Highway speeds over 65 mph

1043 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by GonzaloF, 22 d ago

DESERTXATL

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

I've officially reached the 4,000-mile milestone on my Desert X. I've been experiencing a lot of issues with my bike on the highway. When I'm pushing the bike past 65 mph, I'm experiencing a lot of crosswind and instability on larger expressways. I'm not experienced with knobby tires, since I've only ridden sports bike, track bikes and sports oriented Multistrada. I'm still riding stock STR tires from the factory. I don't have much experience with the 21-inch rim and I came from a 2009 Multistrada 1100s with a 17-inch rim. I'm curious on people's experiences. I did not mention, but I'm also using aluminum panniers. I know that it's not a touring bike but rideability cannot be that bad on major expressways, right?

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GusDuc

· #2 · 1 mo ago

Mine is rock solid…last week on a straight stretch of freeway I set cruise control to 70 & slid back to checkout passenger comfort & the backrest on my Givi top case…rock solid. Also on stock tires set at 29psi front & 31 rear.

Reactions: 1

webline

· #3 · 1 mo ago

no problems here too - even cruising with 170km/h gave me no issues. It's no tourer - she has to be more agile - but everything works as expected for me.

Reactions: 1

obsidianduck

· #4 · 1 mo ago

I don't have boxes on mine and I'm still in the break-in period so I haven't spent hours at highway speeds yet but I did cruise at 85mph for a good stretch over the weekend and the bike felt planted and comfortable. I did end up taking the visor off my XD-4 during that part of the ride to reduce some noise and wind resistance, but I'd definitely be comfortable doing long days at highway speeds on the DDX. Not as comfortable as on a giant 1250cc long distance tourer that weighs 600+lbs, but nothing that would have me shy away from high speed interstate travel either.

Reactions: 1

BUZZ71

· #5 · 1 mo ago

Had mine up to 128mph tucked down behind screen it's just like a supermoto ,great fun

Reactions: 4

obsidianduck

· #6 · 1 mo ago

BUZZ71 said:
Had mine up to 128mph tucked down behind screen it's just like a supermoto ,great fun

Nicely done. I'd like to get it up to top speed, I just need to complete the break-in first so I can safely be over 6k RPM. And I could use some warmer weather. I put 300 miles on during a spring warm-up last week, but now it's back to 2-4C (37-40F) and rainy for the next while so no racing around for a bit.

BTW, the OEM heated grips are working excellently for weather like this.

Pinback

· #7 · 1 mo ago

DESERTXATL said:
I've officially reached the 4,000-mile milestone on my Desert X. I've been experiencing a lot of issues with my bike on the highway. When I'm pushing the bike past 65 mph, I'm experiencing a lot of crosswind and instability on larger expressways. I'm not experienced with knobby tires, since I've only ridden sports bike, track bikes and sports oriented Multistrada. I'm still riding stock STR tires from the factory. I don't have much experience with the 21-inch rim and I came from a 2009 Multistrada 1100s with a 17-inch rim. I'm curious on people's experiences. I did not mention, but I'm also using aluminum panniers. I know that it's not a touring bike but rideability cannot be that bad on major expressways, right? View attachment 1115

There are many reasons why you could have such an experience. Tires / rims can be damaged or not balanced. Suspension is setup incorrectly and the bike isn’t balanced. It could be that the rake is setup for more off road.
21” will be negative in twisty mountain roads but not really on hwy stretches. Knobby tires can wandering around at higher speeds on rain grooves and in general they can be noisy.
Sometimes the knobs get square or brake than it’s also unpleasant to ride, but this tire is not really aggressive or knobby.

Reactions: 1

DESERTXATL

Discussion Starter · #8 · 1 mo ago

Pinback said:
There are many reasons why you could have such an experience. Tires / rims can be damaged or not balanced. Suspension is setup incorrectly and the bike isn’t balanced. It could be that the rake is setup for more off road.
21” will be negative in twisty mountain roads but not really on hwy stretches. Knobby tires can wandering around at higher speeds on rain grooves and in general they can be noisy.
Sometimes the knobs get square or brake than it’s also unpleasant to ride, but this tire is not really aggressive or knobby.

Thank you! Do you think an ohlins steering damper would help with handlebar stability on the highway?

Pinback

· #9 · 1 mo ago

DESERTXATL said:
Thank you! Do you think an ohlins steering damper would help with handlebar stability on the highway?

Yes it will make the bike more stable - but wheels must be checked / balanced before you go that route.
In case you want to go off-road with the bike buy a Scott’s damper.

Reactions: 1

Nevada D

· #10 · 1 mo ago

DESERTXATL said:
I've officially reached the 4,000-mile milestone on my Desert X. I've been experiencing a lot of issues with my bike on the highway. When I'm pushing the bike past 65 mph, I'm experiencing a lot of crosswind and instability on larger expressways. I'm not experienced with knobby tires, since I've only ridden sports bike, track bikes and sports oriented Multistrada. I'm still riding stock STR tires from the factory. I don't have much experience with the 21-inch rim and I came from a 2009 Multistrada 1100s with a 17-inch rim. I'm curious on people's experiences. I did not mention, but I'm also using aluminum panniers. I know that it's not a touring bike but rideability cannot be that bad on major expressways, right? View attachment 1115

Lot of variables to consider, you have a high windscreen setup , the luggage, and of course the wind rates and speeds. I have to say my DX is very pleasurable on most highways here in Nevada.

darkstar1269

· #11 · 27 d ago

BUZZ71 said:
Had mine up to 128mph tucked down behind screen it's just like a supermoto ,great fun

Agree, got up to 131 MPH tucked in there as well, and though it wasn't the best feeling, it did feel relatively stable for a 21" front wheel that was just riding aggressively over rocks and ruts only moments before. I still had a little more room to twist the throttle, but my brain was preventing that from happening since there were antelope on the sides of the road

DESERTXATL

Discussion Starter · #12 · 27 d ago

Well, an update to my issue...

1. My tire pressure was low at 25 PSI up front and 26 in the rear...

I added tire Pressure and it did help with stability at higher speeds.

Reactions: 2

CagivaEric

· #13 · 26 d ago

I can't go that fast. My brain can't take the constant bashing from the windscreen burble.

obsidianduck

· #14 · 26 d ago

DESERTXATL said:
I added tire Pressure and it did help with stability at higher speeds.

That's a good reminder that I need to figure out a good TPMS solution.

It would be really nice if TPM's could display on the dash or GPS and reduce clutter, but I suppose the little screens on most modern TPMS aren't too bad for clamping somewhere for easy monitoring.

GonzaloF

· #15 · 22 d ago

DESERTXATL said:
Thank you! Do you think an ohlins steering damper would help with handlebar stability on the highway?

I would avoid upgrading the damper until you find out why it’s unstable in the first place.
it’s worth checking the balance of the wheels (as a start)

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