High winds = bad time

[joey]

Ok, so decided to get my bike on my lunch break today and never thought much of the high winds we have here today. I have maybe a 10 minute ride to and from work so who'd of thunk that I'd almost crash for my first time in a 10 minute ride!

I searched when I got home but wish I would have before...apparently these bikes (500f) with fairings and weighing maybe 400 lbs are not friendly with high gusts of wind! Especially when I, myself, only weight about 150 soaking wet so don't add much weight to her. I fought the crosswinds the whole way home but one point a gust hit and I all of  a sudden had 0 control of my bike. It was like I had hand underneath the bike lifting it off of the ground and pushing it to the side of the road. Literally, nothing i could do! I tried slowing, tried both front and rear brakes but nothing seemed to help until I hit the embankment...that slowed me down in a hurry. From there the rear wheel starting sliding out from me but somehow, she just kind of regained her line and spit back out on to the road, still doing maybe 50 mph. Needless to say, I learned a very valuable lesson today. Check the winds before any journeys.

I'm still shaking.

Any tips for scenarios like this from seasoned riders?

[ShowBizWolf]

I'm not sure if I can give any tips (Watcher should have some though!) BUT yeah windy days are certainly something crazy until you just kinda get used to them.

I weigh about the same as you and sometimes get blown around a little on the highway on windy days.

Glad you are OK joey!

[Watcher]

Weight certainly helps with resisting the wind, but your control input to counter the force of the wind is just handgrip pressure (counter-steering).

What we tend to do if we are forced outside of our comfort zone is tense up, and in the case of wind if you're rigid on the bike then the wind will just have it's way with you and blast you way off course.
Relax your arms and hands, let the wind push you, but press on the handgrip that's on the same side as the wind force (wind from the left, press left handgrip).  In other words, counter-steer into the wind.

I used to commute over a large rock quarry with semis all around, if you were tense the multi-directional gusts would throw you all around.  But if you are relaxed, it's almost an autonomic response and you maintain stability and control.

[ajensen]

Amen to what Watcher wrote. Also, I usually back off the throttle a little.

[yeti585]

I just got back from a ride with a sketchy wind moment. All was well and good until a sudden gust hit me, and it felt like the rear tire slipped out of track from the front suddenly. Like the guys said earlier in the thread, stay loose and counter steer into the wind with light pressure.

Also, scoot back in the seat and put your chin basically on the tank. The less surface area you display, the less the wind is going to effect you. Stay loose, smooth, and safe my friend!

[J_Walker]

"Stay loose"

I know the perfect girl to teach us all a thing or two. 

[RichDesmond]

Stay loose, don't overcorrect. I also find that it helps to lean forward slightly.

[Wrightgs500f]

Yea high winds are crazy till you get used to it man like everyone previously stated relax loosin up and make yourself as one with the bike as possible also maintaining a constant steady speed will help carry you through just don't over do it on the speed.

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[Big Rich]

+1 to all the above.

For normal highway winds, try to be very aware of what causes turbulence. Like when passing a semi truck, I'll wait for a good opening and shoot past them as quickly as possible (and not ride in their wake). Large fields on both sides can carry big winds too.

It sounds silly, but try sticking your knee out into a cross wind. The wind can actually blow your knee inward & outward and it will affect the bike less.

[Bluesmudge]

Counter steer and try to read what the wind is going to do before you get to it. For example, If you are riding at a 45 degree angle with the wind coming hard from the left and you see that up ahead there is a retaining wall on the right side of the highway, anticipate that you are about to get a bunch of wind reflecting off the wall and hitting you from the right as well.

Its not the strength of the wind that will get you. You can steer into some crazy cross winds and just ride down the road at a steep lean angle. Its the sudden calm that sends you flying out of your lane. You have to stay ultra vigilant and just try your best to respond to the wind ASAP.

[Watcher]

... try to read what the wind is going to do before you get to it.

Its not the strength of the wind that will get you.  Its the sudden calm that sends you flying out of your lane. You have to stay ultra vigilant and just try your best to respond to the wind ASAP.

This is legit advice, here.  Things along the sides of the road like decorations, flags, trees, etc can be big indicators for wind.  The more a rider can predict, the safer the rider will be.