Auckland Harbour bridge warning.

[Nordy]

New Zealand Police Alert 7:00pm 24 Jun 2008 Auckland City

Location of incident: AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE

Incident type: ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

Due to high winds and adverse weather conditions, Police are advising motorists that the speed limit on the Auckland Harbour Bridge has temporarily been reduced to 60km/h.
Motorcyclists are advised to avoid travelling over the Harbour Bridge as high winds may cause them to come off their motorcycles.
Issued By: Inspector Gary Hill


Some might say whatever, but figured people might want to know.

[placidfemme]

ehhh... its pretty poo's. Comes and goes in bursts...

*couldnt be assed so I left my bike at work*

[Nordy]

i think its the gusts that are the problem, they are strong enough out here, hate to think what they would be like in the city.

[Disco Dan]

Can imagine the signs now.. your approaching the start of the harbour bridge..

"Wind Gusts - Parachute Zone"

[xwhatsit]

Not that bad, I went over earlier. Just relax on the bars and hook a low gear with lots of revs.

[hellkat]

*sulks*

I wish my bike were here


I remember going over Dartford Bridge - which is about the same height, maybe a bit taller - in similar high winds a few years ago. Wooooooo! .. what a rush !! :banana:

*stamps foot petulantly*
I wanna go over the Auckland Bridge in the wind!!
:weep:

[hellkat]

Pwease Mr Fuller, can I bwing my bike on your fewwy?

Only, I have to get to work and I can't get over de bwidge :crybaby:

[Cr1MiNaL]

rode over it on the way back 4m work today, in the hail rain and wind. Take the middle lanes, I use 3rd or 2nd gear tuck down under the windscreen and stay in line with a car / bus. I scored myself a convenient bus today, passengers looked amused too... use a flouroscent vest if you have to and even your hazards.

[jrandom]

Rode over the bridge northbound with a pillion at 6pm.

Bit breezy and rainy.

Nothing to write home about.

People are pussies.

[swbarnett]

Rode over the bridge northbound with a pillion at 6pm.

Bit breezy and rainy.

Nothing to write home about.

People are pussies.
Agreed. My wife rode over a little after 19:00 last night and it was nothing to write home about.

[tone_crafter]

I rode over south bound at about 5pm and man that wind really blew me round on my little 250. I was lying on the tank and leaning against the wind trying to keep the revs up but still getting blown all over the road. I was actually thinking to myself how can i fall safely if I get blown off and trying to stay away from the cars in the lane next to me hahaha.

I'm sure the cars around me were amused!

Doesn't help when all the cars decide to go 40km/h

Maybe I'm just a pussy :o

[tone_crafter]

On that note is there somewhere you can check online what the wind is doing on the bridge? That way if its really blowing a gale I can choose to get a lift with someone or something. It's a bit late once your on the motorway and you see the wind warning signs.

[CB ARGH]

I'm sure the cars around me were amused!

Maybe I'm just a pussy :o

Ha.

I can't speak from experience... but on a push bike once I was blown when on a small bridge, and sadly my mate was riding right next to me, and I blew into him (because I'm such a fat bastard), our bikes shake hands and we both bail. Thank god the school bus didn't come past just then cuze our faces were farking RED!! :angry2:

[007XX]

I rode over south bound at about 5pm and man that wind really blew me round on my little 250. I was lying on the tank and leaning against the wind trying to keep the revs up but still getting blown all over the road. I was actually thinking to myself how can i fall safely if I get blown off and trying to stay away from the cars in the lane next to me hahaha.

I'm sure the cars around me were amused!

Doesn't help when all the cars decide to go 40km/h

Maybe I'm just a pussy :o

Well, I don't know about you being a pussy but...

I found that the best way to deal with wind is to square up against it, not to lean on the tank. The more of you against the wind, the more stable you'll feel.
Make yourself as big and square as possible, elbows out and keep your shoulders strong, as well as the revs even and a reasonnable amount of speed up.
Of course, it doesn't help if the traffic around you has come to a standstill.

Last year while in Wellington, I got to ride with the Kendogs and there was some serious wind down their way...Auckland doesn't really go that windy.

[breakaway]

What a load of shit. I rode over the harbor bridge at that time and didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, on a bike I have just bought.

Maybe people just need to harden up?

[Mikkel]

What a load of shit. I rode over the harbor bridge at that time and didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, on a bike I have just bought.

Maybe people just need to harden up?

The beauty of gusty winds is that you might cross the bridge no worries and the guy who comes along 5 mins later is given a hiding.

Also, going slowly in strong side winds on a faired sportsbike is not the best situation. The fairings are made to handle wind coming from the front - otherwise they just add windage.

[Stirts]

Make yourself as big and square as possible, elbows out and keep your shoulders strong, as well as the revs even and a reasonnable amount of speed up.
Of course, it doesn't help if you are the size of Peewee Herman like me.



Last year while in Wellington, I got to ride with the Kendogs and there was some serious wind down their way!.

Those Kendogs really need to stop eating Baked Beans!!!

[007XX]

Those Kendogs really need to stop eating Baked Beans!!!

lol...Nigel is to blame! But I was quite pleased when Trudes said she'd been fairly impressed about not being able to lose me in the Wellie traffic with all that wind.

And who you calling Peewee Herman woman?:girlfight: Neither you or me are particularly big eh?
But honnestly, I don't really think that size has that much to do with the success of riding in the wind. Sure, it would feature in it, but I still reckon it is more of a skill featuring a certain amount of confidence.

[Whynot]

What a load of shit. I rode over the harbor bridge at that time and didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, on a bike I have just bought.

Maybe people just need to harden up?

Maybe you're just that much better than everyone else and we should bow down to your awesomeness .....

[Stirts]

I don't really think that size has that much to do with the success of riding

Oh I agree, but too big can be oooouchie!!!!

Seriously now, I agree with the confidence thing! That and a vice like grip with your thighs on the tank :blip:

[007XX]

Oh I agree, but too big can be oooouchie!!!!

Sorry, we'll trade in that toy for a smaller one if you want...


Seriously now, I agree with the confidence thing! That and a vice like grip with your thighs on the tank :blip:

Oh baby! You know how to talk to me...:love:

But that's actually a very good point: using a strong stance on the bike also means using your thighs to secure yourself on the bike, relieving pressure off your arms...I think that a lot of riders forget about that!

[Swoop]

... use a flouroscent vest if you have to and even your hazards.
Why? Do these have some magic "wind-repellant" ability that is not clearly stated on the packet?

Big Dave. Can D'aucklanders do a bulk buy of HTFU pills?

[007XX]

Why? Do these have some magic "wind-repellant" ability that is not clearly stated on the packet?

Big Dave. Can D'aucklanders do a bulk buy of HTFU pills?

Bahahahaha...love your work! *crap, bugger...ran out of bling for you again!*

[Swoop]

Bahahahaha...love your work! *crap, bugger...ran out of bling for you again!*
Cheers Luv! I'll start a tab for you.:whistle:
Or perhaps a discount off of my next infringement???

[007XX]

Cheers Luv! I'll start a tab for you.:whistle:
Or perhaps a discount off of my next infringement???

It depends really...how bad do you really want to get?

[Swoop]

It depends really...how bad do you really want to get?
Hmmmmm.
I'll go and get the whip...:blip:

[Stirts]

Sorry, we'll trade in that toy for a smaller one if you want...

Now you just being a silly billy!


Why? Do these have some magic "wind-repellant" ability that is not clearly stated on the packet?

No hun, it's a "look at me I'm gay" statement!

[Swoop]

No hun, it's a "look at me I'm gay" statement!
I'm positive it is some form of statement. They certainly do NOT work as a safety device.

[Chrislost]

Rode over the bridge northbound with a pillion at 6pm.

Bit breezy and rainy.

Nothing to write home about.

People are pussies.

i agree.

i love the wind.
have yet to feel wind that blows my bike around anywhere.

[more_fasterer]

I rode over south bound at about 5pm and man that wind really blew me round on my little 250. I was lying on the tank and leaning against the wind trying to keep the revs up but still getting blown all over the road. I was actually thinking to myself how can i fall safely if I get blown off and trying to stay away from the cars in the lane next to me hahaha.

I'm sure the cars around me were amused!

Doesn't help when all the cars decide to go 40km/h

Maybe I'm just a pussy :o

As has already been said, you need to be sitting as upright as possible & relax your grip on the bars. The idea is to get the centre of pressure (from the wind) as far below the centre of mass / gravity as possible - this way your bike should move under you as the gusts hit; but as it moves with the wind it will be leaning into the wind with only a little bit of input required.
It gets easier the faster you're going, to a point - exceed the speed limit and you will die, killing a busload of orphaned kids in the process.


I went over the bridge at 17:30 last night and was more worried about the vans I was passing being blown into my lane, than me getting blown out of it.

Edit: I like these harbour bridge warnings. Gives me an excuse to fack off home early.

[Edbear]

We went into town last night crossed the bridge about 6:15pm. We had just been passed in the far left lane by a Kwaka 650 the new faired twin. As we approached the top, having moved into the left lane ourselves, we saw the bike and rider stopped and huddled against the rail, (right lane on the clip-ons, against the inner, right, rail). Not sure if he had been blown off by the strong gusts or what, but it was very gusty when we went over.