Is the wind trying to tell you something?

[Maki]

Here is a tip for all you folks who hate riding in the wind because it feels like you are getting pushed around. Well, the wind IS pushing you around and it is telling you something. It is saying: Yo! what are you doing? Why are you hanging on to the handlebars with a death grip? Why is your body so stiff? learn to ride properly or I will huff and puff and push you off the road!

If you have problems with riding in wind you can easily solve them. Just use your thighs and knees to keep yourself stable on the bike and use your hands to steer, brake and accelerate, NOT support your body while you are riding. Imagine you are holding valuable and fragile teacups in your hands. Do this and you won't even notice the wind anymore...

[NDORFN]

Wow. So profound.

[Maki]

Thx, this was intended for the "Wannabe & Newbie Bikers" section but it ended up here. Well, I hope it is of use to someone. I know a lot of people hate riding in the wind...

[ital916]

It usually tells me I should lay off the refried beans.

[crazyhorse]

Its good advice, as too many newbies are unsure about riding in the wind, rain and on gravel, so any advice has to be good advice.

If you put your knee out (on the side the wind blows) it makes handling the bike much better.

Try it guys, it really does work :yes:

[Lurch]

The wind told me to gtfoff it's road with my gutless 250. I listened, never had an issue with wind since.

[James Deuce]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=135533&postcount=3

[vindy500]

youve never ridden a scorpio in a storm have you

[Maki]

youve never ridden a scorpio in a storm have you

No, never but there are many other bikes that should be a lot more difficult than a small naked bike like the scorpio. A full sized faired bike should be a lot harder to ride in high winds.

A storm on a scorpio should be a piece of cake.

[Cloggy]

A storm on a scorpio should be a piece of cake.
Too bloody right.
Whenever it is a real windy day I get this massive grin on my face as I crest the Wainui Hill and get hit by the strong winds. The first couple of times were a little unnerving. Now it is actually fun.
The strongest winds I have encountered were on SH2 coming south into Featherston. Poor little Scorpio only managed 80km/hr into the wind and only after I dropped it down a gear. Dust and grit getting blown off the paddocks across the road and embedding itself in my teeth. Seriously leaning into the wind. Yeehaa! Great fun.

[vindy500]

No, never but there are many other bikes that should be a lot more difficult than a small naked bike like the scorpio. A full sized faired bike should be a lot harder to ride in high winds.

A storm on a scorpio should be a piece of cake.

more to a storm than just wind tho i guess, when your tyres are |-------------| that wide

[george formby]

Wind is a real beeetch when the roads are icy & you gotta lean into it to go straight. Huge pucker factor. Thats why I don't live in Scotland nay mare. Passing trucks on motorways in a rain lashed gale is nearly as bad, lean, lean, fall into the wheels & then get blown into the other lane when you get past. Ugh! Just as well it's hard to see for all the crud being fired into your face. I wish you all sunshine & light breezes this summer.:yes:

[Ducky848]

Take your fairing lowers off, that helps a lot.

ok, maybe only on an RS125 :whistle:

Seriously though, I've always felt a little uncomfortable cranking hard over into a mean side wind at open road speed (think Canterbury NorWester), the mind thinks about the potential lift being created by the low pressure lee side of the bike actually reducing the bikes downforce and hence grip....

I need to stop overthinking this crap :calm: