Can We Discuss Wind?

[matcom]

Wind.

No hurricane force stuff, more like normal summertime afternoon wind on the highway (3 lane-type).

I find my bike doesn't do well and am not sure why.

My 650 V-Star does GREAT on the highway in the morning rush (usually not much wind) but when I venture home, she seems to want to blow all over the place. The ride is such a fight I find myself wanting to take 30 miles of back roads to avoid the hassle.

Not such a bad situation as the winding roads are beautiful to and from the office but I'm wondering if I ever want to take a long weekend/day trip what I'll do.

Am I simply too light? Could it be i'm gripping down too tight on the grips?

I'm perfectly happy cruising at 55/60 in the right lane but don't notice other bikes having to 'fight' so much out there.

Thoughts?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. My bike acts the same

Prevailing winds around here are west-to-east, so I usually have a tailwind on the way to work, headwind going home. Friday there were gusts pushing 50mph & higher, combined with my 70mph (& higher) that was some fast moving air. Eventually I just gave up, tucked in behind a 65mph big truck, and took it easy.

Here's a link to some thoughts on the subject:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0604_motorcycle_riding_tips_wind_gusts/index.html

:hi:

[Robb]

2. That article hits it on the head:

"Steer or be steered."

Do what you can to reduce your resistance (the XXL rainsuit bit was funny, I know those guys), hunker down, nuts on the tank, and leave yourself room to get blown. Concentrate on putting your weight more on your steering input points -- grips and footpegs. A little more weight there will speed up your automatic responses, and the effect is less overall movement.

Don't do too much hiding behind big rigs; I know from experience two things about that. First, if they blow a tire, you're in a lot of trouble. Second, you can't see around them, so when they drive over a railroad tie it's something of a surprise to you. :D

It's a windy time of year. If you can't plan around it, plan on riding in it.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. I have one of those "XXL" rainsuits

Big enough to fit over my layers of cold-weather gear. It gets loose in the summer.

And gets extra tight after Thanksgiving dinner, go figure.

[ThomWV]

3. "Red Sails In The Sunset"

It was the name of an old song.

Your V-Star has a curved windscreen, bags, fat tires, big fenders, a sissy bar sticking up in the air complete with pad, and a nearly solid profile with the small exception of the exposed spokes between the front disk and the tire. To the wind it looks like a sailboat.

However all is not lost; there is an easily solution to this problem and you've already stuck on it. "...I find myself wanting to take 30 miles of back roads to avoid the hassle." I know of no way to improve on a perfect plan.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. off-topic, but about driving "Three Sheets to the Wind"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7835076

Cool ride, but needs more chrome.

:hi:

[guitar man]

6. sorry

I'll order it with out the refried beans next time :blush:

:D

but seriously, wind is a fact of life when you ride a bike. Here in Oklahoma, the damn wind almost never stops blowing, so it's pretty much ride in the wind or don't ride. A couple weeks ago, I was headed home, west to east, 100 miles, with the wind blowing straight out of the south at a steady 35 mph with gusts to 45-55 and maybe more in some places. I rode the interstate for a while, then gave up and jumped off onto the two lane, which was much better sheltered. Still, any time I came to a bridge, overpass, intersection or open field that left me exposed to the crosswind, I had to anticipate and be ready, because I was about to get blasted.

I can't remember when I've ridden with such lean angles to go in a straight line :wow: