The wind is so terrible, I mostly avoid highway riding and I can't figure out how the wind can be so bad... I feel like I'm always fighting with the wind, when I should be enjoying the ride with little effort . I own a 1988 Honda Hurricane and it is not even close to as bad. Anything else other than the double bubble that will help on the wind?
highway riding is horrible!
- Thread starter obie
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nashvillenobody
New Member
Better helmet? Switch to riding a car?
Actually I think I know what he is talking about. I have this problem with speeds over 70mph especially when I am around any tractor trailers. You really feel like you are fighting "wind" and it isn't fun.
1988 Honda Hurricane.... looks like a sick ride for it's time.... Did you tuck in on it? It looks like the bars are way more forward than our bike.... so you may have gotten the benefit of draft from it that you don't get now. I do have the double bubble... I'm 6'1"... and I do get turbulent wind... if.if.if! I sit straight up, it's fine... so yeah you get some noise, but I' haven't had many issues with the wind much (just pure side gusts not wanting to let me lean)... I personally have nothing to compare with though... my first bike!
@JonKerr.... look at what he's comparing it too! he's not a nube from cars.... he's comparing it to an old CBR.
nashvillenobody
New Member
My last 2 bikes were a FZ1 and a Katana 750.. neither of which I had to "fight" with on the interstate. I have been riding bikes for 30 years and I am pretty sure I know the difference between how a bike and car rides on a highway. I was hoping that this forum wasn't going to be a place where someone says anything negative about this bike and all the sudden that person doesn't know anything. Don't get me wrong. I did my research and even with the interstate push of the bike I bought it. I bought it because it fit my needs the best and I really loved the look and feel of the bike. There is no perfect bike and every bike out there will have its flaws.
Don't worry, be happy
Pretty sure Jon just didn't read the whole post... he's a pretty good guy when it comes to riding advice! Never seen him dog down on anyone talking about the +'s and -'s of our bike... we all know there is no perfect bike and where ours can be improved!
I had to (got to?) take a second look myself... if it weren't for my browser crashing, I might have missed the whole post as well.
I'm comparing two different bikes, not car vs bike. I learned to ride on my 88 cane and wanted a newer bike. I think the difference is that my cane has fairing that go up along the sides of the windshield and seems to be a little more bulky.
Better helmet? Switch to riding a car?
How would my helmet help? I have a shoei rf-1100 and don't want to spend much more than that. I'm not talking about wind blasting me in the face, I'm referring to fighting with the wind, if that makes any sense.
Guys, I'm sorry if I came off like an ass hole just then. I just dealt with a stupid pain in the ass issue with my job (which I HATE to begin with) after hours, while I'm on vacation. So I was a little hacked off and not exactly in a good mood. I shouldn't have worded it that way.
I've heard a lot of newer riders complain about things like wind, noise, etc... like it's a major surprise to them that their out in the elements now that their on a bike. And like Dart mentioned, I didn't completely read the post, made an assumption, and being in a pissed off mood, put up a smart ass post. And I apologize.
After reading your post, I agree, riding on the freeway around other cars can be tough. Hummers and those stupid little rice rockets with the pointless carbon fiber wings make the most turbulence behind them. And simi's just need to be avoided at all costs. I don't ride on the freeway if I can help it but I've found tucking down works well with the tinted double bubble helps, especially with the cross winds.
So I was a little hacked off and not exactly in a good mood. I shouldn't have worded it that way. I've heard a lot of newer riders complain about things like wind, noise, etc... like it's a major surprise to them that their out in the elements now that their on a bike. And like Dart mentioned, I didn't completely read the post, made an assumption, and being in a pissed off mood, put up a smart ass post. And I apologize.
After reading your post, I agree, riding on the freeway around other cars can be tough. Hummers and those stupid little rice rockets with the pointless carbon fiber wings make the most turbulence behind them. And simi's just need to be avoided at all costs. I don't ride on the freeway if I can help it but I've found tucking down works well with the tinted double bubble helps, especially with the cross winds.
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You didn't give us details of your gear, conditions etc. So one can only make the assumption...
Different helmets have different air flows and aerodynamics. You get what you pay for is the ole saying.
redwing-2001
New Member
Guys, I'm sorry if I came off like an ass hole just then. I just dealt with a stupid pain in the ass issue with my job (which I HATE to begin with) after hours, while I'm on vacation.
I've heard a lot of newer riders complain about things like wind, noise, etc... like it's a major surprise to them that their out in the elements now that their on a bike. And like Dart mentioned, I didn't completely read the post, made an assumption, and being in a pissed off mood, put up a smart ass post. And I apologize.
After reading your post, I agree, riding on the freeway around other cars can be tough. Hummers and those stupid little rice rockets with the pointless carbon fiber wings make the most turbulence behind them. And simi's just need to be avoided at all costs. I don't ride on the freeway if I can help it but I've found tucking down works well with the tinted double bubble helps, especially with the cross winds.
I ride on the interstate nearly every day commuting to work. The faster I go the more I have to tuck. Double Bubble w/s did help and a snug full face helmet is a must (I use a Scorpion EXO 400). Also elbows and knees in at high speed will reduce drag a little.
I... kinda got used to it... It got noticeably better after I replaced the stock windscreen for the double bubble (clear), but yes, I'm still pushed back a bit. Anything much over 85mph still is best with a tuck, but since those speeds are very rare, I don't need to do that very often.
Props to JonKerr BTW--always had very fair posts, and now even have more respect for him with his "my bad" post! I'm with ya there brother--currently on vacation and have already received 5 calls from the office...
Props to JonKerr BTW--always had very fair posts, and now even have more respect for him with his "my bad" post! I'm with ya there brother--currently on vacation and have already received 5 calls from the office...
If you're riding in gusting crosswinds or strong quartering winds, nothing will help. I have friends w/ fully dressed Harleys who tell me that.
There have been a lot of posts discussing the limitations of the Yamaha Double Bubble. IMHO, one point that stands out in regard to the problem is that it forces the air up, creating turbulent air behind the windscreen. I found that getting low (chest on the tank) helped because it made me more aerodynamic. It also put my helmet closer to screen which redirected the potentially turbulent air over, instead of swirling around me. However, riding tucked is not a good solution.
You can minimize the problem by getting a touring screen. If you want a better double-bubble, I recommend the Puig Racing Screen.
There have been a lot of posts discussing the limitations of the Yamaha Double Bubble. IMHO, one point that stands out in regard to the problem is that it forces the air up, creating turbulent air behind the windscreen. I found that getting low (chest on the tank) helped because it made me more aerodynamic. It also put my helmet closer to screen which redirected the potentially turbulent air over, instead of swirling around me. However, riding tucked is not a good solution.
You can minimize the problem by getting a touring screen. If you want a better double-bubble, I recommend the Puig Racing Screen.
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butcher bird
New Member
i agree w/you. i had a 87 hurricane 1000 and it sailed thru the wind. the fz6r is a bitch out on the hiway's. i have added a yamaha double bubble but i cannot tell no improvement. this bike really beats on you when you are trying to keep up w/ traffic at interstate speed. guess i should have kept my 2 BMW'S. but i wanted something that would not bust the bank when come time to work on.
my 2cts.
redwing-2001
New Member
When I rode in this morning on the interstate I paid particular attention to wind. Some additional thoughts besides DB windscreen and tucking:
1. do you wear earplugs - sounds strange, but when the wind roar is removed you don't think about it as much and it is not so much of a distraction and concern.
2. what type helmet do you wear. I have found that a snug, full-face helmet, shield all the way down works best. If it is loose, the wind catches it more and buffeting is more of an issue. Same thing if the shield is cracked.
3. Speed, as mentioned before, is definitely a factor. Under 85 mph is comfortable for me.
4. Clothing. I always wear a snug jacket and pants - less wind drag.
5. Traffic - the more there is, the more turbulance created, especially big trucks.
just some thoughts.
Insure Gal
New Member
I used to find that the little GS500 used to "sail" at a 45 degree angle in the wind on the h/way.... asked my buddy who runs the local MSF course for any remedies or suggestions, he said to tuck in closer to the tank and to look further down the road in strong wind and when being passed by a big rig make slight arc outward in your lane away from the lane the rig is in as it passed. you avoid much of their drag that way.
Now since I've gotten the FZ6R I don't find it nearly as bad. Although on one group ride a few weeks ago winds were gusting to 110 klicks per hour. Now that was a challenge but on the GS I would have been blown off the road.
Now since I've gotten the FZ6R I don't find it nearly as bad. Although on one group ride a few weeks ago winds were gusting to 110 klicks per hour. Now that was a challenge but on the GS I would have been blown off the road.
+1 on the bolded commment. My first jacket this year was a coretech sport 2 it was like a hefty bag on the highway and it fit 'snug'. I felt very uncomfortable at 70+ on the highway with that jacket, like I was going to be pulled off the bike in some cases.
I now have an Alpine Stars Stage Leather that really fits snug and it's magnitudes better on the highway. I admit I still feel better on the backroads, but thats just my preference, at highway speeds and tucked it's way better from a stability standpoint.
Steve
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