High Wind Conditions - Dangerous?
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 478
Likes: 40
From: Bay Area - California Land of Libtards
High Wind Conditions - Dangerous?
I am not used to windy conditions. It's pretty mild here in California. However... I was on the freeway yesterday and it was rather windy. Windy enough to have me a little worried.
I saw somone on a Jap bike going the other direction, so he must have been worse off than me. I have a 2011 Fatboy, so I imagine the weight is on my side in a situation like this.
My question.... is wind really a concern for a rider? Of course you get blown around a bit, but is it ever resulting in an accident? I guess the wind could toss you into another vehicle.
Any bad wind stories?
I saw somone on a Jap bike going the other direction, so he must have been worse off than me. I have a 2011 Fatboy, so I imagine the weight is on my side in a situation like this.
My question.... is wind really a concern for a rider? Of course you get blown around a bit, but is it ever resulting in an accident? I guess the wind could toss you into another vehicle.
Any bad wind stories?
The worst wind I have ever rode was down in the key,s during a tropical storm..The wind gust were crazy and when you got on to a bridge you better hang on..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I rode 160 miles yesterday in 40ish mph winds. As long as you are aware and ride accordingly I don't see it as much of a problem other than a nuisance. Once you get some wind experience it becomes easier to anticipate side gusts. Those are the ones that can get you. Wind can also get a little tiring.
Here's a thread with a few good wind stories... https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...om-riding.html
Here's a thread with a few good wind stories... https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...om-riding.html
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
Living in Kansas I have ridden in winds gusting 40 plus, and I don't like it much. If the wind is directly behind you its great. If you are heading directly into it, it's not so good. If it is a cross wind, It's not good at all. If you hit a bug at 70 mph, and the wind is 40, you hit that bug at 110. Cross or quarter winds are by far the worst.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
Cross winds that are gusting are the worst. You can't relax and enjoy. Bikes can move two or three feet with a strong gust. Kind of odd watching the bike in front of you leaned into the wind heading down the highway. Passing trucks in high wind sucks. The truck can block the wind or create turbulence. Trucks move around in the wind also. Don't screw around passing trucks as they may not see you in their mirror or they may not care. Get around em and don't run in their draft.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
I live in Oklahoma so if you want to ride, you're gonna ride in wind. Gusts over 40 are not unusual. The part I dislike the most is passing an 18 wheeler. Coming up to the rear end of the truck is not a problem, but getting just in front you will have tubulence and gusts that will surprise you. Increasing your speed in a side wind, does help. It took me a long time to work up the nerve to do it, but it does help.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From: Renton, WA
My usual rule of thumb is if I can't keep the bike from being blown out of the lane I will get off the road. On one of those thrips through the desert I was running an IBA SS1000 and I didn't follow the rule. I was being blown into the middle of the next lane and onto the shoulder. The only reason I didn't pull off the highway was because there was nobody else on the road and the area recently had rain so I wasn't dealing with a sand storm. Well I guess there is another reason, I wasn't as smart as everyone else.
I slowed down, picked a track down the center of the highway and just kept pointing in the general direction I wanted to go. Fortunately I only had to battle cross winds for 5 miles or so though I was fighting headwinds much farther than that. I almost ran out of gas because my fuel economy dropped about 15 MPG. I ended up putting 8.6 gallons into an 8.7 gallon tank.
Last edited by jwd98056; Dec 2, 2011 at 09:19 PM.
Trending Topics
Semi's are heavy but they're top-heavy. If the wind's strong enough to topple a semi, it can wreak havoc on a motorcycle.
Others have posted today about even getting blown into another lane, off the road.
Riding in conditions like that, successfully, will make you a better rider. It's alot of "work."
Be safe.
Others have posted today about even getting blown into another lane, off the road.
Riding in conditions like that, successfully, will make you a better rider. It's alot of "work."
Be safe.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,885
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From: Chicago area
Worst was a Thunderstorm that shot me & a buddy a lane over!
I had one ride that leaned automatically in the cross-wind. That bike didn't handle head-winds well as I was the one, beaten up. But cross winds no issue, even 18 wheeler, on-coming.
Now on my bagger, strong cross-winds sux. Nature of the beast(ride) But when Spring come here? Strong south winds with warm temps gets you out.
I had one ride that leaned automatically in the cross-wind. That bike didn't handle head-winds well as I was the one, beaten up. But cross winds no issue, even 18 wheeler, on-coming.
Now on my bagger, strong cross-winds sux. Nature of the beast(ride) But when Spring come here? Strong south winds with warm temps gets you out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
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From: SW Minnesota