What's the best way to handle wind?

[slofox]

Just remembering last January, following a dude on a Daytona up to Waiouru from Taihape. The wind was blowing like forty bastards that day as is so often the case on the Desert Road.

This guy was having way more trouble with the wind on his Daytona than I was having on the gixxer. Not sure why this should have been the case, but he had slowed wayyyy down to little more than a walking pace. 'bout the only time I've passed anyone on a Daytona...It didn't seem too bad to me - I'd ridden in much worse conditions.

Daytona is a bit taller than the gixxer I suppose...might be part of it.

[nzspokes]

Wider bars, huh..? I have clipons - feel OK to me...

My bars are 24 1/2" wide. Ones I have coming are 29" but will probably cut them a bit.

[bogan]

My bars are 24 1/2" wide. Ones I have coming are 29" but will probably cut them a bit.

I run renthal fatbars on mine, about 30in wide, no issues with them. Gaps for filtering need to be slightly wider or slightly more careful though. Probly couldn't cut them much even if I wanted to due to switch clusters.
Depends a lot on the style of bike to what feels right to ride, one of my other ones has quite narrow angle clip ons, but being a 250gp frame it's better that way than with wider ones.

[slofox]

Here ya go 'spokes - have a look at this vid. 'Twas a dark and stormy day that day...

[chasio]

+1 to above comments on relaxed arms.

Here's another one for you. If the wind is consistently blowing from one side, a tip I got from a long distance rider (he rode the length of Africa) was to point the knee nearest to the wind sideways i.e. out into the wind. I have tried it and it does seem to help.

You just look like a dork.

[MSTRS:Me]

In addition to (or instead of) sticking the windward knee out...shift your arse over on the seat to the windward side. That way, you are providing the windward lean, not the bike, and because the bike stays more upright it will tend to track more predictably.
+1 to relaxing. Tensing up simply transfers your wind-buffeted body movements to the bars, making the bike wander erratically.

[Desert Eagle]

In all of my 1 or 2 trips worth of experience riding in strong winds, I found it was best to keep a relaxed grip on the bars, hold on with your legs but let the bike do its own thing underneath you, keep in mind that the bikes designed to go straight, so if you find yourself fighting it...

but it starts feeling a bit odd when you find yourself leaning out of a corner due to the wind..

thats my 5c anyway

[glegge]

Not from to many beans but when riding. Went out today and got blown about a bit. Felt a bit unstable in gusts. Any tips?

faster speed == wheels going around faster, which means gyroscopic forces increase and hold the bike on line.

when in doubt, give it the berries as an old friend once said was the answer to everything.


i reckon it works.

AND you can tell the cop it was so you where safer and not weaving all over the place in the gusts.

[jaffaonajappa]

My right arm is sore when I get back from a ride.

Reminds me of a story I heard about viagra....
Man. If a Honda is having that kinda effect on you....wait till you try a motorbike

[davebullet]

Hold it in until no one can hear you. Best effect is just before you get out of the lift.

or as you pass a bunch of cubicles in the office - aka "crop dusting"

[DanielSumi]

something like this?

[GrayWolf]

Not from to many beans but when riding. Went out today and got blown about a bit. Felt a bit unstable in gusts. Any tips?

Try Titrilac from your Chemist

[fokky]

Here ya go 'spokes - have a look at this vid. 'Twas a dark and stormy day that day...

fk did i just watch that?must haved nodded off at the exciting bit........

[Scouse]

Avoid Chilli and beer

[Urano]

faster speed == wheels going around faster, which means gyroscopic forces increase and hold the bike on line.

+1
not only for the gyro effect, but also because the vectorial composition of wind (front and lateral) is much more favorable...