What Are Fairings For Motorcycles

Put simply, fairings are panels placed on a motorcycle to manipulate airflow. On racing motorcycles, they are installed to make a bike more aerodynamic. This is important mostly at higher speeds. Drag, also known as air resistance, increases at the square of velocity, so much more power is required to overcome air pressure as a motorcycle moves faster.

Full fairing
This Yamaha Tracer GT is sporting a half fairing. Yamhaha photo.

Another way airflow is manipulated with a fairing, particularly on touring and sport-touring motorcycles, is using the fairing to create a pocket of less turbulent air in the cockpit. This calmer area reduces buffeting for the rider and also decreases the amount of energy a rider needs to expend in order to maintain his position on the motorcycle, generally making the rider more comfortable.

Full fairing again
This is a first-gen Kawasaki Concours. Note the large front fairing that’s just as important to keep the rider comfortable as it is for aerodynamic advantage — and maybe even moreso. RevZilla photo.

Fairings are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber, and polymers. Coverage can range from a small “quarter fairing” or “bikini fairing” that simply shrouds the headlight all the way up to a full “streamliner,” or fully enclosed motorcycle body, leaving only the very bottom of the wheels exposed. There are many steps in between, and plenty of specific nomenclature describing either the coverage provided, the area of the motorcycle that’s covered, or simply the appearance of the fairing or the manufacturer that popularized a style.

Bikini fairing
Here’s a Harley Dyna Glide wearing a bikini or “quarter” fairing. This provides minimal wind protection to the rider. RevZilla photo.

For example, in addition to the quarter fairing, there are half fairings and full fairings. It should be easy for most readers to understand where belly fairings and chin fairings can be found. Dustbin fairings look like their namesake and were an effort at streamlining from an earlier era, while Dunstall fairings were originally made by the company of the same name.

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Fairings were originally added to motorcycles modified for racing use, but bodywork slowly began to be planned into street motorcycles as delivered from manufacturers. Fairings are now considered integral to the design of many motorcycles, including touring bikes, sport-tourers, and race replicas. In fact, many motorcycle fairings have interesting shapes and styles that are often stylish “signatures” for particular models.

Sometimes the wrapper is just as important as what’s inside.

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