Buffeting!

[g5cam]

Hi,
Just, picked up my new to me 05GS, on the journey home about 100 miles there was a lot of buffeting which made the bike wobble above 80mph, I had the vario panniers and top box on? would thid make a difference? anyone any ideas?

 

[Attleborough]

Hate to be the bearer of glum news mate but buffeting & wind noise are a "feature" of the bike.

If you do a search you'll have many a happy evenings reading of the various attempts (successful and otherwise) to reduce remove said noise.

Overall, you'll either do as I did and just accept it as part and parcel of having a great bike or.... do what ever you feel necessary!

 

[g5cam]

hi,
Thanks for the reply, I dont remember it being as bad when I test rode one, I guess i may have had my rose tinted visor on that day!

 

[alimey4u2]

there was a lot of buffeting which made the bike wobble above 80mph,

Loose jacket....

 

[Uinneag]

Tyre pressures

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

The buffeting round the head and shoulders varies from one person to another, based on height, screen position, helmet etc.

I used to find the amount the handlebars shake when going past lorries on the motorway. The tighter you hold the bars, the worse it seems. I was always worried that it would develop into a tank-slapper and horrendous crash, but it never does. Once you're used to it and relax a bit, it goes without a second thought. Just give it time!

 

[Attleborough]

Having said all the above, it does vary according to your height in the torso, the angle of your screen, what helmet you use, whether you are riding toward prevailing wind, whether the moon is in the 3rd phase with neptune rising (well it's a possibility...) & whether you use the standard or an after market screen.

Not much to play with then..

As I mentioned earlier, have a good search on this site, there are lots of threads about changes & adjustments owners have made

It was the first thing I noticed on my test ride..... and that I moaned to the dealer about when I got back - - - - - - - - - - -I still bought one though!

 

[GSmonkey]

They're not the best motorway bikes. There's a few things you can do with the screen e.g. tobinators.

As for the wobble, this is normally associated with the topbox. I always found putting the topbox in the pillion position sorted the problem. A little more rear preload as well.

 

[VAL. H.]

The buffeting round the head and shoulders varies from one person to another, based on height, screen position, helmet etc.

I used to find the amount the handlebars shake when going past lorries on the motorway. The tighter you hold the bars, the worse it seems. I was always worried that it would develop into a tank-slapper and horrendous crash, but it never does. Once you're used to it and relax a bit, it goes without a second thought. Just give it time!

+1

Sounds like you might be holding on too tight Sir

The 1200 is pretty light up front 'even more so when you fit TKC's' It can be a bit unnerving until you get used to it.
Just stay loose on the bars. Holding on tight will simply amplify the weave and eventually f*** with your head till you're convinced the thing is a death trap.

Riding with the top box and panniers will not in themselves cause ill effects on the handling, although their weight will be noticeable. They are well designed (though sadly lacking internal space) and work well in all conditions.

The screen is worth fiddling with till you find the best position. there are loads of after market screens and add-ons that you will no dought come across on the site. Some will work for you some might not

The one thing I have noticed in the three or so years I've had mine, is that the 1200 is affected by side winds. But in most cases you'll just lean over a little more.

Welcome aboard, Ride safe and have fun.

Val.

 

[g5cam]

Hi,
Thanks for all the replies. I have just been out for a blast and put the screen to its lowest position, left the top box on though, This seemed to help?? or the wind may have changed direction??
I will continue the experiments tomorrow.

 

[Kahuna]

+1

Sounds like you might be holding on too tight Sir

The 1200 is pretty light up front 'even more so when you fit TKC's' It can be a bit unnerving until you get used to it.
Just stay loose on the bars. Holding on tight will simply amplify the weave and eventually f*** with your head till you're convinced the thing is a death trap.

Riding with the top box and panniers will not in themselves cause ill effects on the handling, although their weight will be noticeable. They are well designed (though sadly lacking internal space) and work well in all conditions.

The screen is worth fiddling with till you find the best position. there are loads of after market screens and add-ons that you will no dought come across on the site. Some will work for you some might not

The one thing I have noticed in the three or so years I've had mine, is that the 1200 is affected by side winds. But in most cases you'll just lean over a little more.

Welcome aboard, Ride safe and have fun.

Val.

I've noticed a couple of things about the GS:

1. There is a lot of buffeting around the helmet (as in crash ) in side winds, head winds are no problem. I'm a short arse at 5' 8" and 30" inside leg - but have my screen on highest (08 GS). My Nippy Norma winglets have reduced both significantly.

2. Windy conditions actually affect the rider NOT the bike (see below for clarification). Typically when its windy, the rider is effected by the cross winds, same when passing large vehicles, but if you can ride with a very light grip on the bars - you'll note that the bike is almost always perfectly balanced. It's the rider being pulled 'this way and that' by the buffeting that inputs a pressure on the bars (even light pressure) that's translated into weave and movement of the bike through counter steering.

I know it seems unlikely - but it was proven to me that the rider is the influence in windy conditions! It takes a huge force to shift a bike off a straight like once the wheels are spinning and creating centrifugal force. Only input at the bars can do that.

Now the Clarification:

I'll stand by the above and be happy to demonstrate it BUT:

I came over the A66 (very exposed at a high elevation on the moors over the Pennines) last Saturday, two up and full luggage, and it was so windy it almost blew us off the road. I was actually leaning to the left and negotiating a right hand bend!!!! I pulled into a cafe at the top cause I was so freaked out!

So, typically, a light grip will improve the wind effect - but at some point it (the wind) will begin to effect the balance of the bike (past gale force I would suggest) and that's when to get under cover!

Just say'in if that make any sense what so ever?

 

[alimey4u2]

I really don't understand......I have never had a problem other than in adverse weather conditions which is understandable. I remember going up I95 through Georgia in a severe crosswind only altering my lean as I passed the trucks ( big lorries.) Yes... I have alloy wheels....

 

[brassmonkey001]

Bah! I thought this was about food.

 

[karnevil]

I really don't understand......I have never had a problem other than in adverse weather conditions which is understandable. I remember going up I95 through Georgia in a severe crosswind only altering my lean as I passed the trucks ( big lorries.) Yes... I have alloy wheels....

+1

being out there expiriencing NATURE is what a bike is all about!If ya dont wanna touch,feel,smell it err try a car.........................