Comparing trikes and 2 wheels in wind

[wingit]

This is something that I wondered about for years.
I was tempted to try another BMW with more HP, the LT over my 1200 boxer.So we flew to Denver and rode hard to get home to Mn the next day.I kept getting off, feeling the wind and
looking at the trees wondering whats going on ?
The LT BMW has closed sides and its being thrown around by wind that wouldn't bother the boxer open sided bike.Now with the new wing trike I feel the same difference. Its allot of work in the wind.
Yesterday we cut a ride short because of wind. It Just wasn't fun . As soon as I got home I took out the 1200 Beemer for the first spring ride. It was a blast and didn't mind the wind at all. The wind didn't move me over much and it became clear again how much different bikes are.
By the way when we got home with the BMW LT, I placed it on craigs for sale with 4000 miles. It had every option, but I hated the ride and design and no place for your feet and Kept the BMWCLC.
Now Im in trouble, the little woman loves the Wing trike, but I hate the thought of riding trikes in the Rockies or Big Horns to run twists. We loved the trike in Fl, but I miss riding the Beemer on curves. My old bad neck can't take helmets that we want on 2 wheels. I guess there isn't a perfect bike so Im stuck with the trike but Isn't she pretty ? I fell off a tree sawing and have a sore back for years. Trike steering might be good back exercise.
Sorry to be so long winded. Just my 2 cent observations.
happy riding

 

[Shimpy]

Since triking my GL1800 it's terrible in the wind. The trike has the same side profile it did when on 2 wheels and heavier. My only guess would be on 2 wheels the wind just leans you over and you countersteer to correct for it. The trike can't lean so it just blows all over the highway.

 

[CobraXL]

My Goldwing was terrible in a crosswind when it was 2 wheels and it's just as terrible now as a trike.

But strong winds are less unnerving now than when I was trying to lean into them on 2. And the arms can get a little tired.

 

[jredman]

I have the GL1800 Motor Trike Razor. My wife and road home from Amarillo a few weeks ago and the wind was gusting all day at 50mph. It sucked on our heads, but he Trike was affected very little.

 

[keepinon]

I have the GL1800 Motor Trike Razor. My wife and road home from Amarillo a few weeks ago and the wind was gusting all day at 50mph. It sucked on our heads, but he Trike was affected very little.

About a month ago the wife & I rode to visit folks in Lubbock, Canyon, Abilene, ten days on the road in the W. Texas wind. I was marveling at how the trike took the wind so much better than the 2-wheel wings. Ours has the MT Adventure IRS kit.

I have since changed the aerodynamics some by removing the aquashields. They hung so low that they would drag on some of the farm roads to kin. Got another 3" of clearance now. We're going on another ride in a couple of weeks, guess I'll see then if wind resistance changed... but I don't think so.

 

[rhino 2]

With all the two wheelers i had/have riding in heavy winds becomes an adventure, With my Tri-Glide the only time i really notice it is when a heavy gust hits me head on.. And it feels like just like i came off the throttle for a split second [Chopped]:Shrug:

 

[Firea100]

My Valkyrie trike handles the wind gusts with little efort. I was also pulling a trailer behind the trike. The 1500 Goldwing trike, I had for a short time, did seem to be more susceptible to the wind.

 

[Ed Hobgood]

Any time you put more mass in front of the wind the more the wind will effect it. It's like the difference between a pickup and a semi. I hate riding in cross winds with the Stallion but as much as I hate the wind I love being out on the road riding and that just a little part of it.

 

[RTwing]

The base aerodynamic profile of the GL1500 and 1800 is pretty poor. While wind protection is very good the large high faring is detrimental to sidewind stability. As a trike things do improve but it requires extra caster, a bit more scrub and a stiffer anti-sway. Most of this is not tunable on a wheels back trike only wheels forward. Other bikes in the standard cruiser market are not really affected by wind, None of the bikes I have worked on are affected by wind except for the GL's.
Aerodynamic profile is for the most part overlooked in favor of style and this plays heavily on the stability and wind performance.
Unfortunately on the standard trike setup there is little one can do in regard to handling as steering geometry is non-adjustable.
However one should not despair, riding in the wind while initially challenging can be done safely and controllably with practice. As with all things once the confidence level is increased control takes over.