well a smaller guy been riding about 35 or 40 years now i live in Wyoming where you get twice the life out of our tire Couse the wind blowing so bad all the time you have to power throw the wind here try this next time you go down a two lane road and a semi is coming at you right when you get the there bumper try gassing it you will be surprise you have to be going a little faster than the wind and then you will fell what am saying my first street bike was a sportster am only 135 ilb went to a road glide and old biker told to power threw it now we ride in 100 mph wind all the time don't think so come to Wyoming and i will show you well good luck and enjoy well keep watching
Fear is good. Embrace that. A motorcyclist without fear is reckless in my opinion. I have confidence you can get over this. Look up the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or the old "Galloping Gertie" video... I used to ride over that bridge every day, twice a day, for about 5 years... Even on a calm day, it's WINDY AS FUCK on the bridge. My recommendation is: lean into the wind a bit... Turn into it... You'll be alright.
Ginger, I have ridden in very high wind/ gale/ hard rain- not by choice- it is scary! The road was closed to trucks due to wind too. I had to get home ( I was about 250 miles away), but luckily we found a service station, so we stopped there for a while. It is a positive that you have experienced wind twice, so you kinda know what it is like. You will, in time, be able to cope fine with it. Again, some advanced Instruction maybe would help. plus I keep pushing you do do an Offroad course ( this will really build your confidence! fun too!). All I can say is watch the weather, eat more cake (lots of cake- it adds weight/ ballast hehe) , and try to avoid the windy days for now, until at least you have more confidence. At some stage you gotta front this issue head on....that is the only way to learn
Hi Gina, I must admit being surprised that you were so shaken (pun) by the wind experience. A little context, I've been riding since a young kid before you were born, so I don't really register 'newbie' issues like this. Yes I've been tossed around by the wind on countless occasions on quite a range of bike types and weights and know it's an irritation. For example, strong gusty side winds affect my ability to feel corners. But I've also ridden in snow, ice, mud, mud with ice below the surface, etc. And dirt ride on rough trails including "rock gardens". The reason it's all related is because it's all a matter of responding to perturbations. Some force is directing the bike off-line and you have to be quick and precise to apply corrective force to keep gettin' it. This only comes with experience. It's also why many of us encourage new riders to learn on dirt, like I'm teaching my grandkids. Turns out the wind is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. You never know when a tire or both might go into a slide when you're ducking into a curve, hitting an obstacle, or swerving to avoid something - you really don't want to say "I had to lay er down" if you can build experience recovering from such inevitable events. So, I don't want to seem terse, but you're just going to have to get used to the wind pushing you around. Or don't ride in it, but then you'll never overcome it. Anyway, there's no magic bullet save experience, I hope that helps, and God be with you.
Honestly, riding a 400lb sport bike in 40mph cross winds would scare more riders than you might think. You’re not alone. As others have commented, the bike wants to stand up straight at speed. Keep loose on the controls, grip the tank with your knees, and counter steer into the wind. Your body will learn the reflexes in time. Your experience is all part of the learning process. The worst thing you can do now is let it get in your head and stop you from riding. Ride with healthy fear, but don’t ride scared. You’re doing great!
And I just wanted to add.., YES I will stay home if the wind is blowing too much. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can suck the fun out of riding. I don’t get paid to ride, it’s a hobby. Hobbies are meant to be enjoyed.
Rode today is some very windy conditions. I ride a Bonneville T120, essentially a naked bike. Your advice is spot on - keep loose on the controls, hug the tank with your knees, and counter steer into the wind. Interestingly, I didn't realize in the moment that I was counter steering, it just was a means to deal with the cross wind. The only thing I would add is that if you ride a similar motorcycle, it seems to help to lean forward a bit, otherwise your torso is like a sail in the wind and it really pushes you around..
As an advanced UK rider with 35 years experience I can empathise about the wind situation. It’s normal to feel slightly nervous when the machine moves sideways without any input from yourself. This is disconcerting especially when you are on the freeway when shelter from side winds is not available. Obviously avoiding freeways when the wind is high isn’t always an answer. Obviously too larger motorcycles are less affected by side winds. However you have a smaller motorcycle that will of course be affected greatly by wind issues. I have always been a little nervous about the wind. More so than rain. I can offer three pieces of advice. 1) crouch a little in the seat, less of a sail area to catch the wind. 2) you should know which way the wind is coming from, try to sit a little more towards the wind on your seat. I find sticking my knee out towards the wind helps too. 3) Large trucks will produce wind vortices in front and behind them, give them a wide berth. I am really enjoying your videos They normally give me something to reflect on, we never stop learning. And all the best things in life have to have a degree of difficulty to be worth the journey.
I agree those suggestions are spot on. I was told by an instructor pretty much the exact advise. There is no wrong answer its whatever you feel comfortable with. reschedule if possible if you get caught in the wind, like Mark said dont panic and sticking your knee out actually works it catches the gusts of wind between your leg and bike and helps hold you steady, also you actually may even lean into the wind like you're in a turn. And I have no problem slowing down. Thanks for sharing and hope you ride as much as you want.
Good tips there. I'd like to add that you should make sure to not tensing up on the bike. Fear can do that to you, but if the wind gives you a push, you don't wnat that to transfer over to your bike because you are sitting stiff on the bike with a death grip on the handle bars. If it gets to tense, take a break, shake the muscles loose and sit on the bike relaxed and only push on the bars to control the bike, not hold on for dear life.
Living in the Netherlands, close to the sea and riding a 1200GS, I regularly ride in windy conditions. When you fight the wind by leaning into it and grabbing the handlebars more firmly, you cramp up and you become part of the motorcycle increasing the sail that catches the wind. What you want to do is: Relax, don't cramp, don't lean into the wind with your body, you stay upright on the bike, but you lean the bike into the wind. If the wind for instance comes from the right, lean your left knee against the tank and relax your right knee, try to relax your left hand to make sure you don't become part of the bike. If the bike is pushed further to the left, push a bit more with your left knee, to lean the bike a bit more into the wind. Stay relaxed, lean the bike, not your upper body that is trick. An other tip: use "counter steering" to lean the bike a bit more (shortly steer to left, to make the bike lean to the right). You can find loads of info on counter steering on CZcams. Don't stop riding because of windy weather, treat the weather as an opportunity to improve your riding skills. I hope this helps a bit
As a fellow dutchy, I fully agree with what you've said. I only sticky my knee out with strong consistent wind. If it's gusty, I pinch the tank with my knees but keep my upper body relaxed and my arms slightly bent. I also try to keep my speed up (within reason of course) to steady the bike. Slowing down at each gust of wind just makes the bike more unstable. Having said all this, I grab the car if there's a storm. No need to take unnecessary risks.
I'm skeptical of the idea of leaning the motorcycle with knee pressure. Next time you're out (I'll try to remember to try this too) take your hands off the bars for a moment to make sure you don't accidentally apply steering, and press on the tank with a knee. See if the bike turns. I predict it will not. I think what is happening is when you press with your left knee, you're unconsciously pulling back on the left grip as well. Countersteering is what leans a motorcycle, not knee pressure.
@@ntdscherer it's not about steering with knee pressure, it's about keeping contact with the bike so you can feel what the bike is doing (both your knee and your boot are in contact with the bike) that way you can quickly respond to variations in wind pressure. The key is to lean the bike and keep your upper body upright as much as possible
@@theun65 Fair enough. This is the part I was responding to: "If the bike is pushed further to the left, push a bit more with your left knee, to lean the bike a bit more into the wind."
One thing I’ve learned is to stick your knee out in the direction of the crosswind. This does two things, 1) gets more weight on that side of the bike to handle the crosswind and 2) you leg acts as a sail and catches more of the head wind created by your speed and will help keep you from being blown around as much. Keep riding and be safe! 😉
This is the technique I use. I point my knee toward the wind, and my wife on the back does the same thing. It doesn’t stop it all but it does help tremendously!!
Wind is a thing … only practice and confidence in your skills will ease your fears. Don’t avoid windy days go out and practice work from a slower speed up as your skills and confidence improve. Where I live we have 60 +mph gusts often and over time you develop how to anticipate and correct for the gusts before they blow you out of shape. Just remember all the advice on technique is great but you have to put yourself out there and practice to improve.
You have to remember that the faster you go the more the motorcycle wants to stand up. Even when you are blown around the bike wants to stand up. The biggest trick is not to over-react and just let the bike handle it. I know it is easier said then done but it is what it takes. I have encountered massive winds. One time I was blown over to a 45 degree angle. Just stayed loose and the bike stood right back up.
Thanks for that, Bryan. I like hearing about all of the different reaction to wind, and the thought behind those actions. That helps me. Appreciate it.
This is EXACTLY RIGHT. The gyroscopic effect is why we don't topple over. You just need to keep a cool head and be relaxed to let it take effect. The bike will do the rest.
There's gyroscopic effect on motorcycle wheels, faster you go the more stable it gets. I have been in your same shoes riding on the 10 freeway in Palm Desert, it gets very windy. For a new rider it's scary, I scoff it off with more lean. Good times.
The gyroscopic effect only works so much in wind. A spoked wheel rolling across a plane in wind is vastly different than a bike at speed with the aero profile of barn from the side. Wind WILL knock riders over, or the answer to crosswinds would just be "go faster".
Gina, every rider has moments where their confidence is shaken. It’s important to recognize when we encounter an area we need to work on. Riding in the open plains of the Midwest when I was in college, I would be pushed from some high unexpected winds strong enough to knock me into another lane on the highway. When I felt a sudden crosswind like that, I would steady myself and slow down. If the wind was consistently pushing from one side, I would ride closer to that side to give myself more room to move within my lane - although you need to be careful on this as wind is unpredictable and can easily change direction to push you the other way. I know riding in the center of the lane is not recommended but yes, I’ve done it with good visibility and high wind. But the biggest thing that helped was slowing down.
Yep, riding in the wind can be scary especially if it's gusty. There's no easy solution, but there are things to remember. 1. Don't tense up and grip the bars tight, and keep your arms relaxed. 2. Just remember "a moving bike always wants to remain upright" This is due to the gyroscopic effect of the spinning wheels. So, even if you wobble, the bike will try to upright and straighten itself. (sit on a bike not moving and it will topple over, yet when moving, in remains upright) This is why you shouldn't grip the bars too tightly; you need to alow this to happen. 3. Avoid overtaking. Especially large trucks. The change in wind pressure as you emerge past the front of the vehicle you're passing can be dangerous. What Bryan has said is absolutely correct. Especially the phrase "don't over react" You gotta just go with the flow. There's no magic solution, but I hope this helps you.
You also dont want to be right next to a vehicle either. You might be in someone's blindspot, so, overtaking a vehicle might be necessary. Also, the faster the bike is going, the more stable it is. The first time I got into high winds, I was on the highway going 70-80. I didn't even notice the winds all that much until I got into traffic going down to 30 mph. That's when I noticed how windy it was. If it's possible to ride a little faster safely, I would opt for that. The chances in pressure aren't as severe as when you're going at lower speeds because of the bike's gyroscopic effect.
I have ridden for 43 years if you include riding motocross before I was old enough to be street legal. You will learn with time what your limits are, and they will change with experience. But don't let it stop you from enjoying the love of riding. Alter your route or cut your ride short if need be but don't be discouraged. For much of my 20's my only vehicle was my bike so I rode though some bad conditions. But never feel you can't turn around and go home to ride another day. Always be safe. Enjoy your great new experiences and meet new people seen new places as you only can on two wheels.
Wind ain’t no joke! We call riding “Wind Therapy”, but more is not better. I’ve cut rides short or changed plans because of gusty wind conditions, and I’m a big guy on a big bike. My advice would be to pay attention to the weather forecast, and be prepared for wind if they’re calling for it. Confidence comes with experience, but don’t be afraid to cancel a ride if it’s too windy. There will be other days to ride. Life’s too short to be miserable on a bike.
lol, but being miserable on a bike gives you the chance to tell your buddies how crappy it was afterwards over a few sherbets. Battling mother nature is half the fun, the other half is telling tall stories about it afterwards.
It will come 2 U. Just keep pushing on! All I have is my bike. No car ride in all weather. And remember only bikers understand why dogs hang there heads out car windows!
This. First time I hit serious cross winds on the expressway it definitely gave me pause. I slowed down and got onto the side streets with some tree cover. I just read a book called Proficient Motorcycling that has a bunch of tips about riding in the wind (essentially lean into the wind to keep your line). I’d suggest checking out that book. It’s a nice addition to the video content here on CZcams.
Hallo beautiful Ginger My name is Joop ( sounds like yope) So I am from Holland and I live very naar the coast of the North Sea That means we are in for a lot of wind troughout the year Therfore the famous dutch wind mills The first and most important thing you need is an A++ ..... Guardian angel! Now some tips , don 't cramp , staf relaxed, keep an eye on the trees , they tell you a gust of wind is coming, lean your upper body towards the wind. Search the youtube for content about it. I mean the learning topics !! Not the accidents!! What more to say : view the weather report, go out to and find a safe road that is not protected from wind and practice and practice. By raising the bar every time you are ready to do so. Defy your demons!👹 One more thing, a set of decent tires have enough grip to keep the bike from sliding out from under you I understand your anxiety. Afther a riding winter of some 25 years ( afther my daugthers flee the nest) I started riding again and it took me awhile to get comfortable. Thats enough about me . If you want to know more , just ask me. But I understand perfectly well that you connot have the time to respond to anyone who responds to you. It is a hobby, not an obligation. I hope to see you back in the saddle soon. Toedels Joop
Ginger, I am 56 and started riding three years ago. I literally have nearly lost it twice due to winds (near Albuquerque) on highways. I had to pull over after the second one it frightened me so badly. The one thing I know is no one can tell you how to handle it. You either love riding enough to keep riding and trying and succeed, or you walk away. I watch several other female motorcyclist vlogs, considerably younger women, and they appear fearless. That is not me. I am pretty tenacious, but I also have a comfort zone. There have been times I have absolutely had tears streaming down my face, gritted my teeth, and pushed myself to get out of said comfort zone. I read this in a book and say it to myself, "Fear, you cannot be a passenger. Get off my bike". Sometimes fear listens, sometimes not, but I love riding, so I keep getting back on my bike.
Melanie, trust me, you didn't nearly loose it, it might have felt like you did, but you didn't. The bike leans in corners, the tyres hold the tarmac, it can also lean in winds just the same. You need to leave some space on the downwind side so a gust of wind can't blow you into anything, but the wind itself isn't going to blow you over or off the bike. You can crash the bike if you panic, but that's you that causes it not the bike or the wind. Left to its own devices the bike will just lean a bit, shift position a bit, and carry on going. Once you learn to trust the bike it won't feel so scary.
@@RalphXT all I know is I was traveling 75 mph and getting hit with a gust of wind strong enough to push me into another lane, all the while having the wobbles and trying to regain control, praying no one was coming up behind me doing 80 mph. I think the wobbles were caused by a the wind hitting my windscreen. I slowed to regain control, got back over in the lane where my husband was. He and I have a Sena system, he asked if I was okay enough to pull over. Yes I was. We did. I walked around for a minute, had some water because I had a SERIOUS case of dry mouth, and just breathed for a few minutes. My husband asked if I wanted to take a State highway home, and while the frightened side of me did, the pragmatic and tenacious side did not. So got back on The Bomber (my bike's name), and rode the hour home, praying the entire way!! We already had sustained winds from the west, but this was a gust. I can ride in wind. We live in the southwest, it's our normal. Gusts stink!!
@@RalphXT No, she really did nearly lose it. I watched her get hit with a side gust that caused her to break traction on the rear wheel and get moved about three feet to the right. Unless you've done a lot of riding in the American Southwest (where sustained 35mph winds, with gusts over 45 are not uncommon) then you really don't have a frame of reference for this type of open terrain and associated winds. Here, it is not uncommon for twenty mile stretches of highway to be shut down for winds. We've seen more than a half dozen tractor trailers at a time on their sides in the median and side of the highway from freak wind gusts. If they can be toppled, so can a rider riding on tire contact patches the size of two credit cards. I've also ridden in groups of thirty or more bikes where one can see the effects of the gusts in the middle of the pack - and where seriously experienced riders have been knocked over. Wind can be a serious detriment to riders, one that, here at least, must be honored when making the decision to ride. For new riders like Gina and my wife, wind can be a scary and potentially dangerous, riding condition. Yes, they can become more comfortable with time, but it's a little disingenuous to say one can never be unseated from wind.
@@dukenewton2368 So she did not come off, she got pushed into another lane, and so I rest my case. Lol @ 35 to 45 mph gusts, where I live in the UK I get that once a week in my back garden 😂 I'm a third generation motorcyclist, I've been riding 29 years myself, and toured all over the world, including riding in tornado conditions in Mexico, so I do have a frame of reference. Never have I ever in all my life on motorcycles heard of anyone be swept off their tyres by wind. If the wind was strong enough to do that you wouldn't be able to ride it I the first place. Gina does not need to fear that wind will do this, it won't.
Every rider gets scared and intimidated, it's what keeps us humble and alert. Having said that, crosswinds are no joke! I had gone from a 600lb Honda cruiser to a 476lb Triumph Street Twin. I could not get over how much the weight deference, and distribution of that weight had made with the wind. Riding near 18 wheelers and on grooved payment were the worst. I have since traded the triumph in for an 840lb Indian Challenger. (LOVE IT!) You can still feel the crosswinds and you still have to compensate, but they're not as intimidating. Same thing with grooved payment.
A couple of years ago i was coming back from Spain to the UK through France, and the wind blew for two days solid. You just have to stay calm, not tense up too much, lean into a bit, be aware that when passing larger vehicles there is going to be a hole in the wind and prepare yourself for it. The more you experience it, the easier it becomes. It all adds to the experience, and your experience; the important thing is to feel comfortable in yourself and your ability; and to get back on and enjoy. Enjoy your future journeys.
you fears are a good thing, keeps you focused and careful. being aware of what is happening or going to happen is the best course. i have a 2017 Ultra Classic and have been blown into the on coming lane by a cross wind. going to happen but you made it through your adventure safely. keep it up and you will get more confidence on how to handle things out of the normal.
Hi Ginger, I started riding at 15 years old, and now i'm 75 years old. I have ridden motorcycles in every type of weather condition you can imagine, snow, ice, rain and through a hurricane going down to Virginia Beach in September. The more different conditions you experience and miles you put on your bike the more at ease and confident you will become. The gyroscopic effect your 2 wheels produce by turning help stabilize the bike in a forward direction. So all you have to do is learn to lean toward the wind. This takes practice, and if you never took a slow turning class in your area I would advise it. It will give you the confidence you need to know what you and your bike can do. Go on CZcams and search for videos that demonstrate this technique. The more you and the bike become one in any situation the more confident you will become riding through anything. Glad you enjoy riding and keep up the good work, you will get there.
William you said it perfectly. Ive been riding since 1979 and just lean into the wind and RELAX, try to NOT get uptight. The more you try to analyze it the more it becomes an issue, I find that if I just relax and lean into the wind keeping myself centered in the lane and all is fine. The bike cant blow over if you are moving forward at nearly any speed, like William says the gyroscopic force wants to make the bike upright and straight and once the gust goes away the bike will straighten itself and all is well......as long as you just keep riding and roll with it. Here is something that might help your confidence. Ride on a calm day and move your center of gravity and keep riding straight. So to do this just shift your seating position to one side or another and offset yourself on the bike. This will make the bike want to "steer" in that direction, now maintaining the offset seating position just ride straight, centered in your lane. Switch from side to side and this will help train your "riding sense" for when things become lop sided like when wind blows you around.. It will become second nature after a while. Hang in there !!!!
Hi Gina These two reply are the best to listen to. I took a slow riding class years ago and routinely practice slow riding, “balance techniques”. Figure eights left and right and slow straight ahead with the bike leaned way way over left side then way over to the right, it makes you shift your weight but it teaches you that the bike will go straight no matter what if you have the right balance. It was said to me that you are riding twin Gyroscopes, and if you played with those as a kid (I did in science class, both small and large) you learn how much force and where to apply it to counteract the way they travel, it’s a "finesse thing” and no amount of adverse force is going to make it alter it’s intended coarse without it correcting itself upon it’s intended coarse, (physics 101). The slow riding balance practice gets that into your head and body. Once you have this proper weight/force placement engrained in your body and soul you’ll then know how to confidently counteract the wind forces acting upon the bike, it is the same at higher speeds just more finesse, a relaxed rider most often makes the best decisions, you always have to be prepared for changing conditions no matter life throws at you, as you gain experience never loose respect for the road. You will rise above this because sometimes you just gotta get home. Ah yes Trucks and highways ~~ Just one more thing to remember ~~ I drive a Triumph America and inevitably when I am highway driving I will be reminded of the winds from trucks, “Hello” the same as a natural wind gusts but we often forget about them until we are reminded, I try to anticipate that wind “wall’ and shift my balance prior to passing or being passed by those trucks. Keep riding and keep safe Steve
Several years back I was riding my Harley roadking and I was pushed a full lane over from the wind. And the wind came from nowhere, It was not windy that day. Now the reason for it was I came up to a bridge that went over a body of water so there was nothing to stop the wind. If you did not crash or fall (as I did not ) try to run back trough what you did to keep the bike up and keep it with you. It is something that does shake you up so yes breath and just try to be prepared. Lean into the wind if you can and slow down is about all I can say. But for riding the short time you have been riding you did a great job. So yes let it shake you but also know that you handled it. You did take control and you came out a better rider because you were able to handle it. Stay strong in yourself and just know that you did great.
@@GingerDashMoto Even the big bikes and riders can be pushed around by the wind. A 250cc bike isn't that small, it's a proper motorcycle capable of 100mph, considering it weighs as much as two people, even though a big cruiser can weigh as much as a large family! The wind is uncontrollable but you just have to keep your cool and control your bike as best you can. Sometimes these gusts are unexpected and catch out even very experienced riders. Giving up and thinking you can't control it is the sure fire way to crash, whenever something goes wrong when you're riding always try to take control of the situation. As you found out, most of the time you can regain control by using brakes, throttle, handlebars and lean angle appropriately. You have learnt a valuable lesson, early on in your riding experience. Imagine the shock it would have been if you had been riding a big tourer with a pillion passenger on board the first time you had such a scary experience!
I feel ya. The wind has pushed me pretty much into another lane. I try to avoid those days. But my advice would be to stay relaxed and calm and take precaution and the bike will do the rest.
I don't have much experience with heavy wind. On my most windy day I had about 80km/h headwind first, crosswind for a short stretch, and tailwind on the homeward bound leg. First, I had some fun just slightly opening my lips and looking at my ridiculously puffed out cheeks in the mirror (don't let it distract you for too long, of course). In the crosswind it's worthwhile having an eye out on the scenery and be aware of anything that locally blocks the wind and may cause turbulence, like hills, hedges, buildings, oncoming trucks and so on, or things that increase wind effects, like bridges. It's part of the whole intense motorcycle adventure, being in the middle of it all as opposed to sitting inside your bubble and letting the car take care of everything. A great mindfulness exercise, if you will. On the downwind leg I grossly exceeded the speed limit at one point because the machine accelerated so much more easily than against the headwind and there was not much wind pressure on me, so my "feeling" for speed was totally off (feeling no pressure at all going 80km/h is my estimate for the wind speed).
Every day brings a new experience riding your bike. No ride is ever the same. Having a scare is what we all have , but as you know and properly heard many times, never relax and always factor in moments that can creep up on you. I also check the weather forecast and change my route if it is too windy on open roads. Learn from every moment that surprises you on the road, it will heighten your senses so that next time you will be able to smile about it. Keep going, life is too short
Theres no way round the elements,gusts of wind can be scarry Ive been on the motorway & been blown around from lane to lane throughout my riding history, thankfully this particular time it was a quiet day & I dont think size/weight of the bike plays any part as you are at the mercy of the wind,all you can do is get into the slow lane & drop your speed & pray the vehicle behind you gets the message,yes angry cars will still overtake you,but safety becomes priority,its not nice & it clearly has shaken you up,but for every windy day theres usually alot more calmer days so dont let it dampen how you feel about riding & keep the good memories alive
Been riding for 30 plus years, crosswinds are something that we should respect, and yes at times still frighten me. They effect all motorcycles, even my heavy Harley. On more than one cross country ride I've stopped and hungered down. Don't let this discourage you if you enjoy riding. Even know every time I head out at the end of the day I've learned something new!
Not much I can add, everyone's comments have been spot on. I learned by doing. South Dakota was the worst place, & fully loaded with camping gear. Yeah, hanging a knee ,stay loose , lean and relax. It's kind of like being on a sailboat where you have to find the perfect angle and list, then it's just beautiful.
Hi Gina Thank you for posting this. You keep saying that this is not a normal post but this is exactly what we need to talk about. There will be experiences that scare us new riders and probably some veteran riders too. It’s great the you can be honest and we can have this conversation and learn from each other. You have lots of support and encouragement from good people on your channel 🙂
Thank you, Laura. It means a lot that I’m able to connect with so many people here, most of them motorcyclists, and all are at a different place in their own journey on two wheels. I appreciate the kind words.
So now you know. That is part of gaining skill and experience through saddle time. This will not be the last unsettling thing on a bike. Last summer I was riding on an isolated country road and pretty suddenly my back tire was slipping around as I rode. I realized the tar snakes were still hot from being applied to the pavement, and there was no way to ride down the road without riding on just-poured tar snakes. To make matters worse it was a group ride so I was trying to hold formation through this. When we got to the next stop we talked about it...everyone had the same reaction - dang that was not fun! But now I know. Road markings can also be slick on wet pavement, dangerously so. The best part is that you didn't panic on the bike. Part of being a successful rider is learning to control your survival reflexes and use your skill to navigate those critical seconds. Give yourself a passing grade, and get back on the bike. There's plenty more to learn out there.
You will be able to handle wind and other stuff as you get more experience. You have to lean into the wind and sometimes push the handlebar that is on the side of the wind. In a sense you are turning into the wind (counter steering into the wind). Full faired bikes are like a big sheet of plywood in the wind. Weight doesn't effect it as much as space in the bike like a cruiser so the wind can go through the bike. I suggest going out on the windy days and work your way up. Now 35mph is a pretty good wind, so don't be too hard on yourself. When I first started riding, rain was an issue for me. So when I was home and it started raining, I would hurry up and go riding close to home. Now, it is not an issue. Just breathe, relax, no death grip on the bike, it will shake a bit and lean and counter-steer into the wind enough to hold your line.
That’s a lot of really helpful advice, Bob. Thanks! Those crosswinds just come out of nowhere. It was shocking to me that first time. But...I made it home. Tough it out and as you say, with more experience, I’ll only grow in skill and confidence.
I agree with this guy. But personally It's not enjoyable for me to the point that I don't ride if it's going to be too windy. But if you do be prepared for a gust anytime you surroundings change. If you have trees on both sides then they disappear get ready to lean in to the gust. Good luck, ride smart and look far ahead and watch your mirrors like a hawk when coming to a stop and while stopped.
@@GingerDashMoto the only thing I would add to the above comment is lane position can help with your ability to react . If the wind is coming from the right you will want to be on the right side of the lane so you have the most lane space to deal with the gusts of wind.
As others have said experience will help a lot. Most riders do not like gusty winds especially from the side. Trust yourself and the bike, do not over react or over compensate. BTW in all my years I have never heard of a rider being blown over while moving, parked bikes yes, but not a moving bike with a rider on it.
@@GingerDashMoto With the info Bob and zach gave like countersteer into the wind and proper lane position you should have no issues with wind. Don't avoid windy days though! I would say to go out specifically to practice and get more acquainted with it, as it becomes much less scary the more experience you have in those conditions.
weather from rain/snow/high winds will always push your boundaries of "confidence" I found out that Snow was something I will never ride in again.. High winds that are cross winds where you move from lane 1 to 2 if you would is rough. Only way to manage it is either stop and wait till those winds die down, or push through it and know that just like in a car if you feel yourself moving around slow down a bit, make sure you are in a good comfortable position to counter steer with any gust taht may come by, and remember with time comes experience. You won't get that experience unless you go through it. and you won't know what you can handle till you find the limits. Don't be afraid to pull over.. Don't be afraid to turn around and go home. or keep it close to home vs going for a longer ride.. and definitely don't think you are the only one that has ever felt a gust move them and be like well this will not be the most FUN ride ever but it will get you the experience and mental tough ness to push through it. and know not every day will be like that. Also you could ultimately end up like some of the riders I know (like my dad) he tries not to leave the house on the bike if the temps are less than his age HAHA.. its funny but true.. he feels he shouldn't have to bundle up to enjoy something and that is his thing.. btw he is 63.. soo temps like that in the chicago land area are pretty much only 6 months out of the year LOL. Honestly try every type of weather. go around the block, then a little further and with each time see how it feels, see how you handle it and see if you want to deal with it for an extended period of time. When you answer those questions, then you can either push past that limit and show yourself you can do it, or stay with in those limits and still know if you had to you can go further. Keep up the fun vids. and good luck with the wind. it does suck but you can get through it.
One thing that motorcycles are good for is that the variables of the outdoors are more intense, if you can adjust for them that is good but if you can't like wind you just have to tough it out. Freedom baby.
The wind and thoes grooves they cut in the road used the really bug me. Then what seemed out of no where it didn't. And I racked my brain trying to figure out what changed... the only thing I could come up with is I must have stopped freaking out and tensing up. The more you ride the more you'll notice we put a lot of input into the handling of our bikes... your body position on the seat, your legs being against the bike or not, the amount of pressure you put on your foot pegs, tensions in your upper body can input steering in a bad way... Your doing the right thing, by taking to others... One day this issue will be behind you.
You’ve just experienced one level closer to nature, that’s all. Well, nature combined with speed. In your car, you’re much more insulated from the environment; the temp, the smells, the wind, etc.. If you were riding a bicycle you’d get even closer to nature, and walking gets you closest of all. Now you feel the wind as it’s no longer some abstract from the comfort of your car. You feel the rain on a motorcycle - it’s not just something that hits the windshield. You’re simply experiencing more of the natural world around you. On bicycles one begins to appreciate elevation changes and the real subtlety of their terrain. And all of this stuff is why people (like me) ride motorcycles and bicycles. Getting closer to nature is good for the soul. So don’t be afraid. Be smart. Ride safe. High winds are challenging, but there’s nothing like having one at your back.
Consistent wind is pretty easy to handle. You just press the upwind handlebar and lean your bike into the wind. I have ridden all day like this and, although maybe a little more tiring, it's not too bad. Gusts are a little more problematic. But, if you can quickly countersteer to get around a sudden obstacle you already have the skills to handle gusts. When a gust happens you countersteer into the gust. With a little practice you can sense how much countsteering you'll need and it soon is no longer an issue. Also, you will start to learn where gusts are likely to happen: on bridges, as you pass hills, etc. That said, I rode one day across the Canadian prairies in light rain. When the tail-of-the-hurricane gusts occurred my countersteering didn't work. The gusts just pushed my leaned-over bike sideways across the pavement. This was truly scary. As soon as I could I pulled over until the rain stopped-about an hour and a half wait. Part of being a good rider is knowing when to stop riding so never feel bad about getting off the road if you're not feeling comfortable-for whatever reason: wind, hard rain, fatigue, anxiety, whatever. I tour a lot so ride in a lot of rain and wind. In my experience you will get more comfortable. The key is to relax and do what you know you're supposed to do. Tightening up on your bike and riding fearful always makes handling your bike more difficult.
my advice. if wind is making you nervous. find a lower speed route and just a bit longer to get home. lower speed will give you more time to react. interstates can be tough in the wind. if you can take route that has more buildings, trees etc. (e.g. city streets or tree lined road) to help block the wind the route will be easier. As others have said, if you have to ride in gusty wind ride toward side the road that will give you the most space to maneuver and allow you to stay in your lane with have a buffer to other traffic if you're hit by a gust. If in an area with large trucks, you'll find that when passing a truck (or a truck is passing you) you may get shielded from the wind for a bit, but when you move past the truck be prepared get hit by both wind gusts and turbulence from the truck. Stay as far from the truck as possible while at the same time be cautious you don't get blown into the next lane. If you can crouch down more than usual, your body will present less of a sail.
Retired to windy wild wonderful Wyoming. Lean into it, stay low and watch out for changing patterns like bridges, overpasses and terrain or vegetation changes. Experiece pays, it gets better over time.
I've my worst wind condtions ever coming south towards the interstate from Jackson Hole. And my worst weather incident ever was when I hit a pitch black hailstorm outside of Cheyenne. And then there was the worst fog that I have ever seen outside of Cheyenne. You folks have to be on weather alert up there.
dandan the fireman has a good tip for cross winds something like "sticking your knee out towards the wind creating kind of a sail" it helps keep the bike more upright and you don't have to fight as hard against the wind, and i can attest to this as I've done it myself and I think it works. (I don't think its some kind of placebo effect either, but to each their own.)
It really works cuts the crosswind like a sail..I felt my confidence hamper too. I thought I was going to get blown into a tractor trailer. It’s also my bike is around 400+ so I definitely can relate to feeling shaken.I monitor the weather now myself.
The biggest challenge i've experienced from cross-wind gusts is in the moment the gust stops. The gust causes you to lean into the wind and if it (the wind) comes to an abrupt stop the bike will naturally want to jump in the direction of the lean. It is imperative that I use push left/go left and push right/go right counter-steering handlebar inputs to get instant correction in my direction of travel. I have 42 years of consistent motorcycling experience and I'm not afraid to admit that when it's real windy I don't ride, not out of fear but I simply don't enjoy the experience.
I live in a very windy area. (regularly constant 35mph winds and 60mph gusts etc) I still ride all the time because if I didn't ride in wind I wouldn't ride at all. The biggest thing is to not tense up and stay loose. And not have bars where your arms are fully locked straight. By staying loose and not tensed up combined with not having bars that keep your arms fully straight allows you to keep your grip on the bars light and your arms loose. This enables you when there's strong wind or big gusts to take the hits or pushing without moving the bars. If you are tensed up or arms or locked straight or super tight grip (tensed) when the wind hits you it will move your body. If your body moves with your arms straight or tensed your bars will move. Bars moving makes you move all over the road. I'd suggest taking up the lane position that is closest to where the wind is coming from but in the farthest away lane to give you room to get blown around a bit. (Right to left wind go right lane position in left lane) That will give you the rest of that lane and also the shoulder if you need it. If other vehicles are moving around a lot too and you need to pass I'd go middle of left lane in given example so you still have all that room but also more of a cushion from the vehicle in the right lane. Ultimately biggest thing is to not tense up upper body and grip tank with thighs.
It’s a hard one. Wind, indeed any severe weather pattern, adds to the subtle layers that make up the riding experience. I live on the coast in the north east of Scotland and so do experience inclement weather. It’s not pleasant and is something to be aware of, however, you can’t give in to it, and while I would not suggest you ride in high winds for pleasure, I think it’s something you have to come to terms with. There is no straightforward answer, but just be aware on windy days to reduce your speed and try and give yourself as much room as possible, remember, always ride or drive to your capability, not the machines or anyone else’s. go easy on yourself, you got a fright, but it added to your knowledge base so you can add to your skills base. Oh, and try not to tense up or fight the machine too hard, modern machines like yours will come through it.
I would say that reducing your speed is not always the best action for this because the bike is more stable at speed and less input is needed to countersteer into the wind. This is from experience riding in very windy conditions through palm desert or on pacific coast highway with gustts coming from the beach.
@@geraltofrivia4651 It does take some adjustment of speed to find what's best for the road conditions. As motorcycles are more affected than four wheeled vehicles it isn't usually appropriate to try to ride at the speed limit in strong blustery cross winds. Most car drivers don't understand how badly bikes can be affected by crosswinds and poor road surfaces, so are confused if you aren't doing at least the speed limit on a 100+ HP motorcycle! As you say, trying to ride too slowly in very strong winds can certainly make the problem worse, particularly when it comes to stopping at junctions and sharp corners.
“I kept my head, I didn’t lose control, and I handled it well.” I think your statement is self explanatory. You got this Gina. I hate riding in the wind, and I live in Kansas. I am not as impacted by the wind (TriGlide ultra) so other than telling you that I think you handled it well, my advise about wind would be less helpful. You got this!
I can remember back in CA 35 years ago when I was riding with a hard wind off the water. That bike was a Yamaha Seka II with Turbo and a relatively light front end. When the wind hit the bike, if my grip was relaxed enough, it would push the front tire to the right (I was going North, wind from my left side). This is exactly the same pressure as countersteer. That bike would lean into the wind automatically. AS LONG AS MY GRIP WAS RELAXED. I termed it "automatic countersteer". I loved it. I learned to relax while it happened. Various bikes since then have been better or worse at it. The new BMW K1600B has such a light front end it is very easy to press into turns. And it handles "Automatic Countersteer" perfectly.
I have been riding for over 30 years, and I have experienced wind gusts on more than one occasion. The wind is normal and gusts will happen. I once rode a GPZ 1100 (Pre Ninja) from Calgary to Winnipeg across the prairies with the wind blowing, while I was riding straight, the wind was so strong I was leaned into it constantly. Wind gusts can rock your world if you let them. When they hit you, on a small bike or a big bike, you feel it more if you are not prepared for it. I agree with one of the other commenters, confidence in riding can be shaken, but the more you ride the more confidence you get in yourself and your riding. If in doubt, don't go for a ride, put it off for another day. or hour. You choose when and where to ride, but if the weather sneaks up on you, slow down, pay more attention, and decide to pull over or ride to a safe place to wait it out. So welcome to the motorcycle club. Keep riding, I hear it in your voice, that you are enjoying it when you are riding. I hope that you continue your journey riding, but only you can make the decision. I can only offer you support.
As a rider that only started riding myself a year ago I found that the more I ride the more confident I become. Yes, things scare me but that’s how we learn and become better riders. Some level of fear is good because it keeps us from getting too silly and make bad calls while riding.
Very, very true! I've definitely gained confidence in this first year...just hadn't experienced wind before. One more thing to chalk up to "lesson learned". :)
@@GingerDashMoto Gina, with your new advice, go out there and do it again and see if you can master some of these moves. Always if you are unsure or insecure, slow down it gives your brain a chance to catch up. Then you will find your confidence will return. I always watch the trees and bushes ahead as these will let you know what to expect.
I'm a light aircraft pilot and heavy winds can be scary. I also ride. Once your there you can't avoid the issue and the worst thing that happens is you tighten up, due to anxiety, and fight every gust. When you relax and the gust hits you, you will use your body more flexibly. Like riding a horse feel your butt down in the saddle. "Flying by the seat of your pants" does have meaning. If it's pushing you, maybe even into the other lane just go with it and be aware of every vehicle around you. So...relax...sit down...be flexible with your body and in you head and you will be OK. Everyone needs to learn to ride in a crosswind and if you're too frightened pull over and take a moment. Large trucks can be a similar problem.
Hello Ginger my name is Tom. It looks like you have gotten a lot of good advice about wind and gust of wind that has shaken your confidence. My advice is to continue to ride and get the experience that will renew you confidence. It is an uncomfortable feeling even to experienced ridders when you are hit by a side gust and you wheels are pushed from under you like you are cornering. Your confidence will grow the more you experience the wind.
Hey girl don't worry it freaks us all out. Because you can't see it coming it's just hits you but you'll learn to deal with it. It comes with experience like most biking things. Don't let it knock your confidence think of of as another lesson
As to practical solutions, follow McRider, Fortnine, MotoJitsu, Jerry Palendo, Doodle on a Motorcycle, Dan Dan The Fireman, and Yamynoob. There are other CZcamsrs to follow, to learn to be a better rider, but these guys seem to me to have the best knowledge, and are interesting. Hope that helps.
Just relax your arms, don’t be tense and look up videos about counter steering. The wind honestly makes very little difference, your input is what makes the everything happen. Keep the faith, every day is a lesson.
It’s exactly as you say, it’s a confidence thing, but also a light bike thing. I had a VFR800 some years ago and had to ride across a motorway bridge over a big river to get to work each day, it was often scary windy and felt like it moved the bike sideways. I changed bikes to a BMW S100R and I think the COG was much lower and helped a lot. All that said leaning forward and being aware that it’s windy helps to overcome this situation. It’s a normal step in your motorcycle progression we’ve all been here
I know what you mean, there are times when you feel like you might be blown off the road while riding. I had a ninja 400 and experienced this a few times. Definitely the best way to counter it is to have proper lane position to give yourself enough room to counteract it. If it's a constant wind then you kind of end up riding leaning into it which is weird at first but you'll get used to it the more you do it. My confidence was really shaken when I was hit by a truck in my own neighborhood (he wasn't paying attention at all) and luckily he only hit the rear tire and I managed to stay upright. But since then I ride even more defensively than I did before and I kind of lost some enjoyment in riding. The confidence will come back! you may want to find an empty parking lot on a windy day and just practice riding in it. Enjoy the ride!
You're doing fine, the fact you can vlog about your experience means you handled the situation well. You just need some reassurance, that's why it's called a learning curve. Believe in yourself, keep riding and gain more experience.
Hey Ginger, yes cross winds are indeed scary and especially if you have only encountered this once or a few times before. I ride a naked bike (Ducati Monster 620ie) and I too have encountered such conditions in the past which scared the daylights out of me. The first time i was going over a bridge with traffic around me. I was unsure should I go slower or faster, in the end I did neither stayed focused and kept a steady speed of around 40-50km and thankfully once off the bridge all was fine again. I was talking with my brother in law today about how to ride in such conditions, questioning if a heavier or more powerful bike would help handle such conditions. His simple advice was a clear no. I respect his views as he has been riding for around 47 yrs and has 3 large classic Ducati’s. His simple advice was to have done as I did, remain calm, keep your body loose and to basically practice riding in all kinds of conditions. Personally, I have avoided going out on windy or rainy days, as I don’t like such conditions but of course the inevitable will happen and I will be out riding and experience such conditions. The key I think asides practicing is to ride as safely as you can.
I'm 71 years old and have been riding for 25 years. Before we get to the wind, you need to "lighten up." A black jacket with a dark colored helmet is not good - the main problem with collisions with cars is that they can look right at you on your bike and not notice you. Safety studies have proven that a white helmet will reduce your accident rate over a black helmet. In addition, you can add a Hi-Viz bright yellow Helite 2 airbag vest over your jacket and be more visible that way and have added protection from the vest. Another issue is "blocked vision," which causes a big percentage of very serious motorcycle accidents. A car driver at a side street or driveway can't see you on your relatively narrow motorcycle, but goes anyway, violating you right-of-way and causing a nasty collision. So you have to scan for "blocked vision" scenarios where car drivers' vision is blocked. For wind, I was on a road in Wyoming that actually had permanent signs "High Wind Area." No shit. I could barely keep my bike on my side of the two lane road. Usually a steady wind will tend to lean the bike the right way for you. It was not fun. You may have to add a bit of counter-steering. Overtaking tractor trailers, you have to anticipate the sudden end of the crosswind as you reach the back end of the trailer, and then the sudden strong crosswind as you reach the front of the truck and the "bow wave" the truck is causing. I don't think any of us are entirely comfortable with strong, gusty winds.
Here in Colorado, we get crazy winds at times. All I can say is keep steady and don’t let it scare you. I have never had wind push me over or cause issues and I have been riding for 25 years.
Just seen your channel and enjoyed the down to earth honesty you put out there . I’m from England with 39yrs riding experience and still love it , maybe even more so than ever . Wind is something you can’t do much about . It is a bit hairy getting sideswiped across the motorway/freeway but just lower your speed and keep your body in some tension holding on a bit tighter . You’ll be fine . Enjoy yourself .
Hi Ginger, All riders come to the point ,have they made the right decisions in riding a motorcycle, I’ve been riding M/cycle for years dry roads wet roads and snow and windy rides , small motorcycle tend to get blown about a lot more then bigger motorcycle , when I’ve been out and the wind is blowing say from the right ,lean your bike into the wind (right side ) and move your body weight to (left) as if your riding more to the left hand side of the seat, this will change the centre of gravity of the motorcycle and help it go more in a straight line and not be blown off to left . All the best Graham.🇬🇧👍
Ya, everyone I know has been blown around the place by heavy winds, including myself. You're still a relatively new rider. As an old timer, I'm going to lay some advice on you. Don't be afraid to leave the bike at home during treacherous weather conditions. One of the biggest killers on the road is ego. Don't let it get the best of you. A steady wind is one thing. Gusts are altogether different. There is another wind hazard that you haven't experienced yet. Sometimes gust will blow debris, branches, leaves, whatever suddenly across the road. I'm not known for backing down, but I will when there are heavy gusts. It's not about confidence. It's about keeping the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
Don't over drive the conditions. Slow down when in doubt. Lean into the wind. When passing a semi, know their will be turbulence and learn when there will not be turbulence. Practice and don't give up.
Wind gusts/cross winds are no joke, every rider gets scared, it's normal. To be fearful is to be human. However, do Keep Riding! Get as low as you can to the tank, tuck everything in to reduce friction. With highway riding let's say cross wind is blowing from left to right then you ride in the left tire track, taking up and extreme blocking position, (you will be compromised as you will be leaving a lot of the lane beside you available for another vehicle that's ok as you need the space) and lean into the wind, the worst that will happen is you get blown to the middle of the lane. As you get closer to bigger vehicles you move into the middle lane to avoid vehicle wash and wind gust, once passed the vehicle you take up your position again. If the wind is blowing right to left then you do the opposite. On a single 2 lane carriage you do the same but not so extreme with your lane position. Depending on how far you are from home/destination , take a few planned breaks to help with focus, fatigue and of course anxiety. I have been riding for 13 years and I still don't like riding in windy conditions, so if it is high winds outside and you don't have to start a journey, then don't wait it out.
Ginger , what I have done a couple of things that had worked for me. a) lean into the wind... and lean your body forward (position your chest on top of the gas tank), thus creating more aerodynamic if you need to go faster. b) If you are not in a rush, my recommendation would be to slow down considerably. Go into the slowest lane. Do not get discouraged, just learn to feel the bike during this condition. Take your time....
I was riding east on a highway near Kingston, Ontario, when a front rolled in and the wind whipped as a crosswind from Lake Ontario. I was getting badly buffeted. I said to myself, "Just be steady, and eventually you'll ride out of this situation." And that's what happened. So that's the advice I would give others.
Crosswinds can quite scary, fairings on a motorcycle can act like a sail so just reduce speed and focus, you'll be ok, I myself avoid windy days to enjoy the ride .....👍
I had a 98 GSXR750 and a 2002 GSXR1000. I tuck in, throttle up and cut the wind. That's how I deal with crosswinds. Riding in Cali is the best, lane splitting is legal. Good times.
I have a lighter naked bike and I totally understand your feeling of fear in sudden push from the wind. It's never pleasant. But the more you ride, the more stuff you'll experience and understand how to react to. Main thing is to remain "in control" so to speak. At times, if the condition allows, pick up some speed as it kinda makes bike more "unwilling to be pushed around". I'm no expert, just speaking from my experience.
So dealing with crosswinds is counterintuitive, support your bodyweight by gripping your legs on the tank and relax your grip on the bars. Also, getting low on the tank helps. Bottom line, some people being the highest element on their bike and least secure tend to tighten up their grip and support their bodyweight against the wind by holding tighter to the bars. When you tighten your grip and lock your arms, you actually amplify the winds affect on the bike because with your arms locked every gust of wind translates directly down through your arms to the bars. This makes the bike seem even more nervous and more susceptible to wind gusts... because you are (by being locked on the bars). So as counterintuitive as it might seem, as with most control issues on a motorcycle, the solution is to support your bodyweight with your legs on the bike, and relax your grip on the bars. Just use the bars to steer and not to hold your bodyweight and I think you'll feel much more in control.
Yes, it's scary ! I've been riding bikes for 44 years now. I ride a big bike ( CBR Honda Super Blackbird 1100cc ) The Blackbird is known to be Airodynamic. Normal winds does not phase me at all, but a few years ago my girlfriend and I came back from a rally, and we hit cross winds of about 110 km/h, that was SCARY. We would stay straight but the bike felt like it was blown from under us, it was the furthest 150km I've ever done, Eventually I turned up the speed and rode through it. I must add, I was actually too scared to stop, because I thought the wind would blow me over if I stopped. So, yes you will feel it, being lighter as bike and person, just watch the weather, yes, you will get caught unawares, then deal with it. When riding in cross winds be especially careful when going across bridges, I know of bikers who's been blown off bridges, and into oncoming traffic in strong winds. Do what you feel comfy with.
Hi Ginger. I was also a novice rider with a 400 pound bike some years ago. It was Friday evening at the start of Memorial Day weekend. I was riding north on I-95 through South Carolina. Traffic was light and I was in the left lane doing about 85. It was a warm, beautiful evening. I was approaching the North Carolina border about half an hour before sunset. Suddenly, everything just got dark. It was like you had walked from the lobby into the movie theatre itself. I could just make out the trees ahead on the left and they were bent about 30 degrees to the right. At that moment my bike and I got lifted up and placed three feet to the right. I leaned heavily left into the wind, but kept getting pushed to the right. I realized that I was going to get pushed off the road and that I had better slow down before that happened. To my horror, the more I slowed down, the faster I got pushed right. I was probably doing 50 when I ran out of breakdown lane. I thank God there was no guard rail. I laid the bike down, dove over the clutch handle, tucked and rolled down the thick grass embankment. I popped up to see my bike finishing it's slide into the gully at the base of the embankment. As I walked over to the bike I could make out a tornado tearing up a field several hundred yards away. I ran down to the gully, hid under my bike, and grabbed a couple of handfuls of grass with all my might. Fortunately the tornado went it's own way, but the skies opened up with thunder, lightning, rain, and hail, so I just stayed put for a while. Neither I or the bike were the worse for wear, but it was a scare. Again, I was grateful there wasn't a guard rail and also that this hadn't happened an hour earlier as I was flying over the Santee Cooper Bridge(they would have never found me). I'm not a meteorologist, but I think I was just unlucky enough to have experienced a wind shear event ahead of a really violent weather front. Anyway, as with you Ginger, my experience with the wind shook me and gave me a very healthy respect and awareness for weather conditions. From then on I would factor weather conditions and forecasts into my riding plans. Just one more thing to be aware of, like clueless drivers, road conditions, etc. I wish you all the best in the future. Drive safe!
I'm also a new rider on a small bike (Ninja 250), and when I started out last year, I had old tires and the wind would blow me all over the place and scare the hell out of me. New tires made it a little better, but wind could still be an issue. Someone gave me the following advice, and it seemed to help me: "It's basic physics: the motorcycle wants to go down the road the right way. Don't try to outthink the bike; you'll just overcompensate and make things worse. Just stay loose and let the bike correct itself when it gets blown around." I won't say I don't get scared by a serious wind gust, but I will say that this approach has worked really well for me and it's reduced my fear factor significantly.
Oh the memories this brings back. Your anxiety and fear is normal and justified. The secret to overcome that fear and anxiety is to get back on the bike and ride in wind. Learn the wind and become one with the wind. What I mean is to look ahead and try and see what the wind is up to. The foliage on the sides of the road will move before the wind hits you. Position yourself to take the guys and move with it and adjust your position to compensate. If you see the treetops or bushes start to move you Kronos it’s coming. Don’t stiffen up but be ready for it. Lean into it a bit and be ready for the wind to break so that you can adjust. You will move with it but you should be able to control it. Slow down and concentrate. My wife (on her Bonneville) and me on my cruiser were caught in some wind that moved us side to side in our lanes. We slowed, we watched ahead and were able to compensate. We took breaks more often to collect our thoughts and nerve but we made it. Practice and never give up. You got this.
Congrats on joint the biking family. I started riding when I turned 60 and have been riding 9 years and am on my third bike. I have a friend who has ridden most of his life and he is reluctant to ride when windy, for him it’s a bit of a phobia. He had warned me about windy days and at first I was worried when the bike was pushed around. I got over this when I did an advanced rider course on a racetrack on a very windy day. That taught me to trust the stability of the bike, a bit of movement is ok and the bike will be ok. You can always slow down if it’s a problem, and of course your skills are improving all the time. It’s a bit like riding in the rain, after you have done it a few times and taken due care it’s no longer a problem. Remember the biggest danger on the road is cars not seeing you, so watch them like a hawk. Love your videos, keep it up.
So sorry that you had this effect your confidence sudden gusts are the worst especially when your going past side roads i tend to try and position myself in the middle of the road gives me more of a chance of combating the conditions and body position is important and try be relaxed the more tensed up you are the more difficult riding your motorcycle will be .carry on enjoying your motorcycle experience there’s nothing better than been on two wheels stay safe
We got stormy winds here, where i lived. Today was the same, i just made a 35 km ride at hi wind conditions with my XMAX125 which is about a 175kg bike. You dont have to afraid from the wind, just caltulate the direction of the wind well and hang on tight, open the gas then keep going, dont be afraid. Push the handle bar against the wind! You can do it girl, think of Red-Sonja, Girl-Power👊🏻
Your not alone . Hang in there , don’t stop riding . I will sometimes lean forward on my bike and make myself “smaller “ and have the wind go over and around me. Slide back on the seat and lean on the tank. You can always slow down to a comfortable speed or pull over and wait it out. Love the videos, keep it up!!
I always try to check the weather before I go out. Sometimes you can't help being caught in it but keep your composure. If you feel you need to stop for a bit stop. Gather your thoughts. Find an alternate route where you can go slower. I had a tractor trailer blow past me on the expressway doing 80mph once. The gust almost pushed me into the next lane. Now I steer clear of them. Lesson learned.
I have been nearly blown out of my lane while operating several types of vehicles. This includes cars, mini vans, pickup trucks, pickup trucks pulling a trailers and motorcycles. They are all scary in their own way. But most of us have spent more time in cars, SUVs and pickup trucks so we are more comfortable in that situation. The way that being blown on a motorcycle is scary is the lack of a protective cage that other types of vehicles have. With other vehicles we are protected by the protective cage during a crash. The lack of a protective cage is something that is always true. But we are reminded of that risk by the wind. For stead crosswinds I like the advice of counter steering to cause the motorcycle to lean into the wind. Initially it is weird and scary to lean into the wind while going straight. It never stops being weird. This is specially true with high wind when gently turning away from the wind. If feels like the bike is leaning the wrong way, because it is. Varying crosswinds are much more scary than stead crosswinds. The amount of lean needed for the wind is constantly varying because of the varying wind. Being able to predict the various can be helpful. If it is gusty wind conditions predicting is very difficult. There are times when it is easy to predict variations in the wind. Example, you are riding on an interstate highway with wind blowing stead from your right side. If you decide to pass a large vehicle on its left side the wind will stop blowing on you as you are passing that vehicle. The large vehicle is blocking the wind. You must stop leaning into the wind just before going beside the vehicle. This is done by stopping the counter steering needed to lean into the wind. If you don't do this it will feel like the motorcycle is being sucked toward the vehicle. Generally that is not what is really happening. Considering that large vehicles block the wind it may be tempting to ride beside them. This is a bad idea for many reasons. The wind related reason is that it provides a false sense of security. Large vehicle are often effected as much or more than motorcycle by the wind. They could be blown into your lane. High crosswinds can even cause them to roll over. You don't want to be beside them if either of these happen. Standing still isn't much of a solution either. While standing still I have felt like I was about to get blown over. I have seen motorcycles parked on their side stands blown over. Crosswinds can be very scary specially when dealing with other traffic. With lot of (unplanned) practice in low traffic conditions I no longer find wind any more scary on a motorcycle than in other vehicles. Their are several comments advising "get off the highways and take back roads." I kind of agree with that in a way. It is about getting away from traffic and other hazards that are demanding your attention. As much a possibility be in a situation where you can deal with the wind without having a bunch of other hazard demanding your attention. This is how we all learned to deal with other hazards. The first time we rode at highway speeds it wasn't in a high traffic area during rush hour. It was during time of low traffic so we could become comfortable with the speed before also adding traffic into the mix. With experience wind can become similar to other hazards we regularly deal with while riding. The challenge is that in many parts of the country we don't get as much practice with wind as we do with other hazards.
Every rider at one point in their riding experience endured wind, bad rain storm or anything that mother nature throws at them. Everyone knows their limits but it's something that we probably put in the back of our heads and use it as a caution. But it's something we all have to overcome and know the reason why we enjoy riding our motorcycle. I believe you will keep that in your mind for a safety precaution.
The BEST way to overcome this is VERY practical, apply the rear brake lightly when the crosswinds hit . What it does is plant the bike better on the road . Believe me it’s the best WAY .
Work through your fear. I have ridden since the age of 13, (now 78) getting my first 650cc Triumph when I was 16. I have been blown off the road during raging rainstorms. Fortunately never going down, but having to power my way out of drainage ditches, far from home, on wet grass, in the rain. As you recognize, some bikes are more skittish than others. Big trucks hide and park to avoid high winds, so motorcyclists should not be concerned about not riding in bad weather. Don't be scared off. Just do it. Shawn Smoak loves to ride in the wind. Some riders love the wind, so it can't be all bad. My advice is to avoid riding in traffic when the wind is an issue. The wind will not hurt you, but getting blown into the path of an oncoming car might ruin your day. Keep riding--say safe, and I will watch your next video.
Couple thoughts: first, I think you need to face your fear and ride on gusty days...take it easy at first (maybe avoid the windiest days), but on a marginal day, go out and get experience. Keep at it...as you get more experience, your confidence will grow, and you will learn what your bike wants to do in adverse conditions. As this continues, you will be able to handle worse and worse weather. Next, as others have said, don’t tense up...you have to let the bike dance a bit, just as you would on a milled highway. On gusty days, ride on roads you know well and which have less traffic...give yourself margin for error. But you have to learn your dance partner’s habits...there will come a day when you go out in good weather and get surprised by a storm...be ready for it. Finally, all bikes are subject to wind...even my old bike (850 lbs HD) would move about in bad weather. Current bike (BMW light tourer) gets tossed around a lot. It’s a drag sometimes, but I have confidence in her. Motorcycles at speed have a lot of gyroscopic stability, so you have that working for you. Good luck...keep riding!
Thanks for asking the hard egoless questions. And a big thanks to your subs who graciously gave their input. Helps people like me who are sometimes questioning the decision to go out there and do something they’ve never done before.
Like so many experience motorcycle riders and my self are saying. The more you ride in those conditions the more you will get used to it. Not the best conditions to ride in strong winds. The same thing as riding in the rain and the Cold. None of them are good to ride in I know. But don't let it bother you. And you will be fine 👍.
I have been riding since 2000 and strong winds still causes me anxiety and I will take my truck if strong winds are in the forecast. I am looking forward to your next vlog.
Having grown up riding in North Dakota, riding in the wind was a daily experience on the great plains. Let the bike move, don't fight it, that just makes it worse. Once you get used to the bike being pushed around, it actually gets easier. The bike won't get blown over, so don't worry about that. Use your counter steering to help put you back where you want to go. If the wind hits you from the right, push in on the right bar so the bike will go back to the right. But do it smoothly, no sudden movements. Practice this on a calm day, when you're riding down the road, think to yourself "just got hit with a sudden wind from the right, what do I do?" Practice your avoidance maneuvering, countersteering, etc. The more you practice this, the more it will become second nature to you when the wind hits, or something jumps out in front of your path. Riding a motorcycle proficiently is about two things, practicing maneuvering the bike and situational awareness. You're coming up to an intersection and see a car with their left turn signal on coming towards you. What do you do? You should be thinking about what you will do if that car turns in front of you. If you're riding along a road with driveways, you should be thinking about what you would do if a car comes backing out of the driveway into your path. Situational awareness and knowing how to maneuver your bike in those situations are the key to making you a better rider, and then ultimately enjoying riding because this all becomes second nature. Good luck and keep riding!
Same thing happened to me! A 60mph gust nearly caused me to drop my bike while stationary at traffic lights. I'd been a bike rider for about 6 months. I realise now that back then, I was on a steep learning curve. I've dealt with it in two ways, really. I've relaxed more on the bike (due to having a little more experience these days I suppose) and I don't ride in bad weather anymore. Motorcycling has to be fun for me so I just do it when it suits me. I used to ride everyday because I had a lot to prove 28 years ago! Looking forward to sharing more of your journey with you, Gina. Take care.
I think you did great in managing your fear, using it to increase your focus and keep on riding. I commute on my motorcycle all year around. Wind, ice, light snow, heavy rain, strong wind, fog, fog that ices on your visor (I hate fog so much...) everything scared me when I first started. Strong wind bursts are not different than icy patches on the road, they get you by surprise and you deal with them like you did: you get that inevitable "zap" of fear, then you use it to increase your alertness and you trust your motorcycle's dynamics. I think it might be helpful to realize that wind bursts do not actually make the motorcycle loose grip, the bike doesn't "jump around", the bike simply "steers away" from it, in the same way we make it steer in a bend: the bike suddenly leans over so it turns. The good news is that, if you find the time to practice some slalom, at speed, in parking lot, you will realize that the force the wind applies to your motorcycle is literally nothing compared to what your motorcycle can actually handle in terms of sudden steering. I will suggest you to seek out windy days to practice. As others have pointed out, when you feel the strength of side winds too uncomfortable, keep the speed and duck in. Just be prepared to lean against a constant cross-wind or counter-steer against a burst.
Ive on a bike from the age of 15 and im 54 now riding the small bike was fun in the wind that hardest bit was cars / trucks overtaking so when I got a bike that would do the speed limit they don't overtake anymore. so that sorts one problem . now then side wind if its constant then it isn't that much just lean into it, and look out for gaps in the road like hedges / buildings/ walls as they will make it like a gust. Gusty wind is always a problem but I found that going quicker acted like a knife cutting through the wind ( more so on a sports bike) but you have to be ready and know how far to push it and also how far you will drift as you do NOT want to drift on to either oncoming traffic or the sidewalk. no matter how long you have been riding gusty wind isnt nice or fun so if your riding for fun then dont ride in gusty weather. you made me smile when you said I ride fast at 75mph . Here in the UK our limit is 70mph so even with my 1200cc ninja bike I cant do that fast :) just ride safe is the most important bit , I've spent too much time in hospital, I just look at it as every one on the road has not seen me and that if they have they are trying to kill me
Of course you were rattled - every rider has the same story. I’ve got one too. But just one. There is fantastic advice sent in from your supporters,stay loose, knee into the wind etc. Now you know what to do - go practice it. Don’t fear it, you’re too strong for that. You’re going to take a trip over a couple of days, your bike will be loaded up and a crosswind will hit you. Can’t turn back, don’t have to, you know what to do now. You’ll be fine, so fine that you won’t “white knuckle”, countersteer into the wind, look at the trees for clues of wind gusts, and Carry On! As a male rider it really is refreshing to have you recount your anxieties so honestly. Men don’t do that, we learn the hard way. Good on you - proud of you, I’d ride behind you any day.ANY day.
Appreciate you being real and vulnerable. I'm turning 50 this year and only started riding two-and-a-half years ago. I actually cancelled my ride today because of the weather forecast for gusts and heavy rain. Tomorrow is another day :) Lots to learn!
Wind. My best advice, the more riding experience you gain, the better prepared for adversity. I have ridden in some nasty xwind situations - riding on the Canadian prairies comes to mind. Experience will guide your decision making on your bike. If it is windy, pull over at a truck stop and have an iced tea (I would have a coffee) and wait it out for a while. Incidentally, a bigger-heavier bike is less susceptible to wind.
I rode for 2 hours in high wind. My heart would jump every time it pushed me. Just go as fast as your comfortable with. Fear keeps us in check. No fear leads to mistakes. I was on a GSXS1000F. Even though it is heavier I still got buffered about.
Your sharing and all of the comments has at long last given me my 1st good reason for riding a 900 lb. Beast as my first motorcycle. I will be on guard when i finally experience high winds thanks to you. Please keep sharing you are my inspiration.
I live in the Nederlands which is known for being flat as a pancake and VERY windy, since I ride a fully faired bike like yours, here's the best advise I can pass on ... from personal experience and what I've learnt from others... 1. Grip the tank with your knees firmly, that's how your attached to the bike, grip the handle bars GENTLY imagine your holding eggs .. now your not jerking or adding reaction inputs to the bike .. the bike always want to stay up and go straight, thank gyroscopic motion and physics for that. 2. Choose your lane position 1 or 3 depending on the wind direction so you have lane space when your pushed. Always move over to 3 when your about to cross a heavy truck or trailer as they can buffet you. 3. Trust the fact that it's normal for the wind to blow you about and go with it, your fixed to the bike with your knees right? You should not expect to maintain a straight line. 4. Counter steer and lean into the wind slightly when not countersteering. So your leaning into the direction of the wind to negate it, when a gust blows you from say left to right i.e. position 1 to 2 or 3 take the hit and just lean in more and apply Counter steer. You'll look like your winding all over your lane but that's pretty much all the car behind you will see and probably maintain a safe distance. Any other biker all know what your doing so in summary don't try to fight the wind try to flow with it. Hope that helps a bit 😊 Ps: you might want to tuck in a bit and assume a more aggressive racing position to get your helmet and upper body out of the wind as much as possible, your body acts like a sail making things worse in high winds.
Rode back home from Oklahoma when I was 18. 50-60 mph gusts the whole way. Riding north was eerie. Going at speed and the wind was a near dead calm. Made it to I-70 and the tailwind becomes a crosswind. Unrelenting until I made it home four or five hours west of where I pointed my nose at the sunset. It helps being young and stupid. I can look back on it fondly, but I remember dismounting at a friend's house completely wrung out. I was sore for days. Fighting the bike rapidly showed me how much harder I was making it for myself. A gust would hit, the bike would lean into it, practically horizontal, and the gyroscopic action of the wheels would bring me upright again. Keeping my balance was not an intuitive act until I had a bit of room to see how the bike wanted to move. I had two advantages over your experience. 1: Being young and invincible some 28 years ago is not something I can impart, but I can't escape I would have pulled over these days. 2: I had a bike better than 150 pounds heavier than yours. If there's any advice I can give, it's give yourself some room. Let the bike lean into the wind, and, strange as this may sound, raise the center of gravity on the bike itself (a tank bag or backpack strapped to the back seat full of... useful stuff. Maybe a case of bottled water.) Lowering the CG is a bit much short of a new bike (mine was a 1000cc incidentally. Solid, fast, geared all wrong, and I think you'd be tickled to have the modern equivalent to your bike in this size, but I digress.) But tires, pressure, focus, and ability you have down.
Some really good advice in the comments, Always check the weather, Gusting winds can be really difficult to ride in, it's all about building your confidence which only comes with experience. Good luck and ride safe. Never be afraid to cancel a ride.
I got hit by a wind shear in the West Texas desert a few years ago. They are big cold masses of air that fall out of the sky and hit the ground and then expand like an upside down explosion. I was on 600 pound sport tourer. The wind burst hit me so hard it blew me out of my lane at 80 and had me barely clinging to the edge of the pavement. It scared the F out of me. Such things are part of riding a motorcycle. The lighter your bike, the more susceptible you are. If you are going to ride you are going to be at risk of such things. Usually strong winds are seasonal and you can hedge your odds by watching the weather and staying off the road when cold air masses are likely to collide with warm ones.
As always, thanks for watching! And thanks in advance for any advice you may choose to offer here in the comments.
well a smaller guy been riding about 35 or 40 years now i live in Wyoming where you get twice the life out of our tire Couse the wind blowing so bad all the time you have to power throw the wind here try this next time you go down a two lane road and a semi is coming at you right when you get the there bumper try gassing it you will be surprise you have to be going a little faster than the wind and then you will fell what am saying my first street bike was a sportster am only 135 ilb went to a road glide and old biker told to power threw it now we ride in 100 mph wind all the time don't think so come to Wyoming and i will show you well good luck and enjoy well keep watching
Fear is good. Embrace that. A motorcyclist without fear is reckless in my opinion. I have confidence you can get over this. Look up the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or the old "Galloping Gertie" video... I used to ride over that bridge every day, twice a day, for about 5 years... Even on a calm day, it's WINDY AS FUCK on the bridge. My recommendation is: lean into the wind a bit... Turn into it... You'll be alright.
Thanks, Shawn!
Ginger, I have ridden in very high wind/ gale/ hard rain- not by choice- it is scary! The road was closed to trucks due to wind too. I had to get home ( I was about 250 miles away), but luckily we found a service station, so we stopped there for a while.
It is a positive that you have experienced wind twice, so you kinda know what it is like. You will, in time, be able to cope fine with it. Again, some advanced Instruction maybe would help. plus I keep pushing you do do an Offroad course ( this will really build your confidence! fun too!). All I can say is watch the weather, eat more cake (lots of cake- it adds weight/ ballast hehe) , and try to avoid the windy days for now, until at least you have more confidence. At some stage you gotta front this issue head on....that is the only way to learn
Hi Gina, I must admit being surprised that you were so shaken (pun) by the wind experience. A little context, I've been riding since a young kid before you were born, so I don't really register 'newbie' issues like this. Yes I've been tossed around by the wind on countless occasions on quite a range of bike types and weights and know it's an irritation. For example, strong gusty side winds affect my ability to feel corners. But I've also ridden in snow, ice, mud, mud with ice below the surface, etc. And dirt ride on rough trails including "rock gardens". The reason it's all related is because it's all a matter of responding to perturbations. Some force is directing the bike off-line and you have to be quick and precise to apply corrective force to keep gettin' it. This only comes with experience. It's also why many of us encourage new riders to learn on dirt, like I'm teaching my grandkids. Turns out the wind is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. You never know when a tire or both might go into a slide when you're ducking into a curve, hitting an obstacle, or swerving to avoid something - you really don't want to say "I had to lay er down" if you can build experience recovering from such inevitable events. So, I don't want to seem terse, but you're just going to have to get used to the wind pushing you around. Or don't ride in it, but then you'll never overcome it. Anyway, there's no magic bullet save experience, I hope that helps, and God be with you.
Honestly, riding a 400lb sport bike in 40mph cross winds would scare more riders than you might think. You’re not alone. As others have commented, the bike wants to stand up straight at speed. Keep loose on the controls, grip the tank with your knees, and counter steer into the wind. Your body will learn the reflexes in time. Your experience is all part of the learning process. The worst thing you can do now is let it get in your head and stop you from riding. Ride with healthy fear, but don’t ride scared. You’re doing great!
And I just wanted to add.., YES I will stay home if the wind is blowing too much. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can suck the fun out of riding. I don’t get paid to ride, it’s a hobby. Hobbies are meant to be enjoyed.
Thank you! That’s all great advice. And yeah...it was like the perfect storm that day. Pun intended.
Rode today is some very windy conditions. I ride a Bonneville T120, essentially a naked bike. Your advice is spot on - keep loose on the controls, hug the tank with your knees, and counter steer into the wind. Interestingly, I didn't realize in the moment that I was counter steering, it just was a means to deal with the cross wind. The only thing I would add is that if you ride a similar motorcycle, it seems to help to lean forward a bit, otherwise your torso is like a sail in the wind and it really pushes you around..
Exactly what I do in these situations. Great advice!!!
You couldn’t have said it any better
As an advanced UK rider with 35 years experience I can empathise about the wind situation. It’s normal to feel slightly nervous when the machine moves sideways without any input from yourself. This is disconcerting especially when you are on the freeway when shelter from side winds is not available. Obviously avoiding freeways when the wind is high isn’t always an answer. Obviously too larger motorcycles are less affected by side winds. However you have a smaller motorcycle that will of course be affected greatly by wind issues. I have always been a little nervous about the wind. More so than rain. I can offer three pieces of advice. 1) crouch a little in the seat, less of a sail area to catch the wind. 2) you should know which way the wind is coming from, try to sit a little more towards the wind on your seat. I find sticking my knee out towards the wind helps too. 3) Large trucks will produce wind vortices in front and behind them, give them a wide berth.
I am really enjoying your videos They normally give me something to reflect on, we never stop learning. And all the best things in life have to have a degree of difficulty to be worth the journey.
Hey, Mark. Those are great suggestions. Thank you! I’m so happy to hear from people with years on a bike who truly speak from experience.
I only have 5 years experience, but I have used all 3 of these suggestions to help deal with the wind, and I find them very helpful.
That’s good to know, Patrick!
I agree those suggestions are spot on. I was told by an instructor pretty much the exact advise. There is no wrong answer its whatever you feel comfortable with. reschedule if possible if you get caught in the wind, like Mark said dont panic and sticking your knee out actually works it catches the gusts of wind between your leg and bike and helps hold you steady, also you actually may even lean into the wind like you're in a turn. And I have no problem slowing down. Thanks for sharing and hope you ride as much as you want.
Good tips there. I'd like to add that you should make sure to not tensing up on the bike. Fear can do that to you, but if the wind gives you a push, you don't wnat that to transfer over to your bike because you are sitting stiff on the bike with a death grip on the handle bars. If it gets to tense, take a break, shake the muscles loose and sit on the bike relaxed and only push on the bars to control the bike, not hold on for dear life.
Living in the Netherlands, close to the sea and riding a 1200GS, I regularly ride in windy conditions.
When you fight the wind by leaning into it and grabbing the handlebars more firmly, you cramp up and you become part of the motorcycle increasing the sail that catches the wind.
What you want to do is:
Relax, don't cramp, don't lean into the wind with your body, you stay upright on the bike, but you lean the bike into the wind. If the wind for instance comes from the right, lean your left knee against the tank and relax your right knee, try to relax your left hand to make sure you don't become part of the bike. If the bike is pushed further to the left, push a bit more with your left knee, to lean the bike a bit more into the wind. Stay relaxed, lean the bike, not your upper body that is trick.
An other tip: use "counter steering" to lean the bike a bit more (shortly steer to left, to make the bike lean to the right). You can find loads of info on counter steering on CZcams.
Don't stop riding because of windy weather, treat the weather as an opportunity to improve your riding skills.
I hope this helps a bit
As a fellow dutchy, I fully agree with what you've said. I only sticky my knee out with strong consistent wind. If it's gusty, I pinch the tank with my knees but keep my upper body relaxed and my arms slightly bent. I also try to keep my speed up (within reason of course) to steady the bike. Slowing down at each gust of wind just makes the bike more unstable. Having said all this, I grab the car if there's a storm. No need to take unnecessary risks.
great tip thank you
I'm skeptical of the idea of leaning the motorcycle with knee pressure. Next time you're out (I'll try to remember to try this too) take your hands off the bars for a moment to make sure you don't accidentally apply steering, and press on the tank with a knee. See if the bike turns. I predict it will not. I think what is happening is when you press with your left knee, you're unconsciously pulling back on the left grip as well. Countersteering is what leans a motorcycle, not knee pressure.
@@ntdscherer it's not about steering with knee pressure, it's about keeping contact with the bike so you can feel what the bike is doing (both your knee and your boot are in contact with the bike) that way you can quickly respond to variations in wind pressure.
The key is to lean the bike and keep your upper body upright as much as possible
@@theun65 Fair enough. This is the part I was responding to: "If the bike is pushed further to the left, push a bit more with your left knee, to lean the bike a bit more into the wind."
One thing I’ve learned is to stick your knee out in the direction of the crosswind. This does two things, 1) gets more weight on that side of the bike to handle the crosswind and 2) you leg acts as a sail and catches more of the head wind created by your speed and will help keep you from being blown around as much. Keep riding and be safe! 😉
Good advice.
This is the technique I use. I point my knee toward the wind, and my wife on the back does the same thing. It doesn’t stop it all but it does help tremendously!!
Wind is a thing … only practice and confidence in your skills will ease your fears.
Don’t avoid windy days go out and practice work from a slower speed up as your skills and confidence improve.
Where I live we have 60 +mph gusts often and over time you develop how to anticipate and correct for the gusts before they blow you out of shape. Just remember all the advice on technique is great but you have to put yourself out there and practice to improve.
You have to remember that the faster you go the more the motorcycle wants to stand up. Even when you are blown around the bike wants to stand up. The biggest trick is not to over-react and just let the bike handle it. I know it is easier said then done but it is what it takes. I have encountered massive winds. One time I was blown over to a 45 degree angle. Just stayed loose and the bike stood right back up.
I was just about to say the same thing 👌 Keep riding stop looking at forecasts :)
Thanks for that, Bryan. I like hearing about all of the different reaction to wind, and the thought behind those actions. That helps me. Appreciate it.
This is EXACTLY RIGHT. The gyroscopic effect is why we don't topple over. You just need to keep a cool head and be relaxed to let it take effect. The bike will do the rest.
There's gyroscopic effect on motorcycle wheels, faster you go the more stable it gets. I have been in your same shoes riding on the 10 freeway in Palm Desert, it gets very windy. For a new rider it's scary, I scoff it off with more lean. Good times.
The gyroscopic effect only works so much in wind. A spoked wheel rolling across a plane in wind is vastly different than a bike at speed with the aero profile of barn from the side. Wind WILL knock riders over, or the answer to crosswinds would just be "go faster".
Gina, every rider has moments where their confidence is shaken. It’s important to recognize when we encounter an area we need to work on. Riding in the open plains of the Midwest when I was in college, I would be pushed from some high unexpected winds strong enough to knock me into another lane on the highway. When I felt a sudden crosswind like that, I would steady myself and slow down. If the wind was consistently pushing from one side, I would ride closer to that side to give myself more room to move within my lane - although you need to be careful on this as wind is unpredictable and can easily change direction to push you the other way. I know riding in the center of the lane is not recommended but yes, I’ve done it with good visibility and high wind. But the biggest thing that helped was slowing down.
Great advice
Excellent advice.
Yep, riding in the wind can be scary especially if it's gusty. There's no easy solution, but there are things to remember.
1. Don't tense up and grip the bars tight, and keep your arms relaxed.
2. Just remember "a moving bike always wants to remain upright" This is due to the gyroscopic effect of the spinning wheels. So, even if you wobble, the bike will try to upright and straighten itself. (sit on a bike not moving and it will topple over, yet when moving, in remains upright) This is why you shouldn't grip the bars too tightly; you need to alow this to happen.
3. Avoid overtaking. Especially large trucks. The change in wind pressure as you emerge past the front of the vehicle you're passing can be dangerous.
What Bryan has said is absolutely correct. Especially the phrase "don't over react"
You gotta just go with the flow.
There's no magic solution, but I hope this helps you.
You also dont want to be right next to a vehicle either. You might be in someone's blindspot, so, overtaking a vehicle might be necessary. Also, the faster the bike is going, the more stable it is. The first time I got into high winds, I was on the highway going 70-80. I didn't even notice the winds all that much until I got into traffic going down to 30 mph. That's when I noticed how windy it was. If it's possible to ride a little faster safely, I would opt for that. The chances in pressure aren't as severe as when you're going at lower speeds because of the bike's gyroscopic effect.
I have ridden for 43 years if you include riding motocross before I was old enough to be street legal. You will learn with time what your limits are, and they will change with experience. But don't let it stop you from enjoying the love of riding. Alter your route or cut your ride short if need be but don't be discouraged. For much of my 20's my only vehicle was my bike so I rode though some bad conditions. But never feel you can't turn around and go home to ride another day. Always be safe. Enjoy your great new experiences and meet new people seen new places as you only can on two wheels.
You rode, you overcome and you'll ride again. You already know your limits and comfort zone. The more you ride, there will be no limits!
Wind ain’t no joke! We call riding “Wind Therapy”, but more is not better. I’ve cut rides short or changed plans because of gusty wind conditions, and I’m a big guy on a big bike. My advice would be to pay attention to the weather forecast, and be prepared for wind if they’re calling for it. Confidence comes with experience, but don’t be afraid to cancel a ride if it’s too windy. There will be other days to ride. Life’s too short to be miserable on a bike.
That’s my feeling too, John. I would rather reschedule a ride for a time that I can simply enjoy it, then battle mother nature. Thanks for sharing!
lol, but being miserable on a bike gives you the chance to tell your buddies how crappy it was afterwards over a few sherbets. Battling mother nature is half the fun, the other half is telling tall stories about it afterwards.
It will come 2 U. Just keep pushing on! All I have is my bike. No car ride in all weather. And remember only bikers understand why dogs hang there heads out car windows!
This. First time I hit serious cross winds on the expressway it definitely gave me pause. I slowed down and got onto the side streets with some tree cover. I just read a book called Proficient Motorcycling that has a bunch of tips about riding in the wind (essentially lean into the wind to keep your line). I’d suggest checking out that book. It’s a nice addition to the video content here on CZcams.
Hallo beautiful Ginger
My name is Joop ( sounds like yope)
So I am from Holland and I live very naar the coast of the North Sea
That means we are in for a lot of wind troughout the year
Therfore the famous dutch wind mills
The first and most important thing you need is an A++ .....
Guardian angel!
Now some tips , don 't cramp , staf relaxed, keep an eye on the trees , they tell
you a gust of wind is coming, lean your upper body towards the wind.
Search the youtube for content about it. I mean the learning topics !!
Not the accidents!!
What more to say : view the weather report, go out to and find a safe
road that is not protected from wind and practice and practice.
By raising the bar every time you are ready to do so.
Defy your demons!👹
One more thing, a set of decent tires have enough grip to keep the
bike from sliding out from under you
I understand your anxiety. Afther a riding winter of some 25 years
( afther my daugthers flee the nest) I started riding again and it took me
awhile to get comfortable.
Thats enough about me . If you want to know more , just ask me.
But I understand perfectly well that you connot have the time to respond to
anyone who responds to you. It is a hobby, not an obligation.
I hope to see you back in the saddle soon.
Toedels Joop
Ginger, I am 56 and started riding three years ago. I literally have nearly lost it twice due to winds (near Albuquerque) on highways. I had to pull over after the second one it frightened me so badly. The one thing I know is no one can tell you how to handle it. You either love riding enough to keep riding and trying and succeed, or you walk away. I watch several other female motorcyclist vlogs, considerably younger women, and they appear fearless. That is not me. I am pretty tenacious, but I also have a comfort zone. There have been times I have absolutely had tears streaming down my face, gritted my teeth, and pushed myself to get out of said comfort zone. I read this in a book and say it to myself, "Fear, you cannot be a passenger. Get off my bike". Sometimes fear listens, sometimes not, but I love riding, so I keep getting back on my bike.
Wow, Melanie. Your description of yourself is like reading about myself. Thanks so much for sharing that. 😊
Melanie, trust me, you didn't nearly loose it, it might have felt like you did, but you didn't. The bike leans in corners, the tyres hold the tarmac, it can also lean in winds just the same. You need to leave some space on the downwind side so a gust of wind can't blow you into anything, but the wind itself isn't going to blow you over or off the bike. You can crash the bike if you panic, but that's you that causes it not the bike or the wind. Left to its own devices the bike will just lean a bit, shift position a bit, and carry on going. Once you learn to trust the bike it won't feel so scary.
@@RalphXT all I know is I was traveling 75 mph and getting hit with a gust of wind strong enough to push me into another lane, all the while having the wobbles and trying to regain control, praying no one was coming up behind me doing 80 mph. I think the wobbles were caused by a the wind hitting my windscreen. I slowed to regain control, got back over in the lane where my husband was. He and I have a Sena system, he asked if I was okay enough to pull over. Yes I was. We did. I walked around for a minute, had some water because I had a SERIOUS case of dry mouth, and just breathed for a few minutes. My husband asked if I wanted to take a State highway home, and while the frightened side of me did, the pragmatic and tenacious side did not. So got back on The Bomber (my bike's name), and rode the hour home, praying the entire way!! We already had sustained winds from the west, but this was a gust. I can ride in wind. We live in the southwest, it's our normal. Gusts stink!!
@@RalphXT No, she really did nearly lose it. I watched her get hit with a side gust that caused her to break traction on the rear wheel and get moved about three feet to the right. Unless you've done a lot of riding in the American Southwest (where sustained 35mph winds, with gusts over 45 are not uncommon) then you really don't have a frame of reference for this type of open terrain and associated winds. Here, it is not uncommon for twenty mile stretches of highway to be shut down for winds. We've seen more than a half dozen tractor trailers at a time on their sides in the median and side of the highway from freak wind gusts. If they can be toppled, so can a rider riding on tire contact patches the size of two credit cards. I've also ridden in groups of thirty or more bikes where one can see the effects of the gusts in the middle of the pack - and where seriously experienced riders have been knocked over. Wind can be a serious detriment to riders, one that, here at least, must be honored when making the decision to ride. For new riders like Gina and my wife, wind can be a scary and potentially dangerous, riding condition. Yes, they can become more comfortable with time, but it's a little disingenuous to say one can never be unseated from wind.
@@dukenewton2368 So she did not come off, she got pushed into another lane, and so I rest my case. Lol @ 35 to 45 mph gusts, where I live in the UK I get that once a week in my back garden 😂 I'm a third generation motorcyclist, I've been riding 29 years myself, and toured all over the world, including riding in tornado conditions in Mexico, so I do have a frame of reference. Never have I ever in all my life on motorcycles heard of anyone be swept off their tyres by wind. If the wind was strong enough to do that you wouldn't be able to ride it I the first place. Gina does not need to fear that wind will do this, it won't.
Every rider gets scared and intimidated, it's what keeps us humble and alert. Having said that, crosswinds are no joke! I had gone from a 600lb Honda cruiser to a 476lb Triumph Street Twin. I could not get over how much the weight deference, and distribution of that weight had made with the wind. Riding near 18 wheelers and on grooved payment were the worst. I have since traded the triumph in for an 840lb Indian Challenger. (LOVE IT!) You can still feel the crosswinds and you still have to compensate, but they're not as intimidating. Same thing with grooved payment.
A couple of years ago i was coming back from Spain to the UK through France, and the wind blew for two days solid. You just have to stay calm, not tense up too much, lean into a bit, be aware that when passing larger vehicles there is going to be a hole in the wind and prepare yourself for it. The more you experience it, the easier it becomes. It all adds to the experience, and your experience; the important thing is to feel comfortable in yourself and your ability; and to get back on and enjoy. Enjoy your future journeys.
you fears are a good thing, keeps you focused and careful. being aware of what is happening or going to happen is the best course. i have a 2017 Ultra Classic and have been blown into the on coming lane by a cross wind. going to happen but you made it through your adventure safely. keep it up and you will get more confidence on how to handle things out of the normal.
Hi Ginger, I started riding at 15 years old, and now i'm 75 years old. I have ridden motorcycles in every type of weather condition you can imagine, snow, ice, rain and through a hurricane going down to Virginia Beach in September. The more different conditions you experience and miles you put on your bike the more at ease and confident you will become. The gyroscopic effect your 2 wheels produce by turning help stabilize the bike in a forward direction. So all you have to do is learn to lean toward the wind. This takes practice, and if you never took a slow turning class in your area I would advise it. It will give you the confidence you need to know what you and your bike can do. Go on CZcams and search for videos that demonstrate this technique. The more you and the bike become one in any situation the more confident you will become riding through anything. Glad you enjoy riding and keep up the good work, you will get there.
Thanks for the suggestions and the encouragement, William!
William you said it perfectly. Ive been riding since 1979 and just lean into the wind and RELAX, try to NOT get uptight. The more you try to analyze it the more it becomes an issue, I find that if I just relax and lean into the wind keeping myself centered in the lane and all is fine. The bike cant blow over if you are moving forward at nearly any speed, like William says the gyroscopic force wants to make the bike upright and straight and once the gust goes away the bike will straighten itself and all is well......as long as you just keep riding and roll with it. Here is something that might help your confidence. Ride on a calm day and move your center of gravity and keep riding straight. So to do this just shift your seating position to one side or another and offset yourself on the bike. This will make the bike want to "steer" in that direction, now maintaining the offset seating position just ride straight, centered in your lane. Switch from side to side and this will help train your "riding sense" for when things become lop sided like when wind blows you around.. It will become second nature after a while. Hang in there !!!!
Hi Gina These two reply are the best to listen to. I took a slow riding class years ago and routinely practice slow riding, “balance techniques”. Figure eights left and right and slow straight ahead with the bike leaned way way over left side then way over to the right, it makes you shift your weight but it teaches you that the bike will go straight no matter what if you have the right balance. It was said to me that you are riding twin Gyroscopes, and if you played with those as a kid (I did in science class, both small and large) you learn how much force and where to apply it to counteract the way they travel, it’s a "finesse thing” and no amount of adverse force is going to make it alter it’s intended coarse without it correcting itself upon it’s intended coarse, (physics 101). The slow riding balance practice gets that into your head and body. Once you have this proper weight/force placement engrained in your body and soul you’ll then know how to confidently counteract the wind forces acting upon the bike, it is the same at higher speeds just more finesse, a relaxed rider most often makes the best decisions, you always have to be prepared for changing conditions no matter life throws at you, as you gain experience never loose respect for the road. You will rise above this because sometimes you just gotta get home.
Ah yes Trucks and highways ~~ Just one more thing to remember ~~ I drive a Triumph America and inevitably when I am highway driving I will be reminded of the winds from trucks, “Hello” the same as a natural wind gusts but we often forget about them until we are reminded, I try to anticipate that wind “wall’ and shift my balance prior to passing or being passed by those trucks.
Keep riding and keep safe
Steve
Several years back I was riding my Harley roadking and I was pushed a full lane over from the wind. And the wind came from nowhere, It was not windy that day. Now the reason for it was I came up to a bridge that went over a body of water so there was nothing to stop the wind. If you did not crash or fall (as I did not ) try to run back trough what you did to keep the bike up and keep it with you. It is something that does shake you up so yes breath and just try to be prepared. Lean into the wind if you can and slow down is about all I can say. But for riding the short time you have been riding you did a great job. So yes let it shake you but also know that you handled it. You did take control and you came out a better rider because you were able to handle it. Stay strong in yourself and just know that you did great.
Thanks, Jeff! I think part of my issue is that I’m trying to control the uncontrollable. 😁
@@GingerDashMoto Kinda like getting a 3 year old to stop saying "why".
@@GingerDashMoto Even the big bikes and riders can be pushed around by the wind. A 250cc bike isn't that small, it's a proper motorcycle capable of 100mph, considering it weighs as much as two people, even though a big cruiser can weigh as much as a large family!
The wind is uncontrollable but you just have to keep your cool and control your bike as best you can. Sometimes these gusts are unexpected and catch out even very experienced riders.
Giving up and thinking you can't control it is the sure fire way to crash, whenever something goes wrong when you're riding always try to take control of the situation. As you found out, most of the time you can regain control by using brakes, throttle, handlebars and lean angle appropriately.
You have learnt a valuable lesson, early on in your riding experience. Imagine the shock it would have been if you had been riding a big tourer with a pillion passenger on board the first time you had such a scary experience!
I feel ya. The wind has pushed me pretty much into another lane. I try to avoid those days. But my advice would be to stay relaxed and calm and take precaution and the bike will do the rest.
I am pretty cool under pressure, but it was extremely unpleasant. Thanks for the comment!
I don't have much experience with heavy wind. On my most windy day I had about 80km/h headwind first, crosswind for a short stretch, and tailwind on the homeward bound leg. First, I had some fun just slightly opening my lips and looking at my ridiculously puffed out cheeks in the mirror (don't let it distract you for too long, of course). In the crosswind it's worthwhile having an eye out on the scenery and be aware of anything that locally blocks the wind and may cause turbulence, like hills, hedges, buildings, oncoming trucks and so on, or things that increase wind effects, like bridges. It's part of the whole intense motorcycle adventure, being in the middle of it all as opposed to sitting inside your bubble and letting the car take care of everything. A great mindfulness exercise, if you will.
On the downwind leg I grossly exceeded the speed limit at one point because the machine accelerated so much more easily than against the headwind and there was not much wind pressure on me, so my "feeling" for speed was totally off (feeling no pressure at all going 80km/h is my estimate for the wind speed).
Every day brings a new experience riding your bike. No ride is ever the same. Having a scare is what we all have , but as you know and properly heard many times, never relax and always factor in moments that can creep up on you. I also check the weather forecast and change my route if it is too windy on open roads. Learn from every moment that surprises you on the road, it will heighten your senses so that next time you will be able to smile about it. Keep going, life is too short
Theres no way round the elements,gusts of wind can be scarry Ive been on the motorway & been blown around from lane to lane throughout my riding history, thankfully this particular time it was a quiet day & I dont think size/weight of the bike plays any part as you are at the mercy of the wind,all you can do is get into the slow lane & drop your speed & pray the vehicle behind you gets the message,yes angry cars will still overtake you,but safety becomes priority,its not nice & it clearly has shaken you up,but for every windy day theres usually alot more calmer days so dont let it dampen how you feel about riding & keep the good memories alive
Been riding for 30 plus years, crosswinds are something that we should respect, and yes at times still frighten me. They effect all motorcycles, even my heavy Harley. On more than one cross country ride I've stopped and hungered down. Don't let this discourage you if you enjoy riding. Even know every time I head out at the end of the day I've learned something new!
Not much I can add, everyone's comments have been spot on. I learned by doing. South Dakota was the worst place, & fully loaded with camping gear. Yeah, hanging a knee ,stay loose , lean and relax. It's kind of like being on a sailboat where you have to find the perfect angle and list, then it's just beautiful.
Hi Gina Thank you for posting this. You keep saying that this is not a normal post but this is exactly what we need to talk about. There will be experiences that scare us new riders and probably some veteran riders too. It’s great the you can be honest and we can have this conversation and learn from each other. You have lots of support and encouragement from good people on your channel 🙂
Thank you, Laura. It means a lot that I’m able to connect with so many people here, most of them motorcyclists, and all are at a different place in their own journey on two wheels. I appreciate the kind words.
So now you know. That is part of gaining skill and experience through saddle time. This will not be the last unsettling thing on a bike. Last summer I was riding on an isolated country road and pretty suddenly my back tire was slipping around as I rode. I realized the tar snakes were still hot from being applied to the pavement, and there was no way to ride down the road without riding on just-poured tar snakes. To make matters worse it was a group ride so I was trying to hold formation through this. When we got to the next stop we talked about it...everyone had the same reaction - dang that was not fun! But now I know. Road markings can also be slick on wet pavement, dangerously so. The best part is that you didn't panic on the bike. Part of being a successful rider is learning to control your survival reflexes and use your skill to navigate those critical seconds. Give yourself a passing grade, and get back on the bike. There's plenty more to learn out there.
You will be able to handle wind and other stuff as you get more experience. You have to lean into the wind and sometimes push the handlebar that is on the side of the wind. In a sense you are turning into the wind (counter steering into the wind). Full faired bikes are like a big sheet of plywood in the wind. Weight doesn't effect it as much as space in the bike like a cruiser so the wind can go through the bike.
I suggest going out on the windy days and work your way up. Now 35mph is a pretty good wind, so don't be too hard on yourself. When I first started riding, rain was an issue for me. So when I was home and it started raining, I would hurry up and go riding close to home. Now, it is not an issue.
Just breathe, relax, no death grip on the bike, it will shake a bit and lean and counter-steer into the wind enough to hold your line.
That’s a lot of really helpful advice, Bob. Thanks! Those crosswinds just come out of nowhere. It was shocking to me that first time. But...I made it home. Tough it out and as you say, with more experience, I’ll only grow in skill and confidence.
I agree with this guy. But personally It's not enjoyable for me to the point that I don't ride if it's going to be too windy. But if you do be prepared for a gust anytime you surroundings change. If you have trees on both sides then they disappear get ready to lean in to the gust. Good luck, ride smart and look far ahead and watch your mirrors like a hawk when coming to a stop and while stopped.
@@GingerDashMoto the only thing I would add to the above comment is lane position can help with your ability to react . If the wind is coming from the right you will want to be on the right side of the lane so you have the most lane space to deal with the gusts of wind.
As others have said experience will help a lot. Most riders do not like gusty winds especially from the side. Trust yourself and the bike, do not over react or over compensate. BTW in all my years I have never heard of a rider being blown over while moving, parked bikes yes, but not a moving bike with a rider on it.
@@GingerDashMoto With the info Bob and zach gave like countersteer into the wind and proper lane position you should have no issues with wind. Don't avoid windy days though! I would say to go out specifically to practice and get more acquainted with it, as it becomes much less scary the more experience you have in those conditions.
weather from rain/snow/high winds will always push your boundaries of "confidence" I found out that Snow was something I will never ride in again.. High winds that are cross winds where you move from lane 1 to 2 if you would is rough. Only way to manage it is either stop and wait till those winds die down, or push through it and know that just like in a car if you feel yourself moving around slow down a bit, make sure you are in a good comfortable position to counter steer with any gust taht may come by, and remember with time comes experience. You won't get that experience unless you go through it. and you won't know what you can handle till you find the limits. Don't be afraid to pull over.. Don't be afraid to turn around and go home. or keep it close to home vs going for a longer ride.. and definitely don't think you are the only one that has ever felt a gust move them and be like well this will not be the most FUN ride ever but it will get you the experience and mental tough ness to push through it. and know not every day will be like that.
Also you could ultimately end up like some of the riders I know (like my dad) he tries not to leave the house on the bike if the temps are less than his age HAHA.. its funny but true.. he feels he shouldn't have to bundle up to enjoy something and that is his thing.. btw he is 63.. soo temps like that in the chicago land area are pretty much only 6 months out of the year LOL.
Honestly try every type of weather. go around the block, then a little further and with each time see how it feels, see how you handle it and see if you want to deal with it for an extended period of time. When you answer those questions, then you can either push past that limit and show yourself you can do it, or stay with in those limits and still know if you had to you can go further.
Keep up the fun vids. and good luck with the wind. it does suck but you can get through it.
One thing that motorcycles are good for is that the variables of the outdoors are more intense, if you can adjust for them that is good but if you can't like wind you just have to tough it out. Freedom baby.
The wind and thoes grooves they cut in the road used the really bug me.
Then what seemed out of no where it didn't. And I racked my brain trying to figure out what changed... the only thing I could come up with is I must have stopped freaking out and tensing up.
The more you ride the more you'll notice we put a lot of input into the handling of our bikes... your body position on the seat, your legs being against the bike or not, the amount of pressure you put on your foot pegs, tensions in your upper body can input steering in a bad way...
Your doing the right thing, by taking to others... One day this issue will be behind you.
You’ve just experienced one level closer to nature, that’s all. Well, nature combined with speed. In your car, you’re much more insulated from the environment; the temp, the smells, the wind, etc.. If you were riding a bicycle you’d get even closer to nature, and walking gets you closest of all.
Now you feel the wind as it’s no longer some abstract from the comfort of your car. You feel the rain on a motorcycle - it’s not just something that hits the windshield. You’re simply experiencing more of the natural world around you. On bicycles one begins to appreciate elevation changes and the real subtlety of their terrain.
And all of this stuff is why people (like me) ride motorcycles and bicycles. Getting closer to nature is good for the soul. So don’t be afraid. Be smart. Ride safe. High winds are challenging, but there’s nothing like having one at your back.
Consistent wind is pretty easy to handle. You just press the upwind handlebar and lean your bike into the wind. I have ridden all day like this and, although maybe a little more tiring, it's not too bad. Gusts are a little more problematic. But, if you can quickly countersteer to get around a sudden obstacle you already have the skills to handle gusts. When a gust happens you countersteer into the gust. With a little practice you can sense how much countsteering you'll need and it soon is no longer an issue. Also, you will start to learn where gusts are likely to happen: on bridges, as you pass hills, etc. That said, I rode one day across the Canadian prairies in light rain. When the tail-of-the-hurricane gusts occurred my countersteering didn't work. The gusts just pushed my leaned-over bike sideways across the pavement. This was truly scary. As soon as I could I pulled over until the rain stopped-about an hour and a half wait. Part of being a good rider is knowing when to stop riding so never feel bad about getting off the road if you're not feeling comfortable-for whatever reason: wind, hard rain, fatigue, anxiety, whatever. I tour a lot so ride in a lot of rain and wind. In my experience you will get more comfortable. The key is to relax and do what you know you're supposed to do. Tightening up on your bike and riding fearful always makes handling your bike more difficult.
my advice. if wind is making you nervous. find a lower speed route and just a bit longer to get home. lower speed will give you more time to react. interstates can be tough in the wind. if you can take route that has more buildings, trees etc. (e.g. city streets or tree lined road) to help block the wind the route will be easier. As others have said, if you have to ride in gusty wind ride toward side the road that will give you the most space to maneuver and allow you to stay in your lane with have a buffer to other traffic if you're hit by a gust. If in an area with large trucks, you'll find that when passing a truck (or a truck is passing you) you may get shielded from the wind for a bit, but when you move past the truck be prepared get hit by both wind gusts and turbulence from the truck. Stay as far from the truck as possible while at the same time be cautious you don't get blown into the next lane. If you can crouch down more than usual, your body will present less of a sail.
Retired to windy wild wonderful Wyoming. Lean into it, stay low and watch out for changing patterns like bridges, overpasses and terrain or vegetation changes. Experiece pays, it gets better over time.
I've my worst wind condtions ever coming south towards the interstate from Jackson Hole. And my worst weather incident ever was when I hit a pitch black hailstorm outside of Cheyenne. And then there was the worst fog that I have ever seen outside of Cheyenne. You folks have to be on weather alert up there.
dandan the fireman has a good tip for cross winds something like "sticking your knee out towards the wind creating kind of a sail" it helps keep the bike more upright and you don't have to fight as hard against the wind, and i can attest to this as I've done it myself and I think it works. (I don't think its some kind of placebo effect either, but to each their own.)
I’ve seen the same video and tried it myself. It does seem to help.
It really works cuts the crosswind like a sail..I felt my confidence hamper too. I thought I was going to get blown into a tractor trailer. It’s also my bike is around 400+ so I definitely can relate to feeling shaken.I monitor the weather now myself.
The biggest challenge i've experienced from cross-wind gusts is in the moment the gust stops. The gust causes you to lean into the wind and if it (the wind) comes to an abrupt stop the bike will naturally want to jump in the direction of the lean. It is imperative that I use push left/go left and push right/go right counter-steering handlebar inputs to get instant correction in my direction of travel. I have 42 years of consistent motorcycling experience and I'm not afraid to admit that when it's real windy I don't ride, not out of fear but I simply don't enjoy the experience.
I live in a very windy area. (regularly constant 35mph winds and 60mph gusts etc) I still ride all the time because if I didn't ride in wind I wouldn't ride at all. The biggest thing is to not tense up and stay loose. And not have bars where your arms are fully locked straight. By staying loose and not tensed up combined with not having bars that keep your arms fully straight allows you to keep your grip on the bars light and your arms loose. This enables you when there's strong wind or big gusts to take the hits or pushing without moving the bars. If you are tensed up or arms or locked straight or super tight grip (tensed) when the wind hits you it will move your body. If your body moves with your arms straight or tensed your bars will move. Bars moving makes you move all over the road. I'd suggest taking up the lane position that is closest to where the wind is coming from but in the farthest away lane to give you room to get blown around a bit. (Right to left wind go right lane position in left lane) That will give you the rest of that lane and also the shoulder if you need it. If other vehicles are moving around a lot too and you need to pass I'd go middle of left lane in given example so you still have all that room but also more of a cushion from the vehicle in the right lane. Ultimately biggest thing is to not tense up upper body and grip tank with thighs.
It’s a hard one. Wind, indeed any severe weather pattern, adds to the subtle layers that make up the riding experience. I live on the coast in the north east of Scotland and so do experience inclement weather. It’s not pleasant and is something to be aware of, however, you can’t give in to it, and while I would not suggest you ride in high winds for pleasure, I think it’s something you have to come to terms with. There is no straightforward answer, but just be aware on windy days to reduce your speed and try and give yourself as much room as possible, remember, always ride or drive to your capability, not the machines or anyone else’s. go easy on yourself, you got a fright, but it added to your knowledge base so you can add to your skills base. Oh, and try not to tense up or fight the machine too hard, modern machines like yours will come through it.
Thanks, Andrea. You’re right about all of that. Thanks for sharing!
I'm also from Scotland and passed my CBT and looking into getting a bike soon. This is good advice for me also so thanks lol
I would say that reducing your speed is not always the best action for this because the bike is more stable at speed and less input is needed to countersteer into the wind. This is from experience riding in very windy conditions through palm desert or on pacific coast highway with gustts coming from the beach.
@@geraltofrivia4651 It does take some adjustment of speed to find what's best for the road conditions. As motorcycles are more affected than four wheeled vehicles it isn't usually appropriate to try to ride at the speed limit in strong blustery cross winds. Most car drivers don't understand how badly bikes can be affected by crosswinds and poor road surfaces, so are confused if you aren't doing at least the speed limit on a 100+ HP motorcycle!
As you say, trying to ride too slowly in very strong winds can certainly make the problem worse, particularly when it comes to stopping at junctions and sharp corners.
“I kept my head, I didn’t lose control, and I handled it well.” I think your statement is self explanatory. You got this Gina. I hate riding in the wind, and I live in Kansas. I am not as impacted by the wind (TriGlide ultra) so other than telling you that I think you handled it well, my advise about wind would be less helpful. You got this!
Thank you, William!
I can remember back in CA 35 years ago when I was riding with a hard wind off the water. That bike was a Yamaha Seka II with Turbo and a relatively light front end. When the wind hit the bike, if my grip was relaxed enough, it would push the front tire to the right (I was going North, wind from my left side). This is exactly the same pressure as countersteer. That bike would lean into the wind automatically. AS LONG AS MY GRIP WAS RELAXED. I termed it "automatic countersteer". I loved it. I learned to relax while it happened. Various bikes since then have been better or worse at it. The new BMW K1600B has such a light front end it is very easy to press into turns. And it handles "Automatic Countersteer" perfectly.
I have been riding for over 30 years, and I have experienced wind gusts on more than one occasion. The wind is normal and gusts will happen. I once rode a GPZ 1100 (Pre Ninja) from Calgary to Winnipeg across the prairies with the wind blowing, while I was riding straight, the wind was so strong I was leaned into it constantly. Wind gusts can rock your world if you let them. When they hit you, on a small bike or a big bike, you feel it more if you are not prepared for it. I agree with one of the other commenters, confidence in riding can be shaken, but the more you ride the more confidence you get in yourself and your riding. If in doubt, don't go for a ride, put it off for another day. or hour. You choose when and where to ride, but if the weather sneaks up on you, slow down, pay more attention, and decide to pull over or ride to a safe place to wait it out. So welcome to the motorcycle club. Keep riding, I hear it in your voice, that you are enjoying it when you are riding. I hope that you continue your journey riding, but only you can make the decision. I can only offer you support.
As a rider that only started riding myself a year ago I found that the more I ride the more confident I become. Yes, things scare me but that’s how we learn and become better riders. Some level of fear is good because it keeps us from getting too silly and make bad calls while riding.
Very, very true! I've definitely gained confidence in this first year...just hadn't experienced wind before. One more thing to chalk up to "lesson learned". :)
@@GingerDashMoto Gina, with your new advice, go out there and do it again and see if you can master some of these moves. Always if you are unsure or insecure, slow down it gives your brain a chance to catch up. Then you will find your confidence will return. I always watch the trees and bushes ahead as these will let you know what to expect.
@@briansture4353 Agree. Slow down and chill. A strong gust will catch any rider's attention
I'm a light aircraft pilot and heavy winds can be scary. I also ride. Once your there you can't avoid the issue and the worst thing that happens is you tighten up, due to anxiety, and fight every gust. When you relax and the gust hits you, you will use your body more flexibly. Like riding a horse feel your butt down in the saddle. "Flying by the seat of your pants" does have meaning. If it's pushing you, maybe even into the other lane just go with it and be aware of every vehicle around you. So...relax...sit down...be flexible with your body and in you head and you will be OK. Everyone needs to learn to ride in a crosswind and if you're too frightened pull over and take a moment. Large trucks can be a similar problem.
Hello Ginger my name is Tom. It looks like you have gotten a lot of good advice about wind and gust of wind that has shaken your confidence. My advice is to continue to ride and get the experience that will renew you confidence. It is an uncomfortable feeling even to experienced ridders when you are hit by a side gust and you wheels are pushed from under you like you are cornering. Your confidence will grow the more you experience the wind.
Hey girl don't worry it freaks us all out. Because you can't see it coming it's just hits you but you'll learn to deal with it. It comes with experience like most biking things. Don't let it knock your confidence think of of as another lesson
As to practical solutions, follow McRider, Fortnine, MotoJitsu, Jerry Palendo, Doodle on a Motorcycle, Dan Dan The Fireman, and Yamynoob.
There are other CZcamsrs to follow, to learn to be a better rider, but these guys seem to me to have the best knowledge, and are interesting. Hope that helps.
Yah, I would highly recommend skipping "Yammynoob" Not exactly the face of safe riding. The rest are great!
you forgot Bret Tkacs...
@@Crazy-Chicken-Media Indeed I did. Thanks for mentioning him. A great instructor rider.
Just relax your arms, don’t be tense and look up videos about counter steering. The wind honestly makes very little difference, your input is what makes the everything happen. Keep the faith, every day is a lesson.
It’s exactly as you say, it’s a confidence thing, but also a light bike thing. I had a VFR800 some years ago and had to ride across a motorway bridge over a big river to get to work each day, it was often scary windy and felt like it moved the bike sideways. I changed bikes to a BMW S100R and I think the COG was much lower and helped a lot. All that said leaning forward and being aware that it’s windy helps to overcome this situation. It’s a normal step in your motorcycle progression we’ve all been here
As a newbie rider myself talking about your fears can be therapeutic. RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS ! God Bless and Be Safe
I know what you mean, there are times when you feel like you might be blown off the road while riding. I had a ninja 400 and experienced this a few times. Definitely the best way to counter it is to have proper lane position to give yourself enough room to counteract it. If it's a constant wind then you kind of end up riding leaning into it which is weird at first but you'll get used to it the more you do it. My confidence was really shaken when I was hit by a truck in my own neighborhood (he wasn't paying attention at all) and luckily he only hit the rear tire and I managed to stay upright. But since then I ride even more defensively than I did before and I kind of lost some enjoyment in riding. The confidence will come back! you may want to find an empty parking lot on a windy day and just practice riding in it. Enjoy the ride!
You're doing fine, the fact you can vlog about your experience means you handled the situation well. You just need some reassurance, that's why it's called a learning curve. Believe in yourself, keep riding and gain more experience.
Hey Ginger, yes cross winds are indeed scary and especially if you have only encountered this once or a few times before. I ride a naked bike (Ducati Monster 620ie) and I too have encountered such conditions in the past which scared the daylights out of me. The first time i was going over a bridge with traffic around me. I was unsure should I go slower or faster, in the end I did neither stayed focused and kept a steady speed of around 40-50km and thankfully once off the bridge all was fine again. I was talking with my brother in law today about how to ride in such conditions, questioning if a heavier or more powerful bike would help handle such conditions. His simple advice was a clear no. I respect his views as he has been riding for around 47 yrs and has 3 large classic Ducati’s. His simple advice was to have done as I did, remain calm, keep your body loose and to basically practice riding in all kinds of conditions. Personally, I have avoided going out on windy or rainy days, as I don’t like such conditions but of course the inevitable will happen and I will be out riding and experience such conditions. The key I think asides practicing is to ride as safely as you can.
I'm 71 years old and have been riding for 25 years. Before we get to the wind, you need to "lighten up." A black jacket with a dark colored helmet is not good - the main problem with collisions with cars is that they can look right at you on your bike and not notice you. Safety studies have proven that a white helmet will reduce your accident rate over a black helmet. In addition, you can add a Hi-Viz bright yellow Helite 2 airbag vest over your jacket and be more visible that way and have added protection from the vest. Another issue is "blocked vision," which causes a big percentage of very serious motorcycle accidents. A car driver at a side street or driveway can't see you on your relatively narrow motorcycle, but goes anyway, violating you right-of-way and causing a nasty collision. So you have to scan for "blocked vision" scenarios where car drivers' vision is blocked. For wind, I was on a road in Wyoming that actually had permanent signs "High Wind Area." No shit. I could barely keep my bike on my side of the two lane road. Usually a steady wind will tend to lean the bike the right way for you. It was not fun. You may have to add a bit of counter-steering. Overtaking tractor trailers, you have to anticipate the sudden end of the crosswind as you reach the back end of the trailer, and then the sudden strong crosswind as you reach the front of the truck and the "bow wave" the truck is causing. I don't think any of us are entirely comfortable with strong, gusty winds.
Here in Colorado, we get crazy winds at times. All I can say is keep steady and don’t let it scare you.
I have never had wind push me over or cause issues and I have been riding for 25 years.
Hi Ginger Dash! Keep 'em coming!
Just seen your channel and enjoyed the down to earth honesty you put out there . I’m from England with 39yrs riding experience and still love it , maybe even more so than ever . Wind is something you can’t do much about . It is a bit hairy getting sideswiped across the motorway/freeway but just lower your speed and keep your body in some tension holding on a bit tighter .
You’ll be fine . Enjoy yourself .
Hi Ginger, All riders come to the point ,have they made the right decisions in riding a motorcycle, I’ve been riding M/cycle for years dry roads wet roads and snow and windy rides , small motorcycle tend to get blown about a lot more then bigger motorcycle , when I’ve been out and the wind is blowing say from the right ,lean your bike into the wind (right side ) and move your body weight to (left) as if your riding more to the left hand side of the seat, this will change the centre of gravity of the motorcycle and help it go more in a straight line and not be blown off to left . All the best Graham.🇬🇧👍
Ya, everyone I know has been blown around the place by heavy winds, including myself. You're still a relatively new rider. As an old timer, I'm going to lay some advice on you. Don't be afraid to leave the bike at home during treacherous weather conditions. One of the biggest killers on the road is ego. Don't let it get the best of you. A steady wind is one thing. Gusts are altogether different.
There is another wind hazard that you haven't experienced yet. Sometimes gust will blow debris, branches, leaves, whatever suddenly across the road. I'm not known for backing down, but I will when there are heavy gusts.
It's not about confidence. It's about keeping the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
You are absolutely right. Ego has no place in this. Thanks for the reminder.
Don't over drive the conditions. Slow down when in doubt. Lean into the wind. When passing a semi, know their will be turbulence and learn when there will not be turbulence. Practice and don't give up.
Wind gusts/cross winds are no joke, every rider gets scared, it's normal. To be fearful is to be human. However, do Keep Riding!
Get as low as you can to the tank, tuck everything in to reduce friction. With highway riding let's say cross wind is blowing from left to right then you ride in the left tire track, taking up and extreme blocking position, (you will be compromised as you will be leaving a lot of the lane beside you available for another vehicle that's ok as you need the space) and lean into the wind, the worst that will happen is you get blown to the middle of the lane. As you get closer to bigger vehicles you move into the middle lane to avoid vehicle wash and wind gust, once passed the vehicle you take up your position again. If the wind is blowing right to left then you do the opposite.
On a single 2 lane carriage you do the same but not so extreme with your lane position. Depending on how far you are from home/destination , take a few planned breaks to help with focus, fatigue and of course anxiety. I have been riding for 13 years and I still don't like riding in windy conditions, so if it is high winds outside and you don't have to start a journey, then don't wait it out.
Ginger , what I have done a couple of things that had worked for me. a) lean into the wind... and lean your body forward (position your chest on top of the gas tank), thus creating more aerodynamic if you need to go faster. b) If you are not in a rush, my recommendation would be to slow down considerably. Go into the slowest lane. Do not get discouraged, just learn to feel the bike during this condition. Take your time....
I was riding east on a highway near Kingston, Ontario, when a front rolled in and the wind whipped as a crosswind from Lake Ontario. I was getting badly buffeted. I said to myself, "Just be steady, and eventually you'll ride out of this situation." And that's what happened. So that's the advice I would give others.
Beautiful area - just through last fall!
@@ronnykarlstetter6734 Yes, it certainly is.
Crosswinds can quite scary, fairings on a motorcycle can act like a sail so just reduce speed and focus, you'll be ok, I myself avoid windy days to enjoy the ride .....👍
I had a 98 GSXR750 and a 2002 GSXR1000. I tuck in, throttle up and cut the wind. That's how I deal with crosswinds. Riding in Cali is the best, lane splitting is legal. Good times.
I have a lighter naked bike and I totally understand your feeling of fear in sudden push from the wind. It's never pleasant. But the more you ride, the more stuff you'll experience and understand how to react to. Main thing is to remain "in control" so to speak. At times, if the condition allows, pick up some speed as it kinda makes bike more "unwilling to be pushed around". I'm no expert, just speaking from my experience.
So dealing with crosswinds is counterintuitive, support your bodyweight by gripping your legs on the tank and relax your grip on the bars. Also, getting low on the tank helps. Bottom line, some people being the highest element on their bike and least secure tend to tighten up their grip and support their bodyweight against the wind by holding tighter to the bars. When you tighten your grip and lock your arms, you actually amplify the winds affect on the bike because with your arms locked every gust of wind translates directly down through your arms to the bars. This makes the bike seem even more nervous and more susceptible to wind gusts... because you are (by being locked on the bars). So as counterintuitive as it might seem, as with most control issues on a motorcycle, the solution is to support your bodyweight with your legs on the bike, and relax your grip on the bars. Just use the bars to steer and not to hold your bodyweight and I think you'll feel much more in control.
cross winds can be intimating, you can lessen the skating feeling by leaning into the wind . Hang in there your confidence will come with experience
Thanks, Kevin!
I think after you learn to become more comfortable with steeper lean angles it won't be such a problem.
Yes, it's scary ! I've been riding bikes for 44 years now. I ride a big bike ( CBR Honda Super Blackbird 1100cc ) The Blackbird is known to be Airodynamic. Normal winds does not phase me at all, but a few years ago my girlfriend and I came back from a rally, and we hit cross winds of about 110 km/h, that was SCARY. We would stay straight but the bike felt like it was blown from under us, it was the furthest 150km I've ever done, Eventually I turned up the speed and rode through it. I must add, I was actually too scared to stop, because I thought the wind would blow me over if I stopped. So, yes you will feel it, being lighter as bike and person, just watch the weather, yes, you will get caught unawares, then deal with it. When riding in cross winds be especially careful when going across bridges, I know of bikers who's been blown off bridges, and into oncoming traffic in strong winds. Do what you feel comfy with.
Hi Ginger. I was also a novice rider with a 400 pound bike some years ago. It was Friday evening at the start of Memorial Day weekend. I was riding north on I-95 through South Carolina. Traffic was light and I was in the left lane doing about 85. It was a warm, beautiful evening. I was approaching the North Carolina border about half an hour before sunset. Suddenly, everything just got dark. It was like you had walked from the lobby into the movie theatre itself. I could just make out the trees ahead on the left and they were bent about 30 degrees to the right. At that moment my bike and I got lifted up and placed three feet to the right. I leaned heavily left into the wind, but kept getting pushed to the right. I realized that I was going to get pushed off the road and that I had better slow down before that happened. To my horror, the more I slowed down, the faster I got pushed right. I was probably doing 50 when I ran out of breakdown lane. I thank God there was no guard rail. I laid the bike down, dove over the clutch handle, tucked and rolled down the thick grass embankment. I popped up to see my bike finishing it's slide into the gully at the base of the embankment. As I walked over to the bike I could make out a tornado tearing up a field several hundred yards away. I ran down to the gully, hid under my bike, and grabbed a couple of handfuls of grass with all my might. Fortunately the tornado went it's own way, but the skies opened up with thunder, lightning, rain, and hail, so I just stayed put for a while. Neither I or the bike were the worse for wear, but it was a scare. Again, I was grateful there wasn't a guard rail and also that this hadn't happened an hour earlier as I was flying over the Santee Cooper Bridge(they would have never found me). I'm not a meteorologist, but I think I was just unlucky enough to have experienced a wind shear event ahead of a really violent weather front. Anyway, as with you Ginger, my experience with the wind shook me and gave me a very healthy respect and awareness for weather conditions. From then on I would factor weather conditions and forecasts into my riding plans. Just one more thing to be aware of, like clueless drivers, road conditions, etc. I wish you all the best in the future. Drive safe!
Have you ridden at night yet? totally different world. practice.. practice
I have ridden at night. Not my preferred riding time, but it doesn’t bother me.
I'm also a new rider on a small bike (Ninja 250), and when I started out last year, I had old tires and the wind would blow me all over the place and scare the hell out of me. New tires made it a little better, but wind could still be an issue. Someone gave me the following advice, and it seemed to help me: "It's basic physics: the motorcycle wants to go down the road the right way. Don't try to outthink the bike; you'll just overcompensate and make things worse. Just stay loose and let the bike correct itself when it gets blown around."
I won't say I don't get scared by a serious wind gust, but I will say that this approach has worked really well for me and it's reduced my fear factor significantly.
Great advice, Edward.
Oh the memories this brings back. Your anxiety and fear is normal and justified. The secret to overcome that fear and anxiety is to get back on the bike and ride in wind. Learn the wind and become one with the wind.
What I mean is to look ahead and try and see what the wind is up to. The foliage on the sides of the road will move before the wind hits you. Position yourself to take the guys and move with it and adjust your position to compensate. If you see the treetops or bushes start to move you Kronos it’s coming. Don’t stiffen up but be ready for it. Lean into it a bit and be ready for the wind to break so that you can adjust. You will move with it but you should be able to control it. Slow down and concentrate.
My wife (on her Bonneville) and me on my cruiser were caught in some wind that moved us side to side in our lanes. We slowed, we watched ahead and were able to compensate. We took breaks more often to collect our thoughts and nerve but we made it.
Practice and never give up. You got this.
Congrats on joint the biking family. I started riding when I turned 60 and have been riding 9 years and am on my third bike. I have a friend who has ridden most of his life and he is reluctant to ride when windy, for him it’s a bit of a phobia. He had warned me about windy days and at first I was worried when the bike was pushed around. I got over this when I did an advanced rider course on a racetrack on a very windy day. That taught me to trust the stability of the bike, a bit of movement is ok and the bike will be ok. You can always slow down if it’s a problem, and of course your skills are improving all the time.
It’s a bit like riding in the rain, after you have done it a few times and taken due care it’s no longer a problem.
Remember the biggest danger on the road is cars not seeing you, so watch them like a hawk.
Love your videos, keep it up.
So sorry that you had this effect your confidence sudden gusts are the worst especially when your going past side roads i tend to try and position myself in the middle of the road gives me more of a chance of combating the conditions and body position is important and try be relaxed the more tensed up you are the more difficult riding your motorcycle will be .carry on enjoying your motorcycle experience there’s nothing better than been on two wheels stay safe
We got stormy winds here, where i lived. Today was the same, i just made a 35 km ride at hi wind conditions with my XMAX125 which is about a 175kg bike. You dont have to afraid from the wind, just caltulate the direction of the wind well and hang on tight, open the gas then keep going, dont be afraid. Push the handle bar against the wind! You can do it girl, think of Red-Sonja, Girl-Power👊🏻
Your not alone . Hang in there , don’t stop riding . I will sometimes lean forward on my bike and make myself “smaller “ and have the wind go over and around me. Slide back on the seat and lean on the tank. You can always slow down to a comfortable speed or pull over and wait it out. Love the videos, keep it up!!
I agree. I ride a bicycle, motorcycle, and a Jeep. The wind can really suck sometimes. I just muddle through.
I always try to check the weather before I go out. Sometimes you can't help being caught in it but keep your composure. If you feel you need to stop for a bit stop. Gather your thoughts. Find an alternate route where you can go slower. I had a tractor trailer blow past me on the expressway doing 80mph once. The gust almost pushed me into the next lane. Now I steer clear of them. Lesson learned.
I have been nearly blown out of my lane while operating several types of vehicles. This includes cars, mini vans, pickup trucks, pickup trucks pulling a trailers and motorcycles. They are all scary in their own way. But most of us have spent more time in cars, SUVs and pickup trucks so we are more comfortable in that situation.
The way that being blown on a motorcycle is scary is the lack of a protective cage that other types of vehicles have. With other vehicles we are protected by the protective cage during a crash. The lack of a protective cage is something that is always true. But we are reminded of that risk by the wind.
For stead crosswinds I like the advice of counter steering to cause the motorcycle to lean into the wind. Initially it is weird and scary to lean into the wind while going straight. It never stops being weird. This is specially true with high wind when gently turning away from the wind. If feels like the bike is leaning the wrong way, because it is.
Varying crosswinds are much more scary than stead crosswinds. The amount of lean needed for the wind is constantly varying because of the varying wind. Being able to predict the various can be helpful. If it is gusty wind conditions predicting is very difficult.
There are times when it is easy to predict variations in the wind. Example, you are riding on an interstate highway with wind blowing stead from your right side. If you decide to pass a large vehicle on its left side the wind will stop blowing on you as you are passing that vehicle. The large vehicle is blocking the wind. You must stop leaning into the wind just before going beside the vehicle. This is done by stopping the counter steering needed to lean into the wind. If you don't do this it will feel like the motorcycle is being sucked toward the vehicle. Generally that is not what is really happening.
Considering that large vehicles block the wind it may be tempting to ride beside them. This is a bad idea for many reasons. The wind related reason is that it provides a false sense of security. Large vehicle are often effected as much or more than motorcycle by the wind. They could be blown into your lane. High crosswinds can even cause them to roll over. You don't want to be beside them if either of these happen.
Standing still isn't much of a solution either. While standing still I have felt like I was about to get blown over. I have seen motorcycles parked on their side stands blown over.
Crosswinds can be very scary specially when dealing with other traffic. With lot of (unplanned) practice in low traffic conditions I no longer find wind any more scary on a motorcycle than in other vehicles.
Their are several comments advising "get off the highways and take back roads." I kind of agree with that in a way. It is about getting away from traffic and other hazards that are demanding your attention. As much a possibility be in a situation where you can deal with the wind without having a bunch of other hazard demanding your attention. This is how we all learned to deal with other hazards. The first time we rode at highway speeds it wasn't in a high traffic area during rush hour. It was during time of low traffic so we could become comfortable with the speed before also adding traffic into the mix.
With experience wind can become similar to other hazards we regularly deal with while riding. The challenge is that in many parts of the country we don't get as much practice with wind as we do with other hazards.
Thanks for sharing, Ernie. Much appreciated.
Every rider at one point in their riding experience endured wind, bad rain storm or anything that mother nature throws at them. Everyone knows their limits but it's something that we probably put in the back of our heads and use it as a caution. But it's something we all have to overcome and know the reason why we enjoy riding our motorcycle. I believe you will keep that in your mind for a safety precaution.
The BEST way to overcome this is VERY practical, apply the rear brake lightly when the crosswinds hit . What it does is plant the bike better on the road . Believe me it’s the best WAY .
Work through your fear. I have ridden since the age of 13, (now 78) getting my first 650cc Triumph when I was 16. I have been blown off the road during raging rainstorms. Fortunately never going down, but having to power my way out of drainage ditches, far from home, on wet grass, in the rain. As you recognize, some bikes are more skittish than others. Big trucks hide and park to avoid high winds, so motorcyclists should not be concerned about not riding in bad weather. Don't be scared off. Just do it. Shawn Smoak loves to ride in the wind. Some riders love the wind, so it can't be all bad. My advice is to avoid riding in traffic when the wind is an issue. The wind will not hurt you, but getting blown into the path of an oncoming car might ruin your day. Keep riding--say safe, and I will watch your next video.
Couple thoughts: first, I think you need to face your fear and ride on gusty days...take it easy at first (maybe avoid the windiest days), but on a marginal day, go out and get experience. Keep at it...as you get more experience, your confidence will grow, and you will learn what your bike wants to do in adverse conditions. As this continues, you will be able to handle worse and worse weather. Next, as others have said, don’t tense up...you have to let the bike dance a bit, just as you would on a milled highway. On gusty days, ride on roads you know well and which have less traffic...give yourself margin for error. But you have to learn your dance partner’s habits...there will come a day when you go out in good weather and get surprised by a storm...be ready for it. Finally, all bikes are subject to wind...even my old bike (850 lbs HD) would move about in bad weather. Current bike (BMW light tourer) gets tossed around a lot. It’s a drag sometimes, but I have confidence in her. Motorcycles at speed have a lot of gyroscopic stability, so you have that working for you. Good luck...keep riding!
Thanks for asking the hard egoless questions. And a big thanks to your subs who graciously gave their input. Helps people like me who are sometimes questioning the decision to go out there and do something they’ve never done before.
Like so many experience motorcycle riders and my self are saying. The more you ride in those conditions the more you will get used to it. Not the best conditions to ride in strong winds. The same thing as riding in the rain and the Cold. None of them are good to ride in I know. But don't let it bother you. And you will be fine 👍.
I have been riding since 2000 and strong winds still causes me anxiety and I will take my truck if strong winds are in the forecast. I am looking forward to your next vlog.
Having grown up riding in North Dakota, riding in the wind was a daily experience on the great plains. Let the bike move, don't fight it, that just makes it worse. Once you get used to the bike being pushed around, it actually gets easier. The bike won't get blown over, so don't worry about that. Use your counter steering to help put you back where you want to go. If the wind hits you from the right, push in on the right bar so the bike will go back to the right. But do it smoothly, no sudden movements. Practice this on a calm day, when you're riding down the road, think to yourself "just got hit with a sudden wind from the right, what do I do?" Practice your avoidance maneuvering, countersteering, etc. The more you practice this, the more it will become second nature to you when the wind hits, or something jumps out in front of your path. Riding a motorcycle proficiently is about two things, practicing maneuvering the bike and situational awareness. You're coming up to an intersection and see a car with their left turn signal on coming towards you. What do you do? You should be thinking about what you will do if that car turns in front of you. If you're riding along a road with driveways, you should be thinking about what you would do if a car comes backing out of the driveway into your path. Situational awareness and knowing how to maneuver your bike in those situations are the key to making you a better rider, and then ultimately enjoying riding because this all becomes second nature. Good luck and keep riding!
Same thing happened to me! A 60mph gust nearly caused me to drop my bike while stationary at traffic lights. I'd been a bike rider for about 6 months. I realise now that back then, I was on a steep learning curve. I've dealt with it in two ways, really. I've relaxed more on the bike (due to having a little more experience these days I suppose) and I don't ride in bad weather anymore. Motorcycling has to be fun for me so I just do it when it suits me. I used to ride everyday because I had a lot to prove 28 years ago! Looking forward to sharing more of your journey with you, Gina. Take care.
I think you did great in managing your fear, using it to increase your focus and keep on riding.
I commute on my motorcycle all year around. Wind, ice, light snow, heavy rain, strong wind, fog, fog that ices on your visor (I hate fog so much...) everything scared me when I first started.
Strong wind bursts are not different than icy patches on the road, they get you by surprise and you deal with them like you did: you get that inevitable "zap" of fear, then you use it to increase your alertness and you trust your motorcycle's dynamics.
I think it might be helpful to realize that wind bursts do not actually make the motorcycle loose grip, the bike doesn't "jump around", the bike simply "steers away" from it, in the same way we make it steer in a bend: the bike suddenly leans over so it turns.
The good news is that, if you find the time to practice some slalom, at speed, in parking lot, you will realize that the force the wind applies to your motorcycle is literally nothing compared to what your motorcycle can actually handle in terms of sudden steering.
I will suggest you to seek out windy days to practice. As others have pointed out, when you feel the strength of side winds too uncomfortable, keep the speed and duck in. Just be prepared to lean against a constant cross-wind or counter-steer against a burst.
Ive on a bike from the age of 15 and im 54 now riding the small bike was fun in the wind that hardest bit was cars / trucks overtaking so when I got a bike that would do the speed limit they don't overtake anymore. so that sorts one problem . now then side wind if its constant then it isn't that much just lean into it, and look out for gaps in the road like hedges / buildings/ walls as they will make it like a gust. Gusty wind is always a problem but I found that going quicker acted like a knife cutting through the wind ( more so on a sports bike) but you have to be ready and know how far to push it and also how far you will drift as you do NOT want to drift on to either oncoming traffic or the sidewalk.
no matter how long you have been riding gusty wind isnt nice or fun so if your riding for fun then dont ride in gusty weather.
you made me smile when you said I ride fast at 75mph . Here in the UK our limit is 70mph so even with my 1200cc ninja bike I cant do that fast :)
just ride safe is the most important bit , I've spent too much time in hospital, I just look at it as every one on the road has not seen me and that if they have they are trying to kill me
Of course you were rattled - every rider has the same story. I’ve got one too. But just one. There is fantastic advice sent in from your supporters,stay loose, knee into the wind etc. Now you know what to do - go practice it. Don’t fear it, you’re too strong for that. You’re going to take a trip over a couple of days, your bike will be loaded up and a crosswind will hit you. Can’t turn back, don’t have to, you know what to do now. You’ll be fine, so fine that you won’t “white knuckle”, countersteer into the wind, look at the trees for clues of wind gusts, and Carry On! As a male rider it really is refreshing to have you recount your anxieties so honestly. Men don’t do that, we learn the hard way. Good on you - proud of you, I’d ride behind you any day.ANY day.
Appreciate you being real and vulnerable. I'm turning 50 this year and only started riding two-and-a-half years ago. I actually cancelled my ride today because of the weather forecast for gusts and heavy rain. Tomorrow is another day :) Lots to learn!
Wind. My best advice, the more riding experience you gain, the better prepared for adversity. I have ridden in some nasty xwind situations - riding on the Canadian prairies comes to mind. Experience will guide your decision making on your bike. If it is windy, pull over at a truck stop and have an iced tea (I would have a coffee) and wait it out for a while. Incidentally, a bigger-heavier bike is less susceptible to wind.
I rode for 2 hours in high wind. My heart would jump every time it pushed me. Just go as fast as your comfortable with. Fear keeps us in check. No fear leads to mistakes. I was on a GSXS1000F. Even though it is heavier I still got buffered about.
Your sharing and all of the comments has at long last given me my 1st good reason for riding a 900 lb. Beast as my first motorcycle. I will be on guard when i finally experience high winds thanks to you. Please keep sharing you are my inspiration.
Awww...thanks so much, Tracy! Safe riding!
I live in the Nederlands which is known for being flat as a pancake and VERY windy, since I ride a fully faired bike like yours, here's the best advise I can pass on ... from personal experience and what I've learnt from others...
1. Grip the tank with your knees firmly, that's how your attached to the bike, grip the handle bars GENTLY imagine your holding eggs .. now your not jerking or adding reaction inputs to the bike .. the bike always want to stay up and go straight, thank gyroscopic motion and physics for that.
2. Choose your lane position 1 or 3 depending on the wind direction so you have lane space when your pushed. Always move over to 3 when your about to cross a heavy truck or trailer as they can buffet you.
3. Trust the fact that it's normal for the wind to blow you about and go with it, your fixed to the bike with your knees right? You should not expect to maintain a straight line.
4. Counter steer and lean into the wind slightly when not countersteering. So your leaning into the direction of the wind to negate it, when a gust blows you from say left to right i.e. position 1 to 2 or 3 take the hit and just lean in more and apply Counter steer. You'll look like your winding all over your lane but that's pretty much all the car behind you will see and probably maintain a safe distance. Any other biker all know what your doing so in summary don't try to fight the wind try to flow with it.
Hope that helps a bit 😊 Ps: you might want to tuck in a bit and assume a more aggressive racing position to get your helmet and upper body out of the wind as much as possible, your body acts like a sail making things worse in high winds.
Rode back home from Oklahoma when I was 18. 50-60 mph gusts the whole way. Riding north was eerie. Going at speed and the wind was a near dead calm. Made it to I-70 and the tailwind becomes a crosswind. Unrelenting until I made it home four or five hours west of where I pointed my nose at the sunset. It helps being young and stupid. I can look back on it fondly, but I remember dismounting at a friend's house completely wrung out. I was sore for days.
Fighting the bike rapidly showed me how much harder I was making it for myself. A gust would hit, the bike would lean into it, practically horizontal, and the gyroscopic action of the wheels would bring me upright again. Keeping my balance was not an intuitive act until I had a bit of room to see how the bike wanted to move.
I had two advantages over your experience. 1: Being young and invincible some 28 years ago is not something I can impart, but I can't escape I would have pulled over these days. 2: I had a bike better than 150 pounds heavier than yours.
If there's any advice I can give, it's give yourself some room. Let the bike lean into the wind, and, strange as this may sound, raise the center of gravity on the bike itself (a tank bag or backpack strapped to the back seat full of... useful stuff. Maybe a case of bottled water.) Lowering the CG is a bit much short of a new bike (mine was a 1000cc incidentally. Solid, fast, geared all wrong, and I think you'd be tickled to have the modern equivalent to your bike in this size, but I digress.) But tires, pressure, focus, and ability you have down.
Thanks for sharing, and for the encouragement.
Oh yeah. I once pulled off the road sheltering from wind and hail under an overpass, along with 6 other bikes. 👍
Some really good advice in the comments, Always check the weather, Gusting winds can be really difficult to ride in, it's all about building your confidence which only comes with experience. Good luck and ride safe. Never be afraid to cancel a ride.
Thanks for picking up this issue! Now I will be more prepared when the wind hits me. I see you get lots of advice which is good for me as a newbee. ;)
I got hit by a wind shear in the West Texas desert a few years ago. They are big cold masses of air that fall out of the sky and hit the ground and then expand like an upside down explosion. I was on 600 pound sport tourer. The wind burst hit me so hard it blew me out of my lane at 80 and had me barely clinging to the edge of the pavement. It scared the F out of me. Such things are part of riding a motorcycle. The lighter your bike, the more susceptible you are. If you are going to ride you are going to be at risk of such things. Usually strong winds are seasonal and you can hedge your odds by watching the weather and staying off the road when cold air masses are likely to collide with warm ones.