[12bar]

Hi all, I am really seriously considering a new GW. I had a BMW R1150R and liked it but it never felt good on a windy day. I sold that and got an 08 KLR650 and an 08 Vstrom DL650. The KLR was a lot of fun but I quickly learned off road was not for me, I don't bounce as good as I used to so it has a new home. The Strom is a nice bike but I still want something that I can eat up some highway miles in comfort. I drive around FL for work a couple of times a month and each trip averages 300 or so miles. Like I said the Strom works but I want something with better wind protection that will handle cross winds a little better. One of the guys in my office got a GW about 2 years ago and he rides it rain or shine, nothing keeps him off his. So now on to the questions:
1. How well does the GW handle cross winds of 20 to 25 MPH or my favorite the dreaded truck blast from an on coming truck
2. Are there issues with helmet buffeting or can I expect clean quiet air.
3. How big is the pucker factor in the rain?

Oh yeah one more thing if I know the bike is a heavy machine but how difficult is it to manage at stops and low speeds? If I get one my wife will probably want one also and I worry about her being able to hold it up.

Thanks in advance for any and all comments

 

[Canuck623]

The wing is a great bike. I have an 08 and love it. I have never had an issue with cross winds. The bike quite naturally will lean into it and you don't have to work that hard at it. Helmet buffet is minimal on an open road but you will get some following a lot of traffic that dirties up the air flow. The truck blast is not bad but depends on where you are in the lane and what type of truck. I have never felt one that upset the bike. The bike balances well at a stop. The low center of gravity makes it possible to lean it quite a bit before it feels like it wants to go on it's own. The seat height is fairly high though so you should have her try one out in the show room. I have done a slow speed crawl (under 5 mph) for over 2 miles in traffic once. No real issues trying to do that. You will enjoy the bike on the road. It eats miles and just keeps on going.

 

[detdrbuzzard]

you may want to look at sat a 1200 wing for the wife. a guy i use to work with is on the short side. he said he wanted a wing so i told him to go sit on my 1500, it was too wide and too tall so i rode the 1200 in and it fit him fine.