How Dangerous is Wind...Really?
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Central California
How Dangerous is Wind...Really?
Just got back from Death Valley. Had hellacious wind. Strong Gusts. Blowing sand and alkali. At one point in the valley, a large funnel of rotating wind and debris about 100 feet across slowly marched across the road. All 14 of us made it through, but we were blinded and it felt like riding in a washing machine. Crazy scary.
I was frankly amazed that none of us went down, but in discussions later some talked of a 'gyroscopic effect' that makes two turning wheels actually very stable to side bursts and cross wind.
Yet I have seen motorhomes and trucks blown completely over by wind. So I would think our measly ~800 pound bikes could go over too. Has anybody actually been blown over/down by wind while riding? Or is cross wind just a bit unnerving but no real threat?
I was frankly amazed that none of us went down, but in discussions later some talked of a 'gyroscopic effect' that makes two turning wheels actually very stable to side bursts and cross wind.
Yet I have seen motorhomes and trucks blown completely over by wind. So I would think our measly ~800 pound bikes could go over too. Has anybody actually been blown over/down by wind while riding? Or is cross wind just a bit unnerving but no real threat?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
The side gusts in NV can cause ya to pray sometimes. Seen several trailers & rigs blown over in Washoe Valley, 20 mi So of Reno... as well as central NV on US95. Highest recorded wind speed at Reno airport is 94 mph ... stronger than a cat 1 hurricane. But, there are records over 100 mph in the area.
Never heard of a bike being blown over, must have to do with the smaller side profile vs a tractor rig. But I have been blown across 2 lanes and almost hit the opposite guardrail. It took about 5 mins for it to sink in, then I just sat there trying to breathe.
Never heard of a bike being blown over, must have to do with the smaller side profile vs a tractor rig. But I have been blown across 2 lanes and almost hit the opposite guardrail. It took about 5 mins for it to sink in, then I just sat there trying to breathe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Trucks blow over due to their large surface area relative to their weight. Empty ones are far worse off. Bikes are certainly affected by wind, some more than others. The gyroscopic effect of their two wheels is a significant stabilizer relative to the size of the bike however there's always a wind threshhold beyond which you'll lose control or be knocked off the road. Let's hope we never find out what that is.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 844
Likes: 16
From: Chicago
Blowin' in the Wind
I've been riding for nearly 45 years, and I'll take rain, sleet, heat, and even moderate amounts of snow over strong winds.
I watched a buddy get blown across two lanes and down and embankment- almost got killed. I was on a ride to Florida one year and the wind was so bad that I actually started looking for a soft place to land because I knew I was going down. Fortunately, I managed to stay up and a couple hours later we cancelled the trip.
Not too much scares me on a bike, and I try never to over-estimate my own riding ability or the machine I'm on, but really strong wind scares me.
I watched a buddy get blown across two lanes and down and embankment- almost got killed. I was on a ride to Florida one year and the wind was so bad that I actually started looking for a soft place to land because I knew I was going down. Fortunately, I managed to stay up and a couple hours later we cancelled the trip.
Not too much scares me on a bike, and I try never to over-estimate my own riding ability or the machine I'm on, but really strong wind scares me.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Alexandria, Va
When I rode from Detroit to Californina I hit some crazy winds crossing the continental divide. I was a little scared but the 800 lb RG held her ground well. I finally got used to it and just rode. Can't say the same for some BMW riders. I spoke to a few at a hotel and they were frazzled about getting knocked over and pushed around. I don't mean to bash BMWers but the low hanging weight of a Harley is hard to beat in the wind.
Just enjoy the ride brother.
Just enjoy the ride brother.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 447
Likes: 2
From: Sooner Central
We deal with strong wind here too. The RK is pretty stable in cross winds even with the windshield mounted on the forks - it's me that gets blown around and I'm controlling the bike...
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mtn High CO
I live up against the foothills of the Rockies outside Denver and we get some big sustained winds on days that can be 40-60 mph and gusts up to 80-90 mph are not common. I have been blown around by these and had to ride at a constant lean angle (10-20 degrees off perpendicular) to go straight, but never close to blown over.
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