Riding in the wind....

[Scamp]

Does riding in the wind ever get easier? There's been a little bit of wind over the past 6 weeks (how long I've been behind the controls) and none of it seemed that bad, but today I felt like I was being pushed backwards. I had to give it more juice and then I felt like I couldn't hold my lines on corners.

Any advice for the newbie?

[ArcherWC]

unfortunatly you just have to lean into it, and try to anticipate the gusts. The good news is, that when you graduate to a bigger bike, it wont get blown around as much.

If it is too bad and you are on the motorway, you can seek shelter beside a truck or other big vehicle

[KLOWN]

it gets easier. do a search for wind there are a few threads on how to cope with it.

[Nasty]

Does riding in the wind ever get easier? There's been a little bit of wind over the past 6 weeks (how long I've been behind the controls) and none of it seemed that bad, but today I felt like I was being pushed backwards. I had to give it more juice and then I felt like I couldn't hold my lines on corners.

bear with it dude .. things do improve . .the wind we are having now is quite seasonal and will settle just before/as the rain sets it and it is more fun riding in the rain

Try leaning into it ... as ArcherWC says .. it does help .. I also found that the backroads were better on a bad day .. and avoiding the motorways . .which in the hutt is hard to do

[apteryx_haasti]

it gets easier. do a search for wind there are a few threads on how to cope with it.

It does get easier - especially if you commute the same route every day you will learn where on your route to anticipate wind gusts depending on which way it's blowing.

Some hot spots (which I have on my route):

-on the motorway coming past the ferry terminals
-petone foreshore (in a northerlie it's gusts from every cross street)
-eastbourne road (the apex of corners in a Northerly always has a goodly gust)

etc.

I also learned a lot from this thread when I was just starting:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=30616

Good luck and don't panic!

A_H

[skelstar]

Theres been a few threads on KB about this. Have a search around Survival Skills forum.

[Scamp]

It does get easier - especially if you commute the same route every day you will learn where on your route to anticipate wind gusts depending on which way it's blowing.

Some hot spots (which I have on my route):

-on the motorway coming past the ferry terminals

Good luck and don't panic!

A_H

Thanks for the advice. I felt much more comfortable on the way home. Took it easy, used the whole lane. Even took the long way home around the bays to get a little more experience out there. Only got caught out a little in one place - coming off the motorway at Aotea Quay, I expected the gusts to reduce but instead it went totally still. Worst wind was at the round-abouts by the airport, but made it round them okay too.

I'm pleased that I'm getting the chance to get some experience before I have to cope with the wind AND wet.

[Dodger]

-on the motorway coming past the ferry terminals

Yep, gets a little windy around there,
also depends on the bike a bit.

A few weeks ago I was on a borrowed GN250, and the wind was blowing me all over the place, nothing like what I get on my GT250.
I've also heard that faired bikes can act like a sail at times.
(personally I like my bikes like my women... naked)

[idleidolidyll]

Does riding in the wind ever get easier? There's been a little bit of wind over the past 6 weeks (how long I've been behind the controls) and none of it seemed that bad, but today I felt like I was being pushed backwards. I had to give it more juice and then I felt like I couldn't hold my lines on corners.

Any advice for the newbie?

sure, it gets easier as you get thinner............or harder as you get fatter

my advice is to always travel in the same direction as the wind, you'll never even notice it

[KLOWN]

Yep, gets a little windy around there,
also depends on the bike a bit.

A few weeks ago I was on a borrowed GN250, and the wind was blowing me all over the place, nothing like what I get on my GT250.
I've also heard that faired bikes can act like a sail at times.
(personally I like my bikes like my women... naked)

isn't that I like my bikes like i like my woman, .... hoe bags. (or hyobag)

[Dodger]

isn't that I like my bikes like i like my woman, .... hoe bags. (or hyobag)

Don't think the wife would like me calling her that.

[Lissa]

You sound just like me when I was starting out... which wasnt too long ago.

The first time I rode on a really windy day it was also pelting down with rain. The wind was hitting me from the sides and I had to get from Carterton to Masterton, leaning all the way, trying to keep my bike in a straight line.... I must of looked a sight.. and I freaked out, but I made it.

Last night I went up the Takas, it was blowing so bad, I actually got up the hill before someone else who had a fared bigger bike... but now the wind doesnt really bother me at all.... its just a confidence and practice thing, you will get there.

Try riding (practice) in all sorts of weather, because oneday you maybe stuck out in it... and you have to get home. It might start out a brilliant sunny day and then later on its windy or raining etc.... well thats the way I think about it.

[Pwalo]

Keep on riding. In a couple of weeks you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Like everything, the more you practice the better you get.

Apparently.

[Meekey_Mouse]

Keep on riding. In a couple of weeks you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Like everything, the more you practice the better you get.

Apparently.

Agreed

As others have said... there are quite a few threads about this. I can remember reading one when I first started ( Like Lissa, not that long ago), It was really good to read as at that time I was having trouble riding in wind.

My GSX that I had at the time was a brick in the wind... it was heavy, but got blown around A LOT! For that bike I found it was best to try and relax, lean into the wind a little bit but, really focus on where you are going.
For the times when the wind got too strong I found leaning onto the tank helped, I don't know if that is the "correct" thing to do or not but it saved me going off the road

Keep on ridin'

Jas

[TerminalAddict]

eat more pies.
less likely to get blown about then