Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
ORIGINAL: dstockton
Depends on your temps. I do wear chaps with mine when the temps are below 40. Also, we get real hot humid weather here in Memphis so I remove the lowers during the very hot summer months. You get a lot more airflow on your torso as well as your legs with the lowers removed. Course, you get caught in the rain, you get wetter as well.
Depends on your temps. I do wear chaps with mine when the temps are below 40. Also, we get real hot humid weather here in Memphis so I remove the lowers during the very hot summer months. You get a lot more airflow on your torso as well as your legs with the lowers removed. Course, you get caught in the rain, you get wetter as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
My theory with the lowers (much like an opinion/a$$hole that everyone has and most stink) is the MOCO would not design something for the bike if it did not work. If you look at the shpe of the lower it directs air into the motor. While I dohave the quick detatch kit from Rivco to remove the lowers in the warm weather, it is perfectly safe to leave them on. I do notice more heat from the engine on the raod, but, I believe that is from more air being directed to the engine by the lower's shape, therefor blowing hotter air out onto your legs etc... I do still take them off in the warmer weather for personal comfort. Less heat being blown onto you. Just my theory/opinion.
Neil
Neil
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,440
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From: Columbus,Indiana/ Arecibo,Puerto Rico
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
I have never taken my lowers off, since new. and I wear chapps most of the time ,if the temp is below 90. But WHY doesn,t somebody make a pair of chapps that is vented like my coat???? H/D makes a leather coat,and gloves. But I have never seen a pairof vented chapps.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
Likes: 6
From: Upstate New York
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
haha,, chaps for looks?? saftey???
whoever said that, apparently does not live in the north, and never experienced frozen knee caps!! lol
whoever said that, apparently does not live in the north, and never experienced frozen knee caps!! lol
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 440
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From:
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
My 06 has the vented leg fairings which give you plenty of options. I really like these for the protection they offer from the element, bugs, rocks etc.I alsobelieve they offer better cooling for the engine by directing more air to it.
Chaps are still nice on a cold ride and offer even more protection if you should happen to go down.
Chaps are still nice on a cold ride and offer even more protection if you should happen to go down.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,291
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From:
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
Good chaps will save your skin if you go down, just like a good jacket.
As far as rain goes , not much help there if it lasts long. Here in Georgia most guys take their lowers off in summer to get a bit more cooling for them and the motor.
As far as rain goes , not much help there if it lasts long. Here in Georgia most guys take their lowers off in summer to get a bit more cooling for them and the motor.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
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From:
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
ORIGINAL: TowJam
Most of my riding will be here in the North Texas area where our summer temps easily hit the 3 digit mark. In addition, I spend a lot of time sitting in stop & go traffic. It's a bitch on the Dyna so I expect it'll be worse on an Ultra. On the other hand, the lack of wind and weather protection on my legs isn't fun on the Dyna (and I really really really don't want to invest in chaps).
ORIGINAL: dstockton
Depends on your temps. I do wear chaps with mine when the temps are below 40. Also, we get real hot humid weather here in Memphis so I remove the lowers during the very hot summer months. You get a lot more airflow on your torso as well as your legs with the lowers removed. Course, you get caught in the rain, you get wetter as well.
Depends on your temps. I do wear chaps with mine when the temps are below 40. Also, we get real hot humid weather here in Memphis so I remove the lowers during the very hot summer months. You get a lot more airflow on your torso as well as your legs with the lowers removed. Course, you get caught in the rain, you get wetter as well.
I ride in North Dallas and was advised by HD mechanic to take the lowers off during the hot season to keep as much air flowing around the engine especially while sitting in traffic on 121, 35, Central Exp, etc.
I even went as far as to put on a parade fan that kicks on and forces air around the fins.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
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From: USA
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
I ride in North Dallas and was advised by HD mechanic to take the lowers off during the hot season to keep as much air flowing around the engine especially while sitting in traffic on 121, 35, Central Exp, etc.
I even went as far as to put on a parade fan that kicks on and forces air around the fins.
I even went as far as to put on a parade fan that kicks on and forces air around the fins.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 29
From: Arkansas Ozarks
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
I prefer to wear chaps when on my Ultra so as to keep theengine heat off my legs, I thinkit's actually cooler with my chaps on.
As for vented chaps, what I didwas to have the zipper installed upside down. This way I can snap the bottom staps and when it gets real warm I can unzip the zipperfrom the bottom up about halfwayto get some venting.
As for vented chaps, what I didwas to have the zipper installed upside down. This way I can snap the bottom staps and when it gets real warm I can unzip the zipperfrom the bottom up about halfwayto get some venting.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Newport TN
RE: Ultra questions: Lower fairings, chaps
When we start haveing the 85* days the lowers come off. 10 min each side and they are off. . More air to me and to the engine. When our days highs are only in the 80s the lowersgo back on.Chaps go on and off when the legs start getting cold. the fleece lined jeans start going on whenjust the Chaps start getting alittle cold. Right now it's long john bottoms, fleece lined jeans and lowers, but we seldomhave a high of 55* now. So warm isgood.