Highway riding and wind

[Crash-n-Burn]

Since I started riding on the highway I have noticed how much wind plays a toll in controlling the bike. I feel as if it's constantly pushing me left and right (I can see it if I look at the handle bars), and this is without any cars around me. Does anybody have any tips on how to keep the bike going straight, or at least make me feel like I'm not the only one who is feeling this?

Thanks,
Jason

[TR]

A screen for wind on the chest would help but crosswinds are different matter. I rode this road in the middle of nowhere at 85mph, no neighbour hills or trees, just the plains, and crosswinds moved the bike from one side to the other in my lane, I put my head low and standed for next blast.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Ride more often, and get used to it. Worked for me. Do you have an F or an E? I noticed more side to side motion when I rode the F, due to the ugly ass sails.. errr... the fairings..

[nightrider]

TR, you have the illest looking cruiser type GS ever. Is it true that in Mexico, imported bikes are very expensive? I've heard this from Mexican guys before.

Dont mean to threadjack... highway winds are a part of riding, if you are feeling buffeted, get low on the bike, choose a lane position where you feel safest, perhaps slow down, and adjust your yaw angle as you go.

Course, some ppl make their local winds out to be horrendous (instant movement into adjacent lanes... !) so if it is truly overwhelming wind, maybe slow way down.

[Crash-n-Burn]

Thanks for the tips, I guess I just need more practice!

BTW: I have an 05F

[ducati_nolan]

When the winds kick up oftentimes you tense up and try to fight the wind, but this usually works against you as it's easy to over correct.

Relax your death grip, move to the center of the lane, and lean forward more than normal.

With practice it becomes easier, but always beware of it especially on bridges, overpasses, etc.

[pbureau69]

if you are feeling the winds from the cross-side (coming from left or right) ?  or do you feel the wind coming at you from the oem windshiled (front) is causing the turbulance ?

I know at 80MPH on the F with oem windsheild ... its annoyingly loud... (why I got a ZG touring windhsheild... Soooooooo much better)...

but as far as cross-winds... I get those all the time in my area (up to 30MPH) ( ) well you need to relax your grip on the handle bars, squeeze your knees unto the tank sides and control the angle... it all about practice, the first time I got surprize I waited the next time there was 10-20MPH winds and I rode unpurpose to get used to it... now I dont even think about it.

[ohgood]

hmm, an F with wind issues. guess it's going to be a windscreen replacement + rider skill.

on a E with wind issues, I'd say find a flyscreen (doesn't take much) to get the wind off your chest (still want clean air around your lid though) + rider skill.

buffeting and side winds still blow me around a little, but i've quit noticing it as much since the flyscreen (THANKS GS BUDDY) arrived. maybe i'm riding better, or just the screen. i dunno.

[Bulwark]

Check the tire pressure.  I have an O7' F and wind really doesnt bother me at all even at near redline speeds and Im running all stock parts.  Though I did just get a Zero Gravity sport/touring windshield (Im a tad tall for the standard shield).

I had problems with keeps tire pressure in my rear wheel for a bit and man the bike moved from side to side so easily it was scary.  I felt that I had very little control and I couldnt figure it out.  I am a new rider too.  After I got the tire pressure problem fixed the problem is gone.

Check your tire pressure is what Im saying.  Most of the naked lovers here said it was because I had an "F" model so the wind was treating my bike as a sail,hehe.

[allone]

that's what i had to do is get low to the bike. up here it seem to be windy every day.at first i was riding all the way up and the wind was to much

[mach1]

Check the tire pressure.  I have an O7' F and wind really doesnt bother me at all even at near redline speeds and Im running all stock parts.  Though I did just get a Zero Gravity sport/touring windshield (Im a tad tall for the standard shield).

I had problems with keeps tire pressure in my rear wheel for a bit and man the bike moved from side to side so easily it was scary.  I felt that I had very little control and I couldnt figure it out.  I am a new rider too.  After I got the tire pressure problem fixed the problem is gone.

Check your tire pressure is what Im saying.  Most of the naked lovers here said it was because I had an "F" model so the wind was treating my bike as a sail,hehe.

I get some crap to for having an 04f model but I think they look good. As far as the wind goes I had the same problem but after putting my clip-ons on the bike I can sit closer to the tank and get out of the wind, as far as the side by side wind goes, you get used to it the more you ride. I ride my bike everyday mostly highways?freeways doing 80+mph and wind has no effect on my ride or control over the bike. Practice practice practice.

[Crash-n-Burn]

Check the tire pressure.  I have an O7' F and wind really doesnt bother me at all even at near redline speeds and Im running all stock parts.  Though I did just get a Zero Gravity sport/touring windshield (Im a tad tall for the standard shield).

I had problems with keeps tire pressure in my rear wheel for a bit and man the bike moved from side to side so easily it was scary.  I felt that I had very little control and I couldnt figure it out.  I am a new rider too.  After I got the tire pressure problem fixed the problem is gone.

Check your tire pressure is what Im saying.  Most of the naked lovers here said it was because I had an "F" model so the wind was treating my bike as a sail,hehe.

Thats exactly what I did when I got home after that ride, only to find out that my tires were around 34psi! I filled them up to 41psi and have not had a chance to ride since then. Hopefully that will increase the control and practice will do the rest!

[Bulwark]

Thats the type of pressure that I had as well.  It was really scary driving with that low a pressure.  My bike was moving all over the place and it felt very unstable.

Im sure you will find a night and day affect when you mount up next.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[5

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Check the tire pressure.  I have an O7' F and wind really doesnt bother me at all even at near redline speeds and Im running all stock parts.  Though I did just get a Zero Gravity sport/touring windshield (Im a tad tall for the standard shield).

I had problems with keeps tire pressure in my rear wheel for a bit and man the bike moved from side to side so easily it was scary.  I felt that I had very little control and I couldnt figure it out.  I am a new rider too.  After I got the tire pressure problem fixed the problem is gone.

Check your tire pressure is what Im saying.  Most of the naked lovers here said it was because I had an "F" model so the wind was treating my bike as a sail,hehe.

Thats exactly what I did when I got home after that ride, only to find out that my tires were around 34psi! I filled them up to 41psi and have not had a chance to ride since then. Hopefully that will increase the control and practice will do the rest!

Dude.. max PSI is like.. 36ish..

[Crash-n-Burn]

It said 41psi on my tires.

Edit: Going to garage to fix this stupid mistake

Edit 2: Front tire is now 36psi and rear is 33psi

[briandor]

It said 41psi on my tires.

Edit: Going to garage to fix this stupid mistake

Edit 2: Front tire is now 36psi and rear is 33psi

Check your chart near the rear wheel.  Front should be 33 and the rear is between 36-41 depending on the load.  I usually keep my rear at 38.

[pandy]

You'll get used to the wind.  It'll just take practice with the suggestions you've received already; wind is still not my favourite condition to ride in, but it doesn't really bother me much anymore. 

And be sure to make checking your tire pressure a part of your regular maintenance. I have to remind myself to do this, too, and the bike-feel really sucks when they're low. 

[Johnny5]

Agree with Pandy, the wind just doesn't bother me really.  You know what's kind of funny?  It bothered me more when I rode without earplugs, seems kind of silly, but it's true.  Now I don't even think about it, it's just part of riding sometimes.  I typically cruise on the highway between 70 and 80 depending on the traffic pace, but if it's extra windy I'll slow it down a bit more than normal.  Of course if your tire pressure's out, tire balance, suspension, etc. that needs to be taken care of.

[ben2go]

Summerized

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE------>THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE
CHANGE WIND SCREEN AS NESSASARY FOR YOUR RIDING POSITION OR HEIGHT
LOWER RIDING POSITION FOR MORE ARROW DYNAMIC FLOW OVER THE RIDER AND MOTORCYCLE
SLOW DOWN IN HEAVY WINDS

IF NONE OF THIS CURES THE HIGH WIND BLUES,BUY A HEAVY ASS CRUSIER.LMAO