Thanks Zen. Maybe I'll give the handguards a try too.
As for the lower fairing, I can't say that I've ridden the bike without it though I did put in a few miles on the demo bike. I don't think it makes much difference for weather protection since it is a fairly close fit to the bike. I bought it essentially to keep muck off the engine and thus easier to clean and less prone to corrosion. However, I haven't put the bike through a winter yet to know where the water and mud ends up. I did fit a fenda extenda to keep road spray off the down pipes. I think that helps.
I've not noticed any heat issues. When caught in stationary traffic, the fan tends to cut in a lot and sometimes you feel some warmish air wafting over the legs but it's not objectionable and some bikes are far worse. Keep the bike moving and there's no problem. I thought that the fan cutting in was due to the fairing and my radiator guard but I'm told that the fan cuts in a lot anyway due to the small rad which is believable.
My previous bike was an FJR where the fairing stuck out a lot more and gave better protection in the winter. The downside is that you don't get so much cooling air over your body in the summer. So, to me, the fairing looks good and keeps the bike a bit cleaner but don't expect it to give the sort of weather protection that something like a BMW RT or Gold Wing gives.
The biggest issue for me at the moment is the screen. My visor and shoulders get plastered in dead insects and I'm hoping that the air flow will take them higher over my head. If that works, the wind and rain should follow the same path. I'll let you know how I get on. While I'm fitting the screen, I'll wire in my Stebel horn as well.
