highway riding and the tuck

[subxero]

How much do you guys, and gals tuck when doing highway riding?

I am still fairly new to riding on the street, just clipped 1000 miles on the 250 today, got it in late September. This weekend i was doing long commuting to my weekend job which involves 90% highway for around 1hr. Generally going 70mph at least, sometime slightly less on one of the roads, and more like 80mph on the main highway.

I have determined that i am not a big fan of doing 70mph or higher with out being at least partially tucked especially on main highway dealing with turbulence from other vehicles. I can cruise comfortably at 55-60 with no tuck but again after 60 i start to get pushed around by the wind and feel more comfortable tucked in a bit.

what about you all?

[ninjabrewer]

most of the time when I am riding like that, I will lay my left arm across the tank and lean on it.

nb

[00NissanNinja]

^Lol I do the exact same thing, almost felt like I was the only one.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by subxero

.....what about you all?

My bike is naked, which helps with that, I guess.

I only need to tuck doing 80 with a strong head or cross wind (15~20 mph).

I avoid doing it because I loose rear and side visibility via my mirrors.

Do whatever makes you feel in better control of the bike and conditions around you.

I wouldn't take one hand from the handlebar

[csmith12]

Honestly...

When you get used to it, you will not tuck much at those speeds. Maybe make sure you don't have a knee flying out and stuff but with a strong core, it's a big non event.

Do what you need to be comfy now and adjust with time. I lean on a elbow every now and then, the tank bag has become a chest pillow before and I have kicked back and enjoyed the wind. The key is to relax and be loose.

Enjoy the ride yo!

[ChaoSS]

I do what is comfortable. At high speeds, for long periods of time, in cold temperatures, that means a tuck just a bout the whole way. If I'm just heading into town to run some errands, I don't usually bother, if I'm riding to have fun, I usually don't.

[oblivion007]

I too do the tuck/arm across the front of the tank. Really the wind doesn't bother me much at those speeds and I don't feel other vehicles turbulence at all much. But if you're doing that kind of commuting maybe its worth investigating a new windshield like double bubble.

Windshields are no reason to neglect you core while riding though.

[Eldiablo]

Originally Posted by oblivion007

I too do the tuck/arm across the front of the tank. Really the wind doesn't bother me much at those speeds and I don't feel other vehicles turbulence at all much. But if you're doing that kind of commuting maybe its worth investigating a new windshield like double bubble.

Windshields are no reason to neglect you core while riding though.

I felt like I was getting blown a little for a while. But eventually got used to it. But still, I'd like to get a double bubble eventually, just to keep the wind off!

[Alienjoe]

I have said it here many times but earplugs really help raise your comfort level by blocking wind noise and allowing you to focus your attention elsewhere. I do a small tuck that redirects wind at my helmet and just cruise like that. I did my 80 mile round trip to work today and find that I hunker down naturally as my speed increases.

[Daks]

Earplugs help...otherwise I have never "full tucked" even at 90-95mph. Generally my legs are against the tank (keeps them toasty, too) and I'll get lower, try to line up my helmet with the bike as much as possible. If I do anything largely noticeable, it's to accelerate into wind...and is definitely required to do so on a stock pregen. XP

[Bassman]

I do a partial tuck around 60 and above. It helps mpg and now that it's colder it gives me good wind protection and keeps me warmer.

[Miles_Prower]

Originally Posted by Bassman

I do a partial tuck around 60 and above. It helps mpg and now that it's colder it gives me good wind protection and keeps me warmer.

+1 on this, when I don't feel like wearing my snowboarding jacket on top of my motorcycle jacket, I tuck down or else the cold air hits my neck..brrrr!!

But on the highway, I drop my shoulders and scooch back a bit. I don't mind the turbulence at all, I even find it fun sometimes to get blown about, but it does tire me out on long rides (2-3+ hours). Then I'll do the lean on one arm on the long straights with no one near me.

[hybridkid]

I came across a woman a couple months back wearing cast while ordering coffee at starbucks. When I asked her what happened, she described being blown off her brand new Harley by a gust of wind near Niagara Falls. She said the wind hit her in the chest hard enough to knock her off. She was not a tiny woman either.

I've laid on my tank ever since on the highway. I find it more comfortable to lay on the tank on my 600RR than to tuck in the 250R. In the 250R it was possible but didn't feel as natural because of the bar positioning.

[tuan3742]

Originally Posted by ninjabrewer

most of the time when I am riding like that, I will lay my left arm across the tank and lean on it.

nb

lol, i do that as well. makes me feel like a lazy rider. =P

[thumper64]

I tuck down as much as I can about 55. Then I don't feel like I'm getting blown around at all, just feels a little better. This is always on my way to work in the morning without any traffic, so not concerned about needing my mirrors.

For the wind, I've been tying a bandana around my neck. Goofy looking kinda, but it helps.

I'm pretty new though, so...

[8307c4]

It is against safe driving regulations (and I'm not sure if it's illegal but I dare say it gives an officer probable cause {to pull someone over}) to ride in anything but a full upright position, same with having both hands on the handlebar at all times, and even if the police does nothing these are simple basics we are taught in the Motorcycle Safety Course.
While not required, it is strongly encouraged every rider take the Safety Course.

You know, it's just common sense to me, I see the guys riding around with toupee covers and t-shirts too, one slip at 50 mph, I mean you take a slide... Look down when you're doing 40 sometime and get a good idea of everything that separates you from the pavement, if you can see blacktop zipping past below you clearly that means the only thing in between you and a serious case of road rash is three feet of thin air.

You guys are talking 80-90, I figured 50-60mph with a full leather outfit might mean some kind of survival when death ought to be the least of these great warrior's worries, every desperado stunt rebel I ever spoke to always talks about "I won't even feel it."
What if it leaves you paralyzed, in case you're not familiar with paralysis that is a slow death sentence, takes 4-8 years or so.
Someone with paralysis dies because without the ability to exercise one's muscle tissue withers away, and in the end the body is incapable of sustaining its own vital organs, the way a paralized person dies ultimately the body literally collapses upon itself.

Or how about ending up a limb or so short?

No sir.

[thumper64]

I'm new to all this, so excuse me if I'm wrong, but I'd rather do something illegal that lets me keep control of the bike instead of sitting fully upright and constantly fighting the wind. If I have to get up to see the mirrors, like if I want to change lanes, I can pop up easily.
I would like to see the mirrors the whole time, but if it's the choice between knowing what's going on behind me and staying upright, knowing what's going on behind me won't do much good if I run off the road or into the side of another vehicle.

[ChaoSS]

Originally Posted by 8307c4

It is against safe driving regulations (and I'm not sure if it's illegal but I dare say it gives an officer probable cause {to pull someone over}) to ride in anything but a full upright position, same with having both hands on the handlebar at all times, and even if the police does nothing these are simple basics we are taught in the Motorcycle Safety Course.
While not required, it is strongly encouraged every rider take the Safety Course.

I'm sorry, but you are just wrong, I can maintain full control of my bike in a tuck, and the lowered center of gravity makes it more stable in adverse conditions. I am safer in a tuck. BTW, cops can pull you over for anything or nothing, but riding in a tuck is not probable cause. Probable cause means they have reason to believe that you are probably doing something illegal. Ex: if you are swerving, it is probable cause, they believe you may be under the influence. If they choose to, I suppose they could ticket you for unsafe riding, but unless you act like an idiot in court you could easily have that thrown out.


As for MSF, they have some good information, but some of what they say has to be thrown out when you start riding in the real world.

[Ytse Frobozz]

Unless I'm freezing my ass off, I never tuck because it makes me feel like a poser.

[ChaoSS]

Originally Posted by Ytse Frobozz

Unless I'm freezing my ass off, I never tuck because it makes me feel like a poser.

Doing something or not doing something because of how it affects other's image of you makes you a poser.

If you are safer riding upright, by all means, do so. Don't do it because you think it makes you look a certain way.

[ricomtzjr]

Originally Posted by oblivion007

I too do the tuck/arm across the front of the tank. Really the wind doesn't bother me much at those speeds and I don't feel other vehicles turbulence at all much. But if you're doing that kind of commuting maybe its worth investigating a new windshield like double bubble.

Windshields are no reason to neglect you core while riding though.

Where in EP are you located? Army?

I am located On-Post near the Fred Wilson gate.

[ricomtzjr]

I never stay completely upright. I am only 5'3", but I sit all the way back and at a forward lean. When I go on the freeway, I tuck low enough that my forarm is parallel to the ground. That is usually enough for me up to about 70 mph. If, in some cases, I do open it up, I tend to tuck lower, but then I start bend my elbow so far that my elbows are below my handle bars. I tend to stay away from this stance. For this reason, I would like to get me some Woodcraft clip-ons one day.

[alex.s]

chin rests on top of the gas tank, butt pressed against the rear seat.

[Whiskey]

Long runs on the motorway I'm almost flat on the tank well in the bubble. It's the most comfortable way to clock up big miles on the bike.

[bfpower]

I live in a consistently windy area and always tuck on the freeway (70-80 mph). Even with upper body loose and grip gentle, I'm afraid the wind would force a quick dismount or lane change.

[NevadaWolf]

Ok, question for you all...

I sit up against the tank, arms loose, head in line with the windshield. When the wind gets bad (usually at freeway speeds around 70mph), I try lowering down to lay my chest on the tank. But I always end up feeling like my back is bowed in and my neck is bent backwards. I've tried scootching back so my butt is against the rear seat, but my trunk is so short, my arms just get stretched out and my control of the bike suffers.

HOW do you guys tuck for any length of time without feeling like you need a yoga class to loosen up? I've given up, just lean a bit more forward into the wind and deal with it.

[Miles_Prower]

sorry can't help you...i'm so small it's like I'm laying on my couch, pretty comfy for me

[csmith12]

Maybe get a tank bag and put and old sweatshirt or something in it or fill with more useful stuff. Either way, it's will raise you back up into the wind a little but will give you a base to rest on. Hopefully, the extra relaxation will cancel out the extra wind.

[NevadaWolf]

Danke

[geeker]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Maybe get a tank bag and put and old sweatshirt or something in it or fill with more useful stuff. Either way, it's will raise you back up into the wind a little but will give you a base to rest on. Hopefully, the extra relaxation will cancel out the extra wind.

I did this yesterday on a ride through the Ozark National Forest. It was supposed to warm up to 70° yesterday, but it never happened. I used the tank bag to block the perforation on the front of my suit. This also came in very handy on my trip to Florida last year. It's a great way to relax for a few miles.

[Yakaru]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Ok, question for you all...

I sit up against the tank, arms loose, head in line with the windshield. When the wind gets bad (usually at freeway speeds around 70mph), I try lowering down to lay my chest on the tank. But I always end up feeling like my back is bowed in and my neck is bent backwards. I've tried scootching back so my butt is against the rear seat, but my trunk is so short, my arms just get stretched out and my control of the bike suffers.

HOW do you guys tuck for any length of time without feeling like you need a yoga class to loosen up? I've given up, just lean a bit more forward into the wind and deal with it.

It may or may not help but my personal trainer once gave me some weight lifting tips and to keep a proper posture while lifting you actually have to kind of squeeze your shoulder blades back/together and it can feel like you're actually bowing the back backwards a little bit, even though you're in good posture (it also can balloon your chest :P).

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Yakaru

It may or may not help but my personal trainer once gave me some weight lifting tips and to keep a proper posture while lifting you actually have to kind of squeeze your shoulder blades back/together and it can feel like you're actually bowing the back backwards a little bit, even though you're in good posture (it also can balloon your chest :P).

I'll give that a shot to ease the pressure on my back. Thanks for the tip!

[250rr]

Originally Posted by Yakaru

It may or may not help but my personal trainer once gave me some weight lifting tips and to keep a proper posture while lifting you actually have to kind of squeeze your shoulder blades back/together and it can feel like you're actually bowing the back backwards a little bit, even though you're in good posture (it also can balloon your chest :P).

Oh, you are so right, Yakaru. It does help. My personal trainer went overboard with it, however. This is me after just 50 miles a few weeks back. Also, notice the male pattern baldness is for some reason temporarily cured.