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 


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 

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.