How Dangerous is Wind...Really?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Wind should not be taken lightly''''' Depending on your cross section to the direction of the wind. Bikes with fairings mounted to the frame seem to be more stable, but taking in to account the "Pucker Factor" this is one limit you you don't want to test...... Oh yeah.... I have seen 3 747 jet liners moved by the wind here in Az. So my 800 lb bike plus my 270 lbs will have no change if a strong wind or gust catches me by suprise.
Last edited by screws4156; Apr 27, 2009 at 08:19 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,197
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
In 100K miles of riding, I've been hit by a wind shear like twice, so hard that had I not been holding the handlebars with both hands, I'd a gone down. And I got blown into the next lane over once in South Dakota in a thunderstorm. Just about every time we've ridden across the plains, it's been leaning over 10-20 degreees. Wind sucks.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
Almost went down on the Mark Clark Expressway outside of Charleston, SC in '97 due to a sudden violent crosswind. Don't know what my ACTUAL lean angle was but it FELT like 45 degrees! Now that was on a 1983 Yamaha 650. I had to pull over consider whether I wanted to continue that trip or not.
My RKC seems very stable in gusty winds. I can ride it on days that would have left the Dyna in the garage.
My RKC seems very stable in gusty winds. I can ride it on days that would have left the Dyna in the garage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
Just had some pretty decent winds this weekend in Texas. The bike gets blown around and I guess a strong enough wind could blow you off the road like it does anything else, the gyroscopic force may make a little difference but it would be hard to quantify. The worst part for me is the next day or two trying to get over "wind neck" as you are constanly trying to keep you head on as the qusts move it around. Quite the workout.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Seems like the wind has not stopped blowing here in North Texas for 2 months now! About every time i go to ride now i am checking the wind gust not the radar. Hate being blown in another county!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
In all my years of riding, I can count on both hands the times I've changed lanes due to wind gusts. Not to diminish the threat, but for the most part these bikes will handle the wind pretty well. My Gold Wing, wasn't very good in crosswinds.
Sustained winds are fairly easy to handle, like is often the case in wide open flat areas. The hairy ones are at the bottom of canyons or draws. With sustained winds you just correct for them, but gusty winds demand your attention.
Sustained winds are fairly easy to handle, like is often the case in wide open flat areas. The hairy ones are at the bottom of canyons or draws. With sustained winds you just correct for them, but gusty winds demand your attention.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
I was riding through the Panhandle about this time last year. The wind was so bad that semis were pulling off the road around Dumas. I finally stopped at 4:00p.m. and got a motel in Amarillo. It was blowing just as bad the next morning but thankfully from the north. I was headed south to San Antonio. 120 miles later in Lubbock I stopped for gas and only took 1.8 gallons. Sometimes the wind is your friend. The rest of the trip was fantastic.
