unstable at higher speeds

here is my delima I am 6 foot 6 and when I get to speeds around 50 or so the wind just blows me all over the place. Does anyone know if due to my size lowing the back end of my bike thus reducing wind resistance would help to keep me more stable on the highway? I know this sounds like a silly question but I have always been a car guy so I am new to the MC world.

 

Wind is part of the fun, but you could try a windshield. I have a sport windshield and it helps keep the wind off my chest. I guess a bigger windshield would help more. I prefer to ride without, but for cold weather or a really long ride I put it on for comfort. But remember that no matter what you use, when that 18 wheeler goes by at 60mph, your gunna feel it. But you're new to riding, so give it time, you will adjust.

 

do you mean blown around side to side? because that's all just part of learning how to compensate your leaning during conditions.

 

tailing a semi is my favorite.

 

I am not sure what speed I am acualy going as my speedo seems to stop at about 45 but I know that I am going faster than that because I am keeping up with trafic and the speed limit is 55. and the bike just feels unstable kinda rocking back and forth underneath me

 

maybe it's a legit issue? if it's not windy and there's no traffic around, my bikes all feel stable as heck.

how are your tires? wheel alignment? steering bearing? shocks? forks straight? bent wheels? brakes dragging?

 

Mine currently does the same thing and it did not do it before I took the front wheel off. Thinking maybe its slightly off balance...
-Chris

 

when you put it like that my bike feels like its doing something similar. ever since i took the front wheel off the bike always feels like its leaning slightly to the left side. it makes it feel kind of unstable like the bike would slip out from under me if i lean too hard to one side, which makes it handle like crap. i had the wheel off to get new tires on and they were balanced while off. i don't think the wheels are aligned properly tho, when i took the rear wheel off and put it back on, i aligned the notches on the pullers to the same spot, and the wheel is a good 15-20 degrees off the center line. i noticed that the puller on the left side was starting to bend when i would tighten to where the nothces should be to get aligned correctly. could that mean i just need new pullers or is there something else going on?

 

btw sorry to hijack i just figured my issue could apply to anybody else with this same problem

 

I get the same feeling when I get a cross wind. It feels like the bike is gonna slip out side ways from underneath you in the direction of the wind, but logic says the wind should blow you over, weird. Maybe it has some thing to do with the gyroscopic affect, like when you ride with one hand and if you push the handle bars with your right hand, like you are gonna turn left, it actually pushes back and turns right.

 

Grooved pavement, perhaps? Does it do this on sidestreets?

 

Skeeter,
You scare me. DON'T draft off semis, please. I know they will suck you along, but your putting your life at risk! Not a good idea at all.
For one, we as truck drivers, can't see you back there very well.
Have you ever seen a truck tire blow out? It happens everyday. They will decapitate you. Those steel cords and large pieces of rubber are like a bomb going off. Please pass the truck or back way, way off.
I know it's fun to be able to back off the throttle and have those big rigs pull you along, but please don't do it, ever.
And not only for the fact that a tire can blow out without warning, there is no way to see something on the road the truck can throw up right at you. Even a small pebble will become a prejectile and when coming off a semi tire. Trust me, I've seen what happens and it isn't pretty.
I'm not attacking you personally, but since you brought it into play, I felt it's only fair to warn others of the danger is all.
*Please, stay away from large trucks!! Pass them or back off!!!

 

thanks for the concern - but i was being facetious. i hate tailing semis. the beating from the wind buffeting makes what should be a great 2-wheeled experience into a miserable one.

 

I personnaly stay away from truck as much as possible and give extra room before pulling in front of them (at least 1/4 mile if not more) even in the cage, as for the wind...
On my 83 xj750 when i'm at 65 mph I feel like i'm in a fight to keep the bike straight but My 82 xj750 goes straight with no fight and is not affected by the wind as much. Fond that the front tire nut was not tightend down enough(it did have the cotter pin in it) tightened it up and she runs a lot straighter now.

 

Mines seems to be more stable since I lowered it and swapped the back wheel (18 or 19") to one off a Maxim which is only a 16" now. That's part of why bigger/lower cruisers hold the road better, lower enter of gravity and heavier, longer wheelbase.
The difference is between night and day between my little 750 bobber and my 1100 Shadow out on road on a windy day. It's just one of those things I never liked about the older metric bikes. The seat was too high, the center of gravity was higher and they had a short wheelbase to boot. Try to keep a little CB350 Honda on the interstate at 70 MPH on windy day!! It's almost dangerous at times.

 

My bike seems more stable at highway speeds after I added the fairing. It might just be because there is less arm strain at high speeds and not any actual change in stabilty.

 

It sounds to me like there are a couple of issues being discussed here, and more than one possible or practical solution.

I too am taller than average, not quite 6'6" but close. If I sit too upright (without a windshield, and I don't use them) I get beat and "blathered" around by the wind blast.

The key is to select a handlebar that provides the proper riding position for YOU in the position on the bike at road speed. Play around with your position, find one that provides less buffeting. Then get a set of bars that put you in that position most of the time.

The whole equation changes with the introduction of a windshield.

Other things that can drastically affect straight-line stability are: Worn or under-inflated tires; a front tire with a continuous center groove on rain grooves; wheel alignment (for you chain-drive guys loose or worn steering head bearings; worn out REAR shocks; front forks that need rebuilding; loose or worn wheel bearings; worn swing arm pivot bushings.

 

This article is specifically addressing the XS's, but may be applicable for the XJ's as well.
http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/articles/ ... -1982.html