap as chips.

[thehollowmen]

*perk*
naked?

did I hear you were naked?


seriously though, my bike has an adjustable screen. Big difference between windblast, nothing and a turbulance trail off the lip rattling my helmet like a mad thing. And very very comfortable when set up right compared with naked bikes at high speed. Very uncomfortable to get your head bopping around with that turbulance.

Although, saying that.. you don't have to clean the screen on a naked bike because of all the pollen and salt spray.

[pritch]

Never deterred anyone before we had fairings!

Oh those rose tinted glasses... :-)

The things we rode in "the good old days" didn't really go fast enough to create decent wind pressure. If they did eventually wind up to any significant velocity oil would suddenly fountain out or bits would fall off.

My last bike was faired (K100RS) and I used to find I was accidentally doing the sort of speeds that result in confiscation these days. This time discretion suggested a bike where the wind pressure might provide a hint as to the pace. Not being a total masochist though I went for the fly screen opton.

I do wonder at BMW bring out a 160mph naked bike though. If you see a motorcyclist wandering around with his wrists dragging on the ground, he probably rides one of those.