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Wind on the freeway

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:38 am
by vladmech
So yesterday I ventured out onto the freeway for the first time and was surprised at the amount of wind buffeting when doing 75-80ish. I was in a leather jacket, and wearing my mesh jacket I just got seems to help a bit with it, as does leaning over the bike, but I was just wondering if there is anything else I can do to reduce this?

I'm on a Ninja 250, and assume it isn't as much of a problem on a larger bike.

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:47 am
by KarateChick
I know what you mean about wind, I was totally blasted around on my 250 whenever it was windy especially on highways. Was a bit unsettling at first but you will get used to it. Tucking yourself into the bike helps. Just be prepared because some of those gusts can blow you right across the lane. Don't fight it so hard that you get all tensed up and try to stay relaxed, keep your body relaxed.

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:56 am
by HelmetHair
I'm a new rider too. At first, I was a bit freaked out by the amount of wind at high speed, but as KarateChick said, you get used to it. I don't even notice anymore unless I catch an unusually strong sideways gust.

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:58 am
by Ian522
Its amazing how much less turbulence there is at 65 than at 75-80. For that reason I usually just cruise in the right lane at around 65. Sure I could do 80, but then id be so exhausted from fighting the wind by the time I reach my destination.

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:39 am
by Septimus
These are supposed to help:

www.laminarlip.com

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:14 pm
by vladmech
Septimus wrote:These are supposed to help:

www.laminarlip.com
They look kinda silly though :?

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:19 pm
by matthew5656
A windshield and ear plugs help a lot. I'm still getting used to the wind as well, but it's really not that bad as long as you expect it will happen and stay relaxed.

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:55 pm
by Septimus
I wouldn't bother with one for everyday use but if you spend a lot of time on the highway then they seem to help, depending on what bike you've got. There are some videos around with people testing them on various models.

I think they also velcro on and off so you can remove them pretty easily (the velcro mounts don't come off once put on without a lot of work)

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:06 pm
by JC Viper
Get a "lip" for that windscreen of yours. It extends the windscreen a bit and adds a bit of an angle to it so it lessens the buffeting.

Plus many times a bigger engine doesn't feel too stressed when riding against the wind so maybe a 500 would fare better?

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:01 pm
by vladmech
Yah I figure I'll get a bigger bike next summer and it should solve a lot of the problems.

After a couple days of freeway riding I'm definitely noticing it less now, however, which is quite nice.