The Wind Factor-How to deal with it?

[kerwink040]

Being a new rider and all I have read lots of mc info., completed the MSF course, have put in some time "in the saddle" and thus I have never heard or read about how to deal with the wind.

As I slowly increase my riding speed I have come "head on" with this entity called the wind.
Any tips on how one deals with head winds, or crosswinds? Is there some tip or is it just more "time in the saddle" to get use to it?

I don't know how other riders can ride at 60+ mph with all that wind turning you into a human parachute.

[Johnj]

You learn to cope with the wind.

[Thumper]

You do learn to deal with it... When I first started riding and hit 45 mph it scared the carpola out of me because it felt like I was going to launch off the back of the bike. Now 80 mph doesn't produce that OMG I'M GOING TO FLY OFF THE BIKE feeling.

Something that helps is to force yourself to relax; you start to feel the push of the wind and you want to grip the bars tighter and tense your core, but it's easier if you don't tense. Try gripping the tank with your knees and not giving the bars the death grip with your hands, and you'll probably feel a bit more comfortable.

Cross winds a bit different...you start to feel pushed and it's easy to panic. Just remember that you're on a bike that's more than a couple hundred pounds and your weight is on top if it...if that were a weight sitting in your driveway, you wouldn't worry about a 20 mph wind blowing it over, right? When you get hit with a sudden crosswind it might startle you and you feel like you're being pushed into an unwanted lean...just relax. Learn where those unexpected winds are going to come from: places like in the city, where you have blocks of buildings and then an intersection--you can expect a wind blast at the intersection. Passing buses and trucks, most of the time there's a wind wake.

Once you've dealt with the wind and cross winds and haven't been blown off the bike, you'll be more at ease with it. You might not get to where you like riding in wind (I don't...anything over 20 moh and I'm not happy) but you'll be able to do it.

[kerwink040]

You do learn to deal with it... When I first started riding and hit 45 mph it scared the carpola out of me because it felt like I was going to launch off the back of the bike. Now 80 mph doesn't produce that OMG I'M GOING TO FLY OFF THE BIKE feeling.

Something that helps is to force yourself to relax; you start to feel the push of the wind and you want to grip the bars tighter and tense your core, but it's easier if you don't tense. Try gripping the tank with your knees and not giving the bars the death grip with your hands, and you'll probably feel a bit more comfortable.

Cross winds a bit different...you start to feel pushed and it's easy to panic. Just remember that you're on a bike that's more than a couple hundred pounds and your weight is on top if it...if that were a weight sitting in your driveway, you wouldn't worry about a 20 mph wind blowing it over, right? When you get hit with a sudden crosswind it might startle you and you feel like you're being pushed into an unwanted lean...just relax. Learn where those unexpected winds are going to come from: places like in the city, where you have blocks of buildings and then an intersection--you can expect a wind blast at the intersection. Passing buses and trucks, most of the time there's a wind wake.

Once you've dealt with the wind and cross winds and haven't been blown off the bike, you'll be more at ease with it. You might not get to where you like riding in wind (I don't...anything over 20 moh and I'm not happy) but you'll be able to do it.

Coolness, Thanks.

[sunshine229]

Thumper - absolutely brilliant advice.

Definitely it takes time just to get comfortable. I also agree, RELAX, don't let everything get tense when the crosswinds hit.

Do you have a full face helmet? If not, I really recommend it as it takes the "wind in your face" slightly out of the equation. Helps to cope with wind, especially strong wind.

[havegunjoe]

Dealing with 45 mph gusts here today myself and nobody likes them but you get use to it. Do you have a windshield? helps when riding into the wind, but not for cross winds of course. You learn to lean into them just a bit and that helps.

[Hondagirl]

Definitely grip the tank and I try to slightly counter steer too. I hate high winds I can't keep a straight line it's a big weather enemy for me on a light bike. I have to slow down some and keep in a lane that allows quick exit if I need to pull over. It's scary indeed. Large vehicles on either side offer some protection from wind (but not much else).

[mogster]

Advice above all sound.
What I would add is that good fitting clothing helps..........nothing worse than things flapping about

Also re cross winds............remember to read natural signs (if you have them) such as tree tops swaying.

It will get easier with experience & as your confidence grows.

Enjoy & take it easy

[zee]

Great topic and advice!

Being a beginner myself, I can remember quite vividly the first time I got on an arterial. I went about 3 blocks, which means I barely got up to the 35 mph, before I turned off thinking "Wow, that felt a little fast!" It wasn't long before I was on 45 mph roads quite comfortably. My commute includes about 2 miles on a 50 mph road now.

I've been on highways (2 lane roads, 60 mph) a few times in the past month, getting more comfortable and confident each trip. About two weeks ago, I went on the freeway (60 mph in town) from one exit to the next... then past one... then past two exits before I got off. Last week, I went 17 miles on the 70 mph freeway... part of which included road construction, during which it started to rain. This weekend, I intend to go for 23 miles on the freeway, then about 25 on highway, before I hit some twisties.

*ahem* I guess I got off topic a bit there.

Anyway... one of the greatest confidence builders for me in both headwinds and crosswinds was to remember to squeeze the tank with my knees. This allowed me to really RELAX my upper body. I wasn't gripping the handlebars (much) but my upper body was tense. No matter the circumstance, so long as I remember to keep my upper body relaxed, I'm a lot more comfortable and able to truly enjoy the ride... even in the wind.

[joolz]

Don't eat cabbage, sprouts or beans