Hi there,
I've recently started riding on the highway on my gs500e. I wear a full face helmet, but still when getting up to 120km/h at times i feel like i'm hanging on for dear life..the wind is pushing..etc. but then yesterday some guy on a harley shoots by my doing 140 or more, in a tshirt and open face helmet, looking like he's sitting on a couch watching tv.
How is he so stable, especialy witht he wind in his face, and im hanging on? is it just experience?
squeeze more with your thighs.. your hands are NOT for support or grip.. merely for control... all your support should come from your core (thighs, abs, back)
Quote from: tristantumble on September 03, 2007, 07:34:17 AM
Hi there,
I've recently started riding on the highway on my gs500e. I wear a full face helmet, but still when getting up to 120km/h at times i feel like i'm hanging on for dear life..the wind is pushing..etc. but then yesterday some guy on a harley shoots by my doing 140 or more, in a tshirt and open face helmet, looking like he's sitting on a couch watching tv.
How is he so stable, especialy witht he wind in his face, and im hanging on? is it just experience?
his Harely probably weights a good 200 lbs more than yours. did he have one of those big windshields?
Harleys are so heavy that they feel super stable at high speeds. Also, most of the two-up seats on harleys are scooped in the back to act as a back-stop. When the wind hits you, your butt hits the scoop and you stay put. The GS seat isn't scooped out, so you won't have that feeling of stability. Take NGFL's suggestions, and also try leaning forward a little more from the hips/waist. That'll get you out of the wind a little.
John
When I first started riding on the highway, I felt like I was in a pillow fight... except that I couldn't see the pillows hitting me. Without a season of experience, riders may hold the handlebars with a "death grip", and wind buffeting can become a steering/throttle problem. With more experience, riders get so the throttle hand doesn't move, even when you get knocked about, stand up, or go over potholes, etc. Then the buffeting isn't such a problem, and you don't notice it as much.
Also, I think the speed you mention is 75mph or so; for comfort, I prefer about 65mph (105km/hr), and I've got a small fairing. With no fairing at all, riding can get very tiring at those speeds.
I'd say, just take it easy on the speed until you're comfortable. Take a longer route if you need to, to avoid expressways that are not comfortable yet. You'll get there eventually, and have more fun doing it at your own pace.
Quote from: Rema1000 on September 03, 2007, 10:49:01 AM
When I first started riding on the highway, I felt like I was in a pillow fight... except that I couldn't see the pillows hitting me.
Ha! That's seems an accurate analogy.
I drive 30 freeway miles a day..back and forth to work. No fairing. Wind defiantly is a hassle. What kind of jacket are you wearing? I use to wear a Carthart. Might as well had been a sail.
another option: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=120155993077
I ride 20-40 miles a day to/from work, no fairings, and have no issues whatsoever. It's just a time thing, you'll eventually become comfortable with it. I wear a cortech gx-air
thanks for all the tips, i wear a regular leather jacket. and usualy wear a backpack as well. will try leaning forward more next time.
but also how do these harley guys handle the wind in the face, i close the viser on my helmet once i go faster then 60km/h.
Quote from: tristantumble on September 03, 2007, 03:32:53 PM
thanks for all the tips, i wear a regular leather jacket. and usualy wear a backpack as well. will try leaning forward more next time.
but also how do these harley guys handle the wind in the face, i close the viser on my helmet once i go faster then 60km/h.
Careful what you carry in that backpack. I've heard some nasty things about people carrying items that caused back injuries when they crashed.
I wear an open-faced helmet, and I haven't really noticed a problem with wind in my face, so it may just be a personal thing. Although I don't ride very fast; on 70mph freeway stretches, I'm pretty much cruising at 65.
Quote from: tristantumble on September 03, 2007, 03:32:53 PM
thanks for all the tips, i wear a regular leather jacket. and usualy wear a backpack as well. will try leaning forward more next time.
but also how do these harley guys handle the wind in the face, i close the viser on my helmet once i go faster then 60km/h.
Some guys wear goggles, and there are riding sunglasses made that have insulation around the lenses to keep wind out of your eyes. Usually the only problem I have when not wearing a full face helmet is my eyes drying out, though I haven't done that in some time.
John
I have no fairing at al , just a baby light ,and it covers the acewell ,and ive taken her in excess of 130 mph indicated with no shake , or wobble , just gotta squeeze that tank with your legs , i have pretty wide shoulders and with my big jackets ,u have to hold on tight :thumb:
You'll be surprised how much comfort and confidence a pair of earplugs add on a highway. When the wind/noise is cut down you feel more relaxed, which in turn lightens up your muscle 'spasm' and you start flexing less. Which helps feeling better at 85-90MPH (that's what I rode this morning).
On the windshield thing. After commuting with no windshield for the first season (and having pretty much same experience like yours) I got a F-16 TOURING (about 3 inch taller than SPORT) and couldn't be happier. Judging from my experience with TOURING glass I assume F-16 Sport will offer very little wind protection. My Touring is okay, not superb. I wish it offered more wind protection. But I understand it is not possible till you go into a 'barn door' type of windshield. But that spoils the looks. So F-16 touring was a right compromise for me. Check out your windshield options -- http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Windshields (http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Windshields)
Hope it helps.
when i'm on the highway going speeds around 70-80 mph i lay on the tank as much as possible and put my feet on my passenger pegs.....i feel no wind. if there's anytime that i feel like i need my feet on the driver pegs, i just pop my body upright (like getting off the interstate). I don't ride like this except on the interstate, but it helps.
Quote from: tristantumble on September 03, 2007, 07:34:17 AM
Hi there,
I've recently started riding on the highway on my gs500e. I wear a full face helmet, but still when getting up to 120km/h at times i feel like i'm hanging on for dear life..the wind is pushing..etc. but then yesterday some guy on a harley shoots by my doing 140 or more, in a tshirt and open face helmet, looking like he's sitting on a couch watching tv.
How is he so stable, especialy witht he wind in his face, and im hanging on? is it just experience?
what also can be uncomfortable is if your helmet does not fit right, also put on a small windscreen ( take a look at the pictures area ) ther you can see mine painted its small but very efficient at high speeds...
Quote from: heatherg11 on September 04, 2007, 02:55:04 PM
when i'm on the highway going speeds around 70-80 mph i lay on the tank as much as possible and put my feet on my passenger pegs.....i feel no wind. if there's anytime that i feel like i need my feet on the driver pegs, i just pop my body upright (like getting off the interstate). I don't ride like this except on the interstate, but it helps.
I'd pay money to see that.
I've been riding with my feet on the passenger pegs recently too while doing my 80+ mile roundtrip freeway commute. I still don't find it comfortable to lay on the tank. But somehow having my feet back farther seems to put less weight on my arms, I guess I don't have to reach so far
if i could get a pic i would :)
Quote from: DrtRydr23 on September 03, 2007, 10:07:12 AM
Harleys are so heavy that they feel super stable at high speeds. Also, most of the two-up seats on harleys are scooped in the back to act as a back-stop. When the wind hits you, your butt hits the scoop and you stay put. The GS seat isn't scooped out, so you won't have that feeling of stability. Take NGFL's suggestions, and also try leaning forward a little more from the hips/waist. That'll get you out of the wind a little.
John
I've noticied that since I did the Kat strut/wheel swap that I slide forward more on the tank. As metioned; use your thighs and grip the tank more.
Diaz
O0
Harley guys are just used to it I guess... My bro rides with his lens up all the time unless it's raining. I, on the other hand, can't stand mine down above 30-40 mph. Just a personal preference.
I used to ride with a half helmet when I was on my 80cc yamaha. I don't remember having any problems with wind then, though it topped out around 45. I'm thinking there may be an aerodynamic difference between a half helmet and a full face, where the full face may funnel more wind at your face. If I had a wind tunnel I'd go test this hypothesis :cookoo:
The first time I took my bike on a freeway, and was doing 60mph+, I felt the same way man.
I felt like the wind was going to pull me right off the bike, and it was the scariest thing!
At the time I was wearing just a regular leather jacket, and it took my a while to figure out it ballooned up and acted like a parachute at higher speeds. So now I have a real motorcycle jacket. mesh.
As mentioned by someone else earlier, I too lay down on the tank if it's windy and I'm going 70+ on the interstate, with my feet on the passenger pegs. It helps with wind resistance, but you can't see out of your mirrors or anything. I just sit back up if I have to brake hard, or exit the interstate or whatever.
Quote from: nazgulnarsil on September 05, 2007, 03:39:38 PM
Quote from: heatherg11 on September 04, 2007, 02:55:04 PM
when i'm on the highway going speeds around 70-80 mph i lay on the tank as much as possible and put my feet on my passenger pegs.....i feel no wind. if there's anytime that i feel like i need my feet on the driver pegs, i just pop my body upright (like getting off the interstate). I don't ride like this except on the interstate, but it helps.
I'd pay money to see that.
I see guys do that in dallas all the time, as I pass them sitting upright with fairing and touring shield , not a problem....(hehehe)....
Best laugh I had was in January when I was warm and cosy and a harley dude, no helemt, no shield riding next to me squinting and trying to hide his bald head from the windsheild factor while ambiant temp was 28'f...
to answer the question if you have a 500F, get the touring or double-buddle shield it will solve that problem. if you don't have a fairing... hold on.. (grin)..
Quote from: pbureau69 on September 07, 2007, 08:49:22 AM
Quote from: nazgulnarsil on September 05, 2007, 03:39:38 PM
Quote from: heatherg11 on September 04, 2007, 02:55:04 PM
when i'm on the highway going speeds around 70-80 mph i lay on the tank as much as possible and put my feet on my passenger pegs.....i feel no wind. if there's anytime that i feel like i need my feet on the driver pegs, i just pop my body upright (like getting off the interstate). I don't ride like this except on the interstate, but it helps.
I'd pay money to see that.
I see guys do that in dallas all the time, as I pass them sitting upright with fairing and touring shield , not a problem....(hehehe)....
Best laugh I had was in January when I was warm and cosy and a harley dude, no helemt, no shield riding next to me squinting and trying to hide his bald head from the windsheild factor while ambiant temp was 28'f...
to answer the question if you have a 500F, get the touring or double-buddle shield it will solve that problem. if you don't have a fairing... hold on.. (grin)..
I actually think its pretty comfortable....i dont really do it for the wind, just for the comfort.
The windscreen on a GS500 is mainly there for show. You'll get used to the wind eventually.
Quote from: TarzanBoy on September 09, 2007, 01:44:51 AM
The windscreen on a GS500 is mainly there for show. You'll get used to the wind eventually.
I would disagree. It helps quite a bit. At least with F-16 Touring I have (or a bigger windshield). It leaves only tour arms and head exposed to the wind. The windshield deflects wind from your torso (the main source of the backwards pull). I just CAN feel the difference.
Quote from: reminor on September 10, 2007, 06:36:37 PM
Quote from: TarzanBoy on September 09, 2007, 01:44:51 AM
The windscreen on a GS500 is mainly there for show. You'll get used to the wind eventually.
I would disagree. It helps quite a bit.
Yeah, I would agree with reminor. If you think the windscreen is just for show, try riding the gs without one. It definitely makes a difference. I've got the little quarter faring, and it is very noticeable, especially at highway speeds, over completely naked.
Huh, I'm more of the opinion that it does nothing. I took my F16 off because I felt as if it wasn't helping any, and the bike looks better without it. I noticed almost no difference in wind, and am quite happy to do several hundred miles on a completely naked bike..
I can only report on my own experience, but without my fairing I get a blast of wind full in the chest. With the fairing, it hits more around my head and shoulders, and I can tuck behind it to eliminate that. Also, there is a five to ten mph difference on the top end when tucked behind the fairing vs. sitting straight up (done on an airstrip, closed course, legally, and with full gear for any flamers). 112 mph sitting up, and right at 120 mph tucked (indicated of course).
Individual results may vary. Oh and if it makes a difference, I'm 5'7". Taller people may be more affected by wind than I.
Wind to chest is no problem.
Damn helmet noise is terrible.
I have full helmet now.
Had cleaner air around me when I had a 3/4 helmet.
Hate to wear ear plugs.
Can't hear the engine.
For the "can't hear traffic and engine noise while wearing earplugs" crowd, check out Etymotic ER-20 plugs. ~10 bucks, totally reusable (they are soft rubber, so they don't get all nasty like foam plugs, and can be cleaned very easily with hand-soap and water), and are considered "musician's grade", so they don't cut out all the treble/high-frequency noise like standard cheap foam plugs do.
Can still hear valve noise/traffic around me, but don't come home after a day's ride with ringing ears anymore. Much more comfortable, too.
^ I was going to recommend the same ear plugs.
They're great if you're in a band and don't want to go deaf. And it's great on a motorcycle. It just makes everything quieter, but doesn't muffle out anything. You still hear the wind, engine, other cars, etc. It just doesn't give you a headache after 15 minutes.
When I don't wear ear plugs while riding, the engine sounds so loud :laugh:
I'm still relatively new to riding. When I ride to work (about 3 times a week) it's about 20 miles of highway riding. I hated the highway too, but you get used to it quickly. There's still some days where I'll still get off the highway a few exits early and take back roads. But I don't have a death grip any more and usually feel comfortable on the highway.
As for those guys without full face helmets, I don't know how they do it. Too much wind, and even worse all the bugs.
+1 on rubber earplugs. They are actually three little rubber membranes staged like this =}=}=). Mine are yellow and I get them from the production plant at work (where they are mandatory), so I cannot comment on the price or source you can get them from. But try to find them, you won't ride without since. Mine are on a flexible blue plastic wire (goes around your neck), so it's super easy to use and store.
They muffle the sounds as other guys mentioned. I was too scared to whirl the engine to 10k+ RPMs before (cause the engine sounds terrifying), but with plugs I learnt to enjoy my little GS acceleration potential to its fullest :icon_lol:
Two minutes I put them in I forget they are there. The foam plugs are not that comfy and they may give you discomfort and pressure because they try to expand all the time.