Motorway riding tips and advice please

[McJim]

I remember the first day I went over 100kph on the open road - it felt so fast I nearly crapped myself - I thought the wind was going to knock me off my bike.

The answer is you get used to it.

Next time I got a fright from a breeze was at 240kph on the back straight at Pukekohe. Now THAT is windy.

[Leyton]

There is noticeable difference between 70km/hr wind and 100km/hr wind Like previous posts said you just get used to it The wind will try and nock you about a bit, just ignore it, relax and look where you want to do and you will be sweet as

Drive with your windows down in your car if you have one, get used to the gusts and noise.

There are things you can do to minimize supprise for example, Know that bridge crossings are generaly windy. Coming out of cut aways from hills the cross winds can supprise you, Cattle trucks tend to carry the most turbulence. In all case's if you look where you want to go down the road you will go there .

[sunhuntin]

shurbs and other roadside growth can stop all the wind from hitting you, so when they end, its generally a stronger wind. the most major one i can think of is when you go around a corner and get hit by an unexpected gust. ive had a few like that, all of which were unexpected and nearly blew me either into the ditch or into a cliff. corner gusts are hard to predict as you dont know what roadside surroundings are going to end and allow gusts through.

[NOMIS]

Hi Fullas.

This is my first posting and I would like some advise or find out wether I'm just being a nana. Passed my restricted the other day. Instructer had no comments and said I would fly through the full. Any a bit about my riding. I had a vespa for about 2 years in London upon moving home I have a GN250 which I plan to move up from in Spring of 09.

Anyway my point is I am fully confident at speeds of 70km/h or less and driving in heavy traffic, today went for some short distances on the motorway to practice travelling at 100km/h. Even though there was no breeze the "self generated" wind made me fell real uncomfortable. The bike never moved but felt like it might. I am 6"6 and 120kg so create quite a wall.

So:
- Is this just practice, will it feel better as I go along, am I just being a nana?
- Should I just get confident enough so as to pass full and then move up to a heavier bike with lower centre of gravity straight away? In the mean time is it safe to use motorways fo commuting etc?
- What should I do with my posture, I felt myself scrunching up so as to streamline myself a bit better

Any advise appreciated

try a zx10 you should be ok.

[Despatch]

You are not a nana. Ride within your confidence limits. Experience only comes with time. I agree with the other comments. You do need to have presence on the road, so don't ride to the left. Otherwise, other vehicles will "push" you off the road. Travel at the same pace as the rest of the traffic.

[Insanity_rules]

keep your arms relaxed... tension in the arms transfers to the bars and affects the way it handles [or it feels that way] if you have to tense up, tense your legs against the tank and then flap your elbows up and down.

you do get used to the wind. dont fight it when its gusty. i allow my bike to wander all over the lane. so long as it stays inside the lines, im happy. thats another way to stay relaxed cos you arent fighting it to maintain a straight line.

im about the same weight as you, and find the wind to be a PITA when its headwind. i lean forward a bit, and put my head down. helps a bit with the wind, but mainly its so im not pulling back on my arms and losing control of the bars.

I agree 100% go with it to a degree and clench your legs against the bike. I do a little side to side thing (Very slight) and it seems to work well. I used to do trials riding and you'd be amazed how often that comes in handy.

[sinfull]

Ahhhh ride free !!! Want a harley aye ? Amreican flag on the tank, big sissy bar up the back, breeze chuffin up the trousers of your outstretched legs, chicks all oooing an aahhhing when you cruise past !
Your in the wind brotha !
Only thing thats gonna change is, the weight of the bike might stop it gustin around quite so much in a crosswind and you might be used to the feeling by then !
Wellcome !

[slowv65]

My wife rides an Estrella 250
she is fine around the streets take her on the open road around 70-80kms
she get battered an is ready to quit as she al tense by the end of the ride

a small fly screen makes a huge difference
givi or dart just bolt on and don't look in ya face ugly