RT's and side winds... Hmmm

[roadster198]

I've not had my 2012 RT long however I've noticed that in reasonable side winds things can get interesting. Now to be fair I've got the Wunderlich side fairing extenders on so I'm wondering if there also not helping or are indeed the cause of this.

I would really hate to be on it when there is a REALLY!!! strong side wind in all honesty.

Anyone else find this a problem?

 

[sven]

The only time I recall the RT being scary was between Chino and Yucca Valley in California riding past dozens of wind turbines in the desert. That was proper leaning over in a straight line stuff and I had to ride faster to counteract the side winds

 

[Bob E]

i've had 1200rt 's since 2005. side winds are hardly noticeable in all honesty.
Check the usual things first , then just relax and let the bike go. Could be that its the rider catching the wind then transfering the motion to the bike if you understand me.

 

[Roberto]

Hmm, I never found a problem with sidewinds on my RT, in fact I've had more problems in that department on the GS.

The only fault I found with the RT was the big topbox seemed to affect the stability.

 

[roadster198]

i've had 1200rt 's since 2005. side winds are hardly noticeable in all honesty.
Check the usual things first , then just relax and let the bike go. Could be that its the rider catching the wind then transfering the motion to the bike if you understand me.

Hi Bob,
Can you expand on the usual things for my little brain please

Thanks

 

[Riktus]

Would agree with all the above - I have riden my RT in severe winds alongside other makes (GS / Varadero / Pan) the RT was stable and secure.

Rik

 

[Budweiser]

Riding in very strong cross winds on mine is interesting but quite manageable.

 

[Kritou]

Could it be squared off tyres causing the issue?

 

[1964Hall]

If your not already, try 42 rear and 36 front tyre pressures.
I've 76,000 miles on my RT and imo it's better than most other bikes in windy conditions.

\v/ Sent from my SGS2 using Tapatalk

 

[JJH]

Rt = stability in windy conditions. I'm on my 2nd one bought in 2010 with 9000 km now 69000 used in all weathers including snow. JJH

 

[roadster198]

Could it be squared off tyres causing the issue?

Only 1'200 miles on the bike.

 

[bumpmuncher]

I only ever have side wind problems when I have the top box on.

 

[JoeBiff]

Mmmm, side winds?
A66 between Brough and Bowes with a thirty or forty knot gusting crosswind presented some challenges once when tootling along about 90 Kleptons Per Hour.
Reducing to sixty made it much safer for the next twenty miles.

 

[Bendy toy]

Mmmm, side winds?
A66 between Brough and Bowes with a thirty or forty knot gusting crosswind presented some challenges once when tootling along about 90 Kleptons Per Hour.
Reducing to sixty made it much safer for the next twenty miles.

My GS (admittedly as aerodynamic as a house brick) is more stable in side winds the faster it goes. At least the telelever is less affected by the rider's weight shifting than bikes with "normal" forks.

 

[graham2400]

RT Stability

I suppose it depends on what you're comparing it to.

When I first got mine, I considered my 2006 1200RT quite nervous and prone to deviating from my chosen line in any side winds compared to my 2001 1150RT, which in comparison was always rock solid and would go through artic lorry bow waves on the motorway without a flicker. I think its the trade off I paid for the faster steering on the 1200. Over time, you get used to it, and in my 40,000 miles on the 1200 its never got so scary that I thought "I have to get rid of this thing! "

 

[ebbo]

RT Stability

I suppose it depends on what you're comparing it to.

When I first got mine, I considered my 2006 1200RT quite nervous and prone to deviating from my chosen line in any side winds compared to my 2001 1150RT, which in comparison was always rock solid and would go through artic lorry bow waves on the motorway without a flicker. I think its the trade off I paid for the faster steering on the 1200. Over time, you get used to it, and in my 40,000 miles on the 1200 its never got so scary that I thought "I have to get rid of this thing! "

That's quite true, I'd forgotten how I felt about the change in handling between the 1100 and 1200 RT, the 1200 is quite a bit faster at changing direction and I did feel it was a bit skittish when I first got it.