April 4th, 2010, 01:23 PM | #1 |
RedNinja09
Name: Chris
Location: Carol Stream IL
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 67
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How to Ride In Gusty Wind
Hey Guys,
I was out taking a ride today, it was windy, I didnt think it was that bad. But, the gusts were TERRIBLE. I felt the bike being blown, to the point where I was losing control of the bike. It freaked the **** out of me. I made it home ok, but it scared me. What is the best way to ride out those gusts ? I crouched down low and that helped but, should I steer into the gust or countersteer ? This bike is little and light and I personally wouldnt recommend riding in extreme winds. I was blown around like a rag doll.... Red
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Chris |
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April 4th, 2010, 02:34 PM | #2 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.
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The trick is using a light grip on the bars, and keeping your elbows relaxed and bent.
The bike is going to move around underneath you, but you just let it. The more relaxed you stay, the easier it is. If you white knuckle it, and tense up, it will be a very un-enjoyable ride. |
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April 4th, 2010, 03:02 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: HECTOR
Location: Bronx NY
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red 08 250r Posts: 218
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and slow down
Posted via Mobile Device |
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April 4th, 2010, 03:03 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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April 4th, 2010, 04:06 PM | #5 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Chris
Location: Huntsville, AL
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755
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Quote:
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The Ninjette is not a disposable bike. You are not ever supposed to get rid of it. It is like a [friendly] herpes virus.... once you got it, you get keep it forever. Originally posted by-Headshrink |
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April 4th, 2010, 05:07 PM | #6 |
RedNinja09
Name: Chris
Location: Carol Stream IL
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 67
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Yeah, I instinctively slowed down. I had to, to control the bike better. I have to admit, I was VERY tense and had a death grip on the handlebars. And the experiance was NOT enjoyable. All I kept saying in my mind was "Please just let me get home." It was my first super windy ride and I did not like it.
I was trying to fight to keep the bike upright and it was a fight. Good tips guys... Thanks
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Chris |
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April 4th, 2010, 05:15 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Justin
Location: Ewa Beach, HI
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CT Blue 250R(Sold), 2008 Black & Silver Honda CBR600RR(Current) Posts: 201
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i feel the same way when i ride to work
recently down here in hawaii we've had some pretty strong gusts 30+ MPH!!!!! i get scared shitless when the wind leans my bike over i admit i tense up alot when this happens, at least now i know not to do that thanks for tip guys Posted via Mobile Device |
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April 4th, 2010, 05:22 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Chris
Location: Huntsville, AL
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755
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Tensing up makes things so much worse, because the wind is hitting your shoulders the hardest. Next time your on the bike take your hands off the bars, and push one of the bar ends with your finger, that should pretty much explain why the wind is so much worse when you have a death grip on the bars.
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The Ninjette is not a disposable bike. You are not ever supposed to get rid of it. It is like a [friendly] herpes virus.... once you got it, you get keep it forever. Originally posted by-Headshrink |
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April 4th, 2010, 05:26 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Lil One
Location: NB Canada
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.
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The trick i use to relax my grip is to squeeze the tank with my thighs, don't know why it works but it just does.
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April 4th, 2010, 08:57 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Nick
Location: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red '08 250 Posts: 233
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On my way to school i pass the right next to the mouth of the canyon to one side and a giant mine to the other and its always insanely windy in the mornings there. All the trees grow sidways and when they do construction all the flags get ripped to shreds. I just position myself in the road so i don't get blown into other lanes or into the middle, slow down and ride though. I have almost went into the center a few times and I have heard stories of people having the bike blown out from under them while riding there. Teh scaries.
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April 4th, 2010, 09:11 PM | #11 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Ryan
Location: San Francisco
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '11 Street Triple R Posts: 337
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Quote:
Naw...
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April 5th, 2010, 02:58 AM | #12 |
Ninja Newbie
Name: Ben
Location: Austria
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): EX250K9 Posts: 126
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When I did my motorcycling license, my instructor told me to always just put one foot down when stopped at a red light. That's what I did on a very windy day, and the wind pushed me and the Hornet over.
From now on, I always put both feet down firmly when it's very windy and I've got to stop. |
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April 5th, 2010, 04:07 AM | #13 |
You are sleeping
Name: Casey
Location: LMFAO!!!
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.
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I've rode in very high winds in Mohave/Palmdale area.
When they are constant you can ride down the freeway at a 75 degree angle It has to trip out the cars. My gixxer had much less problems with this. Kinda creepy when they are gusty. I just anticipate them and lean into the winds a little bit while maintaining the regular loose elbows and tight pinch on the tank with my knees.. This bike wiggles all over the place in any conditions.
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<Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce |
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April 5th, 2010, 04:15 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mark
Location: Brisbane QLD Australia
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): White 2011 Aprilia RSV4R Posts: 125
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Try sticking a knee out a little on the side the wind is coming from...the previous owner of my Ninja told me that and it seemed to work. And the advice others have given about not tensing up is applicable too...sometimes easier said than done but it helps.
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Whatever you do just don't drop it. |
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April 5th, 2010, 06:15 AM | #15 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.
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250rinblack....
Yes, thats true too....ive done that a few times. Your knee kinda acts like a rudder scoop deal that tends to stabilize the bike. But this only works well with steady crosswinds, it doesnt work to well with gusting winds. There is a section of the interstate here between Warner Robins, and Macon, that for some reason is like riding through a hurricane during certain times of the day. It will really pound you. I just relax and let it do its thing, but it would totally freak out anybody that wasnt expecting it. And its sudden...it will be dead calm and smooth, and then all of a sudden WHAM...the bike is going nuts for about 2 miles before it calms down again. |
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April 6th, 2010, 01:11 AM | #16 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Karl
Location: Ireland the Hawaii of Europe!
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Fuel Injected Model 2009 Posts: 357
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Its all about the death grip, was riding in gusts and rain this morning. Nice loose grip (as you should have even when its not windy).
Remember also the front wheel does tend to steer around bumps, it needs to especially when leaned over but also a little when upright. Some of the bump is absorbed by the tire flex, some by the shock and some by the steering moving. You can't hold the steering still, it needs to move. If you where strong enough to hold it still the whole bike would have wobble. The wind is no different if you let it move the bike a little, it corrects itself, if you fight it then the movement just build and builds until it overpowers you and turns a small movement into a lane change. I had the camera going, I should upload the vid later this week.
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