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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Hello! Just wondering if anybody else felt that high winds or tractor-trailers knocked their bikes around quite a bit? My Vision seems to be buffeted about quite a bit. Is this a trait of the bike because of the large fairing area or could there be a problem? Tire pressure OK. Thanks! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | I also have been pushed around a bit while riding in high wind conditions. It get a little better with the trunk removed but if you are fighting heavy crosswinds or passing big rigs you will certainly get pushed around some. Just need to be aware of it if you are headed into that type of weather.
Ride Safe, Ride Often!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Here is a paste of a post I did quite a while ago...... Most of the time wind buffeting can be taken care of with loosening your grip on the bike. This means BOTH your handgrip and the inevitable leg grip too !!! Doing this really goes smack dab up against your instinct. If your bike starts waving like a flag in the wind you feel that you almost HAVE to tense up and get better control of it...otherwise you are gonna lose it and do some ditch diving or worse yet some unhealthy asphalt eating. The more tense you are the more your muscles will fight and the more you will attempt to correct the buffeting which will lead to even more wavering which leads to being more tense and so on. Its like a unstopable force that can get much worse with every passing foot of pavement. Sometimes you have alternatives such as twisting the throttle a bit or maybe you can slow down or whatever. But there are times where these alternative methods aren't available. You think you have to sit there...all tensed up...fighting the buffeting...hoping for an opening.
But if you loosen up a bit the buffeting does die down quite a bit and will almost go completely away. Start off by loosening the handgrip a bit, let the fingers free-up, rest your palms on the grips. The follow up the arms and bend your elbows a bit more than you usually do. Keep going up the arms and let your shoulders droop down and maybe slighlty forward, don't "push" them forward, just let them kinda "fall" forward. Now go to the neck, allow your head to do what it wants. Relax your back muscles, maybe don't sit so straight up as usual. Go to your hips and thighs, QUIT squeezing the tank with your knees!!
Doing all of this works....trust me. Few years back I had a Kawi Concours that I deeply feared being tucked behind a semi or stuck in a crosswind on. The buffeting/wavering beat me to the point I was about ready to give up. Sure, I used to twist the throttle and get by the semi, but this process doesn't work in a stiff crosswind or heavy traffic. Well, prior to giving up I did some research and came across a post worded almost exactly the same as my last paragraph. The following day I went out on the local freeway and found a patch of pavement where it was just me and one semi. I slowly crept up the backside of this semi to where I just started to get some buffeting. Then I focused on relaxing, I started with my handgrip, and I almost immediately noticed a slight drop in the buffeting. Then I continued with the rest of my body, and with each passing foot I continued to notice a drop in the buffeting. Then I decided to tuck up behind the semi a bit more, the buffeting picked up a bit and nautrally I tensed back up. I started over with the relaxation and I was quickly back down to very minimal buffeting. I kept doing this for a while, I adjusted my speed and distance and my relaxation, I tucked towards the left and right sides of the semi, pulled up alongside it, drifted over close...close enough to easily reach out and touch it, and so on. I think it was a stroke of luck that I had so much time to practice with this semi, seemed like I played around for at least 45 minutes or more. After doing this a few more times, especially one time with some fairly strong crosswinds combined with some semi traffic, I got to the point of almost completely losing any fear of buffeting. Oh...I still get into situations where I may have a little tense up, but I immediately go into "relax-mode" and cut the buffeting. Try it...it works !!! I know...a bit of a long-winded post...with somewhat crazy info...but if it helps make one rider enjoy thier ride more than they already do then it was worth it. And a link to the thread this is from... http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1933&start=1&highlight=shoulders&highlightmode=1 |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | It's interesting that this is brought up. Before I bought my 08 Vision, I test rode the GW & Harley
Ultra with the fairing. Here in Penna. almost everyday, it's windy.The buffeting from the crosswinds and big rigs passing you, is common on a bike, more so on others, especially the
smaller bikes. I feel that the wind buffeting on the Vision is better than the Harley,probably
on par with the GW. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Im not a novice rider. I have ridden since I was 13 (57 now) and have had all kinds of different bikes. The bike I traded in on the Vision was an 09 Harley Ultra and it was a lot steadier than the Vision in wind. I traded in the Ultra because of overheating problems in stop and go traffic and it was a pain in the butt to clean and keep clean(black). Also I wanted a more comfortable bike and the Vision is definitely better in than department but the Vision seems to be buffeted about more than any bike I have owned. Im wondering if there could be a problem like the steering stem nut not being torqued correctly. Thanks! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | I got to agree with Lotzafun. Just relax. My Vision riding two-up 'feels' a gust of unexpected wind - but it never does anything silly. I have never had the feeling that I have to tighten my grip - or any other parts. Bike is very stable - best ever for me. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | That earlier post and others really helped me ride better. A lighter grip and relaxed body is the key part I took from those posts. If you are tight and fighting the Vision the wind will beat you up.
Thanks everyone for helping me ride better and safer. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Dont need any driving instructions. Drive a tractor-trailer for a living and have driven all kinds of vehicles in my life and and all I can say is that this bike handles badly in wind conditions. I live, eat, and sleep to ride bikes! First thing you come up with is that its my driving abilities. THIS BIKE HANDLES BADLY IN WIND CONDITIONS! Looking for other answers. THANKS! Dont need driving lessons. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 204
guelph ontario | Easy does it Bill |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 639
Tri Cities, WA | I have to agree, my nomad did handle a little better in high winds and when passing rigs than my vision. When i first got my vision i too thought there was some thing wrong with it but over time i have gotten used to it handling like it does when passing rigs. It gets a little worse when passing two or even 3 rigs but nothing i cant handle. So yes to the first post the bike does soak up the wind due to it's size. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | I have to agree with Lotzafun, a relaxed grip and posture while riding in the wind really helps. For those professional riders that are too experienced to take advice, It is unfortunate that experienced riders are unable to take that advice. In the wind my Vision is more stable than my BMW or Kingpin was and as for the HDs Well,l I got buffeted on one of those even when it wasn't windy.
I'll stick with the Vision, more comfort and easy to ride even in windy conditions.
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | 2nd week we owned the Vision, and first big trip. Co-pilot wanted to turn arond and go home. We were getting beat up by the side wind gusts on a 2 lane highway. Once we hit the 4lane and sped up, the side wind was almost no existant. The differance was that on the 2 lane we would travel at 55-60 mph, however on the 4 lane I brought it up to 70-75 mph and the side wind disappeared. I even slowed down to see if the wind died, it did not. So I found that one had to hit a speed that would put the wind past us, and proved to me that the Vision was truly wind tunnel tested. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
West Bend, WI | Bill, Do not think anyone is saying your are not experienced. Heck, I started riding at 11 (now 62). I noticed the buffeting on the Vision as you are talking about. I just came from a VN2000 with hard bags and an HD fairing on it. The first thing I noticed is the fixed fairing transmits the bike movement differently than with the fork mounted fairing. I did what Lotzafun did, lightened my grip and did not over steer the bike. It was not easy to try and relax but when I did, the bike handled much better in the wind. The buffeting on this bike is different as most of it comes from behind you, do to the negative air flow behind the fairing and shield. Just my $0.02 for what it is worth. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Im thinking that its simple physics. Expose a sheet of plywood to a crosswind and then do the same test with a two by four----different results. I dont want to live in a dream world just because I paid almost 24K for this bike. Its just like the motor noise issue, with the stogk pipes you can hardly hear the exhaust because of motor noise. Hopefully the motor will get quieter through use. I am going to have to spend more money to overcome the engine noise or pretend I'm not hearing it. Also, my cruise control is very erratic and I have already tried the "lash learn procedure" and its not much better. I just don't want to live in a dream world (because of the money I paid?) and pretend these problems don't exsist. It seems they should have refined this bike a little more before production (and before I spent 24K). Thanks |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | dollarbillwi - 2009-04-27 5:46 PM
Bill, Do not think anyone is saying your are not experienced....
I'm with you Uncle Bill...the advice really is not on how to ride.
I got off of a BMW LT with electric wind screen and on this. After the appropriate amount of time breaking it in I did what every biker does and find a nice straight away and see what she can do....compared to the BMW LT the Vision sucks at high speed...the BMW has to be able to handle the autobahn and at 100+ if feels like a slot car. The Vision gets squirrelly over 100 as the wind pressure pushes down on the fairing compressing the forks and who knows what else it is affecting.
Now just stand in front of the fairing and look at the surface area on the Vision! When you punch a hole that big in the air the turbulence has got to go somewhere...some say our trunk catches a bunch and that doesn't help and I believe that too...or when a big rig passes you the other way and the "bow wake" slaps that big fairly flat faced fairing WHAM!
I don't know if it gets any better with time...I just get use to it more because I anticipate it better I guess.
Remember reading all the threads here that talk about not even getting wet and needing to put on the rain suit right away...it's because of that big damn fairing/frame/gas tank combination just punching a hole through the air.
I guess in a word...it is what it is because of Aerodynamics.
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | There is nothing wrong with the Vision in the wind. As you say, its simple physics.....anything with as much surface area as the Vision is bound to be impacted more by wind. Engine noise and erratic cruise control, however, are definitely problems with the bike and should be taken care of by your dealer. Personally I have not had a problem with either of these issues. |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | I guess I missed something. What is the "lash learn procedure?" |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | Man am I glad I didn't buy one of these bikes....oh wait a second I DID. Looks like others did too! I remember my first long trip (1,000 miles plus) I was coming from Arizona back into Texas and experienced some very severe cross winds. I'm talking 40++ MPH gusts!
Long story short...that was a very exciting 200 miles. As I've ridden the bike more it's either 'broken in' or I've adjusted my riding style so I don't experience the issues that are being described here. Hell...an 18 wheeler moves my F-350 around on the highway, so why don't you think it shouldn't move our bikes?
Let's go riding!
Edited by spursmvp 2009-04-27 7:41 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Damn! I guess I won the lottery - cuz my Vision doesn't have ANY of the stuff of which you speak. My engine sounds like an 'engine' and not a 6 cylinder Wing, and my cruise works perfectly. And we get vicious winds - gusting from the side coming off the mountain sides and I don't have any issues with that - dead calm to 60 mph gusts with no warning. I have lived with that for 50 years - and the Vision is the best at surviving those winds. Passing rigs is a snap - again coming toward you or passing them.
I recall a new Vision owner who complained mightily of poor handling - kept taking it back to the dealer. Turned out he just was holding on too tight and over compensating. No matter what our experience level is - you can still learn. Or go back to driving a HD with a barn-door for a windshield..... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Ive heard to many people complain about motor noise for you to make me think its just me. That gear drive in the primary sounds like a like some kind of farm machine (vert noisy). You guys that cant see any problems must secretly be some kind of factory reps like the 'Gadget Guru', or you have got to justify that 24K you spent! By the way, Ive had a lot more than 21 bikes but I didnt want to seem pretentious (dont have to list every bike Ive owned). To much BS in this world anyway so lets speak a little truth. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Bill, I just want to chime is as well on letting the bike do the work. When I first got the Vision I just came off a GL1200 that I had been riding constantly for 2 years. When I rode the Vision I had that experience, and it was rough to the point that I was thinking what did I get myself into. The bike was fantastic in all other conditions except the wind turbulence. I didn't know what else to do and on another windy day it dawned on me that I was riding the Vision like the GL1200, and when I loosened up and let the bike do its thing the problem went away for me. It my be simple physic and I don't live in a dream world on this. On my way back from Atlanta a few weeks ago, the traffic was light and I was seeing how far I could ride with no rider input on the bars. When I approached a rig I wanted to see how long I could last before I grabbed the bars and to my surprised I passed the truck, "turbulence" and all without ever touching the bars or leaving my track. The point is I don't even think about the turbulence in or around trucks anymore. Even in a heavy cross wind over fields and bridges, I'll put a lean on it but it won't leave the track. That's all I can say about that, and I think in time this concern will diminish. As for the engine noise and the pipes, at around 30,000 miles it all mellowed out. Mine will turn 40,000 tomorrow on my home from work at 17 1/2 months and I think it sounds sweet. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | First off all you whining old "ive been riding for years" blah blah blah need to shut the heck up. You all are a bunch of glass half empty people. Proven cases in point. You bitch because of engine noise, yet you pay extra money to make the exhaust and pipes loud enough to annoy the rest of humanity. You bitch about how much you "paid" for the bike, as if someone forced you to stroke the check, yet in reality every single whiney babiy test drove every other model you even considered and you still BOUGHT THE VISION.
So quit acting like you are owed something for the money you knew you were about to spend. Next, ITS A FRIGGEN MOTORCYCLE
its not a Mercedes, Lexus, or even a Hyundai, its only gonna be so aerodynamic as a MOTORCYCLE can be. For crying out loud, the original poster asked a simple question and the responses are so disporportional to his simple question, GET AN ENEMA and relax boys.
Now, that aside, I dont understand where this wind issue comes from. I just got back from a 700 mile trip this weekend with our group and on stretches of beach highway we had 15 or so Victory bikes (half of which were VISIONS), traveling 80 miles per hour. HELL YEAH that was awesome, but here is the point.
It doesnt get any windy-er then riding parallel to the ocean yet not one single person mentioned a problem. I was down with 35
Victory Visions at one hotel, not ONE person standing out in the chatter of owners complained about engine noise. So by process of elimination and reality check, this means 1. some of you are LOOKING for issues to be found 2. some of you are expecting more
than a MOTORCYCLE can offer. 3. Some of you just like to bitch. But NO one is criticizing your driving or abilities. Bottom line boys, its a great machine, each of you should be proud to own one because FEW PEOPLE CAN. Enjoy the machine for what it is and what it does. If you want a quiet ride, and not mess up your hair, get a Mercedes.
Edited by VaParadox 2009-04-27 8:34 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | .... (actually we were topping 98 miles per hour) but I didnt wanna hear a bunch of crap for it. We all wanted to test out our bikes at a high speed on a straight away with no other traffic. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Hey Tourer! You sound like a some Harley rider's (don'
t point out problems just be a dedicated follower). Whatever my man, live in a dream if it helps you feel better Mr. Yuppy! (heard you call someone that, so I figured you must be one) See ya Bro! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Jeez, I thought this post was about wind. There is a lot of that in this thread though! Engine noise, not anything that I haven't heard from day one. So, I don't think it is anything unusual. I will say that similar to my last bike, the quieter pipes allow me to hear everything that is going on, including the engine. I had loud pipes on my last bike, then went back to stock and I could hear the cams hammering away. But, my buddie's Ultra Classic sounds like a sewing machine on crack, so I'm pretty happy with mine.
On the wind...I get pushed around a lot on the highway. I was riding across a tall bridge the other day that had lots of crosswind, and I was behind a tractor trailer. I was leaning AND swaying. I haven't been riding as long as most people, but I can say that you get pushed around. I think it's normal. My last bike didn't have a windshield at all, so going to the Vision and getting hit with gust from tractor trailers made me pucker up at first. But, I got used to it, which made me relax some, and now it does seem to handle better in the wind. Probably because I know it's going to happen and so I don't tense as much.
Short answer, she shakes around in the wind.
Edited by divesharc 2009-04-27 9:53 PM
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Stability in high winds?
