GS500F great dirt bike, almost lost it today

[acoder]

I've got a '04 GS500F and occasionally commute on it when I can (50 miles one way).

Here in Oklahoma the winds can get really strong sometimes.  

Today while riding home on the Interstate (east bound) I was experiencing 23-30 mile an hour winds from the south, with gusts up to 40-45.  Normally with these kinds of crosswinds I can tuck down over the tank and when the wind pushes me sideways I can give it a little throttle to pull me back in my lane.  

Well not today.   :dunno:  

I was 40 miles into my commute almost to my exit when a really strong gust hits me in the right side.  I grab a little more throttle (hitting 80 mph) and nothing's working.  
I get pushed off into the center median.  :nana:

Now, this median is about 100 yards across to the opposite lanes, but it's really soft because it rained all morning.  As I'm going off the road I sit up from my tuck position and everything seems to slow down.  The median goes down then back up to a large flat area.  I applied both brakes and after a while (probably only 2 seconds) I'm wondering why I'm not slowing down.  :dunno:
All of a sudden the engine revs and I realize I had just grabbed the clutch.  I'm still doing around 60-65 mph and the bike is all mushy feeling because of the soft ground when my little GS decides it wants to try and start a tank slapping maneuver.  I don't know if it's the right thing to do, but I pushed forward on both sides of the handle bars as hard as I could and the wobble quit.  

It was amazing how slow everything seemed and everything that was going through my mind.  (Looking ahead for more soft ground that may cause problems, planning ahead to roll when the front tire dug in and I'd be thrown, knowing that I was going to end up with a broken collar bone, etc.)  
Well, after 200-250 yards and what seemed like 3 minutes I finally got the bike stopped.  

I put it in neutral, opened up my flip-up helmet and screamed YAAAAAAHOOOOOOO!!!!    

It's amazing!!   Never once was I scared or panicky,  afterwards I didn't have the shakes, and I was grinning from ear to ear!!    I had to turn the bike around and go back about 100 yards to where the median wasn't as steep so I could get back on the highway.  This was the only time I was nervous, I didn't want to drop my bike while maneuvering in the soft ground.  

Once I saw an opening in traffic, I gunned it (while screaming my 2nd YAAHOO ), and was back up to 70-75 mph in no time.  
I figured from the time I left the highway til I got back on was between 2-3 minutes tops.

Damn, I Love to Ride!!!    

Roy

(info:  42 yrs old, '04 GS500F 1st bike, MSF course Sept. '04, 4000 miles riding experience total, ALWAYS full gear)

[weaselnoze]

lol good read

[cernunos]

Have you ever wrecked one doing 60-70 mph? I have, and let me tell you, every time I'm at that speed and think I might wreck it scares the crap outta me...'cuz it hurts a lot. :lol:  Good story, glad you made it out ok. Now go and give thanks to the Great Spirit of motorcycling. Love the little GS, Rockies (that's scary to fly in), and this forum.

C........

[davipu]

yep, it didn't hurt that bad.

[Daniely]

Like hell it didnt hurt, lol. I had my fun.

Great read though, glad you could keep your cool and not hit the pavement/dirt/rocks/hillside/railroad tracks...etc...like some of us, lol.

[scratch]

Glad you survived.

At 70mph I know my contact patch is very small, so small that a high wind can overcome what little traction I do have and blow me off my line. The front tire has an even smaller contact patch, accelerating is going to lessen that and the wind is going to have its way with the front; and while accelerating might increase traction at the rear, that acceleration is going to accelerate you into following the front wheel wherever it's blown. Lean the bike into the wind, get a shoulder into it, you can still steer the bike if the wind stops, or if another gust hits ya.
I'll get off my soapbox now.

[cernunos]

I know I sound like a broken record but I never had a problem with my Glide being blown around by the wind...yeh, they're heavy and slow but they're stable and full of soul. :lol:  Love the small GS, Nebraska (they grow a lot of food), and this forum.

C.......

[acoder]

Thanks Guys.

The thing that still puzzles me, is that I kept my cool.  When I've hit a icy patch or hydroplaned in my car I start cussing like a Merchant Marine and get all panicky.  It didn't happen this time.  :dunno:

Someone up above (probably my dad    ) was definitely looking out for me this day.

At lunch a buddy and I went to our Suzuki dealership and were talking about how to handle certain situations (i.e. dogs, cars pulling out in front of us, etc.)
But neither of us has ever talked about this situation.  (When I called him later on my cell phone he was amazed!!)

All I know is that it didn't phase me, and I didn't have any problems and I didn't  have any fears of getting "back in the saddle again".

Roy

(Love the ride, love the GS, love the wind in my face!! )   That's for you, C!!  

[Blingmasta]

Haha. Good story, I can just see you yellin yahoo at the top of your lungs.

[billlang675]

Cool  :lol: