Author Topic: Wind gusts & crosswinds  (Read 5759 times)

Offline erda

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Wind gusts & crosswinds
« on: June 09, 2009, 09:19:12 PM »
Hi
Just wondering what your experiences are in riding the Bandit in crosswinds and gusty conditions. I am seriously looking at moving to a new Bandit from my V-Strom as it is NO FUN at all in gusty (50-70 km/h) conditions.
Thanks.
erda
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Offline billincentraljersey

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2009, 10:54:33 PM »
Somewhere in north Texas, while was doing my cross country trip, back in 07... I was on my B1250 and my brother in law was on his police BMW... the wind was so strong that we were leaning about 30-40 degrees from the vertical just to stay straight down the road.  We were going about 70 mph.  The bike is fine.  No weird behaviors.  Wind momentary "shuts off" and I shoot over the next lane, or two lanes, REAL FAST!!!  Trick is to stay in the right most lane when the wind is coming from the left side.
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Bragging Rights:  NJ to CA in 8 Days on my B1250ABS. Not quite ADV Rider.
07 B1250ABS, 90 Kawasaki Concours, 84 Moto Guzzi V65SP, 77 Yamaha XS360, xx-77 NYC Subway

Offline Scubadvr

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2009, 11:25:13 PM »
Hi
Just wondering what your experiences are in riding the Bandit in crosswinds and gusty conditions. I am seriously looking at moving to a new Bandit from my V-Strom as it is NO FUN at all in gusty (50-70 km/h) conditions.
Thanks.
erda
I can speak to this directly, just having traded my DL650 V-strom for a Bandit 1250 on Friday!

The Bandit is MUCH better in crosswinds than the V-Strom.  I think it's the extra height of the side fairings, as well as the extra surface area, that makes them such sails in crosswinds.  On my last long ride with the V-Strom, with severe crosswinds, I was leaning much further into the wind than anyone else on the trip.  With the Bandit, passing semi's causes barely a little push/pull when crossing their "bow wake," as opposed to on the Strom, where it was much more pronounced.
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Offline erda

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2009, 03:12:29 PM »
Thanks for that scubadvr.
It is pretty much what I have figured. You know, the crosswind issue is something I can deal with, but the gusts are a whole 'nother story.
I've been dealing on a Bandit and hope to pick it up the end of this week.
erda
GSF1250SEAK9
DL650SEAK9 (sold)
2004 Kawasaki 500ex (sold)
2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650r (wife's ride)

Offline PitterB4

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2009, 09:38:23 PM »
That's why I ride a sportbike!  I just lay down on the tank and all's well!
Rob
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2009, 11:29:14 PM »
 I find my Gen 1 Bandit to be pretty poor in sidewinds. 
John L

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Offline PaulVS

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2009, 01:08:40 AM »
I would recommend that any of you that think one bike has a distinct 'crosswind' advantage over another in all circumstances should ask a physics professor that question.   :grin:

Certain bikes may have some immeasureably slight advantage over other bikes in certain crosswind situations, but it will probably have a disadvantage in other crosswind situations.  "Laying down on the tank" diminishes the wind effects to some degree, but mostly just your perception of what the crosswinds effects are.  Tire size is one thing that may perceptibly change the equation, but it would have to be a significant alteration to have an effect.

Head & tail winds is one thing, but from a structural viewpoint.... all motorcycles, including the most aerodynamic MotoGP bikes, have nearly identical "profiles".... and with a rider mounted they are all essentially "barn-doors in the breeze" when it comes to crosswinds.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2009, 01:31:27 AM by PaulVS »


Offline Scubadvr

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2009, 10:01:16 AM »
Ever ridden a V-Strom, Paul?   :stickpoke:  The fairings on those are like sails.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2009, 10:03:06 AM by Scubadvr »
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Offline PaulVS

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2009, 03:00:34 PM »
Ever ridden a V-Strom, Paul?   :stickpoke:  The fairings on those are like sails.

Which would provide slightly more streamlined effect in a headwind, versus, say, a naked bike.

Obviously, the angle of the wind is the big component.  

With wind coming directly perpindicular to the bike... every inch of lower surface area does make a difference in drag.... I'm just not aware of a bike that has a side surface area that would be signifcantly more impervious than any other in a strong crosswind.

Heck... my mid-sized SUV gets knocked around pretty good in a good crosswind.   :grin:
« Last Edit: June 16, 2009, 03:02:13 PM by PaulVS »


Offline Scubadvr

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2009, 03:26:36 PM »
With wind coming directly perpindicular to the bike... every inch of lower surface area does make a difference in drag.... I'm just not aware of a bike that has a side surface area that would be signifcantly more impervious than any other in a strong crosswind.
I hear you on that, and totally agree.  It might even be more related to overall weight and vehicle COG than the fairings.  I think it's likely a combination of the Strom's high, flat side fairings, coupled with the low weight of the bike, and high COG, that contribute to its (felt) higher-than-average susceptibility to crosswinds.
sic biscuitus disintegratum

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Offline stormi

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2009, 05:56:52 PM »
Well I'll definitely vouch that a naked bike can be tossed about pretty badly by cross winds.  Last year about this time, I was off the bike for 2 months because of wind gusts and cross winds.

I managed to pull or strain/sprain my supraspinatus (sp?) in my rotator cuff, my bicep muscle, tricep muscle,... and the inflamation of all of that was pulling the ball out of the socket.

how?  The winds that day were 50 gusting to something like 70mph.  I was riding to work, on the 919, when suddenly it felt like someone grabbed my rear peg and shook the whole bike with it.    The bike wobbled hard, but I managed to recover it and continued to work. As the day wore on, I started getting stiffer and stiffer.  Thinking it was because I wasn't riding a lot at that point, I shrugged it off applied a little heat for the "sore muscles", and even rode to work the next day. 

By the end of the next day, I couldn't lift my arm even to shoulder height anymore, and I could only manage an arc of about 120 degrees.  I was a mess.

The winds were almost as bad, but I was riding with my right hand only for most of it (yes, stupid I know) because of the agony that the feel of the bars would do to me if I touched them.

Over the next few days, it felt like it was getting better, then about 5 days in, it got -way- worse.  I left work mid afternoon for an impromptu chiropractor appointment

The chiropractor gave me my diagnosis, and "suggested" that I remain off the bikes for a few months while I healed and built up the strength in it again.
stormi

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Offline erda

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2009, 01:08:34 AM »
Well, I did it. Rode my Wee Strom into Calgary and rode home on a new Bandit  :grin:
I can definitely state that the Bandit handles cross winds significantly better than the Strom did. And did I mention the power. OH, MY!!!
erda
GSF1250SEAK9
DL650SEAK9 (sold)
2004 Kawasaki 500ex (sold)
2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650r (wife's ride)

Offline stormi

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2009, 01:58:26 AM »
Well, I did it. Rode my Wee Strom into Calgary and rode home on a new Bandit  :grin:
I can definitely state that the Bandit handles cross winds significantly better than the Strom did. And did I mention the power. OH, MY!!!
erda

 :congrats:  We're gonna need some pics though.....  :thumb:
stormi

Dita - 91 Bandit 400 - SOLD
Blue - 02 Hornet 919 - Perfect Gentleman
02 KTM 200 EXC - Sold
08 VFR800 - Lowered 1.2"
17 KTM RC390
17 Husky TC85 converted to 105

Electrosport Charging System Test - it really works

Offline Scubadvr

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2009, 07:57:25 PM »
Well, I did it. Rode my Wee Strom into Calgary and rode home on a new Bandit  :grin:
I can definitely state that the Bandit handles cross winds significantly better than the Strom did. And did I mention the power. OH, MY!!!
erda
It's a nice step up, isn't it, Erda?     :thumb:
sic biscuitus disintegratum

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Offline B6mick

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Re: Wind gusts & crosswinds
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2009, 07:00:46 AM »
Get with the times man, its the latest ubute sport, motorcycle sailing.. :motorsmile: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Sell the Bandit and get a fully faired sports bike twice as much fun. :bigok:
Then put a 66 litre courier tub on the back, and really enjoy the thrill :yikes:
Then sell that for a underpowered scooter and try towing a huge assed billboard trailer. :banghead:
Yes I'm silly, yes I've been there and done that. :trustme:
« Last Edit: July 04, 2009, 07:04:29 AM by B6mick »
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