Can you advise - Scary wind...

[derrick2005]

Hi all,

This is my first post here so please forgive me if I sound a lot like a newbie!

I have been riding mopeds for about 4 years now, always used to be a 50cc scooter with a max speed of around 40mph but a few months ago I upgraded to a Honda PS125 and can go up to 63mph.

I use the bike for around an hour commute every day and I have to go on the A13 which is quite an open road (ie fields on either side) and quite high up. Today, for the first time, I felt like the wind was going to blow me off the road. I felt myself being pushed along to the left of the lane and it was really scary! I have never experienced this on a 50cc.

Is that a normal thing to happen? Can the wind blow me off the road? Is there any way to stop this happening?

Any advice you have is appreciated and I can give more details if I'm leaving anything out.

Many thanks

[Feasty]

The advice I was given here a fair while ago helped a lot. It was to just hold on to the bike with your legs and relax your arms - don't grip the handlebars as hard as possible!
Also to lean into the wind when you feel it blowing, you'll never be able to go in a straight line in these situations but doing all this should minimise just how much you get blown around...


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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[derrick2005]

I was doing almost the opposite! I was gripping the handlebars very tight!

How to hold the bike with my legs though? Whats the position? And how much to let bike move along? Lean into wind , do you mean to lean towards where the wind is coming from?

Sorry so many questions..

Thanks!

[salty21]

[derrick2005]

I haven't tried geared because I'm so used to the simplicity of twist and go!

The problem with staying on the side of the road that I'm not getting blown to would mean that on the A13 I would need to be in the right hand lane where cars are going over 80 and I can only go max of 63!

I guess I can try leaning in towards the wind, I just hope it works or I'm screwed (and dead).

Does riding gears help with wind?

[lydanial]

gears dont help with the wind.

just lean into the wind gently.. if its a constant strong wind you will find a balance that will be a mixture of lean against wind = straight(ish) line.

remember to keep your eyes open for gaps in hedges etc where there may be a strong cross wind and adjust your position to be ready for it.. ir if the winds blowing across the road move closer to the centre ready for hedge gaps and then you have time to adjust for it as it comes.

[derrick2005]

Thanks lydanial.

Was it "normal" then today when I felt I was being pushed across the lane? And will leaning into the wind help me feel like I'm not going to get blown off the road?

[salty21]

[lydanial]

yes thats normal.

do you drive? if so its exactly the same in a car but not quite as severe (as the car weights a lot more) when in a car and it does it you have to turn ever so gently into the wind or would get blown of the road.

so effectively you are doing the same on the bike, turning into the wind/leaning.

as as salty said, use more of YOUR lane. wind from your right move closer to middle , but not to close as when it stops you will still be leaning and may briefly go over the lines. and do the opposite if the winds coming from the left.

[derrick2005]

[derrick2005]

[lydanial]

ive rode in winds that have been quite terrible and ive found myself on quite a far lean to counteract it.

wind from right, know its coming at next gap/open space, move towards centre line, wind hits and blows me towards the left of my lane, lean over to counter balance and let the bike come back towards the left, wind dies and i drift back towards the centre lines while i upright my bike..

start again.

[doggone]

It can get too dangerous if it's really strong.
Bigger heavier bikes are less susceptible.
Good advice already about trying to keep a more relaxed style in your arms and shoulders.

[salty21]

i tend to look further into the distance than normal too, dont know why, or if it helps mind.
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[yen_powell]

Try counter steering when the gusts hit you. Put pressure on the handlebars on one side or the other (depending which way the wind is coming from) to counteract it and, although the bike will lean over, you'll stay online and inside your lane.

I know exactly where you mean on the A13, those wind turbines are in the right place aren't they.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[derrick2005]

[tutton]

As has been said steer into it. if you steer away youll get blown faster away.

When something like this happens i stay near centre white lines if winds blowing me to the left, so i have some time to react before i kurb it.
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[yen_powell]

[ncrn]

As long as your arms aren't too tense you should be able to counter steer into the wind a little to deal with the buffeting. You just have to be aware of what's going on so its important to make sure you keep warm, I've found if I'm frozen that gusts of wind upset me a lot more than when I'm warmer.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.