Handling Question.

[Desertfox]

Being somewhat new to the Sportster experience I have a question. Yesterday I was out in the wind,on a beautiful sunny albeit quite windy day. So there I was, in the wind, on the super slab, my Annabelle just singing to me. However as the speed got up to 70 and higher I noticed that the very guysty crosswinds were quite brutal. She started swerving a bit to and fro in the rear end. I first thought the rear tire was going flat. This was a bit disconcerting to say the least. However a check of said tire revealed no problem. Is this a typical reaction to strong cross winds? I can't remember anything like this happening before. Or is there something else I should look at? Just wondering.

[vetthed]

I have an 04 1200r and I have experienced some cross winds on high speeds and got a little tossed around myself. I think it's just part of the fun.

[gearhead]

ditto, if it was just gusty that day.

I have been in a straight wind in west Texas that you just lean into for the whole trip and gusty wind that even makes cars look drunk.

[Phil R]

My '05 1200R feels the wind pretty good on gusty days. The bike is tall with a fairly high center of gravity....probably contributes to the problem. I figure it's just another opportunity to practice countersteering!

[wabiker]

....yep just part of the riding experience....now ya know why solid disc front wheels are not so popular.

[dwardy]

What's even better is when you hit about 105 mph and you feel like you're being lifted off the bike.
...at least that's my lift off speed.

[Kent]

Yup..
Same here. We get nice gusts through the canyon I have to ride through on the way to work.
All part of the fun.

[Desertfox]

Thanks to all. Come to think of it this is the first bike I've owned with a solid rear wheel. That probably had a lot to do with it. Probably gives it a sail effect in heavy cross winds.

[Gone]

I think you will find that the windshield, and they type of windshield it is will make a huge difference in how wind gusts affect you. I had a sport windshild on my XLH and the wind would blow me all over the place. Winter came and I opted for a full touring windshield. I thought it would be worce, but exactly the oposite happened. I became very stable in any kind of wind, gusts or no.

[cobra0478]

I think you will find that the windshield, and they type of windshield it is will make a huge difference in how wind gusts affect you. I had a sport windshild on my XLH and the wind would blow me all over the place. Winter came and I opted for a full touring windshield. I thought it would be worce, but exactly the oposite happened. I became very stable in any kind of wind, gusts or no.

Now that just don't sound right.But I agree.
Are we nuts,or what???
Don

[crackers]

do you have stock rear suspension?

i had the same feeling, felt like the rear guard was floating sideways over the tyre.
but since going to heavy duty 412 rear shocks, its no where near as noticable.

heard of a fatboy rider who traded is bike back in, cause he thought 2 solid wheels were a nightmare in gusty conditions.

cheers
crackers

[Desertfox]

do you have stock rear suspension?

i had the same feeling, felt like the rear guard was floating sideways over the tyre.
but since going to heavy duty 412 rear shocks, its no where near as noticable.

heard of a fatboy rider who traded is bike back in, cause he thought 2 solid wheels were a nightmare in gusty conditions.

cheers
crackers Hmmmmm I dunno about heavier shocks. The stock ones are already plenty stiff for me. I'm tending to think the solid rear wheel is the culprit. All in all I think it is a quirk I can live with . But thanks much for the input. :tour