Wind or Rain?

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Dont mind either on their own, but put them together and I'm looking for excuses not to ride in it.

[portokiwi]

Wind or Rain just another day in Wellington
I would rather have none of the above but wind to me is better. Rain on these roads with the crazy drivers not looking
Still cant get over those mean wind gusts on the wellington motorway is just crazy

[slofox]

Both together. The more the merrier Up to a certain point that is. Once the wind starts lifting the bike off the road, it's time to stop...

Having said that, I do miss dry roads after about a week...

[davebullet]

Definitely prefer wind over rain. Putting other motorists into the picture here:
1. Visibility is reduced with rain. More likely a car will tailgate and slide into the back of me under heavy breaking, not see in fogged up windows, mucky / rain spotted wing mirrors etc...
2. My tyres are happier in the dry - makes me feel more confident
3. Most wet weather gear gives up after a period - especially boots

wind is easier to fight:
1. Loose grip on the bars
2. Hunker down over your tank if really bad (assuming you don't have a beer gut issue).

[sugilite:Me]

I prefer the wind myself, was not always that way.

The technique I use for strong wind (especially the unpredictable gusty variety)
Sit forward in motocross attack position (elbows bent and on balls of feet on the foot-pegs and body in hunched position) have a relaxed-ish grip on bars, not death grip, or too loose either.
When a gust hits, being in that position allows a rapid response, i.e using feet to counter weight foot pegs, using knee to pull against tank (if bike type/design allows) and hand/arm to push/pull appropriate handlebar.
So in practicable terms, if the wind blows from left, push down on left foot peg, while pulling against fuel tank with right knee and counter steering left handle bar (pushing left hand handle bar in the outwards direction) and be ready to reset these bodily forces in an instant if that gust drops suddenly.

[MSTRS:Me]

Haven't tried that one.
I used to simply lean the bike towards the windward side. That helped counter the sideways push, but left the bike open to veering as the wind force dropped (behind a hedge or some other windbreak).
Now I slide my arse over the seat on the windward side, and if the gusts are really strong then also stick my knee out on that side. The body 'lean' counters the wind push, but because the bike is still upright, and I'm not using any countersteering, it tends to track straighter when the gusts come and go. All in all, I find this method quite effective and stable.

[sugilite:Me]

Now I slide my arse over the seat on the windward side, and if the gusts are really strong then also stick my knee out on that side. The body 'lean' counters the wind push, but because the bike is still upright, and I'm not using any countersteering, it tends to track straighter when the gusts come and go. All in all, I find this method quite effective and stable.

Yeah, I use the knee technique as well, but more in the constant wind rather than gusty variety. Though I developed my response in the "manly" Wellington gusts rather than those limp wristed Hawkes Bay zephyr like ones

[MSTRS:Me]

Yeah, I use the knee technique as well, but more in the constant wind rather than gusty variety. Though I developed my response in the "manly" Wellington gusts rather than those limp wristed Hawkes Bay zephyr like ones

You forget that I, too, grew up in the Windy City...
I also lived in the Manawatu and commuted between Feilding and Palmy for some time.
It wasn't until I came to the Bay and encountered the fabled Nor'Wester that I learned the error of my earlier technique.
(I just wish I'd learned it sooner. Would have avoided a heap of moments...)

[ellipsis]

.....wind can get on your nerves and make for an unpleasant ride...id rather that than cold water running down the crack in yer arse....cured that after 30+ years of it....bought some really cool wet weather gear....cost as much as the price of my first bike....takes so long to get on that sometimes i think the water in the crack is a better option...

[sugilite:Me]

Na, I did not forget, I just never knew!
Now I'm in wind HQ, the pricks want to put a wind farm by me with the closest turbine less than 2km's away. World class wind they say

[MSTRS:Me]

Damn! Not pleasant. And think what all those trucks will do to your racetrack...

[slofox]

Like everyone else, we've had ten days of strong wind and rain up until about Sunday. At which point the roads dried out and i got some decent riding in.
Was set to go out again this morning. No wind. No rain. Which means...






FOG...

Thick as pigshit and twice as annoying.

Bring back the wind and the rain...

[Oakie]

I guess wind is more of a pain than rain but it doesn't really worry me that much. It's all part of the fun.

[mazz1972]

Rain anyday, unless it's torrential, or dark.

Wind is ok if it's constant but strong sideways gusts give me the shits. My hubby gets blown around big time on his v-strom if it's got the top box and panniers on. He can be all over the road when I've hardly noticed a puff yet. I have been blown off my bike, and also blown onto the wrong side of the road in front of an oncoming car - both on the same day and it wasn't even meant to be windy.

Rain and wind together - forget it, I put my nana tea cosy on and stay home

[Cayman911]

I'd choose rain, but it seems my waterproof gear isn't as waterproof as i thought. lol

wind it is!