I stuck my head out the window at 80 mph.. how do you guys do it?

Question

it felt like my head was being ripped off.. I know you get low to be more arodynamic but what about when people do 100 mph stand up wheelies?

Answer 1

I squint. At 80, my eyelids start to flap and flutter.

Its not so drastic a difference when your whole body is in the wind.

"Wow, you take it right on the chest". Was a comment this spring.

"Yup, no big deal." was the reply.

Answer 2

All that wind that your car is pushing away is focused on the edges of the car near the windows.

Answer 3

sun glasses and..well i dont know how the rest works but it does.

Answer 4

At 80 mph you do get buffeted by the wind quite a bit.  If you ride at high speeds a lot it's nice to have a fairing or windshield. That's really what they're for, for touring or long commutes.

But something else that even I don't understand.  When it's cold out, I mean as cold as it gets here in California, maybe high 30s, low 40s, I wear a sweater under my jacket and my heavy gloves and I'm very comfortable.  When I stop my bike and get off, I get cold!  The same temperature air that I've been riding in at 70 mph, but I wasn't cold riding in it and now, just standing still, I'm cold.  I never could figure that out!

Answer 5

An entirely diffrent thing-You sticking your head out a window would be like us laying sideways across our seats

I would have to show you Wind Tunnel vids to help explain

I have been standing in a 65MPH wind and went on my butt in Wyoming

It just not the same thing on a bike

Answer 6

Well the helmet helps a lot.  Especially with the noise.  When you stick your head out the window you are hit with the full force of the wind with nothing to help break it up.  On a bike, even if not tucked, the nose and windshield is helping to direct the wind up and over the bike (and you).  So the air is being directed in an upward direction like a ramp.  This gives a pocket of slow moving air for the rider.  Even if not behind the fairing+windshield, you are not being hit with the winds full force.  Just like drafting in a car.  Try sticking your head out the window again and position your head with your nose and jaw behind the side mirror with your eyes to the top your head exposed just like before.  You'll find it much easier to withstand the pressure.

Answer 7

well the wind is pushing ur headback cause only ur head is outside

while the rest of ur body is inside the car no wind is really pushing ur body back

Answer 8

When you are on a motorcycle, the majority of the airflow is going around you and the motorcycle.

Since your body is centered in line with the motorcycle you aren't in the main path of the airflow.

While a car is moving, the airflow is also going around the vehicle and when you stick your head out the window, you are sticking your head right into the airflow that's going around your car.

But I do agree that I can't stand the wind in my face when riding down the highway and wear a full face helmet.

I've seen some riders on cruisers not even wearing glasses and I don't know how they do it.

Answer 9

that's "WHY" I love the sport bikes "BETTER" than the cruisers

the sport bikes offer aerodynamic styling as a tilted windscreen and front fairing that cuts thru the wind like a sharp knife

the cruisers are not designed aerodynamic and riders are 'wind-blown" and windshields offer protection only at low speeds, but cause stability problems at high speeds.

that's one of the major reasons why I recommend the Kawasaki Ninja line of bikes, these bikes are as perfect as you can get with the correct combination of a windscreen and  full frontal fairing to protect the rider from the wind so he can enjoy a much more comfortable riding experience

Answer 10

Look at the neck muscles of racers a high level of fitness is required to race at the most competitive levels. If you ride a distance at 70-80 on a naked (unfaired) motorcycle it can be tiring, especially on the neck, but the slightly leaned forward position and the airflow deflected over the headlight/dials assembly support chest and helmet.

It's that guy – just a guess but friction from the airflow and increased blood circulation from the generally increased adrenaline of riding would make you warmer.

Answer 11

they wear helmets

Answer 12

honestly you dont' really notice the wind that much, atleast not in terms of force....yeah you feel it... but i've yet to really feel like i was being pushed (like it feels if you stick your hand out the window of a car) except for this one day when we had really high wind gusts going around.... one caught me just the right way and nearly pushed me straight off the back of my bike.

Answer 13

we don't have windows!

Answer 14

My motorcycle doesn't have a window for me to stick my head out of? As far as riding 80mph? I never do it. 70 is as fast as you want to go and still be able to react to hazards. Fastest I've ridden was 125mph on a bike but I felt like a kite. Hard to ride that speed and hang on to ape hangers.

Answer 15

the aerodynamics are different. ever drive like... really fast on your bicycle? your head didn't get ripped off then did it? with the motorcycle, you are facing into the wind, you feel it build up, and you're hanging on (usually) with both hands. completely different if you just stick your head out the window. it's the same for the guys doing the wheelies too. they are prepared for the force of air.

And while I would agree about the helmet in all cases stated, not everyone wears one, I do most of the time, but I have gone over 100 without it.. and yes the noise is deafening.. what, what did you say??? LOL 99% of the time I where a helmet.

Answer 16

I wondered the same thing until I got my motorcycle license and rented a few different bikes.

These motorcycles weigh so much and the tires are very big. I've run over pot holes and hardly felt them. You can go VERY fast on a motorcycle and you don't get blown all over the road because they are well balanced, low, heavy, big tires, and the  WINDSHIELD makes a big difference too.