Ran into a cross country tourer-
06-15-09, 04:21 PM
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Le Crocodile
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Ran into a cross country tourer-
bike5 009.jpg
Commuter passing, tourer in the background.
bike5 014.jpg
Inside the cockpit. Full electronics etc.
bike5 011.jpg
Riding the bike.
Ran into this tourer here in Santa Barbara, California on his way to Florida. Seemed like a real nice guy.
The wind was very mild and a tad gusty (maybe 10 MPH) and his bike was all over the road. Maybe he just needs to get used to handling it in the gusts.
Talked to him a little bit, and checked out his ride. Had all his stuff stashed within the front and rear fairings.
I have my reservations, but I hope his trip comes out great.
Commuter passing, tourer in the background.
bike5 014.jpg
Inside the cockpit. Full electronics etc.
bike5 011.jpg
Riding the bike.
Ran into this tourer here in Santa Barbara, California on his way to Florida. Seemed like a real nice guy.
The wind was very mild and a tad gusty (maybe 10 MPH) and his bike was all over the road. Maybe he just needs to get used to handling it in the gusts.
Talked to him a little bit, and checked out his ride. Had all his stuff stashed within the front and rear fairings.
I have my reservations, but I hope his trip comes out great.
06-15-09, 07:35 PM
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Le Crocodile
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Yep. He was all over the road, swaying/weaving back and forth a good 10 feet in a balmy wind.
I asked him about the fairing's wind worthiness, and he stated that it was superior to any conventional touring bike. Hmmmmm.
He put so much work into it, but I really doubt that configuration will stand up.
06-16-09, 06:55 PM
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06-17-09, 04:08 AM
#10
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It looks like it would have more drag even in a head wind but looks can be deceiving so maybe not.
The real problem is that a lot of the time when touring you are in a side wind of some sort or are buffeted by the wakes of passing vehicles. It seem like that rig would work very poorly in those conditions.
I also wonder how fairings are in really hot weather. It seems like the lack of a cooling breeze might be a disadvantage when it is 100+ F. Can any one who has ridden a fully faired bike comment?
The real problem is that a lot of the time when touring you are in a side wind of some sort or are buffeted by the wakes of passing vehicles. It seem like that rig would work very poorly in those conditions.
I also wonder how fairings are in really hot weather. It seems like the lack of a cooling breeze might be a disadvantage when it is 100+ F. Can any one who has ridden a fully faired bike comment?
06-17-09, 07:09 AM
#11
ah.... sure.
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I can't imagine riding that thing along say Hwy 2 in Montana with triple trailer semi trucks passing at 70 plus MPH.... that would be interesting to say the least. The wind blast is pretty impressive on a regular touring bike with panniers. This looks like trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist to begin with.
Have to give him points for being creative I suppose.
Have to give him points for being creative I suppose.
