Side wind stability

[Mr Derek]

I was going to call this thread crosswind stability but knew some of you would ask what made the winds cross.
I had a Varadero for several years and it suffered horribly in crosswinds. The weight is carried higher than a GS but the profile is similar. Also, it was only really happy when I had both hands on the bars, so resting a hand was dodgy. Much of my riding is with a pillion and luggage, thus increasing the side area.
My current steed, a Goldwing, is fantastically stable, but far too single purpose.
I've got a test ride booked but unless there is a strong crosswind I won't get an answer.
Any thoughts?

 

[Bryn]

Crosswinds nothing that can't be handled... In fact the only time I've really noticed was heading for Calais along the coast and it was blowing a gale...I'm sure it would have been the same whatever bike I was on.

 

[Nutty]

Any bike in a crosswind will be scary, but I find the GS isn't as bad as a faired bike. I've only ridden in a couple of major crosswinds, and although butt clenching, it was fine.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Glencoe with 80mph sidewind

45 degrees to the road, in a straight line

That's a crosswind

 

[Mr Derek]

I've done Glencoe and Rannoch Moor in similar conditions on the Vara and it was my scariest ever ride. I felt out of control, hence the question. The 'wing, being heavier than my house, is stability personified. The Vara also got twitchy in the wake of some vehicles. The GS caries its weight lower so I'm hoping it's better.

 

[newboy]

Only had bad winds in Belgium heading "in and out" if you follow..
Always steady on an 1150 - just lean over...

 

[mspenz]

Glencoe with 80mph sidewind

45 degrees to the road, in a straight line

That's a crosswind

I had a similar experience several years ago except I was on a XT550 Had to wait behind large rocks etc until the road was clear so that I could move onto the next safe zone, ended up walking with the bike in 1st gear for the most exposed sections!!

I wouldn't worry about the GS as it's pretty solid, if you are getting blown around it's a great excuse to eat more cakes

 

[Fanum]

The faster you go, the more stable you are

(seriously!)

All GSs carry their weight fairly low, so I've found mine better than any other bike I've owned TBH.
You get to learn to read the hedges, gaps between hills and lorries and even the way litter blows around as part of your overall roadcraft.....riding all year around in all conditions makes a MUCH better rider

 

[Bendy toy]

I had a Yamaha 900 do an auto lane change on the old Severn Bridge due to a sudden gust. I was doing 50mph. It's neither an unstable bike or heavily faired over.
The GS Adventure in similar conditions was far more stable.
I believe it's because the Telelever isolates suspension from steering.
On most bikes moving rider's body weight onto one foot peg makes the bike steer that way. The GS has to be counter steered (like any bike) but lateral body weight shifting has much less steering effect.
This seems to make the bike more stable in side winds. I've been shaken about by some stormy stuff but the GS just rolls on through. On the old Yam I'd have stopped and waited for better weather.
The Yam was properly maintained so it wasn't old bike new bike syndrome.

 

[600stu]

Side winds shouldn't make much difference. If you find a side wind is blowing you a lot then you could be too tense with your grip onto the bars. In high winds it helps if you grip the bike more with your thighs and relax your arms and grip on the bars.

Give it a try next time.

 

[earwig]

Leaning 45deg to right to counter cross wind .... 90deg left hander coming up !!! All part of the fun when you commute across open fells everyday On a F650GS Twin .. similar side profile to 1200's, but under 200kg road ready. just relax and steer into the gusts. Take up dinghy sailing to practice

 

[gspod]

Side winds shouldn't make much difference. If you find a side wind is blowing you a lot then you could be too tense with your grip onto the bars. In high winds it helps if you grip the bike more with your thighs and relax your arms and grip on the bars.

Give it a try next time.

+1
I did a course where they talk about the inherent stability of a moving bike, only upset by holding on to the handlebars. "any crosswind - just let go of the handlebars" he said !!!
so when the opportunity came on the Humber bridge - closed to high siders at the time and totally closed half an hour later due to high winds - I tried it and blow me down, it worked I couldn't believe it.

 

[Godzilla]

+1
I did a course where they talk about the inherent stability of a moving bike, only upset by holding on to the handlebars. "any crosswind - just let go of the handlebars" he said !!!
so when the opportunity came on the Humber bridge - closed to high siders at the time and totally closed half an hour later due to high winds - I tried it and blow me down, it worked I couldn't believe it.

Agreed, a side/cross wind will not have any effect n the bikes direction of travel. The only way is if the rider transmits the wind effect on him to the bike through the bars. Hands off bars and the bike will travel in a straight line. In fact it will lean into the wind slightly, all on its own. Clever stuff bikes and physics.

 

[sdcastle]

Don't forget "stationary crosswind" too! Left mine on the side stand leaning into the wind. It picked my bike up (admittedly the cover didn't help by acting as a sail!!) Broke the concrete post (roughly in line with the rear spindle) clean off. Only damage was a scratch on the screen and a dent in the head protector.