Crazy Wind

[kidblooper]

Has anyone seen a thread or have any information on the katana particularly not doing so well in wind ? and is there anything suspension ride height etc that can make this more tolerable ? i've rode a few other bike r6 was one specific, that handled this much better. is it the katana fairing designs etc that seem to make this a little worse? I love my kat. but i also need use of the freeway and the semi and side gust of wind are taking me way out of my comfort range.

[scottynoface]

How long have you been riding? If you're uncomfortable in the wind then that's you not the bike. You gotta figure any bike with fairings (the R6 included) is a giant sail in the wind. The Katana should actually be more stable with the heavier weight and not get blown around as much. Are you staying loose on the bike or death gripping the bars? Trying to control it too much makes it worse.

[scaryfast777]

Just hang on to that sucka! I've been out on some of the most windy days and you just have to get used to it.

[katanawarrior]

Ride Loose. Don't Panic. And, ride Loose

[kidblooper]

Scottynoface: i've been riding quite a long time:not so much on the interstates though, this is the first bike thats been big enough to consider it. i've only rode a few bikes on the freeway, an older Kat being one of them. maybe it wasn't as windy those days, i've read more than a few articles so last time i went up i stayed loose and relax"had to make it a point to" and was still outta my comfort zone"

[jdm5770]

When I first started riding, the wind really freaked me out. I found I was fighting it and trying to control it. In actuality, trying to control it it what causes you to weave all over the road. The above statements are correct, just hang loose and go with it. After awhile, it won't bother you.

[allblackkat]

here in North Texas it is not uncommon to see 40+ mph wind gusts that will come straight from the north or south, depending on the season... I am usually traveling East or West so I get to fight those winds all the time... It just takes some getting used to... And some faith that your bike will stay planted as you steer into the wind... I can sense most times when I have the bike leaning into the wind, and wonder what it must look like to cars behind me...

[sassyduck]

I ride in Albuquerque, NM, and wind is something you have to face, especially parts of the Interstate. I have ridden in the wind on my husbands GS500F and my Katana. When I rode the GS500, I kissed the ground when I got home. I felt like the wind was going to knock the bike out from under me. The Kat, I have learned to ride in the wind. I feel a little more stable. Now, what makes me nervous, is if the wind is going in one direction, and then all of a sudden I get a crosswind.

I have learned to tuck myself in, streamline as much as possible, and go with it.

[joseph2027]

wind

i road lastnight in jacksonville n.c. and the wind was blowing hard i never had to fight a bick as bad as i did .98-kat, my other bick did not have that problem*85 shadow, is a cruser that much def?

sorry about speeling im chaseing my little girl at sam time as tipeing

[Nero]

Ride Loose. Don't Panic. And, ride Loose

Best advice right there. Relax. Forward momentum and centrifical force will keep you moving!

[kidblooper]

thanks for taking the time to post guys ! i'm doing what i can to stay loose. but sometimes in a corner i feel like that the front wheel is gonna slide right out from under me.. like i said never rode bikes on the freeway.. i'm guessing it'll become second nature after a while.

[hardlydangerous]

Duck down tuck in and ease up on the controls. The death grip makes it worse

[Psycho1]

I'm suprised Doc hasn't chimed in on this thread, he live near one of the windiest areas in So Cal lol. I'm not sure if the full farings on a bike really make as much difference in the wind as the weight of the bike does. I just keep watching where I want to go in a relaxed tuck on the bike, and it seems to just lay over as much as it needs to to counter the wind on it's own, just watch out when you go underneath an overpass that blocks the wind.

[Aaron]

I have also ridden in the wind on the Katana. I like the fact it's heavy. Good advice about staying loose. I also live near a landing strip for the air ambulance service and I can say from personal experience riding on a road directly under the downdraft of a landing helicopter is freaky for a new rider and quite challenging too.

[Salz07]

I can sense most times when I have the bike leaning into the wind, and wonder what it must look like to cars behind me...[/quote]
Been there done that!!! I hate that!!