Reducing fatigue with a naked bike

[rubberhedgeho...]

Hey everyone.

I'm in the situation where I'm going to be finished with my PhD in the near future and am planning a decent trip through europe, into northern africa, back through the middle east, up to russia and then back to the UK.

I currently have a Honda Hornet which I love and ride the long way home from work pretty much every chance that I can!

If there is one thing I would change about it is the lack of wind/weather protection. I get a sore neck after about 45 minutes and have to stop every hour for about 10-15 minutes just to make sure I'm not completely numb (this is at motorway speeds when going out on day trips to the Norfolk Broads or something).

In order to 'train' for my longer trip I am planning some shorter ones.

Now, I am considering adding a screen and possibly hand guards to the Hornet and praying that I will not be battered, or am I better off trading this bike in towards something more suited to what I want to do? If that is the case I'd look towards XT660Z, Tiger 800 XC and F800GS since I want some useable off-road capabilities for my big trip in the future. This will likely be split 80/20 onroad/offroad(gravel, dirt etc), but in the UK where I live I am pretty much 100% tarmac.

Thanks for your input and any advice from people who regularly ride naked bikes and have a strategy to deal with the wind forces would be appreciated

[kawakid]

I ride nakeds, you need a screen.

I'm just as comfortable on my ER6 with a large screen as I am on my Z750s which has a front fairing.

The screen deflects a lot of the wimd over you and stops the compression on your chest. Also you can lie flat on your tank and be totally wind free.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[lozzypop1]

I find a tankbag helps no end with wind deflection. Sounds a bit nutty I know, but on motorways I feel like I am being pushed backwards/upwards in my seat... Which in turn puts more strain on my arms/neck muscles as I feel like I'm hanging on for dear life.
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Funny, I used to hate being spanked as a child!
Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

[Slacker24seve...]

Good ear plugs make a huge difference to overall fatigue levels. I found some 39 SNR ones and they're ace. They won't keep the wind off but do help with that 'fuck me I'm tired' feeling.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Slacker24seve...]

Good ear plugs make a huge difference to overall fatigue levels. I found some 39 SNR ones and they're ace. They won't keep the wind off but do help with that 'fuck me I'm tired' feeling.
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[WannaBeDude]

Tldr - buy some fairings
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Jogging on, destination living.

[angryjonny]

[WannaBeDude]

More mpg and speed .. less cool.
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Jogging on, destination living.

[mysterious_rider]

For gods sake man up. I ride a CAFE RACER'D gs500. No fly screen, nothing. I ride this regularly doing 30 mile trips without stopping averaging about 90mph.

If you are getting a sore neck it's your riding position. Apply more weight to your lower back rather than on your bars or vice versa.

No fairings has never been a problem for me, I have a choice of two bikes, and honestly doing silly speeds I'd rather the fairingless bike, because you don't get blown easily sideways.

[sickpup]

[rubberhedgeho...]

Thanks for the input so far.

General consensus being go for a screen. I already use earplugs because I've jury rigged a laboratory mic in to my helmet to measure noise levels (benefits of doing an aerodynamics PhD ) and they are bordering on the limit for long exposure.

Now the question is, are all screen created the same?
I don't know if a 'standard' Puig one for a naked bike would suffice?
I am 6' 2" on a good day so my head does stick up a bit......

I don't want one of the racing/double bubble/fly screen ones but this page has a vario screen (second product from the top):
https://www.bikehps.com/acatalog/Screens_for_Naked_Bikes.html
and they look like they will throw enough air over my head to make it more comfortable.
Any experience with these?

Thanks

[ttr]

Gripping the tank with your legs helps a bit if your wrists feel it the most.

Also you can take some of the strain away by letting the wind hold you up. If you're tensing up against it that's gonna tire you out, so relax as much as you can.

Nothing will stop the neck ache from bracing at a decent pace though. Well, maybe a screen, but I don't do enough motorway miles to have tried.
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GS125-> NT400->VFR400->CRM250->Z750 + GS125->NTV650 rat + VMX1200->GSF600 + GPz550

[rubberhedgeho...]

I figured out pretty early on when riding fair distances that gripping with the knees is the best way to go, I only have a light touch on the bars unless the road is bending at all, other wise my right palm is used for throttle and I keep it very light with my left hand - makes it easier to wave to people

I do find as well that as I get tired I tense up and have to constantly remind myself to lower my shoulders, loosen my grip, breath deeply and concentrate on the situation around me.

[J.M.]

If you're going on such a trip, also remember to keep your rucksack (if you're taking one) as light as possible.

It may feel light initially, but after just 200 miles you'll start to feel the weight of it.

As for bike advice, can't really help you. Faired bike with a good screen would obviously be the most comfortable option, but I've never really owned a naked bike. I've ridden mine naked and my only thoughts at 90mph were "bloody hell, how do these guys do it".

Screen will probably help no end though like suggested above.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Pete.]

Even a small screen makes a huge difference.

My xj1100 was hard going for a 90-mile motorway ride but after I cut down a broken screen and fitted that onto the bike the fuel consumption went down a bit and the comfort went up a lot.
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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

[plugger147]

I think it's a bit of personal preferance, I can go for a days riding on my xjr with no screen with few stops it is a bit windy and I did have a screen on it for a while but took it off because it pushed the wind up so it just buffeted my head about, I'd rather all of me be blown about than the neck ache I got from the full lot on me noggin....
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Tristan the wrote: just whipped off my trousers to find a big bruise on my arse, caused by matt rear ending me...

[Llama-Farmer]

What year Hornet is it? The early ones have awful range on them... my friend struggles to get more than 100 miles on a tank.

He says fly screen, tank bag (which you can also lie on to get under the airflow) and ear plugs.


And being a comfortable temperature as well, that makes a huge difference.

[kiddakidda]

Hi,

I can vouch for the screen in question. The extra spoiler really does shift the air over your head and in terms of high speed comfort it really makes a difference at 60 MPH +

The good thing about these screens is that you can adjust the pitch of the screen by messing with the clamps and bars that attach to the handlebars. Another good thing is they take about 5 mins to put on or remove.

The downside is that you metal bars and clamps cluttering up your handlebars so may be limited room for a SatNav mount.

Overall it will be ideal for your planned trip. Ironically I have just sold mine on Ebay as I have purchased another MRA screen more in keeping with the look of my Gladius.

Good Luck with it.

[Bubbs]

[Bendy]

[angryjonny]

[Slacker24seve...]

[Bubbs]

[Bubbs]

[daemonoid]