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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through April 19, 2009 » Advice: Windy Riding Conditions « Previous Next »

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Archive through April 12, 2009Desert_uly30 04-12-09  11:52 pm
         

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Keith_mahoney
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 - 01:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I didn't get to read through all the posts so maybe this was posted all ready. Some things I would try are.
1) New tires, I like the stock Stratas on my XB12XT and even though I have heard good things about the PR2's I don't want to mess with a good thing. My bike is rock stable on the autobahn riding as fast as I want to go.

2)If your tire pressure is dead on try adding 1 psi to the rear tire.

3)Add some rear preload. On another bike I had with cheap suspension, I had to add some preload to the rear if I was going to do any kind of freeway travel. If I set it up for comfort on the street it was real squirmy on the highway and if it was set up for stability on the highway it was real rough on any kind of bump.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 - 08:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've never noticed any more crosswind influence on my Uly, than on my other bikes. You weigh 500lbs. Regardless of the bike profile...you're gonna move a little bit when a crosswind hits ya. My Uly is set up with top box, and currently (until it warms up) a Cee Bailey 14" windscreen - that combined with my 6'4" frame? It's a big profile. But even my S1W gets moved around if the wind is strong enough....it's just physics.

That said - reducing the deathgrip makes a huge difference, and that's all mental and all comfort-zone. YOU have to be comfortable with the conditions, and if it means reducing your speed...do it. People can pass you, they'll be just fine.

If I have to make an adjustment for 'wander', I usually *decrease* the rear preload - that drops the rear a bit, and slows the steering. Doesn't fix the deathgrip, but if you're in a situation that keeps you from relaxing, it can counteract it just a bit.

Also, I've found (especially after a couple trips over the Bay Bridge, with its metal sections) - let it wander a bit. It'll come back. Folks often try to keep their tire tracks arrow-straight and fight every little input. Don't. Let it walk an inch or two to the side; it'll find another feature on the road surface that will bring it right back, and it's not going to all of a sudden make a right turn onto the shoulder.

Above all the technical stuff, though - be comfortable on your ride, and in your environment. Take your time, practice, and have fun!
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99savage
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 - 12:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks to all. All the advice seems sound. - Think was St. Peter letting me know there were no positions open & to apply later.
Tire had only 3700 miles & all treads complete - Never looked @ it in the detail deserved.
Tread depth varies around 0.005 - 0.050" & there are funny little swells + found a tear.







ANY OPINIONS:
Would you hesitate to ride this 150 miles @ 50 MPH to a dealer for service??
Any problems mixing tire brands front & rear??
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Etennuly
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 - 01:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As long as the little tear isn't through the cords and or leaking air I would run it there. At 6,000 miles I changed my D616 rear to a Scorpion Sync with the 616 still on the front. That front wore funny and I should have changed it at the same time.

I am now running the PR2 on the rear with the Sync on the front and it is a good combination. I will be on front and rear PR2's when it is time for tires.

A friend of mine changed the front tire within a week of purchasing his '06 Uly. He just didn't feel confident with the 616 on the front. After the front Sync was installed(with the 616 still on the rear) he was feeling much better. A couple years later he went to the PR2's front and rear and jumped up a noticeable bit more in confidence. His cornering speeds were up about five mph from what he used to consider the limit.
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Ulynut
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 - 04:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would say that tire is the culprit. Mine looked like that at about 6500 miles and was really squirelly. Somebody got their moneys worth out of that thing. That little tear wouldn't worry me though. But change that thing, man ! You wont believe the difference.
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Armymedic
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Coming from a V-strom, which I dub the 'WORST' bike in the wind, EVER. I say the Uly is incredibly stable in heavy wind. My very first ride on the Uly was a 400 miler across Washington and Oregon in a wind storm that previously would have me looking for shelter. The Uly took it all in stride and I knew I found my bike.
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99savage
Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 07:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You guys pretty smart. - Tried to take all your advice.
Reduced rear preload - Increased front - Raised rear tire pressure to ~ 41psi.
Have not been back on slab but there is a rural stretch where the school buses go 70.
Remember to breathe & let sphincter worry about itself.
Difference not night & day but at least early dawn & later dawn.
Will get new tire when I go for 5000mi service. - Would you buy a tire from a dealer?

p.s.: Dealer service dept. tells me - NOW - that 40psi recommended * cupping due under inflation.

(Message edited by 99Savage on April 16, 2009)
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Petereid
Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 08:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Remember to breathe & let sphincter worry about itself......... would you buy tires from a dealer

Depending on your dealer you may want to worry about your sphincter if they are doing your tires according to some posts on this board lol

My way of thinking is if you have a dealer who does good work and treats you right then they are worth a couple of extra bucks now and then.
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