How efficientare the fairings on the 650r in protecting the rider from the wind & rain? I'm itching to get back to riding something a bit more sporting, but I'vegotten a little spoiled riding a cruiser with a windshield.I really like the look and feel of the 650, but I have not found a dealer that will allow test rides.

 

On newer sport bikes, there is a pretty good selection out there for aftermarket screens. You might like the euro screen (with the little raised lip at the top of the curve.) These seem to deflect fairly well, unless you're tall enough to be right in the path of the slightly higher flow of air.
IMHO.

 

welcome to KF. ive never seen a dealer offer test rides on sport bikes. good luck on your search

 

Good luck in finding a dealer that allows test rides let alone just sitting on the ride. Welcome to KF!

 

Thanks for the great "Welcomes" I've been lurking here & some other forums, but just decided to join this one. I'm in my mid-fifties and have been riding for a whole lot of years. As I said earlier, the last few years have been on a cruiser, but I'm feeling the need to get back to my sporting roots. All the articles on the 650r make it look very appealing. I'm not in the market for the fastest crotch-rocket, but I still want something with decent power and good upright ergos. I've also looked at the Versys & really like it, with the same engine but retuned for even better midrange, but dang, the 650r just looks so darned cool! I did get to sit on one at a dealership, and it felt like it fit me pretty well, but I'm 6'1", so I might have looked too big for it, It did feel good to me.
Here in Florida, we haven't had any of the bad winter conditions that a lot of places have been having, but we did get pretty chilly for the last couple of evening, so it made me wonder about the wind protection thing.On the photos I've seen online, the fairing does look like it will give the legs a little protection, but I have no firsthand knowledge (since I get get a test tide- do you hear that KAWASAKI?). How's the wind blast over the stock windshield for taller guys like me?

 

Sly One, you tried the older zx10's on for size? I agree that the 650 looks great, just threw an opinion out there for an established rider, the wind protection is pretty good and the ride is stable at speeds.

 

Thanks for the suggestion of the ZX10, buthavingover 170 HP is justtoo much to have under me. I'm too tempted to use it. That's why I'm considering the 650r or the Versys.