[Christ]

I read up on Burt's design and several similar ones awhile back, and the consensus was that while tucking, you should place your elbows on your knees, which relieves stress on the back and places it in "load bearing" areas of the body.

Vetter wanted to make it a "step in" design, in case he needed to "step out" quickly. It's easier to move in one fluid motion (outward and down) than to move in a direction, then change directions abruptly, especially when human nature says you'll widen your stance and extend your legs during a panic situation, rather than retract them and push outward and down.

I doubt psychology crossed Vetter's mind when building that bike, but that's how it works anyway.

What about building a fairing and rider's clothes combo, where the legs of your outfit fill in the gap where your legs go in the fairing? They could be as simple as some plastic bits that strap onto your legs, and can be removed with velcro (like Reeboks, man!)