WIND

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:56 pm

Don't get me wrong...I love my Buddy 125 but all this wind we're having is limiting my riding (a little chilly but I can handle that). As we know, the Buddy is light. Anybody else have wind issues with the Buddy? :(

robtaylor · Post by **robtaylor** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:11 pm

the buddy is light but i think pretty much anything on 2 wheels has a wind problem. sometimes the best thing to do is just relax, tensing up can make it worse. but if it's strong enough you can't help but tense up and just fight it.

heavypetting · Post by **heavypetting** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:24 pm

It's been pretty windy here in Charlotte, too. The faster you go, the more difficult it is to control. Lower speeds are safer during windy conditions.

Wind didn't bother me when I had my motorcycle, probably due to being 550lbs.

My question is: Does a windscreen help aerodynamics during windy conditions? Or is it just for personal comfort/helmet buffeting?

scootsie · Post by **scootsie** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:34 pm

wind always stinks

unless you're flying a kite or sailing

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:14 am

wind can be fun.

Relax, keep a good space cushion, anticipate it when you can (in between buildings), counter steer just a bit against it.

A windshield can hurt you in strong wind by acting like a sail.

A good thread where this has been discussed:
viewtopic.php?t=3355

DarbyWalters · Post by **DarbyWalters** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:28 am

Just go where the wind blows ya'...

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:04 am

I like riding in the wind, you gotta push the opposite direction or else you end up "sailing" left or right. Makes you work more!

MonsterGirl · Post by **MonsterGirl** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:26 am

I have the same problem, especially going over bridges. It's a little unnerving, but as long as you're aware of it and prepared, you'll be fine! Relax and just think of it as fun.

I do not ride my scooter in 40+ mph gusts though, which we sometimes get around here in the winter. My commute is mostly throught the Port of Seattle so lots of semi trucks, wind gusts like that could get ugly! That's just where I draw the line...

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:58 pm

I actually think wind is more dangerous than rain. I have felt very unstable on my scooter when riding on windy days. Maybe it's because I use a windscreen, my size, or my n00bishness...who knows? I won't ride if the wind is over 30mph or gusts of 35mph.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:09 pm

wind is a bitch.

my windscreen is a shorty and it helps A TON but I can see how if it were bigger it would make it even more difficult to control in crosswinds.

the best thing I can say is to stay relaxed. Being relaxed allows you to respond to the wind more fluidly making it easier to maintain your lane and/or position.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:17 pm

My dealer says the windscreen can cause sailing and drift you left and right.

I dont use one, would have bought a windscreen if Igot a blur, makes it look sportier. But the buddy looks fine stock to me

Alix B · Post by **Alix B** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:10 pm

Grrr. I remember that first time I learned about wind. How interesting that air and water can be so necessary and yet so frigging destructive. In the case of scooters and the Buddy 125, or actually most 2 wheel vehicles- you just learn to ride in it. I was driving my friends cage and caught myself gripping up as a tractor trailer passed. Ha ha.

I am glad for my wind screen and riding long distance it helps prevent wind exhaustion.

If the wind is already that bad, the windscreen won't be the thing that makes it worse-your ability to relax will. I had to learn when to say no also. In the Plains and the SouthWest, winds could gust at 30mph and knock me into other lanes. Often I dropped my speed and if cars were riding up on me I would pull into the shoulder lane. If I had to that is.

RIding with full gear means you must pack it down really well or it too can act as a sail-a very dangerous sail.

All that said-let's ride!!!!

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:58 pm

I am glad for my wind screen and riding long distance it helps prevent wind exhaustion.

I love my windshield--I don't want to ride without it! I've had the Prima Medium sized and the Genuine Small and they are both great.

I find that they protect well against winds and I haven't had any issue with them becoming a sail. Cross-winds are where you get in danger and get blown into the next lane and they don't affect the windshield much at all IMHO.

Without a windshield, I found that the wind can blow "up" off my chest and into my 3/4 helmet. If it's strong enough, it can actually move my helmet on my head creating a very dangerous situation! This was the problem when I had my wreck a month or so back.

I highly recommend a windshield, but to each their own.

redding · Post by **redding** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:15 pm

I've found that if you hunch over your headset a little bit, you make yourself a smaller target for the wind and countersteering is easier.