Sidewinds

[Yoda]

Had a most pleasant jaunt today down through the Forest of Dean, Chepstow, over the old Severn Bridge, then back up through the Cotswolds to Brummagem.

Is it just me, or do all 12GSs' get blown all over the shop in strong crosswinds? Admitedly I've got a Secdem screen, a top box and I weigh in at only 11st 7lbs. Perhaps I need to put on another 5st to help keep the thing in a straight line.

 

[Mutley]

Based on the wind outside my house I'd suggest anything on 2 or 4 wheels is going to be blown around today.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Blown about

Some days anything will get blown about - but it stands to reason that a larger screen and a top box can only make matters worse. Just very occasionally I have hankered for one of those old fashioned steering dampers - but am not sure of they really made much difference.

 

[Engineer]

........................ or do all 12GSs' get blown all over the shop in strong crosswinds? ...............

Yes

Hope this helps

 

[chippelmike]

Obviously the Force was against you !!

 

[minkyhead]

ive not ridden a bike where you could describe side winds as pleasent ,or not a problem ..but find the gs as good as any other bike in these conditions
i just lean and gas it at the same time . trynot to tense up cos it locks the steering with your arms and makes it worse

 

[Magwych]

I never used to find this much use of the Harley, but on the GS it seems to work a treat and reduces both heartrate and underpant stains.

Relax, dont tense up, apply more pressure to the tank on the leg nearest the source of the wind, and alow the other leg to ease away from the tank. Don't know why it works but it does.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Is it just me, or do all 12GSs' get blown all over the shop in strong crosswinds?

Yes... Secdem screen and all three boxes,

Took my wife out for a ride today (ballast)

22 1/2 st and bike was fab

 

[Stu-13]

All bikes seem to get a big of a rocking in side winds. Being high up on the GS isn’t much worse than hunkered down on a sports bike. Although it seems that the head gets more of a bashing than the body.

Today 2 up and top box on my lid was taking a bit of a hammering but the body and bike stayed pretty much on track. A lot of it depends on the landscape, so a quick blast of power got past the worst of it. That was my excuse anyway!

 

[Rob1200]

Sidewinds are definitely a bigger issue on the 12GS than on most bikes in my experience, however a few things seem to help:
1) maintain a compact posture - that means keeping your head relatively down, elbows as close as possible to the tank, knees pressed against the bike. Of course this works on any bike.
2) notwithstanding 1), keep a relaxed stance and your biceps loose. Tightening your arms can work on other bikes, but produces scary effects on the GS...
3) put the screen in the lowest position
4) wear tight motorcycle gear. It's amazing what a difference a proper motorbike leather jacket can make compared to, say, a loose feather-filled jacket...
Hope some of my hard-earned wisdom will help!

 

[earthmover]

On my test ride of the GS, a mate was following me along the M56 (at m'way speeds, officer ) when a gust of wind resulted in me trying to get aquainted with the armco. He hardly felt the wind, and we initially put it down to the size of the bike (he was on an R1) Since then, and after reading many posts on here, I am more inclined to believe it was my reaction to the wind. I overcompensated, and tensed up, and all the things that I now know not to do.
At the weekend, I had a couple of hours riding in very blustery conditions, and only once felt any concern, but the camper van in front of me was nearly at 45 degrees at this point!
The accumulated wisdom of the site definately works for me
Mark

 

[araspitfire]

I used to ride a Honda LX350R... Tall LIGHT... sail of a bike...

So my new 1200 seems pretty tame in comparison... but when I'm in the wind, I just concentrate (note: not stress on it, just relax and keep the intent) on keeping my line... everything takes care of itself. Wind pushes me a bit... my motor-neurons push a bit of counter-steer to compensate...

Something as big as a 1200cc motorcycle should never get blown off the road... it would take a major driver mistake to make it happen I think... And the usual mistake is founded in fear of driving off the road... Trust that your 250 kilos of peg scraping, road gripping, hooligan bike will go where you steer it and all will be well...

Al...

 

[Meath]

My Dominator was a lot worse. I blew across a lane of traffic and almost filled my pants at the same time . lucky it was a 2 lane road that was fairly empty. The gs is a lot more sturdy, and the lack of fairings is a good thing

 

[Penguin]

Side winds have not been a problem for me TBH, I find the 12gs very user friendly .

Try riding a Pan European in a cross wind this should put things into perspective

 

[nedflanders]

Think the GS is quite composed in side winds to be honest, had a ZZR1100 and that might as well have had bloodly sails on it, awesome bike though , if your worried get the 1150, I hear they weigh the same as a small hatchback so you should be fine

 

[Roberto]

I used to find sidewinds more of a problem on my old R1100S than on the GS. Older and no wiser I guess.

 

[Graham G]

Side Winds - the faster the better!

Yep, It was pretty windy towards the end of March! Going past a hedgerow one day and then getting a 22mph sidewind on a clear section was a surprise! I didn't notice the wind on my R1100S Sports so much, but put that down to the fairing.

...and yes, I do think the 1200GS does blow around a lot in the wind - but I just think - "adapt your riding style". I now don't mind how windy it is, so long as I get the chance to throttle up. Moving faster cuts down the effect of the wind...and it's a pain if you are behind a bunch of slow moving cars who are doing forty. IMO I don't think the 1200GS likes to move slowly through strong winds - but then I've only been motorcycling for twenty-months, so assume there are loads of bikes that are the same.

I welcome most weather conditions - gives me a chance to learn and develop my riding style - "adapt to the conditions - and the force will be with you!!"

 

[Trip]

I think this is more to do with the rider than the bike. Cross-winds are frightening if you're not used to them but become much less of a worry with experience. You relax more too which makes the wobble less pronounced.

I'm used to 600cc sports bikes (CBR, ZX6R) and I think the 12GS is more stable if anything.

Trip

 

[Gipsy]

I don't think the Gs is particularly affected by the wind. All the sports bikes I've owned seem to have been more prone to being blown around. I'm sure it's a function of fairing panel being exposed to the wind. In particular my ZZR600 was a pig in cross winds. I understand that Pan Europeans are particularly vulnerable in cross winds, which might suggest that design and not bulk is important.