Stability at Speed, or Lack Thereof

pres589 · September 08, 2006, 04:03:10 PM

Just got back from taking the GS to a town about 50 miles from here. The road between has a 70mph speed limit on it. Basically, cross-winds really seemed to cause me problems, the bike wanted to dart around the lane. I did what I could to keep it headed decently and avoided the "deathgrip" on the bars but what can I do to the thing to make it weave around less on the highway? Can tires affect this heavly? I've rebuilt the front forks with heavier oil and Progressive springs, and I seem to remember something about that process involving "trail", which I didn't try to set. Same with sag, I didn't see how I could adjust it so I just put the thing together and rode it.

I guess I'm looking for tips on how to make the bike less stressful to take up to interstate speeds.

phire · September 08, 2006, 04:14:13 PM

You get used to it... I used to be the same way, but after awhile you just kinda adapt and learn how to 'flow' with it and after awhile you will hardly notice those crosswinds.

DGBone · September 08, 2006, 05:24:45 PM

As above. With severe crosswinds there's not much you can do other than slow down a bit.
Another option is to get a good fairing and tuck behind the bubble, this makes a HUGE difference in terms of maximum speed.

pres589 · September 08, 2006, 07:51:56 PM

Quote from: DGBone on September 08, 2006, 05:24:45 PM
As above. With severe crosswinds there's not much you can do other than slow down a bit.
Another option is to get a good fairing and tuck behind the bubble, this makes a HUGE difference in terms of maximum speed.

Yeah, I got off the highway after a while and kept speeds under 65, and that was back to the fairlly decent comfort I'm used to. I doubt my 6'5 stature helps my naked GS. But the buffetting was so bad in one spot I thought the damned bike was packing up again like it did 2 weeks ago, and in nearly the same spot on the same highway! I've got plenty of fuel filter and the petcock on prime, pull over and things seem fine, drive for another hour and no hickups.

It's that whole pitching around, terrible time keeping in a straight line, and actual fear that I won't be able to corner decently that just gets old fast. I'd really like to try on a different bike and see if mine is comparable, but I'm in no possition to buy anything at this point so maybe this will wait until spring.

scratch · September 08, 2006, 08:08:23 PM

This should help: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=27748.0
There are a few more like it. Search 'wind' and/or 'shoulder'.

domas · September 09, 2006, 02:33:18 AM

Tips for high speed stablity:

Check correct tire pressures,
Handlebars are for steering not for holding on to. (Golden rule for me

) To check it try to move your elbows. They should move freely, if you feel tension, you are holding onto bars. Key to fight front wind without hands - leaning front. Key to fight sidewinds - holding bike with your hips.

pres589 · September 09, 2006, 03:41:34 PM

Things are much improved after playing with tire pressures. Bought what seems to be a good dial indicated pressure gauge and checked the pressures to start wth. Note: the current tires are a Metzler Marathon ML2 front, and a Gheng-Shin CS Hi-Max rear, both with decent tread depths and installed by a previous owner. In any case, the front was at about 32 psi, and the rear was at 41 psi. Brought the rear down to 36 and took it out to test it. Cruising at 70mph was a lot nicer, and today is just as breezy as yesterday. I played with the pressures a little up and down in both tires and ended up with 33 psi in the front and 35 psi in the rear for the most stable highway manners.

This thing is getting new tires next spring, I promise. Should give me time to wait for some kind of freakish good deal on something decent.

phire · September 09, 2006, 07:34:06 PM

Wow, 41psi.... Max rating (for mine) is 36 and only if you're riding 2 up, 32 for solo riding.

pres589 · September 10, 2006, 06:28:34 AM

Quote from: phire on September 09, 2006, 07:34:06 PM
Wow, 41psi.... Max rating (for mine) is 36 and only if you're riding 2 up, 32 for solo riding.

I think street riding was affected somewhat by this change, now the rear is easier to lock up and I actually got some wheel spin exiting an intersection at low speeds.... could be me getting more comfortable with the throttle as well. Will have to keep riding and see.

ducati_nolan · September 10, 2006, 11:38:25 AM

Also, make sure that your wheels are tight

and check for any slop in the steering stem. If it's slopy, you may need to repack and/or replace the bearings or tighten them
Good luck

morbidelli17 · September 10, 2006, 12:36:50 PM

41 psi?

? Damn!

I use last-gen Michelin H2 Pilot Race tires, and the guys at the track suggested 28 psi front and rear. For max grip, every set of bias-ply tires I've ever run have been at 30/30.

Make sure axle nuts and swingarm nut are set at shop torque specs as well. Then just tuck down, grab the tank with your knees, and relax ...

phire · September 10, 2006, 02:04:08 PM

Yeah, the higher the psi (pressure) in the tires, the less rubber that is making contact with the ground. For best grip on the road, you want the pressure lower... Somewhere around 28-32 for solo street riding. Of course, the lower the pressure, the faster those tires are gonna wear, too, so it's a trade off... Personally, I'll take the extra grip.

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Stability at Speed, or Lack Thereof