A motorcycle fairing is a protective shell that wraps around the frame of a motorcycle, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, to deflect wind and reduce air drag. The primary function of a fairing is to reduce aerodynamic drag, which allows for reduced fuel consumption and permits higher speeds at lower engine rpm, which in turn increases engine life. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine components in the case of an accident. A motorcycle windshield is usually integrated into the design of the fairing. Fairings come in all sorts of shapes and designs, sometimes attaching to specific parts of a bike, such as front fairing, or it can be more encompassing and enclose the entire bike. A motorcycle may have a front fairing, a rear fairing, a belly fairing, or any combination of these. Full fairings cover both upper and lower portions of the motorcycle, as distinct from a half fairing, which only has an upper section, and leaves the lower parts of the motorcycle exposed. Fairings are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber, and polymers.

Advantages of a motorcycle fairing include:

• Reduced aerodynamic drag: This allows for reduced fuel consumption and permits higher speeds at lower engine rpm, which in turn increases engine life.
• Protection: Fairings protect the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine components in the case of an accident.
• Improved comfort: Fairings can create a pocket of less turbulent air in the cockpit, reducing buffeting for the rider and decreasing the amount of energy a rider needs to expend in order to maintain their position on the motorcycle, generally making the rider more comfortable.
• Additional features: Fairings can carry headlights, instruments, and other items.

Disadvantages of a motorcycle fairing include:

• Reduced maneuverability: The faired panels of a motorcycle are often fixed, which means that they don’t turn along with the handlebar. This means that in some cases, with a fully faired motorcycle, maneuverability can be reduced.
• Less suitable for bad roads: Fully faired motorcycles are not suitable for bad roads or soft-roading, as the lower parts of the fairing may break.