Page 1 of 3

Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:17 pm
by Drago
I was wondering how badly each Maxi is effected by side winds/strong wind?

Down here in the southwest it's often windy and often I have to fight to keep my
SYM GTS on a steady course. When it's quite windy the SYM GTS get's blown all over the place!
There's plenty of hills/low hedges/gates that provide little shelter from the wind or instead seem to
concentrate it. A few times I can even feel the wind going under the scoot and lifting it up slightly!

I suppose all Maxi's & scooters are effected by the wind thanks to all the panels, but what ones cope
better in the wind and which ones don't?

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:33 pm
by Waldorf
No real problems with the Silverwing although, as you say, any bike's going to be a bit more lively in cross-winds - as are cars, come to that.

I suspect, too, that riding with 'soft hands' allows maxis to move about but stay under control.

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:41 pm
by mottza
The X9 is affected more than the Leo ever was. But then again its bigger!

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:45 pm
by rintintin
Waldorf wrote: I suspect, too, that riding with 'soft hands' allows maxis to move about but stay under control.
Ahh....Master, I know what you mean
........Grasshopper...... may the force be with you :lol:

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:21 pm
by masterchop
I have found my stabilisers to be very helpful.

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 11:29 pm
by TmaX9
I have never felt the X9's to be lifted in any way by wind, but they do move sideways a bit. I just let them go and if venturing too far just lean over into the wind.
Motorways are worst due to the speed of passing traffic and the fact that drivers are all asleep and in most cases blissfully unaware of what exterior conditions are like for PTW road users.

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:09 am
by Data
Drago, the worst bike I've ever had for being affected by the wind was my DL1000GT. It had the screen, lots of panelling, full luggage kit and was a very tall bike into the bargain, and sooooo...top heavy. It was very often greatly affected by crosswinds, although of course still manageable. In fact, my 400z abs Burgman, which incidentally weighs in at 225kg's and almost the same weight as the GT DL1000 (227kg's) is marginally better in most curcumstances. Not always, but mostly. I have no complaints anyway. In fact, the weight of the Burgman 400 is mostly an advantage I feel as it contributes to the armchair ride and stability of the bike. At high speeds (80mph+ on continental roads) the DL1000 was really not the bike to be riding in high cross winds, so slowly slowly was the order of the day. Funnily enough, the Burgman is not too bad at higher speeds in high winds but of course cannot reach the same speeds that I did on the DL. I suspect if I could reach those warp speeds I would get a shock and find the Burgman less stable! One thing I have found out about these maxi's, and something you lot already know about I'm sure, is the 'sail' effect that a wind up the rear can provide. I came back from Chelmsford on Boxing Day on the A12 with a nice one following me (it was nothing to do with sprouts by the way!!) :o . I found that 7,000rpm gave me a steady indicated cruise of 83-85mph, much faster than usual for those revs. Incidentally, all the cars out that day were doing around the 85mph mark. Bit fast I know but I was overtaken by two Police motorcyclists who waved and they were doing about 90mph. I bet he thought I was doodling along at 70-75ish! No one expects a scooter to be going a bit too fast!

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:55 am
by SpikeOne
I can honestly say that the Downtown doesn't even notice the sidewinds.
Neither does it get hit from the front unless it's really windy, (probably too much to ride in anyway).

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:07 pm
by R1K SU
The heavier the bike, the less prone it is to getting blown away, my Burg 2 up, doesnt move around to much in the wind. Ok it gets buffeted around, but not blown accross the road, like some lighter bikes

Re: Maxi's in side/crosswinds

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:18 pm
by frankiej1949
The X10 moves a bit in cross winds but manageable. As stated previously drivers dont realise what the conditions are outside their little cocoon and do not make allowances for us two wheelers.