+1 on keeping your speed up. Also be aware of what's around you. If you're riding in a strong side wind and aproach a grove of trees or other type of wind break, expect a change in the handling of the bike as you enter and leave the sheltered area. Also meeting or overtaking cars and/or trucks can really throw you. You kind of learn to anticipate the action of the wind and lean into it.

 

Keep the wind at your back. You may not get to where you are going, but hey you'll end up somehwere.

Seriously, it's a learning experience.

On one trip I took as a youngster, I was riding out west going throught Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico and I didn't realize just how far I was leaning over itno the wind, untill an 18 wheeler pulled up beside me and blocked the wind. From then on it was pretty comical all day long it was: "lean over" "straighten up" "lean over" "straighten up" "lean over" "straighten up" "lean over" "straighten up".

 

Besides losing weight, investing in a windsheild, and riding a heavy bike, just go with the flow. If it's a cross wind, ride it like you stole it and get the heck outta dodge. My Triumph was a light bike, and in heavy winds would literally slide across the lane. talk about a squirrly feeling.....

 

+23 on going faster and leaning.

 

+1 on keeping your speed up (at a reasonable level) and the engine pulling. It is your tire rpm's that keep you upright more so than the engine (think about a bicycle). So, going to slow will make you lose this advantage. If you have a gusty cross wind (probably the issue on the bridge since they are the worst for this!) remember to countersteer. It is a much faster way to respond to the gusts either from the wind when in the open or from passing trucks.

I took a trip in mid-May from WI to central NE and had wicked cross winds for all 1600 miles. The first hundred miles were tough until I realized that by consciously countersteering I had much more control over the bike. Once I started doing this, I felt that I was back in control and not just reacting too late all the time. I didn't have a passenger, but the Ultra still catches a lot of wind. Countersteering is something that we all do sub-consciously to some extent, but for big touring bikes it really needs to be a conscious part of our riding. What you can do easily on a sport bike built for quick handling is quite a bit more difficult when you double the weight and cross section in a touring bike.

You didn't mention what type or year of bike you ride, but I noticed a marked improvement in general handling, even countersteering, when I put a T.R.W stabilizer on my Ultra. Well worth the money for the improvement in handling. (Tracy, no charge for plugging your product).

One last thing, many have already mentioned the value of experience. There is only one way to get that and that is to practice riding in the conditions that you struggle with. But, do them on your own terms rather than waiting until you get caught out on the road. Look for a day when it is windy to purposely take a ride (preferably alone) and test your skills to see what works best for you. It will really build your confidence. Being in charge of the situation is much better than being a victim of it.

 

[QUOTE=bookworm;5238470You didn't mention what type or year of bike you ride, .[/QUOTE]

I have 08 streetglide.

 

+1 This is not what you naturally want to do but you have to stay light on the bars.

 

now thats funny-ride safe

 

Windy as all hell here today.. I just put er on the highway and cranked er up with a smile and let the wind work me over ...

 

keep low my friend. if you have to lay on the tank do so. If you have a rider with you tell them to keep as close to you as possible and to lean forward with you. keep a steady speed and pray. if you can detect wind direction lean slightly to that side. have had experience with this many times going over bridges twice a day six days a week.