Riding in the wind
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- randomsquid
- Wear the Fox Hat
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Keep an eye on the front tyre for a bit. I had a high speed debris moment and thought it was ok once I'd popped the headlight back in and had a sit down. The tyre developed a big egg shaped blister on the side wall a few days later.HowardQ wrote: Checked again today and the bike seems fine
Where ever I lay my hat.....
- HowardQ
- World Champion
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- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:20 pm
- Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Will do Dale, it's a bit of a lottery at this time of year though, often ends up as a last minute decision, with fingers crossed that weather stays half decent.
Last Saturday afternoon when I got there, there were only about thirty or so bikers, but cafe was still open so got a chance of a tea and a burger to warm me up before the (cold) trip back after the sun had gone down.
Last Saturday afternoon when I got there, there were only about thirty or so bikers, but cafe was still open so got a chance of a tea and a burger to warm me up before the (cold) trip back after the sun had gone down.
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side

2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
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2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
- mangocrazy
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Bit old to be taking up stunt riding, Howard?
Well done for hanging on
Re riding in wind. The Futura can be quite a handful, because of the large fairing, and I suppose the panniers don't help.
I try to lean into the wind, and, as Andy recommended, try to pre-judge where and when the the wind will stop/increase - buildings, fences, hedges, buses etc. Drop a gear, and keep the momentum up - backing off seems to leave the bike far more at the mercy of the wind, like a rudderless ship.

Well done for hanging on

Re riding in wind. The Futura can be quite a handful, because of the large fairing, and I suppose the panniers don't help.
I try to lean into the wind, and, as Andy recommended, try to pre-judge where and when the the wind will stop/increase - buildings, fences, hedges, buses etc. Drop a gear, and keep the momentum up - backing off seems to leave the bike far more at the mercy of the wind, like a rudderless ship.
It flies sideways through time
It's an electric line
To your zodiac sign
I've got a Black and Silver Machine!
It's an electric line
To your zodiac sign
I've got a Black and Silver Machine!
- HowardQ
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Yeh and I'm a bit older now!
To be honest it all happened so quickly after I pulled out, you just naturally think don't brake or swerve, (especially alongside an artic), just keep a firm hold and see what happens. Didn't really have time for soiled undercrackers to be honest, you need a bit more time for that.
I had kept off the brakes for the landing and in case the front tyre had gone, so as soon as I realised the front wheel and tyre were OK I went straight for the convenient exit up the slip road to check it out.
P.S. didn't have the same luck on the lottery.
To be honest it all happened so quickly after I pulled out, you just naturally think don't brake or swerve, (especially alongside an artic), just keep a firm hold and see what happens. Didn't really have time for soiled undercrackers to be honest, you need a bit more time for that.
I had kept off the brakes for the landing and in case the front tyre had gone, so as soon as I realised the front wheel and tyre were OK I went straight for the convenient exit up the slip road to check it out.
P.S. didn't have the same luck on the lottery.
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side

2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
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- BikerGran
- Gran Turismo
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I had a ride like this one year coming back from the classic show at Shepton Mallet (it's in February). I decided to go via Dorchester forgetting that meant riding right up over the top on a road with very little cover - no trees or villages! I was so scared I'd have stopped but there was nowhere to stop and I had to get home.
I know the technical theory about bikes being more stable faster than slower - but they veer off course faster if you're going faster!
Was going to take the trike out this afternoon, I even got as far as the garage - then decided the wind was VERY cold and I really didn't have to do it! Went out in the car instead and took photos around Purbeck.
I know the technical theory about bikes being more stable faster than slower - but they veer off course faster if you're going faster!
Was going to take the trike out this afternoon, I even got as far as the garage - then decided the wind was VERY cold and I really didn't have to do it! Went out in the car instead and took photos around Purbeck.
The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.
- HowardQ
- World Champion
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- Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Spoken like a true photographer!BikerGran wrote:I had a ride like this one year coming back from the classic show at Shepton Mallet (it's in February). I decided to go via Dorchester forgetting that meant riding right up over the top on a road with very little cover - no trees or villages! I was so scared I'd have stopped but there was nowhere to stop and I had to get home.
I know the technical theory about bikes being more stable faster than slower - but they veer off course faster if you're going faster!
Was going to take the trike out this afternoon, I even got as far as the garage - then decided the wind was VERY cold and I really didn't have to do it! Went out in the car instead and took photos around Purbeck.
You made the right choice Bobbie.
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side

2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
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2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
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- Aladinsaneuk
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