Auckland Harbour Bridge - Be Careful! [Archive]

bugjuice

22nd February 2008, 16:44

yeah, i went over only a few hrs ago.. tis a bit breezy

I decided to stick next to a truck, since he seemed to be fairly planted. Until I saw the top of the truck sway over big time, then the front came across to catch it. I kinda got out of there at that point, and it wasn't helping much either, so then I just got down on the tank, which helped a bit, but then I thought I was on the track, and wanted to go faaaaast again..

chuckled to see two other bikers going the other way, separately, also ducking down.. seems to be the 'in' thing. Guess you won't know that tho, would ya Dan?

jrandom

22nd February 2008, 16:50

... seems to be the 'in' thing. Guess you won't know that tho, would ya Dan?

I eschew all matters of fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion.

FJRider

22nd February 2008, 16:51

It's f*cking windy - I just seriously struggled to keep my bike upright crossing the bridge.

Be careful guys, especially if your bike is un-faired!

AND PEOPLE WANT TO PUT A CYCLE LANE ON IT

JimO

22nd February 2008, 16:52

bo ok on a pushbike though:yes: eh!!

Ewan Oozarmy

22nd February 2008, 16:52

I might have an extra Racing Pie before I head home, though. Just to be safe, like.

Have 2 - you may need them tonight.....

skidMark

22nd February 2008, 16:54

bugjuice

22nd February 2008, 16:55

I eschew all matters of fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion.
true.. you either have it or you don't..
may be next time, ay.. :msn-wink:

Tank

22nd February 2008, 16:55

Not a hope in hell that I would want that I would want to go over it at the moment.

As newb I find wind the hardest thing to deal.

Ewan Oozarmy

22nd February 2008, 16:58

If you want to keep the bike stable drop the bike down through the gears so you are keeping constant power on if you sit in 6th and cruise youll get thrown around....keep the power on (at least half rpm) so you are keeping constant acceleration and you will be fine.

it's as simple as that. ive never had an issue in high winds

you can thank me later.:cool:

Mate, I went over in 2nd and it was a struggle. Motard + fat c*nt + high wind = trouble :)

skidMark

22nd February 2008, 16:59

Not a hope in hell that I would want that I would want to go over it at the moment.

As newb I find wind the hardest thing to deal.

See my previous post. :headbang:

fireball

22nd February 2008, 17:00

the nor-western is not very good either the wind just coming to te atatu is nasty even while splitting, so i have been informed..... bugger going outside today!

chasio

22nd February 2008, 17:02

I went over it half an hour ago on the Vespa and it was a bit dicey when going under 40kmh. Maybe the CVT gearbox (I'm prepared to be flamed) keeps the power in the band SkidMark refers to? Anyway, the GT200 was pretty well behaved.

Maybe the wind blowing through the middle of it helps a bit as well :)

I think the cycle lanes are supposed to be somewhat enclosed. The treadlie would be interesting tonight over a clip on to the clipons, alright.

skidMark

22nd February 2008, 17:05

Mate, I went over in 2nd and it was a struggle. Motard + fat c*nt + high wind = trouble :)

as i said gotta keep accelerating....

don't go too slow though..if you go too slow you cant balance enough and ya get thorwn around...i try to keep above 70-80 k's.

and thatll learn ya for buying a KTM :shit:

madandy

22nd February 2008, 17:10

If you want to keep the bike stable drop the bike down through the gears so you are keeping constant power on if you sit in 6th and cruise youll get thrown around....keep the power on (at least half rpm) so you are keeping constant acceleration and you will be fine.

it's as simple as that. ive never had an issue in high winds

you can thank me later.:cool:

Would like to see you maintain 'constant acceleration' in rush hour traffic across the harbour bridge.:whistle:

Accelerating does help but you need to slow down at some point or you will hit something a high speed.

Big Dave

22nd February 2008, 17:16

Mr ooozearmy - unfaired/naked bikes are much better in strong winds.

Ewan Oozarmy

22nd February 2008, 17:18

Mr ooozearmy - unfaired/naked bikes are much better in strong winds.

Mine aint.

Big Dave

22nd February 2008, 17:24

Mine aint.

compared to one with a big side suface area and that weighs the same - it is.

Ewan Oozarmy

22nd February 2008, 17:32

compared to one with a big side suface area and that weighs the same - it is.

Far too scientific for me. It's very windy on the bridge tonight, though.

Big Dave

22nd February 2008, 17:39

Far too scientific for me. It's very windy on the bridge tonight, though.

indeed. me too - thanks for the heads up.

Big Dave

22nd February 2008, 17:52

Probably worthy of further discussion though.

Opinion:

On a gusty day on the street/road.

Prefer bodywork or naked bike?

I suspect body type has a bit to do with preferences.

jrandom

22nd February 2008, 17:56

Mr ooozearmy - unfaired/naked bikes are much better in strong winds.

Wot 'e said.

Just rode home over the bridge, and Betty didn't mind the wind in the slightest.

Naked bikes are even better in strong winds when they weigh a quarter metric ton.

:yes:

Ewan Oozarmy

22nd February 2008, 18:13

Wot 'e said.

Just rode home over the bridge, and Betty didn't mind the wind in the slightest.

Naked bikes are even better in strong winds when they weigh a quarter metric ton.

:yes:

Maybe I need a heavier bike or eat some more pies or HTFU and get used to windy bridges. Or all 3 :)

jrandom

22nd February 2008, 18:18

Maybe I need... eat some more pies...

Racing pies.

:yes:

rainman

22nd February 2008, 19:43

Meh, dunno wot you lot are on about. Twas a bit blowy but no big drama. Had more problems in the burbs, changing into Glamorgan Rd from East Coast (funny camber that corner). Got a frontful of wind that caused a modest wobble on the front wheel.

Low c.o.g. = goodness.... :)

Blardy wind will likely kill off my chili peppers, tho. :mad:

skidMark

22nd February 2008, 19:47

Racing pies.

:yes:

Do they have LEAN meat?

Swoop

22nd February 2008, 19:51

the nor-western is not very good either the wind just coming to te atatu is nasty even while splitting, so i have been informed..... bugger going outside today!
The run home on the NW, was sprightly today...
Especially with an almost empty tank, like REALLY virtually empty.:(

The strange thing was the amount of broken down trucks, for some very odd reason.
Four of them within about 2km's of each other.

breakaway

22nd February 2008, 19:51

Harden up tbh. I rode the SV over the bridge 4 times today without any problems.

HTFU

22nd February 2008, 20:17

Probably worthy of further discussion though.

Opinion:

On a gusty day on the street/road.

Prefer bodywork or naked bike?

I suspect body type has a bit to do with preferences.

My GN (Naked) was not an issue in the wind yet the GPX (similar weight and riding position) is a lane hog in winds . Bodywork acts like a big sail on the GPX. SV or similar with just a small screen and minimal fairings would be the ticket me thinks in the wind.

Mort

22nd February 2008, 20:22

Yep - it was windy as fuck.... I had to tack to get over.

surfchick

22nd February 2008, 20:26

Betty and I laugh at windy bridges.

Like this:

Ho! Ho! Ho!

I might have an extra Racing Pie before I head home, though. Just to be safe, like.

yo better make that 2 racing pies ;)always err on the side of caution

xwhatsit

22nd February 2008, 22:31

God you lot are a bunch of whingers. My little 125kg 250RS shot over there without a problem. A bit odd to be leaning over left and right whilst tracking a straight line.

However my bike doesn't have much surface area -- narrow tank, no fairings, spoked wheels. Pretty low, too. My too-large cordura jacket is the biggest problem.

EJK

22nd February 2008, 22:37

FXR FTW!!!!!

I'm staying at my cousins house tonight in albany lol

Edit: Should I just harden up and ride across the HB? lol

Zapf

22nd February 2008, 22:37

It's f*cking windy - I just seriously struggled to keep my bike upright crossing the bridge.

Be careful guys, especially if your bike is un-faired!

Must be all the sharp angles they put on the KTM's. something for the wind to catch onto.

But overall unfaired bikes are better in strong gusty sidewind.... I know. I did the grand challange the last 2 years.

Chrislost

22nd February 2008, 22:45

It's f*cking windy - I just seriously struggled to keep my bike upright crossing the bridge.

Be careful guys, especially if your bike is un-faired!

huh!
i thought faired bikes felt it more...

fuck, dont be a pussy! just keep it pinned and you wont feel a thing.

bikes are more stable at high speed...

Mort

22nd February 2008, 22:57

God you lot are a bunch of whingers. My too-large cordura jacket is the biggest problem.

fair call.... actually it was fun... Sounds daft but I like weather like that .... its a kind of battle and I like it.

Back home in the UK near manchester I used to ride the Barton Bridge and the Thelwall Viaduct....(both very high motorway bridges) when it blows on them it was fuckin lethal....

Ewan Oozarmy

23rd February 2008, 11:38

Must be all the sharp angles they put on the KTM's. something for the wind to catch onto.

You could be right. I guess it's all down to experience. I've had a car and bike full for 24 odd years and have never ridden in gusty high winds like I experienced last night.

It must've been pretty windy - I've only just had power restored to my house, which is another new experience for me - wind causing power cuts.

Welcome to Auckland :)

Is it true that it's windier in Wellington?

klingon

23rd February 2008, 12:32

I really enjoyed riding over the bridge last night on my Volty (spoked wheels, no fairings - the perfect bike for gusty winds).

The only problem for me was my backpack! Kept catching the wind and acting like a sail. And the whole stop-start commuter traffic thing was a bit of a pain. Would have been nice to have chosen my own pace instead of slow-fast-slow-fast-stop. And I didn't feel like lane splitting. I needed a whole lane all to myself! Wheeeee! :clap:

EJK

23rd February 2008, 12:34

So, no one actually got blown?

I guess that means its safe :)

Well, I'm about to across it now so get ready for another "I Binned!" thread lol

BIGBOSSMAN

23rd February 2008, 13:00

So, no one actually got blown?
I guess that means its safe :)

It's only safe if she doesn't have teeth young man...:drool:

Ixion

23rd February 2008, 13:23

Of all the many bikes I have had over the years, the one least affected by winds is von Klunken. A fully (very fully) faired BMW.

Nothing deflects him from his chosen path. Well, an enormous gust of wind did once blow him a few feet over, but that gust was so strong that the eddy of it got under my full face helmet (with visor closed) and made me think my neck was broken, as well as blowing my glasses off (inside the helmet).

Other than that he's never moved at all in any wind. Even when I have sometimes had trouble hanging on myself, or have been cranked far off to the side to counter the wind force. I reckon it's the shaft drive. Just like shafties can't wheelie.

I think the worst bikes for side winds are those with bikini type fairings.

Swoop

23rd February 2008, 13:44

Stand proud, Auckland drivers.
This morning's display of driving skills was fucking disgusting.
A bit of rain and winds that the rest of the country would laugh at, and the retards prove that they should have their licences revoked.
Morons. Complete fucking morons.

RC1

23rd February 2008, 13:52

I just seriously struggled to keep my bike upright !

aint the motard made to go sideways :banana:

steveb64

23rd February 2008, 15:40

Probably worthy of further discussion though.

Opinion:

On a gusty day on the street/road.

Prefer bodywork or naked bike?

I suspect body type has a bit to do with preferences.

Naked. The full fairing on the Duc acts like a sail. Have been known to use up a lane and a half in some gusts... :shit: ...with or without gear on the pack rack.

On the other hand - my old GSX11 got blown across two lanes at the bottom of the Brynderwyns (north side, heading south) - lucky it was into a passing lane, and no traffic coming the other way. Mind you - no fairing, but I did have a large pack on the back...

Morcs

23rd February 2008, 15:46

The bridge was soooo much fun today!

I went across, arse a foot out to the left, right now out at 90 degrees. Sweet as, feel the drift :D

MIXONE

23rd February 2008, 16:01

Yep - it was windy as fuck.... I had to tack to get over.

Heaps of fun a keep your licecnce speeds.:niceone:
My faired BMW is like a sail>Excellent for tacking and Heavy enough to stay stable.Yeehaa.

mattian

23rd February 2008, 16:10

It's f*cking windy - I just seriously struggled to keep my bike upright crossing the bridge.

Be careful guys, especially if your bike is un-faired!

hell yeah ! it was so windy yesterday I was buffeting around on the harbour bridge like a drunk driver. I was gripping my handle bars so tightly I couldnt even let go when I got home !!! I got up this morning and it was even more windy than yesterday so.... I thought I better bus into work....hehe. Only because I dont drive a car and ummmm... , I cant swim !!

Grahameeboy

23rd February 2008, 16:12

It's f*cking windy - I just seriously struggled to keep my bike upright crossing the bridge.

Be careful guys, especially if your bike is un-faired!

I would say that unfaired bikes have a bigger issue with cross winds compared to naked bikes.

breakaway

23rd February 2008, 16:18

What is the difference between an unfaired bike and a naked bike?

jrandom

23rd February 2008, 16:24

I was gripping my handle bars so tightly I couldnt even let go when I got home !!!

Wrong approach there.

In strong crosswinds, grip the tank with your knees and lighten right up on the handlebars. Don't grip them hard, just rest your hands on them. Let the front end shimmy around if it wants to, keep the throttle steady, and lean the bike into the wind as required to keep it tracking in a straight line.

discotex

23rd February 2008, 16:28

the nor-western is not very good either the wind just coming to te atatu is nasty even while splitting, so i have been informed..... bugger going outside today!

Yeah I had the choice of split up the NW and go around Greenhithe way or go into town and up the N via the bridge. Took the N.

On a gusty day on the street/road.

Prefer bodywork or naked bike?

Naked any day. Less area for the wind to grab.

Yep - it was windy as fuck.... I had to tack to get over.

It was more of a reach for me.

It must've been pretty windy - I've only just had power restored to my house, which is another new experience for me - wind causing power cuts.

Welcome to Auckland :)

Is it true that it's windier in Wellington?

Yesterday and today is NOTHING compared to the big arse storm last year when they closed the bridge for half an hour.

Wellington isn't windier in terms of strength. It just has wind on more days.

So, no one actually got blown?

I guess that means its safe :)

Well, I'm about to across it now so get ready for another "I Binned!" thread lol

Did ya make it?

Stand proud, Auckland drivers.
This morning's display of driving skills was fucking disgusting.
A bit of rain and winds that the rest of the country would laugh at, and the retards prove that they should have their licences revoked.
Morons. Complete fucking morons.

I think that's more because it's the first serious bad weather in a long time. Once winter settles in everyone gets used to it again.

Was frustrating people driving at 70km/h in all the lanes on the NW today though!

Oh, and beware of standing water on the new bit of motorway up Greenhithe way. It's pretty obvious as it's at the bottom of the hills but you will aquaplane if you hit it fast enough.

avrflr

23rd February 2008, 16:28

I would have thought that faired was better than naked, based purely on personal experience. After reading this thread, however, I think perhaps you can't make such a sweeping generalisation. I think the mass of the bike and rider also has something to do with it. At 375kg all up weight (faired) I have had no dramas whatsoever in the last couple of days of harbour crossing, even when the cages around me were quaking in terror.

steveb64

23rd February 2008, 16:43

Wrong approach there.

In strong crosswinds, grip the tank with your knees and lighten right up on the handlebars. Don't grip them hard, just rest your hands on them. Let the front end shimmy around if it wants to, keep the throttle steady, and lean the bike into the wind as required to keep it tracking in a straight line.

Yep! And use countersteering to react to the sudden gusts/calm spots... ...which works MUCH better if your arms are relaxed as Mr jrandom suggests!

xwhatsit

24th February 2008, 00:36

Yep, the worst thing about days like this is not the wind and rain itself, but the ridiculous driving by the cagers. I understand the `drive to the conditions' ad campaign -- but this does not mean you must do 35kph in 50kph zones. Incidences of non-indication and last minute lane changes (i.e. 2 metres before coming to stop at a red light -- thus covering both lanes) were way up.

At least we're not as bad as Brisbane drivers. Over there it doesn't rain much, of course, but when it did, many drivers were so shit-scared of the rain they wouldn't drive at all. Those caught out in the middle of a trip would simply park their cars under motorway overpasses until it stopped raining. Very, very strange.

mattian

24th February 2008, 17:15

Wrong approach there.

In strong crosswinds, grip the tank with your knees and lighten right up on the handlebars. Don't grip them hard, just rest your hands on them. Let the front end shimmy around if it wants to, keep the throttle steady, and lean the bike into the wind as required to keep it tracking in a straight line.

Good advice. I will be trying this technique in the future and,.... doing a few more bottom clenching excercises to help with gripping the seat:done:......hehe.

discotex

24th February 2008, 17:22

One technique I haven't seen mentioned is the old 'knee out on the side the wind is coming from' trick.

I always thought it wouldn't do anything till I rode up to Dargaville with gusty cross winds in Jan. Even with all the other tricks (change down, loosen up, etc) I was getting blown around so I thought I'd give it a shot.

You might look weird but it does lessen the impact of the gusts.

Iain

24th February 2008, 17:30

Mate, I went over in 2nd and it was a struggle. Motard + fat c*nt + high wind = trouble :)

You were probably drunk too eh?

We need to get a coro loop in before the weather turns shite always! or maybe to puhoi or wherever.

Iain

Ewan Oozarmy

24th February 2008, 17:48

You were probably drunk too eh?

We need to get a coro loop in before the weather turns shite always! or maybe to puhoi or wherever.

Iain

Cheeky! ;)

Deffo, mate - as long as it aint too windy. :) Lets discuss Monday.

Iain

24th February 2008, 17:52

Cheeky! ;)

Deffo, mate. Lets discuss Monday.

Matt and I are planning another triple B - bike, beer and BBQ. Youve got a nice lawn over there on the shore dont cha? :banana:

He is southside so a bit of a trip if you have to leave after the 3 Bs, I just dont leave.

Team Awesome RAD! :baby:

Iain

Soul.Trader

24th February 2008, 18:06

Bonez

24th February 2008, 18:18

One technique I haven't seen mentioned is the old 'knee out on the side the wind is coming from' trick..Try the other side.

Finn

24th February 2008, 18:25

If you did this, wouldn't you eventually be doing 300kph? You cant just keep accelerating, can you?

Not on a 250.

Soul.Trader

24th February 2008, 20:09

Not on a 250.

Pfft, whatever, my SR has been well over 300kph :shutup:

Finn

25th February 2008, 12:02

Pfft, whatever, my SR has been well over 300kph :shutup:

On the production line maybe...

Badjelly

25th February 2008, 13:38

Wellington isn't windier in terms of strength. It just has wind on more days.

Having lived in both cities, I'm inclined to disagree with you (about it not being windier in terms of strength). But I don't have any figures handy right now.

What Wellington doesn't have is a 50 m-high bridge crossing the harbour.

MIXONE

25th February 2008, 13:47

Pfft, whatever, my SR has been well over 300kph :shutup:

Did you throw it off a big cliff?:lol:
Tis a might windy today in the nation's capital.

discotex

27th February 2008, 17:01

Having lived in both cities, I'm inclined to disagree with you (about it not being windier in terms of strength). But I don't have any figures handy right now.

What Wellington doesn't have is a 50 m-high bridge crossing the harbour.

Not sure if I was clear enough. I just mean the windiest day or two of the year is no worse in Wellington.

Can't find the site that showed the peak winds per year which aren't that different between the two.

What is clearly different is the number of days which aren't peak but are gale force. According to this site (http://www.deepfried.tv/news/default.cfm?Pg=180&ID=540) it's 2 vs 22 (but note Kaikoura is 28). The median isn't thaaaaaat different either.

You'll notice peak for the year is missing in those stats unfortunately. Pity there's no raw data easily available to check out.

steveb64

27th February 2008, 18:20

Not sure if I was clear enough. I just mean the windiest day or two of the year is no worse in Wellington.

Can't find the site that showed the peak winds per year which aren't that different between the two.

What is clearly different is the number of days which aren't peak but are gale force. According to this site (http://www.deepfried.tv/news/default.cfm?Pg=180&ID=540) it's 2 vs 22 (but note Kaikoura is 28). The median isn't thaaaaaat different either.

You'll notice peak for the year is missing in those stats unfortunately. Pity there's no raw data easily available to check out.

Bit like Northland - has the same building codes as Wellington due to max wind speeds. Just Wellington is windy more often...