Wind Sucks!

Jono · November 13th, 2011, 06:05 PM

So today it was about 75 degrees but winds were 18mph from the south with gusts up to 30+ mph. I went for a ride this evening and the wind took some of the fun out of riding. I don't like being pushed around in my lane by wind.

So do yall ride when it is this windy? You probably do but what are some tips to not getting blown around so much. I was light on the handle bars and even tried tucking but it didn't really help with these crazy winds. And I think it is going to be windy again tomorrow but with wonderful temps around 75 again.

Magz · November 13th, 2011, 06:29 PM

I had the same problem this weekend. It was fine if there were trees along the side of the highway, but in the open it was really unnerving to be pushed in my lane. After the ride I looked at the weather and found the wind had been gusting to 45+ mph.

Heed · November 13th, 2011, 08:16 PM

it's been extra windy in Chicago too.

setasai · November 13th, 2011, 08:54 PM

Generally I dont realize its windy until a gust hits me and moves me around my lane. Luckily, I havent gotten pushed to another lane yet.

I dont mind it that much. Riding is riding. I accept all conditions and try to deal with it as best as I can. I wouldnt ride near a tornado or hurricane though. Those winds have more than lane switching power.

DarC · November 13th, 2011, 09:17 PM

I usually cruise along with a loose grip and sort of leaned over, lol, you can gear down, slow down, and use RPM to help keep you tracking as well. I have also tried to use other vehicles to block for me an usually get best results just off the rear corner opposite the direction the wind is coming. If it's really bad (as it gets out here) I may take side roads depending on how much time I have to get where I'm going. I've ridden in 65mph gusts 35+ sustained and it's no joke...I lasted just long enough on the highway to get to a spot where I could take protected side roads home.

Jono · November 13th, 2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarC

I usually cruise along with a loose grip and sort of leaned over, lol, you can gear down, slow down, and use RPM to help keep you tracking as well. I have also tried to use other vehicles to block for me an usually get best results just off the rear corner opposite the direction the wind is coming. If it's really bad (as it gets out here) I may take side roads depending on how much time I have to get where I'm going. I've ridden in 65mph gusts 35+ sustained and it's no joke...I lasted just long enough on the highway to get to a spot where I could take protected side roads home.

I was thinking about riding beside other vehicles to minimize the cross winds but I figured that wasn't the safest idea. Haha. I will try out taking side-roads tomorrow to avoid some of the wind. And see how keeping it at higher RPM's helps any.

Alex · November 13th, 2011, 11:11 PM

Riding in the wind

ironglory · November 13th, 2011, 11:28 PM

I guess just slowing down for me helps. Even on a bigger bike I still feel it. I try listening to small craft warnings and that 's how I base my routes and my time of travel if possible.

C L · November 13th, 2011, 11:46 PM

Maybe its because I'm still new to motorcycling, but I rather enjoy riding with winds pushing me around my lane. Adds another element to the ride. A new challenge, so to speak.

gfloyd2002 · November 14th, 2011, 03:06 AM

Wind speeds of 20mph pretty common here, and 40mph gusts happen more than I'd like. I stay in if gusts are stronger than that. Here's how I cope:

*keep your shoulders/arms relaxed so you getting blown doesn't jerk the handlebars and make you feel like you've got the wobbles;
*minimize the "sail" area on the bike, so go into tuck, don't have tailbags/backpack/etc.;
*countersteer into the wind - countersteering forces are stronger than the strongest gusts. Lean into it like a corner if you have to;
*going slower doesn't help. The bike is more stable at speed, taking advantage of gyroscopic effect and inertia;
*move to the upwind side of the lane to give you more leeway if you get blown a bit;
*watch the trees/plants in your peripheral vision and you can get a few seconds warning of a big gust coming your way. When you see it coming, get upwind in the lane, be ready to countersteer and make sure your arms are relaxed;
*be careful of effect of wind around big trucks/buildings - it can intensify the gusts.

akima · November 14th, 2011, 05:16 AM

I haven't read of any Ninjette members being blown off their bike or into danger, so my advice is try putting on a smile behind your helmet and enjoy the art of windy, bike riding!

November 13th, 2011, 06:05 PM	#1
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Wind Sucks! So today it was about 75 degrees but winds were 18mph from the south with gusts up to 30+ mph. I went for a ride this evening and the wind took some of the fun out of riding. I don't like being pushed around in my lane by wind. So do yall ride when it is this windy? You probably do but what are some tips to not getting blown around so much. I was light on the handle bars and even tried tucking but it didn't really help with these crazy winds. And I think it is going to be windy again tomorrow but with wonderful temps around 75 again.

November 13th, 2011, 06:29 PM	#2
Magz ninjette.org member Name: Jake Location: MO Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 87	I had the same problem this weekend. It was fine if there were trees along the side of the highway, but in the open it was really unnerving to be pushed in my lane. After the ride I looked at the weather and found the wind had been gusting to 45+ mph. __________________________________________________ Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. - Jim Carrey

November 13th, 2011, 09:17 PM	#5
DarC DUCEATR Name: Dan Location: El Paso, Texas Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): RVT1000R Posts: 628	I usually cruise along with a loose grip and sort of leaned over, lol, you can gear down, slow down, and use RPM to help keep you tracking as well. I have also tried to use other vehicles to block for me an usually get best results just off the rear corner opposite the direction the wind is coming. If it's really bad (as it gets out here) I may take side roads depending on how much time I have to get where I'm going. I've ridden in 65mph gusts 35+ sustained and it's no joke...I lasted just long enough on the highway to get to a spot where I could take protected side roads home. __________________________________________________ 2001 SP1 RC51- #62 -Akrapovic Ti, PCIII, Colin Edward's first baby tooth, Honda Racing sticker, some Japanese doods best attempt at Engrish scribbled on my engine block, little touch of soul.

November 13th, 2011, 11:11 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Riding in the wind __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 13th, 2011, 11:28 PM	#8
ironglory ninjette.org member Name: Mhilz Location: Earth Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ZZR600 Midnight Blue Posts: 114	I guess just slowing down for me helps. Even on a bigger bike I still feel it. I try listening to small craft warnings and that 's how I base my routes and my time of travel if possible. __________________________________________________ A mind is like a parachute, open it up & enjoy the view.

November 13th, 2011, 08:16 PM	#3
Heed ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: John Location: Illinois Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): None yet, yet. Posts: A lot.	it's been extra windy in Chicago too.

November 13th, 2011, 08:54 PM	#4
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Generally I dont realize its windy until a gust hits me and moves me around my lane. Luckily, I havent gotten pushed to another lane yet. I dont mind it that much. Riding is riding. I accept all conditions and try to deal with it as best as I can. I wouldnt ride near a tornado or hurricane though. Those winds have more than lane switching power.

November 13th, 2011, 11:46 PM	#9
C L ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2014 300 Posts: 162	Maybe its because I'm still new to motorcycling, but I rather enjoy riding with winds pushing me around my lane. Adds another element to the ride. A new challenge, so to speak.

November 14th, 2011, 03:06 AM	#10
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	Wind speeds of 20mph pretty common here, and 40mph gusts happen more than I'd like. I stay in if gusts are stronger than that. Here's how I cope: keep your shoulders/arms relaxed so you getting blown doesn't jerk the handlebars and make you feel like you've got the wobbles; minimize the "sail" area on the bike, so go into tuck, don't have tailbags/backpack/etc.; countersteer into the wind - countersteering forces are stronger than the strongest gusts. Lean into it like a corner if you have to; going slower doesn't help. The bike is more stable at speed, taking advantage of gyroscopic effect and inertia; move to the upwind side of the lane to give you more leeway if you get blown a bit; watch the trees/plants in your peripheral vision and you can get a few seconds warning of a big gust coming your way. When you see it coming, get upwind in the lane, be ready to countersteer and make sure your arms are relaxed; *be careful of effect of wind around big trucks/buildings - it can intensify the gusts. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

November 14th, 2011, 05:16 AM	#11
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	I haven't read of any Ninjette members being blown off their bike or into danger, so my advice is try putting on a smile behind your helmet and enjoy the art of windy, bike riding!

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