Newbies riding in the wind!

**Renegade** · 18th June 2007, 20:23

scary like being blown from one lane clean into the next on the wellington urban motorway in the rain?? still not not used to it yet.

**Pancakes** · 25th June 2007, 20:41

Yep ..... RELAX, stay loose.

I quite like the wind and stuff, ride in a taller gear so you can keep the power on a bit without speeding up too much, your pretty much riding 'round corners on the straights as you counter-steer. I find it's fine to keep your speed up too, then your "lean-steering" not "turn-steering" to keep it simple. I like weaving when you can't go as fast as you like cos blimin' cars are in the way or it's not appropriate it's almost the same, like everyone says, just stay loose.

**xwhatsit** · 25th June 2007, 23:17

Originally Posted by Pancakes

Yep ..... RELAX, stay loose.

I quite like the wind and stuff, ride in a taller gear so you can keep the power on a bit without speeding up too much, your pretty much riding 'round corners on the straights as you counter-steer. I find it's fine to keep your speed up too, then your "lean-steering" not "turn-steering" to keep it simple. I like weaving when you can't go as fast as you like cos blimin' cars are in the way or it's not appropriate it's almost the same, like everyone says, just stay loose.

I choose a shorter gear, as that way you've got the power instantly when you need it (big buffets), and the bike just feels more stable -- perhaps from automatic corrections your right wrist makes? I don't know.

I hate it when traffic causes me to go below the speed I feel safe and stable at, I haven't tried weaving, might give that a go. Getting closer to the car in front just gives you random buffets without warning.

It's been fairly windy up here lately. The slippery roads and surface water is far more of an issue, though.

**Kinje** · 26th June 2007, 09:32

Do a search- there are a lot of threads like this.

RELAX. Let your arms stay loose so that when your body is buffeted by the wind, you do not transfer this movement to the bike through the steering.

**Pancakes** · 27th June 2007, 15:48

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

I hate it when traffic causes me to go below the speed I feel safe and stable at, I haven't tried weaving, might give that a go. Getting closer to the car in front just gives you random buffets without warning.

I more meant most of us don't mind getting a wiggle on in fine conditions so the wind blowing you around is simalar, normally don't add my own bits in when the wind is bouncing me around.

**Steve 555** · 30th June 2007, 20:12

I went for a ride in the wind last week on me ginny scared the shit out of me on the motorway so I turned back

**BIKEGAL68** · 30th June 2007, 22:50

I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE AS A NEWBE AN I HAVE TO TELL MY SELF RELAX OVER AN OVER

**Kittyhawk** · 30th June 2007, 23:19

Meet "Storm" she's sexy blue and white and loves to slide on wet roads - my gixxer lol

When there is a bad storm in AKL do what I do....go riding in the strongest winds possible, heaviest rains, and a combination of both, great time over winter....for practise.

I only had the bike a couple of weeks and decided to see what she is capable of doing. You just got to get to know it.

Best thing to do is just relax. I found this out while riding my old FXR 150 over the harbour bridge with strong winds. Fun times!
Let the wind take you, you wont completely blow over. When there is an open patch of land you are more exposed to stronger winds.

For those open spaces or such as the harbour bridge, I just speed up and tuck in but relax to the point where the bike is doing all the work.

**Zapf** · 1st July 2007, 00:14

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

At 110kph the wind seems so much better than 90kph, probably because most of it is then blowing in your face rather than knocking you sideways.

I put it to the ratio of wind... more wind from front then the ratio of side wind is less.

Originally Posted by Rocket Man

Am always up for a lengthy ride but would be more comfortable with at least another bike or two.

Long rides? Love them... I will be up for some soon. Are you on your learners or Restricted? Night rides are always fun.

Also the reason for relaxing is as follows. Theory is its better to have a bike traveling in the right direction than having a upright rider. So its ok to be blown about in the wind, but you want to keep the bike pointed the right way (important in corners). Also transfer your weight to your foot pegs, as will steer the bike much better than your body as it gets blown around.

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Did you say go for lengthy ride?

Now, to me a lengthy ride is like going to Cape Reinga or down to Wellywood ... anything else is a pootle to me!

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Do what Jim2 recommends, but in a gear lower than the one you'd normally choose. And if it gets frighteningly windy, stop and get off.

And make sure you park the bike in a way that is is not going to be blown over by the wind. E.g behind something against the wind.