Freeways and Wind

Cj10488 · 04-01-2006, 12:37 AM

How does one get used to the Wind at Freeway speeds... The wind is kind of nerving around here at 65+ Maybe when the summertime hits the wind will die down a bit but is that feeling something you just have to either get used to or Ignore? It feels like the wind is going to blow the bike all over the road... I am taking it easy and am completely used to the bike Except the wind/Freeway factor... I know once you get past the Initial 65mph they numbers just keep coming and all pretty much feel the same its just getting to that point...

Any Advice?

James

OFFICER737 · 04-01-2006, 12:42 AM

What I generally tend to do is tuck a little more on the interstate, keep your grip light on the bars/clip ons and roll with the flow. When the wind comes across lean into it a little more and straighten the bike back up when the cross sheer goes away. It's pretty much going to be a practice and experience issue. Once you get used to it you will hardly notice it after a while......unless you get some of those 30 mph + cross winds.

Cj10488 · 04-01-2006, 12:51 AM

Thanks for the Reply Its much Appreciated... Around where I am at Its a pretty small town and just about everyway out of the hell hole is Freeway... We dont generally have too many Crosswinds except int he gorge which I wouldnt dare on a windy day with a bike... If my car can be blown across a few lanes I could imagine the bike...

But I would like to get out of this town and into the bigger town where all my friends are with the bike however its 30+miles of sheer Freeway... I am sure once I started I would get used to it pretty quickly... Its more the Cars that are out there that worry me since we have a lot of messed up drivers around here... I know I can ride and avoid things and passed the Endorsement with Flying colors (even though everyone around me with bikes said I would fail because of the bikes size)... 55mph isnt so bad.. 65mph is getting where the wind is blowing pretty good... I compare to sticking your head out of a car window at 65mph... Maybe If Its nice I will take the Less traffic route out there tomorrow... I have mainly been sticking to all the windy roads that are around here up into the mountain... I dont do over the speed limit (since the high Risk driving course) Seen way too many horrible things...

Thanks agian,
James

KevinCBR1k · 04-01-2006, 12:56 AM

The only time wind bothers me is when it's a cross wind......tends to blow me from side to side, even with a 600lb bike, and it gets quite irritating for long stints.....

As far as normal freeway riding....your bike will protect you from the wind more than you think....Sometimes I get a slight "breeze" that bobbles my head a little from side to side but if it bothers me enough I just tuck in. I can go over 120 sitting straight up and not really be bothered by the wind much at all....you'll get used to it quickly.

RayOSV · 04-01-2006, 04:23 AM

Learn to lean "against the flow". The comment about having a light touch on the grips is key. If you have a death grip, any movement of your upper body will get translated into unwanted steering inputs. Try flapping your elbows once in a while to make sure you stay loose enough.

UberGoober · 04-01-2006, 08:08 AM

Yep - I agree with "O" you've gotta be light on the grips. Your ass will stay in the seat so there is no need for a death grip. You'll get used to it soon enough though, the only thing that is a little disconcerting is sudden gusts. You'll learn where they come from - mostly from the front of big trucks and start to expect them. You'll be fine with time and practice.

One thing though, after years of riding a bike, I can walk out into a hurricane and feel like the wind it is normal.

wim_cobra · 04-01-2006, 10:36 AM

grab the tank with your legs, relax the upper body, light touch on the grips.
and you shouldn't have any problems.

crosswinds, just lean in against them and stay relaxed!

tucking in helps alot too with powerfull winds.

mikem317 · 04-01-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFFICER737

What I generally tend to do is tuck a little more on the interstate, keep your grip light on the bars/clip ons and roll with the flow. When the wind comes across lean into it a little more and straighten the bike back up when the cross sheer goes away. It's pretty much going to be a practice and experience issue. Once you get used to it you will hardly notice it after a while......unless you get some of those 30 mph + cross winds.

+1.

Cj10488 · 04-01-2006, 01:04 PM

Thanks for all the Replies... I was hoping to go out Riding today and just hit the short Freeways around here however my Cars alternator died last night and I have to go up and take care of that now Instead... Sounds like a lot of fun... (not)

hopefully Its somewhat nice later today after all that is done...

As for Gripping the tank with my knees already do that one... Relaxed Arms loose Grips I believe I do that as well... I guess it just feels wierd to me with all that Head wind hitting me dead on that is a bit wierd to get used to... I am sure a few miles on the Freeway I will get used to it but just wanted some pointers... Atleast I am being safe about things...

Thanks everyone for the information..

James

RayOSV · 04-01-2006, 02:20 PM

+1 for gripping the tank with your legs which reminded me of the extension of that. "Plant" yourself on the bike with your lower body. Start with the balls of your feet on the pegs, then press your feet/ankles inward until they're against the aluminum guards. Then when you grip the tank with your legs and knees you'll be completely attached (planted) to the bike below the waist.

This makes it much easier to keep your upper body loose to react to what's going on. It also makes turning while going down steep hills much easier. This takes some practice to get comfortable, but it's well worth it.

Cj10488 · 04-01-2006, 03:49 PM

Well I was able to take the Bike out for a bit and hit the less traveled Freeway and was cruising right along... that Is until the crosswinds started to nail me pretty good... Came back home and even at lower speeds the crosswinds were going pretty good.. And of course now that I get home I check the Weather and It calls for Cloudy and windy... No wonder I was getting blown all over the place...

I was able to sustain Freeway speeds and tucked down probably farther than I have before...

Thanks again for Everyones Advice... I think I will take another trip out that way on a day when Its not so Windy... Must have been atleast 20mph winds this afternoon..

James

OFFICER737 · 04-02-2006, 12:14 AM

We have a road here that even on days where there are no winds anywhere.....this road is still windy. It's just a matter of practice bro. I run the road just to work on dealing with cross winds.

Cj10488 · 04-02-2006, 12:25 AM

yeah I am sure with a bit of Practice things will get a lot better... I am used to dealing with Dirt which you really dont have much wind nor any Traffic to crush ya if ya slip... Been In my fair share of off road incidents that probably dont really help with the Situation here at all... Rolled a 600cc 4-wheeler at about 65-70mph quite a few times and spent a day in the hospital... The talk that I heard from the people around me will probably haunt me for a while LOL... Suprisingly no broken bones and just minor Abrasions... however I had Severely bruised bones that 2yrs later still hurt at times...

I will just keep hitting the road out here taking it farther and farther... I will get used to things one way or another...

James

tdr124 · 04-02-2006, 07:21 AM

you'll get used to it, i went over the narrows bridge(bridge built when 'gelluping girty' fell into the drink) one time with about 50mph winds, i used to be scared but you'll get used to it. if it seems like u cant take it anymore find a car and get on the side and ride alongside the car opposite the side the wind is blowing and just hunkerdown. and theres nothing like getting hit by strong side winds while turning out 120mph it just sux. like the law says go as fast as conditions permit.

Cj10488 · 04-04-2006, 04:08 PM

Well I jumped on the highway today and put on about 60-70 miles of Highway... After doing 55mph for a while Its not hard to jump that to 65 or 70... It wasnt too horrible.. Definetly a feeling that One has to get used to or not care about... Bike seems to want to wander around in my lane from the wind but It seems to be alright... Bike seems very stable.. And leaning into cross winds seems to kinda happen naturally... Tomorrow I will Venture out much farther if Its nice like they say.. I have plans to take the bike out to where I Grew up in portland... I am going to Avoid the Major Freeways for now and take the Highway which is also the long route so It should be fun... As long as I make it home before Dark its all good..

Thanks again Guys

James