[ST] ST Handling Instability in Severe Gusting Headwinds

[Rich Hartwick <hartwick@xxxxxxx>]

I was hoping to get some feedback/advice from other listers on the ST.  I purchased a new ST in March, and as I posted previously, managed a quick 2,600 mile trip to Florida loaded, 2-up with my son.  Once I cranked up the rear preload and increased the rebound, we had a secure, fast trip even with a 52 l Givi topbox and all the extra weight.  I was surprised that the bike seemed actually more stable than my Trophy had been when blasting past semi trucks.  After getting back, I've managed another 1000 miles or so on twisty NY backroads, with no problems.  I have been very pleased with the handling.

Yesterday, I had to do a quick 100 mile trip back home on the Interstates after a fun 400 mile day of backroad twisties, where the ST handled beautifully.  However, on the Interstate trip home, I ran into some very severe, probably 40+ mph head/sidewinds that were gusty and highly variable, hitting me one second from the left, then the right.  I was pushing 75-80 mph, and I found the handling to be a handfull.  One time, when I reached down to flip on the heated grips as it got colder, I was hit with a gust, and my right arm flinched and pulled the bike to the right in a second, which really got my attention.

Despite the perfect handling sans wind, I was surprised to find it such a handfull with one person under gusting head/crosswinds.  Have other listers found this, or do I have the suspension set up wrong for 1 person?  I was thinking perhaps I had left too much pre-load on the back, changing the effective trail of the front.  Any suggestions for increasing high speed stability under such nasty riding conditions?  I also felt that part of the problem was the wind tugging at my arms, and with the sensitive handling of the Sprint, that translated into instability.  Would the taller ZG Double-Bubble or Triumph tall screen help in this regard?

The perfect bike, but a handfull in the wind.

Rick Hartwick
00 ST Red


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