Another beginner Question - wind

[GS Jenn]

I had a thread a while ago about being nervous at highway speeds. Since then I've had a few good rides and was feeling much better.

Then yesterday, my boyfriend and I headed out on road trip... he was in our Jeep with the dog and all the camping gear, me on the GS. Destination was about three hours away, but the plan was I would ride for an hour to get more highway experience, then leave the bike at a friend's place and proceed on in the Jeep. 

But.. just outside the city the wind really came up. I felt like I was being blown all over the road, and I was absolutely terrified. I couldn't keep up to highway speed when I felt like every gust was going to knock me sideways. I had to pull over and I was too scared to keep going. We ended up with me driving the Jeep and my boyfriend on the bike. He agreed the wind was pretty strong, but he was able to handle it.

Any suggestions for how to handle windy conditions? I hate feeling like such a wimp, but I also hate feeling like I'm going to die on the highway..

[annguyen1981]

Don't wear baggy clothing.

[ajgs500]

I like to say the we all have/will have riding muscles.  These come with practice and experience.  Wind like this will be no prob once you are more comfortable with controlling the bike.  Patience and Practice!!! 

[galahs]

I had this problem first. I think when your new you force the bike to much, once you learn to ride looser, you can compensate much easier to sudden gusts.

BUt again as was mentioned, practice practice practice!

[ashman]

I assume you were doing this but try getting down low. Get low, get low. How low? I've been to the point where I"m laying on the tank to get some relief and it makes a big difference your basically a big sail when your sitting straight up.

-ash

[scratch]

While this is true, it takes away from your ability to control the motorcycle with your upper body.  Crouching a little bit helps, but not laying on the tank...too awkward.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=8218.msg68255#msg68255
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=18270.msg164853#msg164853
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=14276.msg122753#msg122753

[ashman]

How are you 'sposed to sleep if you dont lay on the tank? Duh.

-ash

[average]

How are you 'sposed to sleep if you dont lay on the tank? Duh.

-ash

That's what the long seat is for. Throw you feet over the handle bars and set the cruise. You're all set. 

[Kerry]

I still remember the first time I encountered a stiff crosswind, coming at me from about 10:00.  Scary stuff!  The weirdest part was the "automatic" action the bike seemed to take on its own -- also a little scary.

Later, when I (re)read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, I knew exactly what the author was talking about as he and his son rode westward  (2nd paragraph of Chapter 2):

We have picked up a southwest side wind, and the cycle cants into the gusts, seemingly by itself, to counter their effect.

Over time, you'll get used to it. 

[Cal Price]

That's it realy, you do get used to it, practice practice practice is always good.

A screen will deflect some off you but could act as a sail.

Recently i was riding in some really bad wind and rain, the wind was so strong a was realy gripping the bars to keep her going where i wanted. You end up "crabbing" on both a horizontal and vertical plain, it sounds worse than it is. You realy do get used to it,..honest..

[Queso]

first time I got on the freeway, I just did what I saw other bikers do - get low and go. I had read a lot about riding in strong winds, so once I actually got in them, the wind didn't scare me because I knew what to expect. Be prepared mentally, and the rest gets a lot easier.

[Chris2P]

With more experience you will be able to ride in the wind without any fear.  Important thing is to take your time, go at your own natural pace, and have fun.

The first time I went over a large suspension bridge there was a strong crosswind.  I swore it was going to blow me into the Delaware River.  I screamed outloud
going across that bridge I'll never forget that.


Chris

[Jake D]

You should also look at your surroundings.  The terrain on each side of the road.  Is it a hill top?  Are their trees to block the wind?  Is there a semi to block the wind?  Hills to block the wind?  There will be spaces that you know are going to be super windy.  Just prepare yourself mentally for them and when that gust hits you, you can "cant" the bike into the wind.  

I actually kind of enjoy messing with the wind.  Makes a long stretch of highway a little more interesting.  

[ets_gs500f2004]

hey if you inconter wind and you dont feel comfortable at the speed your goin just slow down a bit.... and go your pace like the other guy was saying but just observe whats goin on... be one with the bike feel the bikes movement and youll actually understand whats goin on!!!!!

me the first time that happened to me wind hit me as a transport was coming got really scared....
lets say it really did surprise me but now i got the hang of it just by observing the bikes reactions

[GS Jenn]

Those earlier threads really helped... partly the advice and partly from reading other people admitting to being scared by crosswinds. Seriously, that day, if the choice was that I had to either keep going, or never ride a bike again, I probably would still have pulled over.

Today was better though and I feel more like I can do this.

[Queso]

Those winds can be a real blessing on hot days 

[12thmonkey]

The first strong cross-wind i experienced was still the scariest experience i've had on my bike thus far. It was not at all a windy day, and i was riding on a side-street going about 40. i seriously hadn't felt any wind yet in the first 30 minutes of my commute home, and all the sudden in the intersection of a cross street, i got hit with a HUGE gust that almost pushed me into an oncoming SUV. It felt like this giant invisible hand was just sweeping my bike across the road.  So, like everyone else here, i can understand how scary that was. But i'm glad you're feeling more courage and confidence. Honestly, it seemed like all the "firsts" where terrifying...and by the second encounter, it was much easier.

[ukchickenlover]

In strongs winds the best thing to do is slow down and keep the revs up to give you power to drive yourself back if you get blown off your riding line. Try to relax, if you are scared then you will tense up and will not be able to control the bike properly. If you feel yourself getting scared take a few deep breaths and make sure your arms are relaxed and bent at the elbows.