Crosswind stability?

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just read a new owners report on another Forum, that the new bike was very unstable in the strong crosswinds, we had last week

He writes that riding anything above 70mph over Shap on the A6, in gusty crosswinds of 50mph made the bike very unstable and not easy to track his line

Given that he rode on the way down, over the same road, couple of hours earlier on his GSA to collect his new 12GS WC bike, it seems a pretty accurate assessment of the road conditions

His GSA exhibited no stability issues

Anyone had the same in gusty crosswinds, I know previous RT's and Pans can be a bit of a handful in crosswinds and years ago a friend riding a 2005 12GS, found it very hard to maintain a line, across the Pas de Calais plains - whilst we on 1150GS's weren't having anywhere near the same problems - in very strong crosswinds

Serious thread...

 

[Spout]

I remember my 650 Dakar being a real pig in windy conditions, being blown off the road once.

It was the only bike I've ever left at home and used the car instead when strong winds were forecast.

I pity all the LC owners if the bikes anything like my Dakar

 

[cookie]

i've seen plenty of people saying the GSA is unstable in crosswinds. personally i think it's bollocks. you can't take other peoples subjective opinions on something like that.

except mine, of course, 'cos i'm right

 

[Engineer]

Just read a new owners report on another Forum, that the new bike was very unstable in the strong crosswinds, we had last week

He writes that riding anything above 70mph over Shap on the A6, in gusty crosswinds of 50mph made the bike very unstable and not easy to track his line

Given that he rode on the way down, over the same road, couple of hours earlier on his GSA to collect his new 12GS WC bike, it seems a pretty accurate assessment of the road conditions

His GSA exhibited no stability issues

Anyone had the same in gusty crosswinds, I know previous RT's and Pans can be a bit of a handful in crosswinds and years ago a friend riding a 2005 12GS, found it very hard to maintain a line, across the Pas de Calais plains - whilst we on 1150GS's weren't having anywhere near the same problems - in very strong crosswinds

Serious thread...

He is just experiencing the different feel of the new bike - it takes a while to acclimatise to how the new bike handles, after a few weeks if you get back on the old bike it is almost shocking just how basic it feels, it really highlights just how far BMW have moved this bike into the modern age.

 

[PaulW]

Serious reply to JB

I rode down the M62 last week with a howling cross wind, blustery too. My experience on the LC was the same as all previous GSs - not an issue for me.

Maybe some peeps stress too much and don't relax?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Ok...........just made interesting reading

Maybe he was right or wrong, but it flew in the opposite normal applause about a new bike purchase

 

[Fluffmeister]

i've seen plenty of people saying the GSA is unstable in crosswinds. personally i think it's bollocks. you can't take other peoples subjective opinions on something like that.

except mine, of course, 'cos i'm right

What he said, my GSA was alles uber die platz last week in some strong cross winds on the A50, fun at times but nothing specific to the bike itself I reckon, just nature doing it's thing.

 

[Callard]

Ok...........just made interesting reading

Maybe he was right or wrong, but it flew in the opposite normal applause about a new bike purchase

Forget about the cross wind. Well done on your new bike.

 

[Georgeeboi]

JB your just looking for an excuse not to buy one!!!

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

modern = better?

not always - weird presumption to make

my 1150gsa is bloody dangerous in windy conditions with the touratech zegas on...

 

[Ash]

1200 hexhead was far from stable last week heading through Snowdonia and up the A55 to Hloyhead.
But them i would challenge any bike to be stable in them winds

 

[Beemerman59]

Riding two very different types of bike I find them completely different to how they react to crosswinds. On my K1100RS which has a fairly slab sided fairing, a cross wind will push against the full side profile of the bike pushing it off line. This has lead to a few interesting ride's but nothing to cause any real concern, even going sideways against the wind on the Severn bridge. The 1200GSA react very differently. It is generally less affected than the K bike, the difference of note seems to be with the wire wheels. These seem to be more influenced by a crosswind than the K's cast wheels. On cornering this can be a bit disconcerting if you pick up a gust of wind whilst lent over as it feels as if the wheels are being pushed out from underneath of you and the rest if the bike. Similar to riding over a diesel spill where you have to pick the bike up a bit as it momentarily loses traction. Nothing that would casue real concern though, just something which can take your confidence away from pushing it too far to the limits. I don't know if this is something specific to wire wheels or not - just my own observation.

 

[Popell]

Seems the only common link might be the wind!! I would expect most things balanced on two wheels to be affected- and any of the bikes mentioned have the side on aerodynamics of a barn door

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

mine has the aerodynamics of a bungalow

 

[dave hendy]

I used to have trouble with my 05/07 1200GS when 2-up with luggage in cross winds, my K1300R is much more stable

 

[APE]

My mates KTM 950 Adv was like a kite. A loose grip sometimes helps.

 

[Engineer]

JB your just looking for an excuse not to buy one!!!

He will come around sooner or later, then we can seriously take the piss out of him

 

[Count]

I've ridden mine in strong crosswinds going over a bridge and was buffeted enough to know all about it. My view is it would have been the same on any bike, they are hardly running a low drag coefficient, especially side on.

I've yet to experience any bike that provides complete assured stability in a situation where sidewinds are around. I'd expect the GS (any variant) to be worse than a sharper bike where the side profile reduces the area for the wind to gain a hold.

The issue is whether in these circumstances, any inherent design instability in the bike, as rumoured, is more likely to occur. I guess it's hard to do any back to back testing on this but I could well imagine the new GS may or may not fair as well as a different bike - old or new.

Going faster on a new GS may not help, plodding along on a wheezy 1150 at 28mph with the throttle on the stops may well be a lot more stable.


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[Count]

Oh, and JB needs to get an LC and embrace the dark side of the Force.


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[Jumblemo]

I've found the new GS highly susceptible to drifting in high cross-winds when the Varios are on full extension and one is riding hands free on cruise control.