Free as the wind?

[Caroanbill]

A whimsical question .... is you R12R as much a breeze to ride in high wind as mine? (oh, yeah, bad pun warning)

... taking a wee ride last weekend (2,000 km in 4 days of winter sunshine) I had occasion to compare the R12R to an R1150GS Adventure in gusty mountain winds.

My bike - at least in my hands - sails blissfully though wind while the heavier Adventure is an unpleasant handful. I've always been very nervous in high wind, but on the R12R I rarely ever have an un-serene moment. Not so the Adeventure, and the difference was compounded by the fact that I had my 22" Parabellum screen, panniers and top box while the Adventure did not. Even gusts from opposite sides (common in hilly country) don't upset the R12R.

My little F650CS is moderately wind-affected - not scary, but I do have to manage wind on it while I don't on the R12R.

What gives????

BTW, for those with a map of New South Wales, the trip was Sydney - Gloucester - Thunderbolts Way - Clouds Creek - Grafton, lotsa spins around the Clarence River and beaches (saw a few whales); then Grafton - Glen Innes - Inverell - Bingara - Gunnedah; then Gunnedah - Coolah - Mudgee - Sofala - Bathurst - Bell's Line of Road - Sydney. Too busy riding for pics.

[NCGS]

I've noticed the same thing.. my '05 GS was a handful to ride in crosswinds.. the R cuts through with little to no affect whatsoever.

[AllanCook]

We get a lot of high wind here in Central Texas. My bike handles reasonably well in it. It's still not fun dealing with variable 30 mph winds everywhere you go, though.

[deilenberger]

I think I commented on this before (mebbe not here..) The R12R is the best bike for wind gusts, bridge crossings, truck tubulence that I've ever ridden. My old K75S would get positively spooky behind a truck - try to tear the handlebars out of my hands. The R12R is unfazed by truck turbulence, and even the bow wave lots of trucks throw off as you pass them.

I actually find it rather fun to ride in gusty conditions since it responds so well.. and it's actually rather fun to ride about anytime..

Just back from 5 days of looking for a straight road in West Virginia..

http://www.eilenberger.net/Trip_Reports ... inia08.htm