I want to start off by saying I only have about 3000 miles of street riding under my belt in the last 20 years.

I have ridding my '12 Strom and when it's windy it is hard to keep on the road. Yea I figure that is normal but my buddy has a Voyager and it doesn't effect him at all. I know his bike weighs close to twice as much as mine. I thought of getting a different winshield but will it really help that much? Also, will I still have the same problem if I went to a heavier bike like a V-Strom 1000? Thanks for any advice.

A fork brace helps a lot with cross winds.

There are some good tips in this thread
Tips for riding in high cross winds

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2012 DL650AL2

The 1000 isn't much better, it's height not weight that's the main problem.

Once you catch on to most of the problem being rider input it gets easier.

As Greywolf says a fork brace helps a lot, with a steering damper as well it's very stable.
You shouldn't need to go as far as fitting a damper , I just happen to have one on my bike for other reasons.


The only comment I will make that disagrees with that that thread - I ride through coastal high-rises on my commute, very strong winds and gusty, arms very loose but moving waaay forward with thighs and knees clamping the tank works better in those circumstances. (Narrow lanes, with traffic beside me, I can't afford to let the bike move too far sideways).

With more room, being more relaxed works equally well, but the bike will move around in the lane more.

Pete

It can get a bit weavy behind big trucks too.

+1 on the fork brace. Riding in the wind is just something you get used to the more you do it. I remember when I first got my K7 Wee, I couldn't believe how much the wind blew me around. Now I don't really notice it unless you get a big gust.

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+1. I was amazed how much less jittery the bike feels in the wind when I was less jittery.

Also, more windshield makes it worse, not better... besides a cut-down short screen, I'm not sure there's an aftermarket screen which would improve it.

After nearly 25 yrs of riding many styles of motorcycles, I seem to notice crosswinds and gusts more on my V-Strom than all the others I've owned. Lots of factors involved but it doesn't seem to be a real hazard as much as an annoyance. I'll probably add a fork brace eventually and just deal with it from there. IMHO, the bike works well in so many ways that a little compromise here and there is to be expected.

What can I do about the V-Strom and crosswinds?

The bottom line is to use a fork brace and ride relaxed. It's not called a death grip for nothing.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

I live in Corpus Christi TX. Among other things, it's one of the primo windsurfing spots in the world. We just about always have some kind of wind. I was skeptical about the fork brace, but I can say that there is a noticable improvement in handling characteristics with it. Wind here in a fact of life, I'm just used to it and you learn to adapt your riding and your golfing (disc and traditional) to it.

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"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"

Fork brace can and will help, but the fundamental issue is that the bike is very tall and light. As a result it feels the wind more than a lower heavier bike.

The biggest answer is jsut to relax and look at your job as to just gently steer it as opposed to keeping it in an exact spot on the road. The bike is naturally stable and the front wheel needs to track to corret for side gust. If you let go of the bars you would find the bike actually will want to travel more or less straight in the heaviest winds although it leans a lot to do so.

..Tom

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Road Toads Charter Member - 2006 V-Strom DL650: 202,000 km 125,500 miles, 2012 DL650 New March 2012 54,000 km


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