Riding in the wind - nearly got killed

[kevinheb]

I have been riding since August and have been really enjoying it, as I left work tonight I noticed that the wind seemed really strong. I have a 25 mile commute from Weston to Bristol along the A370. It was absolute hell, at one point on the Long Ashton Bypass I actually got blown onto the oncoming vehicles, and i really don't know what I could have done to prevent it (except not to have ridden today, but I had no idea of the conditions when I set off this morning). The wind was REALLY strong, all the way home I was being blown to my right, and steering to the left was at times impossible.

Does anyone have any advice for riding safely in these conditions? It's really thrown me, and made me question whether I'll continue riding.
____________________
YBR 125 (sold) > YBR 250 (sold as spares/repair) > F650CS

[Supermoto_Fan]

Depending on the bike, i find gripping the tank with your knees and inside of your leg help a bit, other than that, just to grit your teeth and get on with it, or use the cage if you have that luxury
____________________
Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[doggone]

Bigger heavier bikes are better, and bikes with enclosing fairings are often worse than naked styles in crosswinds.
You can get cues as to where wind might be stronger or weaker in daylight but it gets difficult after dark.
Truth is very windy weather is best avoided riding in if you don't have to.

[FireStorm-X]

Hi there

Is it posable to find a more sheltered route home ? Might take a bit longer but might be safer ?

I have 2 routes, my normal one and one that is a bit longer but has high hedges that protect me from the wind.

Also a good tip, look at the trees, bushes on the side of the road if there are any. They will let you know in advance of any strong cross winds
____________________
Lexmoto Street 125 (sold) - Kawasaki ZR7S

[esullivan]

A motorcycle isn't really an all-weather mode of transport, despite the testosterone-dripping posts you see here sometimes. A YBR 125 is no match for 60 mph gusts. Take the bus, or the car. There's no shame in it.
____________________
Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[J.M.]

[ADSrox0r]

I left the YBR at home today for the first time in months, just far too gusty for my NSL commute.

I keep my eyes on the weather reports, if it says gusts are above 35mph I tend to leave the bike in the garage.

[Kradmelder]

Use your feet, stomping grapes style as in off road riding. push down on windside peg. dont be afraid to lean the bike so that you are not riding upright
____________________
2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[esullivan]

[Amnesty]

Bigger bikes do help, had 50mph gusts here,.luckily my commute only sees me exposed for 20% of the journey and i know where the pockets are, learn that and it'll help, sure.you'll get random ones, but the main ones learnt will help, my machine is 220kg and low center of gravity n full on faring and I don't have too much problem, that said tomorrow apparently worse for me!
____________________
I ride a scoot, so what? >_>

[Slacker24seve...]

[Kradmelder]

[Ribenapigeon]

I had a simerler moment today when a gust blew me towards a traffic island. However I knew the prevailing wind direction was from the left so I had adjusted my road position to the left in anticipation of a gust blowing me towards the right. This is what you need to do. It saved me today.

The really scary stuff is when on a wet road a gust actually slides you sideways. I had this happen a couple of months ago. When this hapens there's nothing you can do but hang on. Again riding on a side of your lane that's on the side of the wind direction gives you a fighting chance of servival.

[J4mes]

First time I overtook a lorry in high winds I popped out in front of an open field, couldn't get back on to my side of the road and pooped myself a little bit. Knee out, drag pulled me back over.

Disaster averted.

[yen_powell]

Counter steering when the wind is gusting from one side will keep your bike going in a straight line, although the bike will lean over at the same time. You have to apply the pressure to the bars as the gusts hit so a bit of concentration (the fear helps keep you focussed!!) and react as the wind hits you.

Ducking down presents less of a target to the wind and lowers your centre of gravity. You will look like you're trying to go faster to other drivers but sometimes it's the only way you can stay safe.

If you are on a motorway and have to overtake a lorry in bad side winds then duck down as low as you can and accelerate past the front edge of the lorry which is where you will get a sudden gust more powerful than behind or at the side of large vehicles. If you're already going at max speed then shut the throttle and open it again before you pass the front, it's acceleration you want more than the speed.

Look ahead for the gaps in hedges and trees on the side the wind is coming from so you know when it's going to get worse. Plan overtakes for the sheltered parts if possible.
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Pigeon]

[Pigeon]

[Turkish]

Protip: Wherever you see a telegraph pole, there is usually an entrance of some kind. Check it out on your next ride
____________________
ZX-6R G2
CBR125R RW6

[bikertomm]

I would have actually hated being on bike coming home from work tonight.. my saxo was getting blown all over the place on the M25

Very fucking strong wind.
____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Ribenapigeon]

Fit a sail to your bike and use the wind power to save fuel

[Flatbadger]

[numpty2]

This is all good advice from the old timers here.
I've been riding for over 25 years and I've never not ridden because of the wind.... but I often change routes to avoid exposed & busy sections.

I'm on a 250cc at the moment, so it's not as bad as a 125, but not as heavy as the 500cc plus.

One tip, which I haven't spotted here, simply slow down. I normally pootle along at 50-60 mph on one stretch of road, but today it was 30-40 mph. This wasn't because of a headwind, the wind was behind in fact, but at slower speeds you will have much more control. I'm still riding so it's not wimping out.

And one more comment, you could always take a rest halfway through the journey, just to relax & re-focus.

Strangely enough, the worst bit today was when I was stationary at a set of lights and a gust was funnelled between 2 buildings.

[Shielder]

Coming back from holiday in Scotland a couple of years ago, the weather was really bad. Winds were blowing at over 50 mph, with stronger gusts.

I was passed by two bikers, with pillions on an exposed moor!

I would estimate that they were leaning into the wind by at least 20-30 degrees!

Either very brave or very stupid!

Although, I have to say, I was very impressed with their skills!

Andy
____________________
CBT - 22/10/08 & 30/5/11, Theory - 13/06/11, Mod 1 - 26/9/11, Mod 2 - 29/9/11
'00 Suzuki Intruder VL 125 (06/06/09 - now)

[i.p.phrealy]

[Lord Percy]

Just slow down Worked for me when I was leaving London today, and fuck it was windy! For some reason I thought built up places were immune from it