riding in high side winds....advice?

[lucydad]

All,

Spring 2011 seems to be extra windy. About a month ago I was riding in Sugar Land and found myself in a classic "cluster-risk" situation. Scenario: traveling north on Hwy 90, right turn onto Hwy 6 east bound. The ramp goes up to higher elevation. I knew it was windy from buffetting on Hwy 90. My Kawa EX500 is full fairing. Going up the ramp, and in a curve, and accellerating I got hit by a cross wind that I estimate to be 40 mph+. Additionally, I had another motorcycle pass me on the inside and a car on the outside in the curve. Physics in the curve was interesting, to maintain my line my bike naturally performed a dance of various angles of attack with the wind gust. I did not panic, but the event definitely got my attention, and I slowed a bit with the result of both car and other rider passing me on both sides, simultaneously. Lesson learned: beware of wind gusts, especially in curves. Do the pros out there have any comments? My riding traverses are slowly moving from sub 50 mph local roads into higher speed roads like Hwy 90, and eventually outbound 59 SW and perhaps in bound 59 into Houston. High winds are a concern at higher bike speeds of 70 mph.

cheers all,
lucydad

[honorsdaddy]

All,

Spring 2011 seems to be extra windy. About a month ago I was riding in Sugar Land and found myself in a classic "cluster-risk" situation. Scenario: traveling north on Hwy 90, right turn onto Hwy 6 east bound. The ramp goes up to higher elevation. I knew it was windy from buffetting on Hwy 90. My Kawa EX500 is full fairing. Going up the ramp, and in a curve, and accellerating I got hit by a cross wind that I estimate to be 40 mph+. Additionally, I had another motorcycle pass me on the inside and a car on the outside in the curve. Physics in the curve was interesting, to maintain my line my bike naturally performed a dance of various angles of attack with the wind gust. I did not panic, but the event definitely got my attention, and I slowed a bit with the result of both car and other rider passing me on both sides, simultaneously. Lesson learned: beware of wind gusts, especially in curves. Do the pros out there have any comments? My riding traverses are slowly moving from sub 50 mph local roads into higher speed roads like Hwy 90, and eventually outbound 59 SW and perhaps in bound 59 into Houston. High winds are a concern at higher bike speeds of 70 mph.

cheers all,
lucydad

That's one of those things where you just have to learn the technique. Basically you lean into the wind just enough to go straight - leaning the bike into the wind does take a bit more effort, but eventually you get used to it. If you tuck in a little more, you'll find it a bit easier.

[rubbersidedown]

i call it 2 wheel wind surfing...... i kinda like it
i usually commute beltway 80 mph trips and you can usually feel em coming on and just ride em by leaning into them. like when you pass a semi you know it coming

some are shear suprise but i find myself naturally correcting

[BigComfy]

When in doubt, GAS it.

[Squoddybody]

Wind can be intimidating in the beginning, but it does get better. Now I seem to think of it as adventure. You did the right thing by not overreacting - leaning into the wind is about all you can do when it hits you. After a while it will become second nature.

[bluewave18]

It's neat to see guys going 250+ in a strong cross wind. They look like they are making a turn.

[+Travis+]

You did the right thing by not overreacting...

What she said. Be light on the bars and in the seat; really feel what the bike is doing under you and what the bars are doing. Counter steer only to maintain your line, and of course slow it down.

[texlurch]

Get comfortable with counter steering.... slight bar inputs will make the bike lean more or less and smoother/quicker than leaning your body.

[po-po 5.0]

The first 3 years I owned a bike I lived in Oklahoma. Its ALWAYS windy there. The first time you get a gust of side wind its really awkward feeling when the bike leans itself INTO the breeze. After a while you learn to just do what you should be doing at all times: be light on the bars, and let the bike sort itself out!

[lucydad]

All,

Thanks for sharing your expertise! Last night I was out riding in Sugar Land. My mantra was "light on the bars". Indeed that makes a big difference!

:notworthy:

[zerobounds]

i hate riding in the wind. just keep the rpm's up and weight into the crosswind thats about all you can do. a lot of it is in your head but it has blown me across 2 lanes of traffic before.

[Bevo]

All you can do is make your surface area a small as possible by tucking, and just point the bike where you want it go to.

[imma_stocker]

Revival!

This happened to me on my EX500 too. One hit pushed me across half a lane when I was stretching my back... fun as a surprise kick in the A

Just tuck down low and lean into the wind. For a solid 20 minute stretch I was riding on the side of the tank to stay straight haha

[Squid Killer]

Countersteer into the wind. Relax and try not to wear yourself out. I tend to speed up. It gives the bike more stability.

[Joshua42007]

Your not joking about HWY 90 and wind. Especially in between Sugar Land and Richmond/Rosenberg, strong flow thru here because of the flat empty fields.

[BaylorNinja500]

great read !!! i ran a quick search for crosswinds and this was exactly the stuff i just went through on 290 to and from Austin. freaking terrifying stuff for a relative higway neebie like me. the tucking down and shifing to lower gear for revs helps a bunch.

i do wonder if having just a 500cc factors into even worse wind buffetting. but then i'm sure 600cc feel it , and 250s even worse.

no more 100+ mile trips for till i get a cruiser with a huge ass windshield!

[texlurch]

A cruiser with a huge windscreen will be just as bad.. other than the extra 200-300 lbs... Just have to relax and let the bike move around a bit, and lean into the wind as needed.

[TAMUMBA2003]

You did the right thing - whenever you are unsure about how your bike is handling slow it down and take your time.

[Rael]

Fairings add to the "windblown" feeling. I'm noticing sidewinds a lot less on a naked bike than I did on my ninja.

[BaylorNinja500]

^^^ hmmm very interesting stuff. i've got a new respect for ppl who do long road trips.

[Bevo]

Basically you lean into the wind just enough to go straight Just focus on following the road. The force of the wind determines how much your bike leans. All the rider can do is to try to keep the bike on the road.

[GiiV]

I think 288 is also wind gust prone.

Between Orem and Airport, watch as the cars start to zig zag due to the wind. I thought it was just me but other drivers familiar with the area say the same thing.

I Wonder how I'm going to get through that with a 250. Stick to the left lane perhaps. That way I have the lane and the shoulder to work with in worst case scenario.