riding in cross-winds

[mojitomax]

hi all,

do you guys have any tips with regards to riding in cross winds (especially motorways)?

as an inexperienced rider i find it particularly distressing as usually on motorways and dual carriageways, the speeds are high and there's lot of traffic around, and the bike just doesn't feel planted and wants to weave about as the wind gusts.

thanks for your help

[dern]

Bent relaxed arms, relaxed grip, hold on with your knees and try and anticipate the shielding effects of lorries/coaches/etc.

[RemaL]

also take your time and dont rush

[Chilli]

Slow down a tad, and give all other road users more space....

[RemaL]

went across the severn bridge with high winds. was not fun

loooked like I was riding 35 deg right hander

[mojitomax]

just got back from a jolly jaunt around leicestershire. it was pretty gusty on the peaks of the hills, and i was taking it pretty easy. on the way back from uppingham, the roads were wide and the curves gentle. i managed to get right down onto the tank behind the cowling and really ride the bike. it felt absolutely blooming AWESOME!!

i think i now understand the whole point of sportsbikes. it did also terrify me. i think i'm going to have to go on an advanced riding course of some sort soon. i made the mistake of trying to keep up with the car in front of me and nearly went straight on into a hedge. got to ride for myself, not try and race around like a loony.

FAB FAB FAB!!

but then on the way home, the bike just cut out randomly, twice. i'll start another thread about that i think.

thanks for all your help guys

[Hooli]

dern said:

Bent relaxed arms, relaxed grip, hold on with your knees and try and anticipate the shielding effects of lorries/coaches/etc.

what he said basicly. oh & slow down if your not comfy with the speed your doing.

[Busamav]

dern said:

Bent relaxed arms, relaxed grip, hold on with your knees and try and anticipate the shielding effects of lorries/coaches/etc.

everything dern says .

I dont grip the bars when its like that , or when its icey, i just rest on top of the bars / levers

[mojitomax]

i've making a concious effort to relax on the bike. i find i'm still veny tense, especially in the shoulders and arms, but quite relaxed from the waist down. The wrong way round methinks! i'm sure that will improve over time though.

[Hooli]

mojitomax said:

i've making a concious effort to relax on the bike. i find i'm still veny tense, especially in the shoulders and arms, but quite relaxed from the waist down. The wrong way round methinks! i'm sure that will improve over time though.

took me ages to cure that & tbh i still suffer from it at times. i think the problem is your not confident your in control so you try harder which results in the wrong thing.
i wouldnt suggest it in high winds but what i did was deliberately let go of the bars, not totally just hands resting over the grips not holding them. to prove to myself nothing would go wrong, it seemed to help the part of my brain saying 'hold on' to shut up.

[IsMad]

mojitomax said:

i've making a concious effort to relax on the bike. i find i'm still veny tense, especially in the shoulders and arms, but quite relaxed from the waist down. The wrong way round methinks! i'm sure that will improve over time though.

That is EXACTLY what I find myself doing, the trouble is I am doing that at even when just pottering round town etc. Seriously need to relax as when I make the conscious effort to chill everything just works better. Practice I think is what is called for, and this weekend finally looks like it might be quite pleasant.

[black-k1]

When riding in cross winds on either a dual carriageway or motorway in cross winds, make sure you don’t ‘emerge’ from the front of lorries you are overtaking with a large speed difference to that lorry. This will mean that if there are a lot of lorries or large vans on the road you will have to keep the speed down to only a little faster than them to avoid suddenly getting blown across a lane or two.

mojitomax said:

i think i'm going to have to go on an advanced riding course of some sort soon.

A very good idea.

mojitomax said:

i made the mistake of trying to keep up with the car in front of me and nearly went straight on into a hedge. got to ride for myself, not try and race around like a loony.

Never ride at someone else’s pace unless that pace is slower than yours. Make sure you are always looking where you want to go even if it’s going to be a tight turn. Your bike will follow your eyes. Look around the bend and you’ll go around the bend. Look at the hedge and …

[Mr OCD]

Agree with the points mentioned... I commute daily on the bike on the M62 so have plenty of bridges with crosswinds to think about ... best advice is to totally relax on the bike and grip the tank with your knees and go with the flow.

If you try to force the bike by holding tight on the bars you will be in for a stressed ride as your arms will lock solid and make the bike a pig to handle.

It took me a month or so to relax on the bike when I started riding and the difference is night and day... I dont lean on the bars at all when riding - there is no need - use your stomach muscles / thighs to hold the bike and just use the bars to countersteer.

Your neck / shoulders / back will also thank you

[Hyperion]

You get used to it ...I tend to counter steer into the wind and prepare myself for the wall of air as you pass lorries!
Don't try and keep the bike straight, use the whole of your lane and let the wind do it's stuff. You'll probably be all over the place but at least you'll round off that flat spot

[mojitomax]

thanks for your help guys. i'm to on me hols tomorrow so i won't be able to practice. shame really as i hear the weather's going to improve