wind and stress

[lucydad]

All,

May I ask a breezey question please?  Today I was out on the Triumph.  Warm, but strong, and very erratic-gusty winds (variable 15-35 mph?). Flags were pegged, street lights swinging and signs rocking, and trash blowing down street.   At one point in the ride it came to my wooden-block of a head:  geez, this is no fun at all.  I had been looking forward to the ride, and at the end, pulling into the garage, I was dang happy the ride was finished.  Right now both my back and hands ache from wrestling the gusts, and just plain old stress.
Cagers were particularly erratic today also, and very heavy traffic. 

So, what is your limit of riding a motorcycle in wind? 

Do you heavy-weights up in WY and OK keep on going in 30-40-50 mph gusts?  Are big heavy touring machines with fairings just better in high wind?  Saw a lot of bikes out, of both kinds today.

I will say the Triumph does not track as well as the Guzzi in wind.  And maybe my mood was a bit off too. 

Oh well, maybe Sunday will be better.

[Triple Jim]

For me, wind does add to the thinking required, but it's not severe if I don't fight it excessively.  That is, I let the wind move me around in the lane a little and don't try to maintain a perfect course, which would require quick and constant steering input.

I'm about to head out for 20 miles on my bicycle, and there are 20 mph gusts today.  That'll be interesting as well. 

[Chuck-D]

I'm far from an expert rider, but wind really really wears me out on my V7ii. Once it gets above a steady 20mph, it's really noticeable, and the gusts are scary.

[oldbike54]

 Greg ,

 The only time that wind stopped me during a ride (excepting tornadoes) was just East of Walsenburg CO . Huge T-storm to the North of us , North winds gusting to probably 80 mippers , ugly . We turned around , rode the 5 miles back to I 25 headed South towards Trinidad with a strong wind pushing us . 90 mippers with the throttles just barely cracked .

 The biggest problem for me on a windy day are the allergens blowing around , blech 

 Of course , riding West from here 50 miles or so drops me into the Great Plains , and making the trip across OK or KS during Spring or early summer can be interesting . Like TJ stated , light touch on the grips , let the bike move around a bit , don't fight it .

 Dusty

[lucydad]

Dusty,

I do my best to try and relax, light grip, let the bike move.  Today the gusts seemed stronger than usual, rocking me hard while stopped, and that jagged push=pull vectoring.   Thanks for your comments. 

[ChuckH]

My experience is that weight is your friend when it's windy.  The Stelvio, when loaded, hangs solid in the wind a lot better than the 100# lighter Beemer carrying the same load.  Both bikes are pretty open, no fairing, and the rider is pretty much exposed.

I just try and sit loose in the saddle and let the wind move the bike a bit in the roadway.  However, it is more stressful.  Makes for a long day.

[blackcat]

In case one needs to know which way the wind is blowing:

https://www.windyty.com/intro?30.207,-92.582,8

[Gliderjohn]

There are so many "depends". I rode a naked Suzuki 400 for 11 years. It was my first bike so I didn't know what I was missing. I had an adjustable backrest that was a life savior however when riding into the wind. Without it I would be quite tired if riding all day especially if windy. When I bought my T-3 it was naked and I road it 90 miles home with wind gusting to 50 mph. Although once again tiring the T-3 felt quite planted most of the time, especially after riding the 400.
I then put an SP I upper faring on the T-3 and went WOW! Highway riding for extended periods is so much nicer and much less fatiguing. My Norge does very well. In fact one hardly notices at 70 mph whether you are riding into zero wind or a 30 mph wind. Noise level, stability and power stay close to the same. Now the Norge drawback is riding in strong crosswinds. Not that the bike doesn't handle it quite well but it causes the wind to really grab at my helmet and push side ways against it plus adds a shrieking wind noise that without earplugs is almost unbearable. YMMV.
GliderJohn

 

[Muzz]

I was on my old Matchy in the storm that sank the Wahine in '68. I was taking both lanes of the Wellington motorway and I was scared shi***ss! Every gully I came to I was just blown clean over in to the next lane.

Funnily enough, it was one of the flattest sailings I was ever on as The ferry I was on caught the wind change.

[Triple Jim]

In case one needs to know which way the wind is blowing:

https://www.windyty.com/intro?30.207,-92.582,8

Very nice wind graphic and detailed forecast too, thanks for the link.

[Lcarlson]

The effect of wind on your bike's handling isn't the only issue. Debris blown into the road is also a peril. DAMHIK.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Comparing the three bikes I've had with panniers and topcases, the R1100RT was the worst in the wind by far.  The Breva 1100 and Ducati ST4s were much better with the ST4 marginally better than the Breva.  I couldn't enjoy the RT in crosswinds with gusts over 20 or so.  Today was very blustery here but a spirited ride on the Duc cut right through it.  The RT always felt like a sail while the other two being more like knives.

[M0T0Geezer]

Was a time about 10 years ago (pre Guzzi) when Wife & I were riding our GL1800 headed north out of Cortez CO.  Heavy wind steady at maybe 40mph interspersed with heavier gusts, incoming from 10 o'clock.

The normally imperturbable 'Wing was a pom-pom ruled by the wind. I felt the need for knee pads as the Honda flagship heeled over 20 degrees to port - just to maintain a semblance of straight.

Even though not yet noon, the three of us gave up and pulled into a motel for the rest of the day.

The next morning was serene and beautiful.

'Geezer

[canuguzzi]

No limits other than if it isn't fun, then stop or don't do it. If I need to fight the wind, put on plastic to stop from getting soaked or worry about ice on the roads, its time to find something else to do.

Macho macho man...nope.

[rob-mg]

Great subject.

One of my current bikes weighs about 250lb/115kg and I went through a period where I had to ride it (as in, sole transport) in an area by an ocean where winds predominantly struck from the side, frequently strong with gusts to 35mph/60kph, and frequently accompanied by pouring rain.

These rides were not just unpleasant, they were unnerving. I'm curious to know what others think about the approach, in these conditions, that one should take to speed. Keep it slow? Put on some throttle for momentum?

[canuguzzi]

The faster you go the less effect side winds can have on you over a given distance.

[slowmover]

Wind will keep me from riding as much as rain but I'm a cautious old fart.

[atavar]

I made a trip from NoDak to AZ a couple years ago where both directions the high West to East winds had me leaned over to the point of occasionally scraping the centerstand just going in a straight line.  By the time I got home the front tire was worn to a sharpened "V" shape. There's prolly pictures of the sharpened tire in the archives here some where.   
I guess it's one way to get use of the rubber on the sidewalls.  What I found on the Norge was that putting my leeward foot on the passenger peg made a huge difference in how scary the 70mph gusts were.  Apparently changing my torso position really helped the airflow. 

[Guzzistajohn]

Part of the fun of doing anything outdoors is battling the elements. I might not LEAVE the house in gale force winds, but if your out on a real ride, you can't just turn around and go home, improvise and overcome. I was ripping across I-40 eastbound in OK one time with a STRONG wind out of the south, the wind wasn't as bad as the LACK of wind when blowing past a semi truck. I was probably a pucker factor of maybe a 5 or 6.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'd say the worst I've ever had was an R100RT. That sucker got blown all over the road. Seriously. The best was my old 1000SP. I've ran for miles and miles on it without realizing how badly the wind was blowing.
That said, rider input makes a huge difference. If you have weight on the bars or are constantly fighting it, you'll have a bad day. Any gust that hits the rider moves the bike around in that scenario.

[Chuck-D]

Yeah, it seems like a tough choice: on the one hand I don't want weight on the bars for when I get blown around, but on the other hand the more forward and laid down on the bike I am, the less the wind seems to affect me.

[John A]

I won't use a magnetic tank bag unless it also has the standard 3 point restraint. Strong crosswind will make them depart and I don't want anything like that distracting me. A loaded loop frame works for me, crossing the Dakotas.

[rocker59]

Loose fitting textile garments are no fun on a windy day.

Snug fitting leather handles the wind much better.

For me, steady winds over 25 mph add some fatigue.

It's not unusual to encounter south winds this time of the year, in the part of the country, that are steady 20mph to 30mph.

It's just something you have to endure, sometimes.

[lucydad]

Wow, thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and insights.  I really appreciate your expertise. 

The Triumph 675 STRX is a very, very light and flickable bike.  I noticed the wind ride contrast after I bought compared to my V7R.  The Guzzi is much more planted in higher winds and gusts:  predictable.  Note that this morning, before my ride I adjusted tire pressure on the Trumpet to specifications, and I keep the suspension fairly hard.  Dang, the bike just keels in a strong side gust.  I did not scrape, but came close.  Lots of traffic kept my speeds down. 

I know what to do:  no panic, just counter steer, and relax.  But, it was not much fun.  Heavier bikes with longer rake geometry are superior in high winds is the lesson?  The Triumph is supreme in cornering (just think, and you are there).  But it is fatiguing in higher winds, especially gusty stuff.  Glad it has fairly broad bars, that helps. 

Score one for the V7R:  a much better bike for our windy Gulf Coast Spring riding, and yeah spring is right around the corner here.

Sunday I will ride the Trumpet into church, IF it is calmer.  If not, the Guzzi gets the romp.  We have a string of nice days here, so I am taking advantage.

[rob-mg]

Score one for the V7R:  a much better bike for our windy Gulf Coast Spring riding, and yeah spring is right around the corner here.

So in New York for the last week (particularly handy during the blizzard that dumped 2 feet+ of snow) I've been wearing a full length Canada Goose parka.

You just couldn't resist rubbing it in, could you :)