Intolerable windblast

[repiV]

I passed my DAS yesterday so from today I've started riding a bigger bike ('99 FZS600)...I was doing about 80 down the M1 and found the wind absolutely dreadful. I was being blown around in all directions (the bike wasn't, just me) and from the front aswell. Wind noise was so bad I felt pressure building up in my ears, and anything over about 50mph I can't even hear the engine. I use a Shoei X-Spirit btw.
I ducked right down behind the screen to reduce the problem but then I didn't feel I had such good control of the bike or situational awareness.
The whole experience on the motorway was quite unpleasant and I was glad to be away from it. Is this normal? Might it have something to do with textiles being unaerodynamic (I read something about that a while ago)?

[Tarmacsurfer]

The textiles may be a problem if they are hideously badly fitting. I regularly cruise at well over a ton in mine though, so it's more likely to be your fairing/screen that's at fault. Even with a decent fairing there are stretches of motorway that will cause problems with crosswinds and so forth.

Also, you'll build more stamina as you ride more. The most common complaint for most people new to the circuit is stiff necks and shoulders from wind blast.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[Bendy]

Get a double bubble or flip screen on there, they deflect the air higher and make it easier to duck down.

I dare say you'd get used to it, either used to sitting up in the blast or feeling comfortable tucked in.

[repiV]

The textiles fit fine tbh. They're by no means skin tight like leather, but they're the right size.
Fazer is only half-faired so I guess that's part of it, and the screen only comes up to my chest. I'm assuming a bigger screen will help only with head-on windblast?
It's a surprisingly physical task actually, riding a bike at high speed...I'm just surprised at how intense the wind is. It must be far worse at, say, 120.

[Swipe]

Bear in mind that it has been windier than usual today with gusts of up to 40mph
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[Pete.]

The wind-blast noise will gradually become less of a problem as your hearing deteriorates, unless you take to wearing ear-plugs. It will however be replaced with constant ringing in your ears that you will experience even when not on the bike.

The wind-drag can be lessened a lot by choosing a double-bubble flip screen.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[kawakid]

You need to wear ear plugs.

Its a bit weird at first, but you do get used to it.

I can no longer ride even at low speeds without ear plugs in.

The wind blast you will get used to and you need to know where it will occur.

Things like passing trucks too close can be frightening as you feel sucked in. Entering an exposed area, you have to be ready for.

Also your riding a fairly big bike, my first bike was a naked 125, you want to try that on a windy day and where I live has some of the highest roads and the highest motorway in England.

Ride to the conditions and buy some ear plugs.

These are the ones I would buy, they last for ages and you can also
wash them, (pop them in a sock in the washing and they come back as new).


https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60-EAR-PLUGS-MAX-LITE-earplugs-top-in-RIDE-magazine_W0QQitemZ220113677423QQihZ012QQcategoryZ11900QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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[sagalout]

[Syx]

[MarkJ]

Definitely buy earplugs If you work at an industrious workplace there should be some earplug dispensers where you can nick a few handfuls from. I hate riding without them in, it feels really weired and as though something is missing (obviously).

The wind blast you should get used to. You should try having a naked bike, then you'd be complaining

[G]

Shoei helmets seem to be fairly loud, however they are a good fit for me, so I still use them.

[repiV]

I did buy these in-ear earphones which are supposed to cut out a lot of outside noise in anticipation of high-speed riding, but I can't get on with them. They're really uncomfortable and once when I wore them to listen to music on the bike (when I was riding a 125) they fell out.
Seeing as I'm cutting out the noise anyway, I figure I may aswell replace it with something pleasing - is there a good option for getting rid of the wind noise and listening to music (and audio alerts, and phonecalls when I have the money to get a satnav) at the same time?

[repiV]

[MarkJ]

Koss "The Plug" work well as earplug earphones

https://www.hardware.no/tester/lyd/hodesett_roundup_2005/koss-the-plug.jpg

Good recommendations here and here.

[Walloper]

[G]

[J0Al1]

I too was shocked and didn't like the wind over 60pmh on my unfaired bike. It was quite unplesant, felt I'd get blown of the back if I hit a rut!

Bit used to it now, and don't mind going 100.

!Note to self. . . I must use my ear plugs!

[repiV]

[keyser soze]

my first and current big bike is a buell. 4 days after i picked it up i rode it from dartford to bradford (m25, m1 and on.) 80 mph was bad i wondered how peeps stayed on at 100. after a few weeks of m/way blasts my body grew used to it and now can hang on no worrys. stick with it its just like going to the gym, nice workout.

[Tarmacsurfer]

I'm currently using a Sony Ericsson W810i for music and phone whilst riding, the handsfree stereo headset that comes with the phone is flat out the single best set of headphones I've ever used for cutting wind noise in a helmet (also a vote for Shoei from me). Unless the mic is cunningly positioned forget a conversation above 30mph though.

[Mooncatt]

it has been rather windy over the last day or so, so that will be the problem. as for noise you will probably need plugs as above posts. i really need a DB screen for my bike the protection is aweful atm and i have to have my chin on the tank to get any kind of protection.
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[Finglonga]

Earplugs should be used all the time anyway but that is not the problem. Its buffeting, basically a crap screen.

Whip it off and try it and if you find your head doesn't get pummelled you will then as Bendy says need a double bubble screen. Don't worry if the bike looks crap without a screen its only off so you can make sure it is that causing the problem.
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F.Y.Y.F.F.

[doggone]

Agree with last post - screens can often make things worse by directing blast at your head.
I prefer a non-faired bike, and that includes for example 1200 bandit which was not uncomfortable sat at near 100mph for long motorway runs.

[St0rmer66]

[LeeR]

Yes got to agree with what's already been said, in fact so wary (if that's the phrase) of the commute to my new job south of Bristol I booked a lesson with my DAS instructor the week before. He went over positioning, overtaking, observation, and wind/turbulence, it was a very interesting and insightful 4 hours. I started last Monday and journey from junction 12 - 19 on the M5 south in the morning, north in the evening. Windy? by 'eck is it, I found myself tensing up gripping on for dear life but, as instructed I keep reminding myself to relax, enjoy it and drive within my limits. It's been very windy esp through South Gloucestershire and over the M5 Avonmouth bridge. I too use a Skidmarx flip-up screen it's really helped and is well worth the £45, I always use ear-plugs and I've started to ignore the incessant wind noise which still gets through. I also wear textiles but haven't found these a problem and they certainly don't flap about. With regard to overtaking trucks, if possible you might like to overtake a truck in the inside lane by using lane 3 thus reducing turbulence. Also when you do overtake a truck do it quickly, get out of his blind spot as quickly as possible and add some extra throttle as you pass, you can ease off again once he's behind you. And finally if it's exceptionally windy and you feel you must slow down, keep the bike in a gear lower than normal, i.e. 4th instead of 5th keeping the engine in high revs that way momentum and force are on your side pushing you through the wind/turbulence.

Incidentally by Friday with a warm WSW 23mph tail-wind I was cruising at 80 all the way home, nice.

"Not the Blue Book", and "The DSA guide to Riding" have some sections with tips/tricks for riding on motorways.

And when I use headphones I wear Sennheiser CX300
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