Oh shit moment!

[Bbrenn]

Had my 125ybr out today for the first time in the rain. Didnt find it too bad cos i could see the damp patches on the road. Got caught a couple of times in the cross winds. Problem is you dont know when the wind is gonna catch you. Hopefully this is magnified by the fact that its a small light bike.

Does this happen as much on bigger heavier bikes?

[Dracon]

No it doesn't, I can remember those unpleasant moments!

You can judge when you might get caught by a cross wind, just look for the gaps in hedges and buildings.

[Bbrenn]

Glad to hear that! Not that it would put me off but cant wait to get a bigger bike and feel a bit more stability on the roads. The wee 125 is a great bike with plenty of pros but im starting to pick up on more cons as time goes on. Lack of power, insability etc. time to upgrade.

[Flatbadger]

I've just had a look at the wind/gusts tomorrow - hopefully the rain will slow it down a bit
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[FireStorm-X]

Hi there

had a day on a big bike on Friday, took my 125 to work today and remembered why I like riding it lol

Strange as it might sound, but I think I will be keeping my 125 for going to work and back once I get a big bike

As for cross winds ? I must be a bit of a fat bugger as they don't normally bother me, just slow me down a bit head on. But as for side on ? Not much and if it is very windy I just take a more sheltered route home. But only done that once or twice in the last 7 months.

[Bbrenn]

Dont get me wrong i do enjoy the 125 but planning to do the test in new year and a mate of mine gas a kawasaki er6 2009 with 600 miles on the clock which he is gonna sell me when i pass.

[i.p.phrealy]

I had an Ooooshiiiitttt moment this morning too.
leaving home went to the island at the bottom of the road and turned right as normal
...and the back wheel startedd sliding! stuck my right leg out and went half way round the island like a speedway rider.
forgot the Stagecoach depot is 80 yards up the road, a bus must have overfilled and I hit the diesel spill.
been shitting it all day at every corner. proper knocked my confidence a bit. hopefully back to normal tomorrow.
____________________
it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[Ribenapigeon]

i've only twice thought going out on my bike was a bad idea in the last eight months of riding. One was gale force winds actually blowing the bike sideways sliding on its wheels towards oncoming traffic. The other time was when a sudden snow storm blew in and just coated my visor with snow. Rain is not a bother at all I would happily ride through a monsoon. If your concerned about riding in the rain get last months RIDE magazine. It has a good article on wet weather riding techniques.

[WannaBeDude]

Stick knees out into the wind ftw
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.

[writernick]

I have to ride through a rural exposed area every day and I have got used to strong winds gusting, blowing me one way and then the other. In a strange way it's quite fun as you have to steer against it.

[Ribenapigeon]

[Andy_Pagin]

The trick is to apply a bit of counter steering and to generally be aware of the wind direction and on your guard. Big bikes don't suffer nearly so badly due their extra inertia.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[cimbian]

[FireStorm-X]

Hi there

All ill say is try riding over cooking oil after a HGV spills its load on a round about deisel has nothing on cooking oil lol.

St Hellens Link Way a few months back, worst bit was I went past a policewomen as I approached the roundabout following the traffic that was queuing in the outside lane. She didn't even bother looking at the learner rider on a motorbike, that was about to ride strait onto a large oil spill

Took them 4 or 5 days to resurface the roundabout and scrub the dual carriage way clean.
____________________
Lexmoto Street 125 (sold) - Kawasaki ZR7S

[cromwell]

I remember my first go on a 500 having ridden my YBR to the training centre and the sheer difference in size of the tyres was crazy, it was only when I got back on the YBR that I noticed its tyres pick up even the slightest groove in the road.

Great bike though, I'd love to have a go on my old one now.
____________________
"unbelievable"
Current - Suzuki Bandit 600
Ex's - Yamaha YBR 125

[CaNsA]

[FireStorm-X]

[Billo63]

[DonDino]

I had a few 'oh shit' moments on the CBF125 with crosswinds, mainly thought a big gust would come and blow me right across the carriageway - it never did. But yes, it felt very unsteady in those gusts.

My instructor's CBF600 as well as my ER-6N are much more stable in crosswinds. The first couple of times I rode the ER6 on the motorway in heavy winds I thought oh great here we go again, but the gusts came and... nothing, I kept going straight, it didn't really affect me at all - I was surprised at the difference
____________________
First bike: CBF125, Feb. - Oct. 2012
Currently riding: ER-6N since Oct. 2012

[Rogerborg]

Protip: grip with the thighs, it also helps to keep your sphincter shut.

[cornish]

[cornish]

[Andy_Pagin]

I actually miss my scooter a bit, it was marvelous for shopping and there's something marvelously wacky and Bohemian about them.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[ADSrox0r]

I do a 10 mile commute on a YBR on open rural NSL and side winds are a bitch. Last night was terrible I was actually sweating when I parked up, mainly through the mental exhaustion of reacting to random gusts blasting me about on slippy roads that have diesel on from farmers belting it out of fields.

The one I have to watch out for though is artics in the opposite lane coming at me at 60 if I'm leaning into a crosswind. It hits you like a brick wall then sends you flailing all over the shop when it temporarily breaks the crosswinds. Ugh.

You get used to it though. Experience and mental preparation carry you through it.

[i.p.phrealy]