High Winds - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

pegjay · 10-09-2008, 10:19 PM

Today I was taking my bike to the dealer for the 4000 mile service. The wind was blowing about 35 mph, gust up to 50 mph. I had a short run on the highway to get to the dealership. As I was about to turn off the highway a gust of wind hit me and made the back fishtail a little. I got the bike back under control and made my left hand turn.

What I would like to know is if there is a certain way to ride in those kind of wind situation. Or is it best just to stay off the road.

Jay

Robert Leonard · 10-10-2008, 12:57 AM

I did I-10 across New Mexico on March 2nd of this year... Never Again... 40+ MPH Gusts (its common they say that time a year). I simply kept it as slow as I could 50-55 MPH. Scared crapless evey time a truck passed as they were blowing back and forth as well.

On a more funny note (was not at the moment), as I was riding i watched the tumbleweed blow across the road in front of me.... Having never seen tumbleweed before, i had no idea of their density... As luck would have it... a giant one... 6 ft diameter... blew toward the highway... I just knew this one had my name on it... no place to turn, I hit it square... thought I was going to die... luckily they disinigrate like danilion puff balls.....

Cirquerider · 10-10-2008, 02:32 AM

Interstates are about the worst place to be in high wind since they tend to be elevated and have nothing around to shelter from wind. The truck traffic isn't much fun either.

Fishtailing was probably because you were braking and a little too heavy on the rear brake. I've been knocked sideways a bit and countersteering is an important skill to keep that under control. Heavy use of the rear brakes in high wind can be a problem.

bf1hunt · 10-17-2008, 10:54 AM

Hate the wind. Stay home. It's a bad feeling when the wind pushes you from the right side of the lane to the left and there is nothing you can do about it. Bridges are not too much fun either.

pegjay · 10-23-2008, 10:32 PM

Thanks guys.

Davecm203 · 10-25-2008, 08:34 PM

As you gain experience, you will automatically adjust for the wind. The only real adjustment I make is that I slow down for curves. The wind will change the angle of the bike while leaned over and change your line. If it is an otherwise nice day, don't let it keep you in.

10-09-2008, 10:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
pegjay Found second gear by accident Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 Blk. & Slvr M-50 Location: Central California Posts: 326	High Winds Today I was taking my bike to the dealer for the 4000 mile service. The wind was blowing about 35 mph, gust up to 50 mph. I had a short run on the highway to get to the dealership. As I was about to turn off the highway a gust of wind hit me and made the back fishtail a little. I got the bike back under control and made my left hand turn. What I would like to know is if there is a certain way to ride in those kind of wind situation. Or is it best just to stay off the road. Jay __________________

10-10-2008, 12:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Robert Leonard Newbie Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: c50 Posts: 19	I did I-10 across New Mexico on March 2nd of this year... Never Again... 40+ MPH Gusts (its common they say that time a year). I simply kept it as slow as I could 50-55 MPH. Scared crapless evey time a truck passed as they were blowing back and forth as well. On a more funny note (was not at the moment), as I was riding i watched the tumbleweed blow across the road in front of me.... Having never seen tumbleweed before, i had no idea of their density... As luck would have it... a giant one... 6 ft diameter... blew toward the highway... I just knew this one had my name on it... no place to turn, I hit it square... thought I was going to die... luckily they disinigrate like danilion puff balls..... Last edited by Robert Leonard; 10-10-2008 at 12:58 AM. Reason: spelling

10-23-2008, 10:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
pegjay Found second gear by accident Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 Blk. & Slvr M-50 Location: Central California Posts: 326	Thanks guys. __________________

10-25-2008, 08:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Davecm203 U.B's LoveChild Joined: Apr 2008 Bike: 2006 GSXR750 Location: Central North Carolina Posts: 1,103	As you gain experience, you will automatically adjust for the wind. The only real adjustment I make is that I slow down for curves. The wind will change the angle of the bike while leaned over and change your line. If it is an otherwise nice day, don't let it keep you in. __________________

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10-10-2008, 02:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cirquerider Seat Tester Joined: Apr 2008 Bike: '06 Boulevard C90 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA Posts: 86	Interstates are about the worst place to be in high wind since they tend to be elevated and have nothing around to shelter from wind. The truck traffic isn't much fun either. Fishtailing was probably because you were braking and a little too heavy on the rear brake. I've been knocked sideways a bit and countersteering is an important skill to keep that under control. Heavy use of the rear brakes in high wind can be a problem.

10-17-2008, 10:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
bf1hunt Newbie Joined: Sep 2008 Bike: Suzuki c90t Location: Westchester county NY Posts: 15	Hate the wind. Stay home. It's a bad feeling when the wind pushes you from the right side of the lane to the left and there is nothing you can do about it. Bridges are not too much fun either.

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