JaimeC
New member
Well on my ride home last night I figured out one BIG advantage the K1200LT has over the C650GT. It handles cross winds a whole lot better. I attribute this to a few things:
1) Higher center of gravity: Everyone talks about how good it is to have a low center of gravity. However, the closer the center of gravity is to the "center of pressure" (an aerodynamic term referring to that part of a solid object where any wind would have a "neutral effect") the less likely the vehicle will be knocked around by cross winds. The very low CG of the C650GT combined with the windscreen (and top box) makes it very susceptible to cross winds and the like.
2) Bigger wheels: The larger and heavier wheels of the K1200LT give it more gyroscopic resistance to directional changes. The smaller wheels of the C650GT do not generate as much gyroscopic effect.
I was really getting battered by the wind on my way home last night. The only bike I've owned that was better in cross winds than the K1200LT was my old 1992 Yamaha Venture Royale. That one had even bigger, heavier wheels and a higher center of gravity. Made it a bit of a handful at parking lot speeds... but once on the highway it would've taken the hand of God Himself to knock it off course.
I can only imagine what those other scooters with those 12" and 13" "donut wheels" must be like in gusty crosswinds.
1) Higher center of gravity: Everyone talks about how good it is to have a low center of gravity. However, the closer the center of gravity is to the "center of pressure" (an aerodynamic term referring to that part of a solid object where any wind would have a "neutral effect") the less likely the vehicle will be knocked around by cross winds. The very low CG of the C650GT combined with the windscreen (and top box) makes it very susceptible to cross winds and the like.
2) Bigger wheels: The larger and heavier wheels of the K1200LT give it more gyroscopic resistance to directional changes. The smaller wheels of the C650GT do not generate as much gyroscopic effect.
I was really getting battered by the wind on my way home last night. The only bike I've owned that was better in cross winds than the K1200LT was my old 1992 Yamaha Venture Royale. That one had even bigger, heavier wheels and a higher center of gravity. Made it a bit of a handful at parking lot speeds... but once on the highway it would've taken the hand of God Himself to knock it off course.
I can only imagine what those other scooters with those 12" and 13" "donut wheels" must be like in gusty crosswinds.