High Winds
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
A few years ago on a bike trip around CO we encountered riding in some serious sustained crosswind, mixed with powerful gusts. It was windy most of the week with one day of just relentless where it never let up.
The best thing about that experience is it made it so much easier and comfortable to ride on normal windy days. It definitely made me and the other guys with me better and more relaxed "wind" riders.
I would say go for your ride, and after a while the wind will become less of an issue.
The best thing about that experience is it made it so much easier and comfortable to ride on normal windy days. It definitely made me and the other guys with me better and more relaxed "wind" riders.
I would say go for your ride, and after a while the wind will become less of an issue.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett, Texas
Windy?
It depends on how strong. Usually, unless it is a bad crosswind, I don't mind it much, though it can really toss you around on high overpasses!
A lot of the time it depends on what you're riding. Lower profile, more holes, less wind resistance.
A few months ago, I bought my wife a honda silverwing 600 cc scooter, she doesn't like shifting gears, and doesn't want to ride on the back of my bike (control issues?) It was really windy the day we bought it, so I had to ride it back across the metroplex, maybe 30 miles, for her. On the high overpasses, maybe 4 five stories tall, nothing around to block the wind, gusting 30+mph, that high, plastic covered scooter had me sliding all over the lane. Guys on fatboys and sportsters type bikes I saw on the highway that day did not seem to be having the same issue, except on the overpasses.
Generally, if it tosses me around, too strong.
A lot of the time it depends on what you're riding. Lower profile, more holes, less wind resistance.
A few months ago, I bought my wife a honda silverwing 600 cc scooter, she doesn't like shifting gears, and doesn't want to ride on the back of my bike (control issues?) It was really windy the day we bought it, so I had to ride it back across the metroplex, maybe 30 miles, for her. On the high overpasses, maybe 4 five stories tall, nothing around to block the wind, gusting 30+mph, that high, plastic covered scooter had me sliding all over the lane. Guys on fatboys and sportsters type bikes I saw on the highway that day did not seem to be having the same issue, except on the overpasses.
Generally, if it tosses me around, too strong.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,443
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Don't the macho bullshit kid you , wind can be killer quick as damn teenager with a cell phone . Seen the aftermath of several wind related wrecks and had it push me across 3 lanes suddenly . It'll beat the hell outa you on a good day and I have called it over being too windy to ride before .
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
Don't the macho bullshit kid you , wind can be killer quick as damn teenager with a cell phone . Seen the aftermath of several wind related wrecks and had it push me across 3 lanes suddenly . It'll beat the hell outa you on a good day and I have called it over being too windy to ride before .
I remember not too long ago there was a story on the news about a guy on a bike getting killed crossing a bridge when a big gust of wind suddenly picked up and pushed him under the truck in the lane next to him.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,443
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Gal I worked with was out with her husband in a group riding years ago she had a sporty . Wind gust hit her and the big rig next to her and it got real screwed . According to the last rider the trailer tilted up sideways and she was shoved at almost 30 deg angle up under the trailer midway she managed to keep the bike upright laid down on the tank and the trailer dropped on top of her pinning her upright but still underneath it . Witnesses said it took a few miles to get the damn truck to stop and they had to lift the trailer with a big tow unit to get her out . Broke many bones , shattered her pelvis and multiple internal injuries . Cannot imagine the out terror that had to be under that thing for her .
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
What is great is passing a truck in high cross winds. You are leaning into the wind, then the truck blocks the wind, so you go upright. Then you complete your pass and the wind hits you again. Great fun with the wind and gravel in your face and the truck trailers blowing back and forth. All this while running 80 mph down the interstate. Just not my cup of tea unless you are on a schedule.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 4
From: on the road
I used to ride more in the wind until I did the wrecker gig---------------about every wind storm we got a BMW that had blown off the road.Most of the time injuries wernt bad enough to require a hospital stay but bad enough.If you were on a heavy bike yes to 30 mph but a sporty or something lite 30 mph would cause me to camp out
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
It is always windy riding a motorcycle. 
I have not found a level that has forced me to stop yet. On my trips I have run into brutal side winds in the Dakota's, Nebraska, California on the east side of the mountains (Santa Anna) winds. You should see the bracing on the road signs.
Part of cycle skills is coming to an overpass with strong side winds and making the correct counter steer adjustment just as you enter and then exit. Those sidewalls deflect the wind up and over. The pressure on the wind side will leave then return in the moment that you enter and leave the the structure. First your leaning into the wind then nothing. You have to be quick to maintain your line.
I have not found a level that has forced me to stop yet. On my trips I have run into brutal side winds in the Dakota's, Nebraska, California on the east side of the mountains (Santa Anna) winds. You should see the bracing on the road signs.Part of cycle skills is coming to an overpass with strong side winds and making the correct counter steer adjustment just as you enter and then exit. Those sidewalls deflect the wind up and over. The pressure on the wind side will leave then return in the moment that you enter and leave the the structure. First your leaning into the wind then nothing. You have to be quick to maintain your line.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 177
From: Tipp City, Ohio
25 to 35 winds are no problem on my road king. I've followed my friend on his Fat Boy and he would be all over the lane. My road king wouldn't budge. It's always windy on a motorcycle.