The Maier fairing question

[zoombody]

Hey folks,

I'm in need of a left upper fairing for my pre 600 (I bought it without one). The going rate on eBay for an OEM panel seems to be above retail for the Maier part ($150 regular, $100 clearance). I know this is an old debate, but how is the quality of the Maier fairings? A lot of people have complained in the past about the quality being somewhat lacking, but much of that seems to have to do with the fact that apparently they used to be fiberglass. I'm looking specifically for information on people's experiences with their current production model, which is ABS. Does the cost difference make it a worthwhile choice?

To try to keep this thread relevant to the present, please only reply if you have worked with a recent ABS Maier fairing or have another alternative you can highly recommend.

Thanks!

[steves]

They are crap. Don't waste your money.

Troll ebay until you find a rough piece of plastic and repair it... so long as the plastic behind the mirror isn't shattered it's easily repairable.

[zoombody]

They are crap. Don't waste your money.

For my reference, what's the most recent Maier you've used?

[steves]

For my reference, what's the most recent Maier you've used?

2006. Like I said, they are crap. No two of them seem to fit the same, and one of my uppers felt like it was a 95% sized model.

[zoombody]

Cool, thanks. Unless anyone else can indicate that something has changed since 2006, I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled for a suitable used OEM part on eBay, and I'll put a request up on here after I've accumulated enough posts.

[steves]

I don't even think they are currently in production... I think they are selling off whatever was left of their last runs for the machines.

[The CyberPoet]

I agree 100% with Steves. Had the same basic issue with the GF's Ninja 500 when I bought the Maier for her bike -- arrived, I tried to fit it, I put it back in the box and sold it on eBay, then got the OEM ones repaired instead. Plastic welding is a great boon

Something to think about: if you order OEM [Suzuki] fairings new, they come pre-painted in the color-code you specify. That means no secondary cost in painting.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[zoombody]

My other fairings need to be repainted anyway, so I'm not concerned about color matching. Good point, though.

When shopping for a used fairing, what isn't repairable? I assume I should stay away from anything with broken mounting tabs. Anything else that's a deal breaker?

[ThAzKat]

If you own a pre98 katana, you have to learn how to repair and/or plastic weld! OEM is basically nonexistant and after markets are getting thin also.

[zoombody]

If you own a pre98 katana, you have to learn how to repair and/or plastic weld! OEM is basically nonexistant and after markets are getting thin also.

Got that. Now I'm wondering what isn't easily repairable. I don't mind doing some work but I don't want to get in totally over my head.

[ThAzKat]

get a plastic panel and practice before attacking such things as stress points.

[zoombody]

get a plastic panel and practice before attacking such things as stress points.

Other than the mounting points, are there other stress points to be particularly concerned about?

[ThAzKat]

Other than the mounting points, are there other stress points to be particularly concerned about?

all mounting points, right at the bend at the tank can be. Most concern is the mains.

[The CyberPoet]

http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=100623

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet