The time for Wiiiind is upon us!

[Str8 Jacket]

That's right its *that* time of year again. The time when wheelie and recycle bins come flying at you as you ride up the residential streets of Wellywood. When you come up to an intersection to stop but this invisible wall knocks you clean over or when you just plain get blown over every lane on the motorway and then back into the one you started from. Now I am very used to riding in the wind and I do everything I can to avoid these situations. I relax my arms and tighten my legs, I lean into the wind everything I have been told I try and it helps but not when there are big unexpected gusts.

This year I am adament that I am going to beat the wind at its own game, I am just not yet sure how...

IDEA 1
Install a pack rack on the back of the FXR and fill it with bricks.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The pack rack acts as a ballast and I end up being blwon around more?!

IDEA 2
Get some panniers and fill them with bricks
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: I dont own a pair of chaps and I am not sure if they actually make panniers that fit an FXR?!

IDEA 3
Attach bricks or weights to the bike
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: I have been told that its stupid. Other than that is there really any problems?!

IDEA 4
Buy a new bike that weighs over 120 kg's
PROBLEM: No money.

Honestly though, I go through this every year and I never actually do anyting about it. This year I am going to do something. I am liking the idea of attaching weights to the bike but is it really such a stupid idea?

[C_A]

ride a vespa, then go back to your fxr and you'll think the wind has zero effect on your bike....
last year my rg was bearable. worse though than my cbx I had previously piloted, but nothing on a large frame vespa, which, weirdly enough, the bottom of the bike washes out with the wind, instead of leaning from the top like most other stuff so you can't really counteract it.

[C_A]

you should get one of those vlave things that allows you to fill tractor tyres with water :2thumbsup

[jetboy]

I rode over the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 110km winds and will avoid doing so again at all costs...so not sure how to relate that to Wgtn as I've never been there, but I laxed my arms, tightened my legs and crouched low over the tank which worked fine, although I still got blown around a bit. Also, my bike is nekkid which helped.

I'd be interested to see a solution for riding in the wind as I do it far too often!

[mashman]

My bike is 210kgs... still get the same problem when on my way down the gorge... so i'd scratch idea 4

[Str8 Jacket]

My bike is 210kgs... still get the same problem when on my way down the gorge... so i'd scratch idea 4

I owned an FZR400 which was alot more "wind friendly", the only bloody thing it was useful for once upon time. I remember the fateful day I picked the bloody thing up and riding it over the Desert Rd with a guy on a 1500cc cruiser in front of me. I was only just staying on the road and the sand was flying all through my helmet, same with the guy in front of me on the 1500. I prayed for trucks to come past as they seemed to suck me back into the middle of my lane again.

At least with a bigger bike you can power out of trouble a bit easier and can ride with the revs alot higher which seem to make you feel more stable. I have removed the belly pan from the FXR to no avail. I am seriously wondering if I should take the fairings off altogether is possible. Be interesting to see if its the weight or the placement of fairings that is the issue...

[Bend-it]

?? Eh? Your 210kg bike gets blown about by the wind?? I used to get blown about on my 50cc scooter, but my smallest bike was a bandit, on which you could feel the wind, but it wasn't too bad. The RF900 next was solid as a rock!

Hels> Are you on tippy-toes too much? So that when the wind does blow, you have no strength in them slender little toes to hold it up? Extra heels at the bottom of your boots maybe? So you can get your whole foot on the ground? (when stationary that is, which is when you've dropped your bike due to wind before right?)...

[James Deuce]

Eat more pies, ya skinny bitch!

[Str8 Jacket]

Hels> Are you on tippy-toes too much? So that when the wind does blow, you have no strength in them slender little toes to hold it up? Extra heels at the bottom of your boots maybe? So you can get your whole foot on the ground?

Slender: :laugh:

I find that the wind hits me like a wall and just moves me sideways. If I am not quick enough to put my foot down then Wham-o, over she blows!

If the wind is steady then I lean into it keep my arms loose and use my hips to guide me back into my lane. Also keeping the revs high is essential as it makes the bike feel alot more stable. My problem is those wind gusts that come as quick as a 15yr old boy then dissapear again!

[Bend-it]

or.... Get a boyfriend to ride pillion!

[James Deuce]

or.... Get a boyfriend to ride pillion!
Lumped together, they still don't weigh the same as one normal person. Midgets, both of them.

[Str8 Jacket]

or.... Get a boyfriend to ride pillion!

My 'boyfriend' works in Upper Hutt and I work in the city, we live splat bang i the middle. Might be a bit extreme dont you think! :laugh:

Anyway, JD sums it up nicely... :niceone:


Lumped together, they still don't weigh the same as one normal person. Midgets, both of them.

[James Deuce]

Slender: :laugh:

I find that the wind hits me like a wall and just moves me sideways. If I am not quick enough to put my foot down then Wham-o, over she blows!

If the wind is steady then I lean into it keep my arms loose and use my hips to guide me back into my lane. Also keeping the revs high is essential as it makes the bike feel alot more stable. My problem is those wind gusts that come as quick as a 15yr old boy then dissapear again!

I've seen her blown off her bike and into a bank, cartoon styles. Arms and legs akimbo, face first, she had to be peeled off the bank like Wil E. Coyote.

[Stirts]

For side winds use bike as wind break and leg as ballast
<img src= http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200906/video-motorcycle-sav_460x0w.jpg></img>

Head winds
<img src= http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Rollie_Free,_record_run.jpg></img>


Or just do this
<img src= http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd357/blueline15/_020smallplane.jpg></img>

[jetboy]

Try without fairings - they make a big difference!

[Bend-it]

That's bloody hilarious!! To me reading it anyway... I've been riding aorund in Wellington for over 5 years and have never experienced anything close! The closest is getting blown into the next lane, 3 times maybe...

but then, I am a fat bastard...

[Str8 Jacket]

I've seen her blown off her bike and into a bank, cartoon styles. Arms and legs akimbo, face first, she had to be peeled off the bank like Wil E. Coyote.

That KR was cursed I tells ya!

At least the cows that I crashed beside got a bit of entertainment! :laugh:

[Bend-it]

My 'boyfriend' works in Upper Hutt and I work in the city, we live splat bang i the middle. Might be a bit extreme dont you think! :laugh:

Anyway, JD sums it up nicely... :niceone:

Get another one, who's fat, who lives closeby and and works in the city, and doesn't want sex, or to spend any other time with you. QED... :dodge:

[Str8 Jacket]

For side winds use bike as wind break and leg as ballast

Head winds

Or just do this


:rofl: I lufs you, will you marry me!?!



I like the look of the protective gear in the head winds pic. Nice bum bum

[Stirts]

:rofl: I lufs you, will you marry me!?!

Oh you tease!

[howdamnhard]

Slender: :laugh:

I find that the wind hits me like a wall and just moves me sideways. If I am not quick enough to put my foot down then Wham-o, over she blows!

If the wind is steady then I lean into it keep my arms loose and use my hips to guide me back into my lane. Also keeping the revs high is essential as it makes the bike feel alot more stable. My problem is those wind gusts that come as quick as a 15yr old boy then dissapear again!

Keep both feet down when stopped(unless your to short:dodge:). Idea 4 would be the most effective,I used to get blown around a lot more on the GN compared to the ZZR ( inertia). The use your boyfriend as a pillion weight sounds like it might work to.:clap:
Seriuosly hope you find a workable solution.Using a pack rack or saddlebags with too much weight may produce more problems than it solves.:(

[Str8 Jacket]

Keep both feet down when stopped(unless your to short:dodge:). Idea 4 would be the most effective,I used to get blown around a lot more on the GN compared to the ZZR ( inertia). The use your boyfriend as a pillion weight sounds like it might work to.:clap:
Seriuosly hope you find a workable solution.Using a pack rack or saddlebags with too much weight may produce more problems than it solves.:(

I always put 2 feet down when I stop on windy days. I have been blown over with both my feet down before. In saying that it was 2.5-3 years ago and I must've weighed about 45 kilos.
I cant afford anything bigger ATM and TBH, even when I can I am just going to buy an SV and race it.

What do you think about adding additional weight to the frame/bike?

[howdamnhard]

What do you think about adding additional weight to the frame/bike?

Well if you could SAFELY secure it low down enough near the centre it would help.Would need to adjust suspension for it and cornering and stopping would be harder. Gusty wind is the worst as it varies in strength and direction but by paying attention to its direction and strength and being aware of how it acts in certain parts of your journey can help you anticipate it to a degree.Although it sounds like you are doing this all already. Keeping it revving higher helps because it increase its gyroscopic effect which helps keep it straight. Same thing produced by your wheels when your going faster which is why the wind feels more noticeable when you slow down .

[rainman]

That's right its *that* time of year again. The time when wheelie and recycle bins come flying at you as you ride up the residential streets of Wellywood....



IDEA 5
Move out of Wellington?

:dodge:

[mashman]

At least with a bigger bike you can power out of trouble a bit easier and can ride with the revs alot higher which seem to make you feel more stable. I have removed the belly pan from the FXR to no avail. I am seriously wondering if I should take the fairings off altogether is possible. Be interesting to see if its the weight or the placement of fairings that is the issue...

Very true, i'll shut my face... I had to pick the Prila up off the floor in Welly one day, as she is a bit of a kite and guess the fairing may well be the cause... that and the shitey stock side stand... So might be worth removing the fairings, they may just be too good, after all the FZR is a proper sprots bike innit?

[Swoop]

Eh?

It is December already???

[scootnz]

But it's only July? The seasonal winds are in October! This was just a particularly windy day....

[oldrider]

IDEA 5
Move out of Wellington?

:dodge:

Wellington is no windier than anywhere else in NZ! :nono:

It's just that Wellington is nicer than anywhere else when it's not windy. :sunny:

People there get confused when it blows. :confused: they think it is the end of the world! :rolleyes:

[Str8 Jacket]

IDEA 5
Move out of Wellington?

:dodge:

Well I have been here almost 7 years now, must be time!

[Nasty]

IDEA 2[/B]
Get some panniers and fill them with bricks
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: I dont own a pair of chaps and I am not sure if they actually make panniers that fit an FXR?!
...

I have a set of panniers that fit on an fxr :):) I am not partial to the wind either ... glad my bikes weights closer to 200 kgs :)

[Str8 Jacket]

I have a set of panniers that fit on an fxr :):) I am not partial to the wind either ... glad my bikes weights closer to 200 kgs :)

Cheers chicky. After a bit of thought and discussion, I realise that if it were safe enough to consider weighting the bike down it would need to be weighted toward the centre of the bike/frame.
Me and Malcolm decided it would be best if the VFR was fixed (bloody electricals!) and I ride that during the flatulent season...

[Nasty]

Cheers chicky. After a bit of thought and discussion, I realise that if it were safe enough to consider weighting the bike down it would need to be weighted toward the centre of the bike/frame.
Me and Malcolm decided it would be best if the VFR was fixed (bloody electricals!) and I ride that during the flatulent season...

Great idea ... :):)

[twotyred]

move to Palmy for a while,then Welli will seem tranquil...

[Pwalo]

FWIW I find the SVS with it's half fairing pretty good in the wind. Mind you it was bl!@#y windy yesterday evening down SH2 and up the Gorge.

You weren't up in J'ville in the weekend? Saw a blue FXR pootling around on Sunday.

[Str8 Jacket]

FWIW I find the SVS with it's half fairing pretty good in the wind. Mind you it was bl!@#y windy yesterday evening down SH2 and up the Gorge.

You weren't up in J'ville in the weekend? Saw a blue FXR pootling around on Sunday.

It was insane yesterday in fact there was even a tornado in Opunake last night. Poor old edna!

Nah, my FXR is green and I dont think I rode it at all on Sunday. Was up at the buckets. :yes:

[unrealone]

Very true, i'll shut my face... I had to pick the Prila up off the floor in Welly one day, as she is a bit of a kite and guess the fairing may well be the cause... that and the shitey stock side stand... So might be worth removing the fairings, they may just be too good, after all the FZR is a proper sprots bike innit?

Gah tell me about it... Its so sketchy leaving it on that piddly little sidestand in the wind. Do you know of any aftermarket ones?

Edit: I see its the silly euro models that have the crap stand, apparently the US models had a decent stand (and it's meant to just bolt on) Could be worth looking into as the windy season picks up

[Str8 Jacket]

Eh?

It is December already???


But it's only July? The seasonal winds are in October! This was just a particularly windy day....

Maybe God hates me. Maybe I was being an overly emotional woman and I imagined it... or maybe the wind was just there to surprise us eh?!

SURPRISE, now you're on your arse! :thud:

[BMWST?]

the worst bit for ind in welly is the motorway from nga to town,get of at nga and use hutt road tho i suspect you already do that.As much as possible keep speed up,more inertia. would be an idea to take fairing off a a trial.
having a big bike and being 6 3 helps but you learn where the worst places are.ie hutt road is worse at the bottom of ngaio gorge cos the wind funnels up and down,the gap between large buildings.large truck and trailer units can create a shelter which causes you to suddenly move towards wind source,then wham you get hit again when the truck passes.
110km hr is a just strong breeze for most welly ites.

[marioc]

Yeah jeez the ride home last night was a bit rough...
Sideways rain and wind for Africa
Something in me kinda enjoys that shit though
yeah Hutt road for the win whens its blowing hard

[Str8 Jacket]

Yep I used Hutt Road myself last night. Found myself being blown over the double yellow lines into oncoming vehicles a couple of times. Very Glad I didnt take the motorway, could just imagine how bad that cold have turned out!

[James Deuce]

The rain was incredible last night, way worse than the wind. At one stage I couldn't hear anything except the rain on my helmet. My new wets work very well, thank goodness.

[Str8 Jacket]

The rain was incredible last night, way worse than the wind. At one stage I couldn't hear anything except the rain on my helmet. My new wets work very well, thank goodness.

I was well home by the time the rain hit. I much prefer rain over wind any day as it is more 'predictable'...

[James Deuce]

No one said the wind went away and the rain wasn't particularly predictable. It went from bucketing to sheeting to "I'm thinking about stopping and hiding under that tree."

[Str8 Jacket]

No one said the wind went away and the rain wasn't particularly predictable. It went from bucketing to sheeting to "I'm thinking about stopping and hiding under that tree."

HTFU! ;) <booyah>

[James Deuce]

Next time, we leave you face first in the bank.

[mashman]

Gah tell me about it... Its so sketchy leaving it on that piddly little sidestand in the wind. Do you know of any aftermarket ones?

Edit: I see its the silly euro models that have the crap stand, apparently the US models had a decent stand (and it's meant to just bolt on) Could be worth looking into as the windy season picks up

I did bag a sidestand from a guy who makes them in the UK, but his first gen ones weren't strong enough to allow the bike to be spun on the stand (fortunately i was at the shop when they attempted to do it and warned them first). I take it you found the AF1 board in the states??? feckin superb for Aprilia info...

I did read somewhere that the US stand was tonnes better, but haven't been out and gotten me one yet, primarily as it costs a small fortune. At some point though I may put in an order from across the pond. Maybe there's someone here that could make one for us???

[PrincessBandit]

Weight alone won't stop you being pushed around, you only have to feel how a car can be buffetted. I've been blown into the next lane once on the GN on the motorway so I got off at the first available exit and continued home the long way. Even my Bandit (at well over 200kg) got pushed around on the Kopu bridge one afternoon.

Maybe there are some variations of the rain dance you can use, but direct your chanting and dancing at the wind? Go outside to test the air, hmmm, tad too windy, before I kit up and head out I'll just take half an hour to perform my wind dance..... Never know you might have a real calling for a new talent!

[unrealone]

I did bag a sidestand from a guy who makes them in the UK, but his first gen ones weren't strong enough to allow the bike to be spun on the stand (fortunately i was at the shop when they attempted to do it and warned them first). I take it you found the AF1 board in the states??? feckin superb for Aprilia info...

I did read somewhere that the US stand was tonnes better, but haven't been out and gotten me one yet, primarily as it costs a small fortune. At some point though I may put in an order from across the pond. Maybe there's someone here that could make one for us???

Did a google search and found a review on the bike that recommended changing the stand for the US model which apparently just bolts on. Had a quick squizz at AF1 (yep, they're bloody awesome for Aprilia stuff - got heaps through them for my RS250) and see they have the diagram for it (of course) but would need to email 'em to find costing/availability.

I might cringe at the cost + shipping :blank: I might do some asking round and see if someone local can do something.

[mashman]

I might cringe at the cost + shipping :blank: I might do some asking round and see if someone local can do something.

40 bucks US standard delivery charge... nasty exchange rate and then the $$$$ for the item... hopefully something local will turn up... have started a thread so as not to hijack this one too much... REALLY VERY VERY SORRY

[merv]

Now Hels, back to the pies like Jim mentioned. Last time I bought you a pie not long after at Stanley Road. That place has closed now but a pie somewhere else could be on the cards.

[Ms Piggy]

the worst bit for ind in welly is the motorway from nga to town,get of at nga and use hutt
Yeah this is what I do now after I learnt the scary way that it was a much less 'brown pants creating' route when it's blowin' like a bag of arse holes in Welli. I'm glad I wasn't riding yesterday!!

My little Betty gets blown around heaps, so I'm reading your thread with interest...although I'll be on my new bike soon! :clap: