CB1100 and Wind

[redbirds_imp]

My reason for slowing has nothing to do with enhancing the bikes stability but instead enhancing my ability to react to wind gusts that may hit from an unexpected direction and velocity. 45 to 50 mph is a good compromise speed in this situation. Fast enough to take advantage of the natural stability of a moving bike but slow enough to allow some wiggle room when you're suddenly blown from one side of your lane to another.

[Cormanus]

When I was a younger bloke with small children and very little money, I bought a Honda C90 as a commuter. At the time I was living in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia's island state, which is south of Australia and in the roaring 40s. There were times when I was riding it in the wind—particularly in the city around tall buildings—when the wind would simply pick it up and deposit it somewhere else in the lane. Or that's what it felt like. It can't have been as bad as all that because I never came off it and I was never deposited into the side of a car. But it was unnerving.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Having never ridden my CB in any truly foul weather I have been curious as to how it might be affected by high wind gusts that sometimes accompany severe thunder storms. Yesterday I learned the answer.

Coming home from running a few errands I encountered a bad storm that had been generated by the day's excessive heat and humidity. Ahead I could see tree limbs being ripped away and pines being bent as though they would break. Dropping to about 45mph I braced for the wind's impact and was surprised at how stable the bike was in these gusts which thankfully didn't last long. Perhaps the lack of a large fairing and bodywork is a factor. I did get blown about a bit of course but the CB felt safe and stable. I love this bike more every time I ride it.

Absolutely concur.

[tommymck_imp]

I was doing 65 on a highway recently into a 45mph headwind with gusts to 60. The CB handled it as well as any bike so far as I'm concerned. It did beat me up though. I was in a full tuck, which on the CB is an odd thing. On the way back it was reallly strange. I'd get a little kick from the back from time to time, but watching the world go by at 65 while feeling no wind was a neat feeling.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Agreed. Tucking on the CB does not feel natural, but can be on other naked's. Can't explain either. So I don't bother anymore. The smooth lump blunts wind quite nicely.

[pdedse]

Before purchasing a Triumph Street Twin a little over a year ago, I had read about numerous bikes, dimensions, weights, etc. But over and over again, I kept coming up with "weight" as a major thing to consider--I became convinced the less weight the better. I already had the experience with a '14 cb1100 standard, and yes, it felt hefty as I moved it around the garage, but not so much riding it. The Street Twin was 100lbs lighter! I liked its look. I liked it's sound and feel on the test ride. But it was a bit cramped for me, which I reasoned I could make better. Once I got it on the hiway at 70mph and felt how it bounced around with some headwinds and crosswinds, I couldn't help compare it to the solid feel of the cb1100 in similar conditions. I kept the Street Twin for only two months. I sold it for about $800 less than purchase price, so I just considered it a $400 a month rental. I'm glad I moved on, and back to a '17 CB1100. As soon as I was out on a windy day, I was reminded of its solid feel at speed. I like the sure footing of the CB a lot more than the nimble feel of the Street Twin. The Twin was a fun bike, but just didn't feel right to me after the CB1100.

[Nortoon_imp]

My 1982 Honda Aspencade (Goldwing) was unnerving when encountering heavy cross winds. The fuel tank under seat and flat four motor gave it a very low center of gravity. It acted like those old air filled punch toys with the sand it the bottom. When you punched the head it fell down and then bounced back up. Having ridden the Aspencade a lot I knew it would always pop back up, but it made Penny very nervous in windy weather.

Coming back from the motorcycle races at Laconia, New Hampshire we encountered a severe storm crossing the causeway at the top of Lake Champlain. We were bobbing along at very slow speed and could not see 10 feet in front of us because of the torrential rain. I was concerned we would be hit from behind. I told Penny to look for a break in the white line at the side of the road. When we found one we pulled off. When the rain stopped we found ourselves in a vacant lot in Rouses Point.

[the Ferret]

Before purchasing a Triumph Street Twin a little over a year ago, I had read about numerous bikes, dimensions, weights, etc. But over and over again, I kept coming up with "weight" as a major thing to consider--I became convinced the less weight the better. I already had the experience with a '14 cb1100 standard, and yes, it felt hefty as I moved it around the garage, but not so much riding it. The Street Twin was 100lbs lighter! I liked its look. I liked it's sound and feel on the test ride. But it was a bit cramped for me, which I reasoned I could make better. Once I got it on the hiway at 70mph and felt how it bounced around with some headwinds and crosswinds, I couldn't help compare it to the solid feel of the cb1100 in similar conditions. I kept the Street Twin for only two months. I sold it for about $800 less than purchase price, so I just considered it a $400 a month rental. I'm glad I moved on, and back to a '17 CB1100. As soon as I was out on a windy day, I was reminded of its solid feel at speed. I like the sure footing of the CB a lot more than the nimble feel of the Street Twin. The Twin was a fun bike, but just didn't feel right to me after the CB1100.

I appreciate a little heft in a bike. Makes it feel solid, not twitchy on the highway. About 550 pounds is perfect for me.

[Cormanus]

I find the CB1100 to be relatively unaffected by strong winds, although punching into them as a rider is not much fun.

[flynrider]

Same here. Without unnecessary body work, my CB11 is quite stable in a crosswind. The only exception being when you load up the rear seat and rack with luggage and camping gear. Then it can get a bit tricky if the crosswind gets above 30 mph or so.