Crosswind stability?

[NorthernBoy]

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...

You really do like to try to piss people off, don't you?

Anyway, no, I've just ridden across Spain to the med, in severe winds in parts of the mountains, and there was no problem at all. There was no single part of the trip where an 1150 would have been a better bike.

Can I ask, do all you guys on the obsolete bikes spend more time posting than riding, or is it only you?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You really do like to try to piss people off, don't you?

Anyway, no, I've just ridden across Spain to the med, in severe winds in parts of the mountains, and there was no problem at all. There was no single part of the trip where an 1150 would have been a better bike.

Can I ask, do all you guys on the obsolete bikes spend more time posting than riding, or is it only you?

Serious thread, it's called discussion...................unless you're too thick & egotistical to grasp the concept of conversation,discussion and debate

FFS - you certainly are touchy

I'm glad you're enjoying your new purchase

BTW ..................Airhead GS's/1100GS's/1150GS's/1200GS's aren't obsolete, they are all still fine GS's, which provide all the ownership and touring opportunities that your 12GS WC does...................

IDIOT

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I'm unstable in any conditions

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

since when was an old bike obsolete?

does it lose a wheel after a few years, or perhaps the handlebars turn into a moustache making it unrideable?

 

[Engineer]

Conclusion to this serious discussion:

The new GS is affected by crosswinds just like all the older GSes - the amount that it is affected depends on the area presented to the wind, this depends upon many factors, e.g. pannier size, rider size, size of petrol tank (GSA bigger therefore possibly worse),wire or cast wheels, rider skill etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc - it is so variable that this thread is almost totally pointless.

The new bike is no worse than any other GS, it is all so bloody subjective anyway!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Conclusion to this serious discussion:

The new GS is affected by crosswinds just like all the older GSes - the amount that it is affected depends on the area presented to the wind, this depends upon many factors, e.g. pannier size, rider size, size of petrol tank (GSA bigger therefore possibly worse),wire or cast wheels, rider skill etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc - it is so variable that this thread is almost totally pointless.

The new bike is no worse than any other GS, it is all so bloody subjective anyway!

Apart from one thing, the man who wrote the post I read

He rode a 12GSA on the same bit of road, on the same day and then rode his new 12GS WC back along the road

He certainly noticed a difference, otherwise he wouldn't have brought the issue up and started a thread about it

Perhaps it was because the GSA weighs 20kg more and only has 110hp, so it's obsolete now

I was only asking if anyone else had noticed it...........

But as usual...... the 'emporer's new clothes' can't be criticised, it must be adored on a tide of adulation

 

[Engineer]

Apart from one thing, the man who wrote the post I read

He rode a 12GSA on the same bit of road, on the same day and then rode his new 12GS WC back along the road

He certainly noticed a difference, otherwise he wouldn't have brought the issue up and started a thread about it

Perhaps it was because the GSA weighs 20kg more and only has 110hp, so it's obsolete now

I was only asking if anyone else had noticed it...........

But as usual...... the 'emporer's new clothes' can't be criticised, it must be adored on a tide of adulation

And I have ridden three different 1200's and I say this is no different - as I said earlier the new bike handles better than the old one and he needs time to adjust.

I thought the new bike was 'flighty' when I first got on it, now 1700+miles later it feels ultra-stable. As many have said before you need to ride a GS for a while before you fully appreciate it.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

And I have ridden three different 1200's and I say this is no different - as I said earlier the new bike handles better than the old one and he needs time to adjust.

I thought the new bike was 'flighty' when I first got on it, now 1700+miles later it feels ultra-stable. As many have said before you need to ride a GS for a while before you fully appreciate it.

Fairy enuff

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Even being more uptight (nervous) about the new vehicle will affect the way you ride it/ respond to input from it. Relaxing on an unblemished 16 grand bike does take a little while.

alt/control/delete all previous bikes and just go for it with the new one.

Lucky bastard

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Apart from one thing, the man who wrote the post I read.........

But as usual...... the 'emporer's new clothes' can't be criticised, it must be adored on a tide of adulation

JB You've asked lots of questions about this new bike, you could answer them all for yourself by spending an hour or two with your arse on the seat of the local dealership's demo bike

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

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

Therein lies the answer . Any bike will be susceptible to cross winds , chill out . let it move about , the gyroscopic effect does its thing , Griping on for dear life will make the bike feel nervous just as it would if you did so off road

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

JB You've asked lots of questions about this new bike, you could answer them all for yourself by spending an hour or two with your arse on the seat of the local dealership's demo bike

I noticed he's no longer looking for a X Country and now has 'other' plans

Andres

 

[Nutty]

Even being more uptight (nervous) about the new vehicle will affect the way you ride it/ respond to input from it. Relaxing on an unblemished 16 grand bike does take a little while.

That, and the chap JB mentioned was probably plied with champagne and cream cakes at the dealer.

FWIW, this is my fourth GS, and feels as stable as the others, although I have noticed it likes to wheelie more than the others did.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

JB You've asked lots of questions about this new bike, you could answer them all for yourself by spending an hour or two with your arse on the seat of the local dealership's demo bike

One day...............one day

However the more I read...............the less i'm inclined

Mainly because I don't want faster or brisker, can't see the point

I took one of the 1150's for MOT yesterday and there was a fair bit of wind and crosswind, it's lardy arse (and mine) was rock solid and I was happy bimbling along at 60-75mph on A&B roads, faster would be of no desire or consequence... it is not acceptable to travel faster than 75mph, on A&B roads....in 2013, it's anti-social

However I would be interested in..........

Better, standard comfort and wind protection

Plus significantly better mpg and longer service intervals

Sadly that hasn't happened

... from BMW

 

[Nutty]

However the more I read...............

Stop reading, and ride one!

 

[Jumblemo]

However I would be interested in..........

Better, standard comfort and wind protection

Plus significantly better mpg and longer service intervals

Sadly that hasn't happened

... from BMW

I honestly don't think the WC is the right bike for you. You really shouldn't taunt yourself by hanging around here while the new and prospective owners enjoys its new aspects so much. Would the Honda Crosstourer be a better forum for you perhaps?

 

[stubox]

I took my car out and there was a fair bit of wind and crosswind, it's lardy arse (and mine) was rock solid and I was happy bimbling along at 60-75mph on A&B roads, faster would be of no desire or consequence... it is not acceptable to travel faster than 75mph, on A&B roads....in 2013, it's anti-social

However I would be interested in..........

Better, standard comfort and wind protection

Plus significantly better mpg and longer service intervals

I've amended your musings for accuracy.

Stu

 

[Jumblemo]

I've amended your musings for accuracy.

Stu

Haha! Perfect!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've amended your musings for accuracy.

Stu

Very good

If you don't believe me, read this travel adventure

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333953

Warp speed & 125bhp ..............isn't really necessary, to have fun

 

[karlp]

Apart from one thing, the man who wrote the post I read

He rode a 12GSA on the same bit of road, on the same day and then rode his new 12GS WC back along the road

He certainly noticed a difference, otherwise he wouldn't have brought the issue up and started a thread about it

Perhaps it was because the GSA weighs 20kg more and only has 110hp, so it's obsolete now

I was only asking if anyone else had noticed it...........

But as usual...... the 'emporer's new clothes' can't be criticised, it must be adored on a tide of adulation

Unless the wind was blowing exactly perpendicular to the road any effect caused will differ depending upon the direction the bike is travelling

Therefore to me, a difference would be expected