Cross wind weave

[judokia]

Hi

I have a 2005 GS500f which i have had for about a month and covered 1400 miles so far. It is a great bike and handles very well in the corners.
How ever in windy conditions it is not so good. The back end of the bike steps out easily when a gust of wind hits it when there is a gap between buildings.
The tyres alway catch but it is a little disconcerting.

The tyres on the bike are bridgestone Bt45 standard sizes 110 front 130 rear. I know that these are dual compound tyres with a harder less grippy center section.
I feel that the combination of narrow rear tyre and less grippy center section is contributing to the weave.

Do you think that my reasoning is correct and if so which tyres would you recommend. I have heard that 120 and 150 tyre combinations can be used.
Would you recommend a more sporty tyre with sticky compound all round?

This is a great a and b road bike but its behavour in windy conditions make motorway riding hard work.

Looking forward to you wise and considered replies.

[ohgood]

the only time i've noticed any 'walk' or 'wander' of my rear bt45's is when the tire is low on air. the front will 'plow' through a turn if it's low, but the rear will feel drunk, wander at any speed, or even HOP depending on how low the pressure is.

check pressure before each ride !

other than that, there are quite a few options, and opinions about which tire is the best gripping for our little gs's.

use the search, folks rave about xyz tires all the time

[Chanse]

I get that all the time down here in louisiana. The other day I got pushed about 4 feet toward the centerline in about 2 mili-seconds no lean nothin. I figure a gust about 50 or so directly from the side followed almost immediately by really big rain drops, and at 80 It don't feel to good. Had to check my pants when I got home.

[judokia]

Thanks for the input guys.

Just been out on her today in 25mph gusts. None to pleasant. Tyre pressures are as stated in my owners manual and i have no problems in the bends evan when its windy, which is why i was wondering about the center compound, seems stable leant over but loose in the uprght. This is such a shame as otherwise i love the bike. Great for communting 70mpg (UK Gallons).

I think i will try some differnet rubber as soon as finances allow and maybe go a little wider on the rear.

Any suggestions more than welcome

Cheers

[philward]

I noticed a marked difference in how much the bike gets blown by the wind on the motorway when I took my fairings off, for what it's worth.

The other thing worth mentioning is have you checked your preload setting?  It can easily change the feel of the back end and, since its newly in your hands, you never know what settings the previous owner might have dialed up! 

[gsJack]

Sounds like the same thing you get on the freeway when you are passing a truck and are sheltered from a strong crosswind and then the bike jumps sideways when you break out into the crosswind again in front of the truck.

The crosswind is just doing a little countersteering for you by leaning the bike to the side and it goes that way, gives it a little swerve away from the direction of the wind.

You get used to that in time and miles and will find yourself leaning into the redeveloping crosswind and correcting for it without much if any side movement.

I never rode a GS-F but would guess it would be even more noticeable on the F due to it's increased sail effect.  I notice a big difference with my Plexi 2 screen on instead of my smaller Spitfire wind screen.

Tires do make a difference since some just feel much more stable at speed than others.  When I replaced the budget Avon AM51/52 tires with the Lasertec tires highway stability was much improved for example.

[judokia]

Hi guys

Rechecked the tyres and they were out 3psi front and rear. Must have check them hot last time. Put rear shock on setting five and strangley feels more comfortable.

I haven't riden her in windy conditions since but feels much more stable at the momonet.

[bikejunkie223]

We have had tons of wind here lately, and my entire commute (27 miles each way) is subject to havy crosswind, broken up by stands of trees and berms and such, and as you ride more you know when and where the wind will hit you and you learn to compensate for it. eventually it becomes muscle memory and you don't even have to think about it. That said, it can be a bit sketchy, but the GS isn't a very heavy bike, so it gets blown around more than an 800lb Harley would.

[shiznizbiz]

Soon enough, correctign into the wind will be second nature.  YOu wont even notice it.  Around here we have lots of hills that can block off wind.  Then those hills suddenly open into a field, and blamo, 25mph gust.  Gotta be careful.  Youll adjust well enough.