Riding in the Wind!

[pa-outdoorsman]

OK guys, so today I took my new scoot to the gym for the first time. Most of the trip is on two-lane country roads, except for the last two miles, where you have to go on a four-lane, divided highway (2 lanes each direction) to get to the shopping plaza where the gym is located.

Anyway, nice day but a little windier than anticipated. This was not a problem on the back roads, but once I got onto the highway, I could really feel the wind buffeting me and moving me a bit. Made me kind of nervous, as a result, I kept my speed down. This was OK, other than making all the traffic behind me want to pass.

Needless to say, I survived, and actually found myself a lot more comfortable on the way home. But definitely not something I expected and will have to get used to riding in the wind. Any tips and advice for a new rider dealing with that feeling of instability that comes when the wind blows you a bit off kilter?

[john grinsel]

Relax

[Kansas kymco]

OK guys, so today I took my new scoot to the gym for the first time. Most of the trip is on two-lane country roads, except for the last two miles, where you have to go on a four-lane, divided highway (2 lanes each direction) to get to the shopping plaza where the gym is located.

Anyway, nice day but a little windier than anticipated. This was not a problem on the back roads, but once I got onto the highway, I could really feel the wind buffeting me and moving me a bit. Made me kind of nervous, as a result, I kept my speed down. This was OK, other than making all the traffic behind me want to pass.

Needless to say, I survived, and actually found myself a lot more comfortable on the way home. But definitely not something I expected and will have to get used to riding in the wind. Any tips and advice for a new rider dealing with that feeling of instability that comes when the wind blows you a bit off kilter?

Just as John stated relax.  It's when you tense up it becomes more of a issue.  Those two gyroscopes work wonders.

[Iahawk]

good advice....I was going to say just keep a loose grip on the bars and go with the flow. Both wind and speed are unnerving at first...the more riding time you get the better they will get. I don't fear the wind...I just extremely dislike riding in strong winds, for a number of reasons. 2 things that will keep me off the bike are strong winds and rain.

[Iahawk]

I will also adjust my lane position quite a bit based on which way the wind is blowing. A very strong wind blowing from right to left will cause me to stay more to the right in the lane vs staying closer to the centerline so i don't get blown into oncoming traffic. I ride a very light motorcycle, too, so I'm used to getting blown around on the road.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hey - add some driving rain and full darkness for the full experience!
The good news? : Deer won't come out in that stuff!

What kinda tires did Honda use?
Stig

[Kansas kymco]

Timely subject since we had 62mph (99.78 k) wind guests yesterday from the South. Today the wind blew out of the North but not as strong.  I agree with Neil I avoid riding in strong wind and rain if I have a choice.

[pa-outdoorsman]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am sure I will get more used to it. And will also avoid riding in very high winds. The ADV 150 only weighs 294 pounds wet, so it's definitely a light bike that you will feel the wind when riding. Like I said, I never really felt as though I was going to be blown over, but it was definitely not comfortable either.

As for tires, the stock tires on this bike are the Trail Winner from IRC. Had to look IRC up because I'd never heard of the brand. Japanese tire company, and pretty big one by the looks of it. Not sure exactly where these tires are made, but they are advertised as "dual sport" tires built using the same rubber compound as IRC's "street" tires for maximum pavement grip.

They seem fine. Here's a link to the page for the Trail Winner on the IRC website. Interestingly, this page doesn't list the stock tire sizes for the ADV, but I assure you these are indeed the tires that come on the bike:

https://ircmoto.com/collections/dual-sport/products/trail-winner-gp-210

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hondas seem kind of heavy. ADV is 60lbs heavier than a Vespa 150; 45lbs heavier than my Piaggio 150i; 50lbs heavier than my LIKE200i.

IRC's seem to be the go to tire for small Hondas - that said, few PCX riders replace them with another IRC.
Stig

[pa-outdoorsman]

Hondas seem kind of heavy. ADV is 60lbs heavier than a Vespa 150; 45lbs heavier than my Piaggio 150i; 50lbs heavier than my LIKE200i.

IRC's seem to be the go to tire for small Hondas - that said, few PCX riders replace them with another IRC.
Stig

I don't even know if you can get those stock tires here. I don't see them listed on any of the online shopping sites, but considering they are OEM equipment, perhaps Honda dealers have access to them.

Doesn't really matter; based on everyone's feedback on this forum, I would anticipate putting a set of Michelin City Grip tires on once the OEM set wears out.

[Kansas kymco]

Use to run IRC knobbies on my dirt bikes all the time. I haven't seen them in the US for years.

[Iahawk]

IRC Road Winners came standard on my Ninja 300. Terrible tire! (as far as ride and handling go, but they are safe, long lasting, inexpensive tires). The best upgrade anyone can do on a little Ninja is to replace the factory rubber. I bet it doesn't make as drastic a difference on a lower speed scooter....but I'm also sure it will make a difference in ride and handling to upgrade tires.

Many Ninja riders make (or made) the mistake of waiting to wear out their OEM rubber, needlessly subjecting themselves to a few extra years of poor ride and handling. The advice is to always go ahead and spend the couple of hundred dollars to experience a night and day difference in your machine.

With nothing prior to compare them to, most have no idea of the improvement waiting for them when they finally change tires.

[pa-outdoorsman]

IRC Road Winners came standard on my Ninja 300. Terrible tire! (as far as ride and handling go, but they are safe, long lasting, inexpensive tires). The best upgrade anyone can do on a little Ninja is to replace the factory rubber. I bet it doesn't make as drastic a difference on a lower speed scooter....but I'm also sure it will make a difference in ride and handling to upgrade tires.

Many Ninja riders make (or made) the mistake of waiting to wear out their OEM rubber, needlessly subjecting themselves to a few extra years of poor ride and handling. The advice is to always go ahead and spend the couple of hundred dollars to experience a night and day difference in your machine.

With nothing prior to compare them to, most have no idea of the improvement waiting for them when they finally change tires.

Your comments actually make me glad I have nothing to compare them to. Considering I just spent the money to buy the scoot, then gave the DMV their cut for taxes, title, tag and registration, my slush fund sit right at $0 currently. So, I'm going to have to ride this scooter stock for a while. Glad to know I can do so blissfully ignorant of just how horrible my tires are! LOL

Rest assured, I shall put a new set of rubber on the wish list for my machine and work it in as I am able. I'd also like to get a luggage rack and Givi top case at some point this riding season.

[Kansas kymco]

Your comments actually make me glad I have nothing to compare them to. Considering I just spent the money to buy the scoot, then gave the DMV their cut for taxes, title, tag and registration, my slush fund sit right at $0 currently. So, I'm going to have to ride this scooter stock for a while. Glad to know I can do so blissfully ignorant of just how horrible my tires are! LOL

Rest assured, I shall put a new set of rubber on the wish list for my machine and work it in as I am able. I'd also like to get a luggage rack and Givi top case at some point this riding season.

I'm about to comment tire  blasphemy.  I own several models of the same scooter. I put on a set of Michelin City Grip's on one and a set of Shinko's on an other and a set of Pirelli angels on another.  The Shinko's are about half the price and do just fine on dry pavement.  I say this because I have not ridden in the rain and quite frankly don't plan on doing so.   If you really push the scooter to the limits the premium tires would definitely do better. But for casual riding the Shinko's are just fine. I'm sure your IRC's will be as well.

[pa-outdoorsman]

I'm about to comment tire  blasphemy.  I own several models of the same scooter. I put on a set of Michelin City Grip's on one and a set of Shinko's on an other and a set of Pirelli angels on another.  The Shinko's are about half the price and do just fine on dry pavement.  I say this because I have not ridden in the rain and quite frankly don't plan on doing so.   If you really push the scooter to the limits the premium tires would definitely do better. But for casual riding the Shinko's are just fine. I'm sure your IRC's will be as well.

I do not plan for this scooter to ever see the rain, unless I am caught in an unexpected shower. I'm pretty realistic about what my use of this machine is going to be: over 50 degrees, light winds and dry. I have other vehicles to drive in less than optimal riding conditions. Some may (rightly) say that I'll be missing out on the full riding experience, but that's all right with me. I bought this thing to have fun, and at least right now, riding in foul weather doesn't sound like much fun to me.