If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member
As a newbie riding a Honda 750, I really pick up wind, I knew I would hit wind by the way the trees were blowing which I look for, I drop my visor and tuck in right. Never knew by seeing this video that I was doing somethings right , thanks again. BTW, I love your videos because you speak like you're really teaching, no coolness, no unnecessary cursing, no calling riders idiots, you're top notch.
Relaxing is probably the best tip for someone like me who commutes through an area of high gusty winds. If I use pressure on my foot pegs to adjust my line (instead of the handlebars), my upper body relaxes and the bike does its thing. When my upper body relaxes, it seems my mind does too. A relaxed mind is just as helpful as a relaxed grip in my experience.
That’s a great point You’re making. This is the type of discussion that should be regarded as the most important within the motorcycle community: discussions about riding skills and techniques. We should avoid conversations about gear and focus on out skills, that will save our lives, not gear or style
Just got my 2019 Ninja 650 a month ago. Today was the first windy day since I've been riding. Scared the heck out of me. I did tuck in and leaned forward a little which helped. Still I thought the bike was going to get blown over. When the wind gusted I gave it some throttle which helped somewhat. Can't tell you how happy I was to get home. Lastly, this video was perfect and gave me some confidence now that I know other riders experience the same thing. In addition, this guy sounds like he knows what he is talking about. Great teacher! Thank you!
Same. Only my second day riding as a newbie .. just bought a Zero FXE .. bike is UNDER 300lbs. I’m about 165lbs. Ride to work was smooth. On the way back, cross winds hitting hard, pelting me with dirt, 35 mph & gusting up to 40+. Coming across my left side out of the Northwest, off the mountains here in the Utah Valley. For my second day riding, that was a hell of a reality check. I luckily found the confidence to just keep trying different methods. I tried speeding up & tucking (although I also had a full backpack on so that didn’t help my profile).. the speeding up I didn’t like. I tried steering & countersteering against & the gentle counter steer created enough lean to make it manageable. Slowing down definitely made it more comfortable, but there was a lot of traffic so I was doing frequent head checks & mirror checks. I made it home, saw my 2 year old daughter as soon as I walked in the door, she ran up & hugged me & I 100% had a momentary new respect for life, in general. Fun times.
That's a nice positive experience for conquering the wind the next time. I'm going home now with crazy wind conditions. Can never have too much advice. Mc rider always has excellent advice
My first wind storms as a rider made me so exhausted. Now I wonder if the wind is really going or not. I only notice 25 mph winds if I'm just starting into a riding season. Later on it's just part of instinct.
Hey, here's tip #6: SLOW DOWN! FACT: For extreme wind simply slowing down will eliminate a lot of severe buffeting, increase reaction time and reduce the effect of strong wind.
@@JerromKJ I disagree...The faster the bike is moving, the lighter it is, and the less traction it has. I ride a very light Virago 250; and, when the wind is blowing 25 mph, my bike slides sideways on the road, as if I'm riding on ice; that's when I'm traveling at speeds of 50 mph or more. However, if I slow to 45 mph, I have a lot more grip on the road.
@@BEEBEE159 can you base your idea on physics? Why would it become lighter? Just curious, not saying that it does not happen to you. I ride 260 kg machine and nothing moves it at side winds of 70 kph
I like all that you said about riding in the wind, Kevin. I have ridden in the pampas of Southern Argentina and Chile, where the wind REALLY blows---30, 40, 50 knots and higher, and it blows most of the time, sweeping down off the Andes and cutting across the pampas like an invisible scythe. Here is my tip to add to Kevin's: Take charge of your bike! Do not let the bike control you! When you have, for instance, a lady crosswind, and you are tooling along at 50 or 60 MPH, when that tractor trailer semi comes along heading toward you in the opposite lane, be ready for it, and as it passes, resist that suction that pulls you suddenly to the left. YOU are the pilot of this rocket ship, and you can keep it going where you want it to go. Yes, you can be "relaxed" and still keep a firm control of your steed. Don't let the bike take over from your control. I've seen only one day instance where the crosswind made me abort the ride and head back ro the barn. That was in Argentina, and I estimate the Xwibd was in excess of 70 knots, and with some gusting. It was just too unpleasant, not to mention dangerous, so prudence dictated bagging it for that day, hitting the hotel, and relaxing with a few brewskis.
Great tips - one more I would like to add is: on very wind days try to, where possible, choose a route that a avoids motorways (or as you call them freeways). These tend to go through open country where there is little protection from wind. I also find it less stressful in heavy rain. The added advantage of using the less "fast" roads on long journeys there are more opportunities to find shelter or stop for a break. Not sure about the good old USA but that works in Europe.
I haven't open-roaded much because I ride a small dual-sport, but I've seen while driving my truck a lot of riders stop under under-passes in areas where big freeways cross. Some places like Texas may not have shelter otherwise. The more country roaded areas....hmmm...I can't tell you if it helps where I've been in America. It seems unprotected either way, but the freeway is definitely harder to fight in bad weather than a country road, that's for sure.
Here in the states there are miles upon miles of open highway (freeway) where your best bet for shelter is having a tent with you 😂 Seriously though, like someone mentioned already we sometimes chill under an overpass (viaduct), gas stations or hotel portico.
Avoid elevated freeways and sound walled Freeways on high days. The walls tend to compresses and accelerate the wind. Elevated, there's just nothing blocking or diffusing the wind.
Great tips Kevin! After almost 50 years of motorcycling, I’m still learning plenty from you my friend. My strategy for dealing with cross wind, particularly when it’s gusty, is to grip the tank quite firmly with my knees. Agree that we don’t want tension, but gripping in this way makes your weight and the bike’s weight one mass, so they move together and not relative to each other. I believe this adds a lot of stability in windy conditions.
Kevin, I have been watching your videos now for the past few weeks and as a rider of 48 years I am still learning from them. As for wind, I point my knee into the wind to stabilize the bike, hard to do and can't do it for long but it seems to work.
Here's something subscribers might encounter as well. To pick up on dealing with side winds - a rider friend and I encountered some fierce right-to-left winds on secondary (farm) roads coming back from Jake, OK. The wind required us to apply nearly constant right-hand handlebar push, keeping our bikes at a nearly constant 45-degree lean to counter the wind. The challenge was the large farm trucks in the oncoming lane. It required constant vigilance to respond to sudden and brief interruptions to the wind. Not anticipating this resulted in an unanticipated drift (or veer) to the right due to the right-hand push as the wind briefly ceased - VERY unnerving. There were many trucks. It was a LONG and tiring ride home. This also happened as we crossed bridges over small creeks with woodland, typically with a small descent which quickly cut the wind. And as always, another great video, Kevin!
Good morning (UK time) Kevin! Two things - when passing heavy goods vehicles, especially long ones, be prepared for the apparent suction effect when you pass into the downwind side of the lorry - as you approach you are blown away from the lorry and you compensate but as you get into its wind shadow your compensation can seem to suck you towards the lorry, only to be blown away again as you get past it. The second may be more common in the U.K. especially on motorways, and that is the sudden gusts in gaps between trees or hedges. Keep it up K - brilliant channel!
Definitely keep your head up and your eyes where you want to travel. It will help you hold your line in extreme winds with minimal conscious corrections. If you look down while riding in gusty winds it will be scary to see how much that bike is actually dancing around under you.
MCrider I want to say thank you for videos. I have watched everyone of them. I started riding my first street bike in mid May at the age of 40. I'd always wanted to ride, but didn't get to do it till then. I bought a brand new bike with 0 miles on it I now have 8 miles shy of 6000 miles on the bike. I can honestly say your videos have helped me in many ways. I will often go back and rewatch them. We appreciate your videos and they sure help us all out. Thank you for what you do.
Thank you Kevin! I’m a new rider of 1 year and experienced a cross wind for the first time but because of watching your training videos I was prepared and didn’t panic. I’m proud of the rider I’m becoming and feel confident having ongoing training with you.
I am a newbie, just picked up a vstar 650 to learn on. Yesterday took my first ride one hour outside the city at speeds faster than ive gone before. The impact of the wind on those open roads and valleys was unsettling, i was tense and the bike felt it was picking up my nervousness...this video has helped me understand what i was experiencing and know that the wind and me being tense "holding on tight to the handlebars" were all contributing to that unstable feeling. Thank you for the videos, easy to follow tips and advice. I have picked up this hobby in my middle age, so probably more cautious than i would have been in my 20s..thank you!
However good you are at handling the wind, remember to watch out for wind-related hazards. Today I came around a curve to see a tree down across both lanes. Other debris can also blow into the road.
Absolutely good stuff here McRider. High winds in the vast endless dry open flat prairie lands like we all have here in the great state of Texas and southwest. Stay focused, hold steady, stay calm and don’t panic. Enjoy the ride. Be safe my road warrior brothers and sisters.
Kevin you hit the nail right on the head with the RELAX mode, Im no expert but your style of online teaching is superb, your voice travels with me, I got caught in torrential rain with heavy traffic, fogged up visor freezing cold and stiff, I just remember you saying relax, take a breath and thats what I done, I have been riding for many years but not afraid to admit to at times being scared of some of what nature can throw at us.... I would like to bet that you have saved lives with your online campaign, I am living in the United Kingdom and a big threat in this country is foreign drivers who are not used to are driving laws and rules. All the best to mate.
Recently had a crosswind almost push me and my HD 883 off the road. I immediately turned my head to look back to the road and kept riding. Happened in an instant on a Arizona country road. Ride safe out there.
Watch out for urban wind tunnels too. You can be sheltered when you're between buildings, but get hit by heavy gusts when they open up to cross-streets.
I hit some gusty winds yesterday when riding. My mind went immediately to this video even though it had been months since I had seen it. I came back to watch it again. I found I naturally used these techniques I had learned from you. Thank you for making me safer!
I been wanting this topic covered for a while so thank you! I'm still a new rider with only 4K on a HD Softail since March 2017. I took a ride out to Holister, CA last month and hit a stretch of the 25 between the 101 and Hollister where the wind notoriously comes swooping down the mountains and across the valley. It had to be a good 30-40 mph crosswind coming from my right that just wanted to push me right across the lane. I'll tell you, as a new rider experiencing that for the first time, it was very unnerving. I rode as slow as traffic would let me and couldn't help the feeling that the wind would sweep my wheels from under me like a basketball player on a slippery floor. I'm looking forward to applying your techniques the next time I find myself in those conditions. I'm sure the biggest thing is to relax, trust the motorcycle, and apply the fundamentals. Thanks for the video!
Good vid. I'm riding a Shadow 600 in NM and it gusts 25-35 all day everyday. Staying loose is my number 1 thing. Give yourself room and don't fight to hard. I've forgotten how to ride a straight line without leaning 15° hahaha. I regularly find myself in conditions noone should ride in and when the wind gets over 65mph and his head on or from the side you need to get off the road. If you cannot get off, stay relaxed. Slow down. One helpful trick on the highway is to pay very close attention to large vehicles. The disturbance they cause in a high wind can kill you. As they approach from the rear to pass you (your slowed due to hurricane force winds) began to smoothly transition far right, don't cross the line, save a foot minimum for backlash and when the vehicle passes it will initially stop the cross wind or cause a tail wind. That's the fun part. Then they pass and you will be sucked HARD in their direction. LET IT pull you back to the center of your Lane. Expect it, and let it. Best advise I can give.
I have been watching multitudes of your UA-cam videos Kevin. Spot on. I am kind of a novice after 15 years off riding. Prior to that was about 8 years on a Honda V65 Sabre. Now riding for the last 4 weeks a Honda ST1300. I am doing well having spent a lot of time in parking lots learning the friction zone, and light rear braking doing tighter low speed turns, cones, U turns, etc. I still find highway speeds (55-65mph) a bit intimidating. Add gusts or strong prevailing winds, truck wash etc and I know I need much more time behind the bars. Keeping relaxed without the death grip helped me immensely. Thank you. Once I am comfy by myself, I plan to add a pillion, my wife. We have a top case with pad for her when we choose to try that. I understand preload and damping for my bike, psi on the tires, etc. We just bought dual intercoms that I put in our full face helmets too so we can communicate. Looking forward to forever learning. Your channel helps a lot.
I have been riding my 1982 Suzuki around town and local longer rides for a few years now, but I am planning a solo trip on a rented HD Electra Limited from CT to ME next month. I am thrilled that I found your channel only a week ago, as I have had quite a few questions answered and built up my confidence even more by watching your videos. I know that you're never too experienced to learn something new, especially about motorcycling. Keep up the great work Kevin!
Living in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this was very helpful. The wind here near the Carolina line can be brutal in these mountains. Thanks brother for the tips
Another good lesson Kevin. I also slow down when on the freeway and get into that right lane when it is realllllyyyy bad! I find that usually the right lane travelers (under powered trucks, hyper-milers, old folks like me) are barely doing the speed limit and this helps with wind management, and me calming down, especially when it is gusty from all directions. I also have the right shoulder available if needed in a emergency and vehicles only on the left to deal with. As the vehicles on the left pass by I can get a feel for what the wind is doing and somewhat predict the results on me. Blessings!
Great topic! Great tips! Wish I had this information prior to my very first experience on a major highway. All I did was pray! Thanks for your work Kevin!
Man I wish I would have watched this before going out today. I'm in Wyoming so I will definitely get to use these tips. Thank you for all of the useful information you provide to riders, new and old. Also, thank you to the other folks in this comment thread for providing feedback and additional info. It really helps us new guys.
I came here because, despite having driven for over thirty years now, I am just conquering a freeway phobia, in car driving. These tips are awesome, even for car drivers. The best tip is, "RELAX". I was on the freeway yesterday in high winds, tensing up, and it made me ten times more anxious. Not a fun - albeit short - ride. Thank you.
Wow awsome video I'm having this problem on my cbr 300r I would be putting tention n panicking I am a beginner rider n this advice and tips helped alot I will remember this thank you so much for this video
I truly appreciate ur vids. The turning videos really really helped me a lot. It's funny how something as simple as looking where you want to go can make a huge difference. I now approach every turn that way. Thanks
Another tip: Slowing down minimizes the effect of wind. I’m a new rider. For the first time last weekend I’ve experienced strong winds. When i was fast it was so disturbing and felt hard to control. When i slowed down everything was becoming gradually fine.
Glad you did a video on the wind. As a new rider, this is what makes me nervous. Just had my first experience with, what I call "tar snakes". They are not fun either and I never thought twice about those until the other day when I hit one and felt the wheels slide. Luckily, I was on a straight stretch and not in a curve.
First time I encountered wind gusts is when I was coming back down (south) for a trip up the entire California cost. Really was my maiden voyage in so many ways. I did the trip on a Yamaha 400cc Majesty CVT belt drive scooter! Light weight bike. The bike performed so good it was insane. However on the way back down the 101' about 20 miles outside of Santa Barbar I got hit with the wind guesting back and fourth both ways over the water and cliffs! Its amazing to listen to your advice here now' because by instinct I was looking at the tress to gauge it, and also did the things with leaning into to wind with the bars slightly! Must be a natural! lol. After 10 minutes of a straight pounding, I got to thinking I was pushing my luck and pulled off the road for a while too!
Living here in Pensacola Florida I have to cross high bridges over the bay and inter coastal waterways all the time. I ride a Heritage Softail Classic and I’ve found that at the highest points over the brides with strong crosswinds and gusts, laying my upper body forward over the tank (almost crotch rocket style) with arms relaxed enough to let the bike “do its thing” under me helps immensely!
I'm a newer rider on a Heritage too. The Heritage is heavier than my first bike, a Sportster, so it's better in the wind.. But I still fight it! I get exhausted on windy days and quite discouraged! I'll keep your tip in mind for next time. I was doing that same technique on my Sporty and it helped alot but never thought to try it on my big girl bike! 😊
I liked your suggestions. I live in Seattle and ride over the world's longest floating bridge to and from work on my '96 Yamaha Virago 535 with no windshield. It can get pretty windy. I definitely learned that relaxing is super important. One thing that may sound crazy that I do is sing a little song. It helps me not focus on fear and I make sure to keep breathing.
I live in gusty winds area and I'm really having hard time dealing with the winds, specially when I have to cross the mountain to get to the neighboring city. I feel like I'm about to get blown away by the wind haha Thanks for the tips!
Mark, This is common problem. Many riders will don a small bellaclava or head covering which protects the inside of the helmet from perspiration and covers the ears to keep your ear plugs from sliding out when the helmet in donned. Many dealers carry them or they can be ordered on the internet.
Same here. It's rarely the bike that causes the problem but the helmet. I started back with the HJC Max on a well silenced bike. After a year of riding I had bad Tinnitus, and started wearing ear plugs all the time. If you like flip front helmets get the SHOEI Neotech, it's even quieter than the Multitech.
Thanks Kevin for great instruction. As regards wind effects, it’s also important to point out the effects of sudden LOSS of wind...we adjust to the effects of wind (eg with countersteer to balance wind pressure) and so it can be equally problematic if side wind ceases eg due to wind barrier (buildings, hills or other barrier) to the side of the road or alongside a truck which means your prior wind compensation steers you into the side wind that’s no longer there! As with all McRider training, look and plan ahead. Another factor with overtaking large trucks is to recognize the bow wave which causes a strong side wind effect pushing you away from the truck as you approach the cab immediately followed by sudden side wind cessation as you pass the cab which you should also be prepared for to avoid under or over compensating or being taken by surprise. I don’t understand a prior comment suggesting more side wind susceptibility with “higher CoG”...higher CoG is generally bad with side or front wind (best to tuck down, leaning down into the tank as wind increases) but I agree that more weight from a full tank can be helpful (more inertia to side forces and more ground traction with increased weight). Keep the great videos flowing, thanks. DL (McRider Patreon supporter)
Kevin, really great tips. I'm a new rider as of June 2017. I took the MSF course and have logged nearly 4K miles since getting my license. I ride a 1995 Honda Pacific Coast 800. I absolutely love this machine and have taken it on several 200+ mile trips. I was on one such ride yesterday from NYC to Albany NY and the wind was pretty rough. I had to continuously remind myself to relax. That was the toughest part. I have dealt with the wind enough that I have learned the way my bike will handle a strong gust and not fall over (early riding fear) . I was so sore and mentally exhausted after the ride. Thanks for the great tips Kevin and keep the great content coming.
I live in Oregon. Anyone who lives in this state knows how quickly the weather can change. Today, right before work was out, I seen a dark mass coming over the western mountains. I tired to beat it home. I lost. Halfway on the expressway I got hit hard! And this is my 2nd season riding. Not only did I get hit hard with Rain, there was something akin to a not so violent tornado? There was debris circling the overpass and I got caught in it. I finally just pulled over and let the rain hammer me and my brand new Street Bob. I remember seeing this video pop up on my feed. I could have use this knowledge just a few minutes ago 😉 I made it home safely, just took me longer. I appreciate all your tips and advice! Keep up the good fight!
New rider here on a Yamaha V Star 250. Wanted to ride for a little practice on a windy day. Checked out this video first. Glad I did! My bike is so light I really had to fight to keep it in my lane. Counter steering helped a lot.
Thanks for the tips, wish I watched this video sooner. I am very green to riding and only have 124 miles under my belt. I was on an overpass the other day and experienced a fairly powerful gust of wind come in from my left side, it pushed me fairly hard to the right and started to panic a bit which caused me to over-correct back to the left towards an oncoming SUV, which caused me to over-correct back to the right and almost wound up in the ditch after I was past the overpass. Thought I was dead man. I have to learn to relax more when on the bike.
Long time BMW K100RS rider that has been moved around my lane by the wind. Well I rented a '15 R1200GS in Ireland two up for 13 days and the "telelever" front fork or something else was really good in side winds. While riding along the Atlantic Ocean along a high 15' or higher wall that suddenly ended we noticed the high winds off the ocean suddenly and our helmets both jostled a lot however the front tire did not stray. This happened many times. I am very impressed. I've also ridden a bicycle with racing teammates in high cross winds and somehow you need to lean over 5 -20 degrees steadily just to go straight. Sailors learn that the faster you go the more the "apparent" wind "eventually just comes from the front."
Once saw two riders pulled to the roadside during a Sandstorm ! Near the Salton sea in Calif. We were in a rent a car, but I felt sorry for those two. Also being older , I have several friends who ride larger "scooters " such as the Burgman . Ithink the small wheels also contribute to instability. These guys have been around the block and know their stuff, but wind always gets them talking ! Thanks Kevin !
I'm riding my bike in the Netherlands. Flat landscape, open areas, bridges, wind gust sometimes up to 60 mph also in the rain. I learned a few things: -don't ride if you don't have to -track the wind direction -relax -use counter stering to keep your line -don't go too slow (use gyro effect from your wheels) -overtake if you have to but do it fast -wind is changing the direction when you are overtaking a lorries. -keep your wind screen low to reduce the wind impact to the bike -remove topbox if you have one. Already I had to change my wind screen as it was demage in these weather conditions. Keep safe!
Great video Ken. Thinking about the weight of a bike is an important consideration when choosing a bike for purchase. When I bough my T100 the other bike competing for my dollars was an FZ-07. While the light weight of the FZ makes it more entertaining to ride, I am glad I went with a heavier bike. Where I live in Arizona we have a nearly continuas wind of 15+ and 30 mile an hour winds are not at all uncommon. I got caught in a heavy down pour coming home from LasVegas with a gusting 30 mph crosswind. It was scary, and if there had been anywhere to get shelter would have chosen that. When I relaxed, the control was much easier. When I kept telling myself to trust my tires (which showed no signs of loosing grip) made me able to relax.
Strong winds started hitting my goldwing broad side as I was leaving the shop. I hadn't road a bike in 30+ yrs. The bike was sliding into the other lane. My butt was puckered super tight. I slowed for more tire grip, tilted my head and slightly leaned the bike into the wind until I got in the trees and stayed to the near right of my lane and just put putted home. Thanks for this video.
All good tips, thanks! One other thing, just started riding again, and before I found just the right jacket (Icon motorhead, love that thing) I rode around in a 3/4 loose fitting leather jacket. That thing really caught the wind, I felt like I was wearing a sail. So wear something as snug as possible.
And most decent riding jackets also have snap/straps on the sleeves, so there is room for a liner, long-sleeve sweat-shirt, or something in Cold weather, but can be snugged up in the summer...or if your arms are just not big enough to fill the sleeves... (-; And many of them also have straps under the arms/ribcage area to also snug the jacket better.
On hard windy side winds I like to ride from side side so control the bike by cutting into wind then going with the wind most relaxing way ride on baddie winds also helps wear the side wall of our flat land tires!!!!! Lol good videos keep up the good info!!!
Great tips! Remember those over passes when riding in windy conditions. As you pass under them you are protected from the wind for a second, or two. That leaning against the wind a little will move you to the right or left for that time out of the wind.
I don't always do it but you should always control your bike with your knee grip. Takes conscious effort at first but then becomes a habit unless you're lazy like I am sometimes
I battled those same winds in New Mexico many years ago along with the biggest tumbleweeds I have ever seen! It was when I first started riding and was white knuckle all the way. I with I had access to your wisdom back then .
Yes Kevin, I have found that an increase tension on the shock help on windy days, I set the BMW R1200GS shock to minimal travel then adjust the rebound too hard, this helps take the movement out of the bike from heavy cross wind. The GS is higher than sports bikes and the alike and seem to suffer from wind more than a bike like a Honda Blackbird or K1200s etc that are about the same weight. Thanks for the show. / Trevor
4 роки тому
Choice of windscreen (windshield) can also help. Recently switched out my stock Goldwing windscreen for a Klock Werks custom sport. The change in stability was unbelievable. KW apparently designed the screen for Bonneville Salt Flats speed runs, and conducted wind tunnel testing. They assert a typical bike creates @ 50lbs of lift going down the road at highway speed. Their unusual design offsets that airborne tendency by creating @ 25lbs of down force by incorporating windscreen "hips." May not be "good old boy" advice, but the physics is rock solid.
Regarding hearing protection. Most ear nose and throat Dr's (ent's) will make you custom set of hearing protection. Most insurance will cover them with just a co pay. The nice thing is they fill your ear with a compound and then produce a mold for the hearing protection. My favorite feature is the sound valve that closes automatically when high decibels are present. This allows the sounds of traffic around you to be present and then block loud noises. These work so well I use them shooting too. because they are made for you and molded to your ear There is less irritation and can be worn for longer periods of time.
I have just 222-miles of experience on a 1993 BMW K1100 RS; I haven’t ridden in 30-years and back then I rode mostly dirt bikes. Today, I was riding home (about 25-miles out and 25-miles back) and a rain storm was coming in. Intermittent gusts were terrifying! I didn’t have the nerve to maintain 55-MPH but I handled myself between 45 and 48-MPH. Was that in my head or is the bike actually less controllable at higher speeds in these conditions?
That patch of highway between Post Texas and Roswell NM can be a beast because of the wind. I grew up riding in west Texas so learning to ride in the wind is a must.
Great tips, Kevin. One I’d like to add is to move as much weight forward as you can. This puts more weight on the front tire and helps with directional stability. Simply shifting your butt as far forward in the seat as possible helps. I ride a 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 with the factory engine guards. I bought Givi Bar Bags which mount on the guards and moved my tool kit into one and first aid kit into the other. Since I always carry both this shifted a few pounds of weight from the rear to the front and freed up some valuable space in the panniers. Every little bit helps.
Kevin, another great video, thanks. My buddy and I were returning to Eastern Washington from the middle of state and had to cross the Columbia River near Vantage. The wind was gusting and absolutely insane, I swear it felt like the front tire was lifted off the ground a couple of times. We were both leaning hard and ended up in the oncoming lane. These are some great tips.
Has anyone mentioned lane placement in gusty conditions? If it's blasting intermittently from the left, keep left for a buffer allowing for being blown to the right and of course, vice versa.
I find wind blows as sucks (or at least it seems that way) so perhaps keeping slightly closer to the side the wind is coming from may help you but don't be riding too far over in case the wind changes direction when you're not expecting it.
I came out of Indianapolis after the '08 MotoGP (the "hurricane race") on a sail boat Hayabusa. Raining, 60 mph cross winds, I was looking for semis to hide behind to get a break for a moment. Gusts would hit me broadside and push me across two full lanes at close to 70 mph. 40 miles of it, was sure glad to see the motel at Cloverdale IN..
I picked up a bike one time and had to ride it 12 hours home. The first 2 hours was very windy. It was very scary. I told myself to trust the bike as it could ride better than me. So I held on loosely, leant into the wind and let the bike do its thing. I survived got home safely 10 hours later. I had that bike 4 years and loved every moment on it.
Im a new rider, did my Safety course including and passed my raodtest, now with a class M licnese I was on the highway with my Yamaha R3 and boy oh boy the wind was feeling strong on the belt parkway close to the water. The wind was really strong so without panic I held onto my handle bars took a breath cleared my mind and let of the throttle as times including making myself tuck in a bit so that the wind can flow better than me sitting upright and the wind blasting me even more. I did feel relief of getting off the highway though. Im taking it easy as im learning without being fearful yet respecting the machine also experienced riders.
Kevin I got scared when I saw the notification email thinking it was Friday already, and then I looked at my watch and OMG it is Friday again. This topic of wind is an important one something I learned a few years back now initially when I was Flight Training enlight aviation aircraft. Instructors tell you to look for direction of wind just as you explained in tall grasses trees Flags anything that can be moved with the wind to see wind direction as that is also extremely important on how you handle an aircraft and how to steer into the wind if necessary. That training was extremely useful for me on a motorcycle. Hi to have a 1999 Honda VFR and when a gust of wind hits that one it leans into the wind very quickly and sometimes so aggressively that it startles me. So far the rubber has stayed on the road. The other bikes like the Goldwing sits heavy like the valkyrie you mentioned and my little C50T Cruiser is way less affected due to the fact that the wind blows basically completely through it. Another great set of tips that is extremely important 2 biking thank you
Riding in wind happened to me when returning from Los Angeles to Phoenix. It was at night, at the end of May, and desert winds were really bad. Not only was there wind, but it was the middle of a typical sandstorm. Thankfully all traffic was having the same problem on the Interstate, and nothing was moving above 20mph. That was the only time I ever leaned the bike over as much to stay upright as someone riding hard in curves.
In Australia on national highways out of suburban areas we have B-Double trucks which are most easily described as a truck and a half or Road Trains which depending where you are can be two trailers long or more. The bull nose Kenworth style or flat front Mack trucks are unpredictable for the oncoming blast they hit you with when approaching from the opposite direction. Instead of leaning the motorcycle into the potential bow wave of air I suggest leaning your helmet and upper body instead and let the bike follow your movements. If you catch a bow wave it will be violent but the slight lean in reduces the effect enough so you aren't surprised by the the shock wave. As the bike follows your movement the slight lean in tends to cancel out the bow wave for the most part but you will still be struck by the shock wave but no so badly that it disrupts control. I have been caught a number of times with this effect and on a few occasions it has caused a slight steering head wobble if you haven't taken the precaution of a slight lean in to change the angle of attack.
Great tips. I remember my first time getting hit with a unexpected wind blast. It threw the bike like we were riding a kite. Learned a lot from that experience. I ride a Goldwing and a friend taught me that when you have a steady side wind you can put one foot out on the highway peg and it helps steady the bike.
Thank you I've come back to biking after nearly 20 years and now I'm enjoying riding a BMW R1250RT and wow what a difference between this machine and my mk1 YZF1000R
No kidding about riding in New Mexico! I live here in NM, and as a new rider, the wind has been buffeting me around some, if not physically, mentally. Thanks for the tips! I like the addition of the Lady (Poetry in Motion!). Now we have some skills added with the Relax, tip.
My bike is only about 400lbs with a full tank! Any type of cross wind, especially across bridges, can cause major problems! Leaning in, leg drags, & slowing way down, was all I could do to keep from jumping the curb! Wish I saw this video a month ago! Lol
Kevin, I don’t know if you ever rode on I-10 west bound. Between trucks and cuts through hills and mountains, I was being blown towards trucks at each passing of the hill and mountain cuts. I had to pull into the first rest stop and take a break. Also getting off I-10 heading north to Albuquerque there is a long tall rise where, at the top I ran into ice. I think I rode 2 miles on the road-side which had no ice but hellacious winds. Thank heavens for the truck stop further up the road. I spent the night there in the coffee shop.
Finally somebody with brain and skill. I think that last advice should actually be the first one. Relax on the seat and loose on the handles (which is kind of good rule in general.) Most of the wind effect is actually transferred to machine via body. I learned in hard way but, my judo and jiu-jitsu training was essential in figuring out what to do. When faced with overwhelming force, the best is to relax. You can't change the machine or the environment, only you own position and reaction. I went from struggling in wind at 40mph on 250cc, 290lbs bike to comfortably riding at 60mph in the same wind conditions.
If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide.
- The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you.
- The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills.
In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more.
By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills.
www.MCrider.com/Member
As a newbie riding a Honda 750, I really pick up wind, I knew I would hit wind by the way the trees were blowing which I look for, I drop my visor and tuck in right. Never knew by seeing this video that I was doing somethings right , thanks again.
BTW, I love your videos because you speak like you're really teaching, no coolness, no unnecessary cursing, no calling riders idiots, you're top notch.
I have to join you in your praise of Ken for keeping the videos professional, yet still personal.
I agree, but I must say, some riders ARE idiots. 😁
Relaxing is probably the best tip for someone like me who commutes through an area of high gusty winds. If I use pressure on my foot pegs to adjust my line (instead of the handlebars), my upper body relaxes and the bike does its thing. When my upper body relaxes, it seems my mind does too. A relaxed mind is just as helpful as a relaxed grip in my experience.
That’s a great point You’re making. This is the type of discussion that should be regarded as the most important within the motorcycle community: discussions about riding skills and techniques. We should avoid conversations about gear and focus on out skills, that will save our lives, not gear or style
Just got my 2019 Ninja 650 a month ago. Today was the first windy day since I've been riding. Scared the heck out of me. I did tuck in and leaned forward a little which helped. Still I thought the bike was going to get blown over. When the wind gusted I gave it some throttle which helped somewhat. Can't tell you how happy I was to get home. Lastly, this video was perfect and gave me some confidence now that I know other riders experience the same thing. In addition, this guy sounds like he knows what he is talking about. Great teacher! Thank you!
That wind will have u rethinking life!
@@NjD.... i experienced strong wind today and those (about 20min ride) made me rethink life lol 😅
Dude I was in this exact situation yesterday. Scared me shitless
Same. Only my second day riding as a newbie .. just bought a Zero FXE .. bike is UNDER 300lbs. I’m about 165lbs. Ride to work was smooth. On the way back, cross winds hitting hard, pelting me with dirt, 35 mph & gusting up to 40+. Coming across my left side out of the Northwest, off the mountains here in the Utah Valley. For my second day riding, that was a hell of a reality check. I luckily found the confidence to just keep trying different methods. I tried speeding up & tucking (although I also had a full backpack on so that didn’t help my profile).. the speeding up I didn’t like. I tried steering & countersteering against & the gentle counter steer created enough lean to make it manageable. Slowing down definitely made it more comfortable, but there was a lot of traffic so I was doing frequent head checks & mirror checks. I made it home, saw my 2 year old daughter as soon as I walked in the door, she ran up & hugged me & I 100% had a momentary new respect for life, in general. Fun times.
That's a nice positive experience for conquering the wind the next time. I'm going home now with crazy wind conditions. Can never have too much advice. Mc rider always has excellent advice
I have learned to slow down and like you said relax and don't fight it. If it gets to bad take a break
My first wind storms as a rider made me so exhausted. Now I wonder if the wind is really going or not. I only notice 25 mph winds if I'm just starting into a riding season. Later on it's just part of instinct.
Hey, here's tip #6: SLOW DOWN!
FACT: For extreme wind simply slowing down will eliminate a lot of severe buffeting, increase reaction time and reduce the effect of strong wind.
Actually, the faster you go, the more stable the motorcycle becomes. Gyro physics.
@@JerromKJ I disagree...The faster the bike is moving, the lighter it is, and the less traction it has. I ride a very light Virago 250; and, when the wind is blowing 25 mph, my bike slides sideways on the road, as if I'm riding on ice; that's when I'm traveling at speeds of 50 mph or more. However, if I slow to 45 mph, I have a lot more grip on the road.
Right on brother, I agree!!!
@@JerromKJ law of diminishing returns
@@BEEBEE159 can you base your idea on physics? Why would it become lighter? Just curious, not saying that it does not happen to you. I ride 260 kg machine and nothing moves it at side winds of 70 kph
I like all that you said about riding in the wind, Kevin. I have ridden in the pampas of Southern Argentina and Chile, where the wind REALLY blows---30, 40, 50 knots and higher, and it blows most of the time, sweeping down off the Andes and cutting across the pampas like an invisible scythe.
Here is my tip to add to Kevin's: Take charge of your bike! Do not let the bike control you! When you have, for instance, a lady crosswind, and you are tooling along at 50 or 60 MPH, when that tractor trailer semi comes along heading toward you in the opposite lane, be ready for it, and as it passes, resist that suction that pulls you suddenly to the left. YOU are the pilot of this rocket ship, and you can keep it going where you want it to go. Yes, you can be "relaxed" and still keep a firm control of your steed. Don't let the bike take over from your control. I've seen only one day instance where the crosswind made me abort the ride and head back ro the barn. That was in Argentina, and I estimate the Xwibd was in excess of 70 knots, and with some gusting. It was just too unpleasant, not to mention dangerous, so prudence dictated bagging it for that day, hitting the hotel, and relaxing with a few brewskis.
"invisible scythe" that sums it up perfectly :)
Great tips - one more I would like to add is: on very wind days try to, where possible, choose a route that a avoids motorways (or as you call them freeways). These tend to go through open country where there is little protection from wind. I also find it less stressful in heavy rain. The added advantage of using the less "fast" roads on long journeys there are more opportunities to find shelter or stop for a break. Not sure about the good old USA but that works in Europe.
I haven't open-roaded much because I ride a small dual-sport, but I've seen while driving my truck a lot of riders stop under under-passes in areas where big freeways cross. Some places like Texas may not have shelter otherwise. The more country roaded areas....hmmm...I can't tell you if it helps where I've been in America. It seems unprotected either way, but the freeway is definitely harder to fight in bad weather than a country road, that's for sure.
Good tip man, thank u
Here in the states there are miles upon miles of open highway (freeway) where your best bet for shelter is having a tent with you 😂
Seriously though, like someone mentioned already we sometimes chill under an overpass (viaduct), gas stations or hotel portico.
Well said. I agree. The only disadvantage is , the flow of traffic is more heavy and narrower.
Avoid elevated freeways and sound walled Freeways on high days. The walls tend to compresses and accelerate the wind. Elevated, there's just nothing blocking or diffusing the wind.
You are saving a lot of people from crashing Thank you
Great tips Kevin! After almost 50 years of motorcycling, I’m still learning plenty from you my friend. My strategy for dealing with cross wind, particularly when it’s gusty, is to grip the tank quite firmly with my knees. Agree that we don’t want tension, but gripping in this way makes your weight and the bike’s weight one mass, so they move together and not relative to each other. I believe this adds a lot of stability in windy conditions.
Kevin, I have been watching your videos now for the past few weeks and as a rider of 48 years I am still learning from them. As for wind, I point my knee into the wind to stabilize the bike, hard to do and can't do it for long but it seems to work.
I do that too. It breaks the laminar flow of the wind hitting the bike. I'm pretty good at it now and do it for miles
Here's something subscribers might encounter as well. To pick up on dealing with side winds - a rider friend and I encountered some fierce right-to-left winds on secondary (farm) roads coming back from Jake, OK. The wind required us to apply nearly constant right-hand handlebar push, keeping our bikes at a nearly constant 45-degree lean to counter the wind. The challenge was the large farm trucks in the oncoming lane. It required constant vigilance to respond to sudden and brief interruptions to the wind. Not anticipating this resulted in an unanticipated drift (or veer) to the right due to the right-hand push as the wind briefly ceased - VERY unnerving. There were many trucks. It was a LONG and tiring ride home. This also happened as we crossed bridges over small creeks with woodland, typically with a small descent which quickly cut the wind. And as always, another great video, Kevin!
Good morning (UK time) Kevin! Two things - when passing heavy goods vehicles, especially long ones, be prepared for the apparent suction effect when you pass into the downwind side of the lorry - as you approach you are blown away from the lorry and you compensate but as you get into its wind shadow your compensation can seem to suck you towards the lorry, only to be blown away again as you get past it. The second may be more common in the U.K. especially on motorways, and that is the sudden gusts in gaps between trees or hedges.
Keep it up K - brilliant channel!
Definitely keep your head up and your eyes where you want to travel. It will help you hold your line in extreme winds with minimal conscious corrections. If you look down while riding in gusty winds it will be scary to see how much that bike is actually dancing around under you.
Being a Pilot has helped greatly in MC riding. I use a lot of the same techniques in the Cessna and the Yamaha.
MCrider I want to say thank you for videos. I have watched everyone of them.
I started riding my first street bike in mid May at the age of 40. I'd always wanted to ride, but didn't get to do it till then.
I bought a brand new bike with 0 miles on it I now have 8 miles shy of 6000 miles on the bike.
I can honestly say your videos have helped me in many ways. I will often go back and rewatch them.
We appreciate your videos and they sure help us all out.
Thank you for what you do.
Thank you Kevin! I’m a new rider of 1 year and experienced a cross wind for the first time but because of watching your training videos I was prepared and didn’t panic. I’m proud of the rider I’m becoming and feel confident having ongoing training with you.
Oiolll
I am a newbie, just picked up a vstar 650 to learn on. Yesterday took my first ride one hour outside the city at speeds faster than ive gone before. The impact of the wind on those open roads and valleys was unsettling, i was tense and the bike felt it was picking up my nervousness...this video has helped me understand what i was experiencing and know that the wind and me being tense "holding on tight to the handlebars" were all contributing to that unstable feeling. Thank you for the videos, easy to follow tips and advice. I have picked up this hobby in my middle age, so probably more cautious than i would have been in my 20s..thank you!
However good you are at handling the wind, remember to watch out for wind-related hazards. Today I came around a curve to see a tree down across both lanes. Other debris can also blow into the road.
Absolutely good stuff here McRider. High winds in the vast endless dry open flat prairie lands like we all have here in the great state of Texas and southwest. Stay focused, hold steady, stay calm and don’t panic. Enjoy the ride. Be safe my road warrior brothers and sisters.
Kevin you hit the nail right on the head with the RELAX mode, Im no expert but your style of online teaching is superb, your voice travels with me, I got caught in torrential rain with heavy traffic, fogged up visor freezing cold and stiff, I just remember you saying relax, take a breath and thats what I done, I have been riding for many years but not afraid to admit to at times being scared of some of what nature can throw at us.... I would like to bet that you have saved lives with your online campaign, I am living in the United Kingdom and a big threat in this country is foreign drivers who are not used to are driving laws and rules.
All the best to mate.
Recently had a crosswind almost push me and my HD 883 off the road. I immediately turned my head to look back to the road and kept riding. Happened in an instant on a Arizona country road. Ride safe out there.
I struggled big time with wind on my Sporty! Husband kept telling me it would be alot better with my Heritage. It's better but man, I still hate wind!
Every video I learn more and more from this guy from this guy thank you my friend 😉
Watch out for urban wind tunnels too. You can be sheltered when you're between buildings, but get hit by heavy gusts when they open up to cross-streets.
I hit some gusty winds yesterday when riding. My mind went immediately to this video even though it had been months since I had seen it. I came back to watch it again. I found I naturally used these techniques I had learned from you. Thank you for making me safer!
I been wanting this topic covered for a while so thank you! I'm still a new rider with only 4K on a HD Softail since March 2017. I took a ride out to Holister, CA last month and hit a stretch of the 25 between the 101 and Hollister where the wind notoriously comes swooping down the mountains and across the valley. It had to be a good 30-40 mph crosswind coming from my right that just wanted to push me right across the lane.
I'll tell you, as a new rider experiencing that for the first time, it was very unnerving. I rode as slow as traffic would let me and couldn't help the feeling that the wind would sweep my wheels from under me like a basketball player on a slippery floor.
I'm looking forward to applying your techniques the next time I find myself in those conditions. I'm sure the biggest thing is to relax, trust the motorcycle, and apply the fundamentals. Thanks for the video!
Try riding in those winds on the San Mateo bridge! I commute to sfo everyday and it’s scary as hell!
Good vid. I'm riding a Shadow 600 in NM and it gusts 25-35 all day everyday. Staying loose is my number 1 thing. Give yourself room and don't fight to hard. I've forgotten how to ride a straight line without leaning 15° hahaha. I regularly find myself in conditions noone should ride in and when the wind gets over 65mph and his head on or from the side you need to get off the road. If you cannot get off, stay relaxed. Slow down. One helpful trick on the highway is to pay very close attention to large vehicles. The disturbance they cause in a high wind can kill you. As they approach from the rear to pass you (your slowed due to hurricane force winds) began to smoothly transition far right, don't cross the line, save a foot minimum for backlash and when the vehicle passes it will initially stop the cross wind or cause a tail wind. That's the fun part. Then they pass and you will be sucked HARD in their direction. LET IT pull you back to the center of your Lane. Expect it, and let it. Best advise I can give.
I have been watching multitudes of your UA-cam videos Kevin. Spot on. I am kind of a novice after 15 years off riding. Prior to that was about 8 years on a Honda V65 Sabre. Now riding for the last 4 weeks a Honda ST1300. I am doing well having spent a lot of time in parking lots learning the friction zone, and light rear braking doing tighter low speed turns, cones, U turns, etc. I still find highway speeds (55-65mph) a bit intimidating. Add gusts or strong prevailing winds, truck wash etc and I know I need much more time behind the bars. Keeping relaxed without the death grip helped me immensely. Thank you. Once I am comfy by myself, I plan to add a pillion, my wife. We have a top case with pad for her when we choose to try that. I understand preload and damping for my bike, psi on the tires, etc. We just bought dual intercoms that I put in our full face helmets too so we can communicate. Looking forward to forever learning. Your channel helps a lot.
Something I learned from a sailboat racer, and it works, is point your knee towards the wind.
Why do this? Can you clarify, please? Thx...
Pitbull Bite Pointing your knee out increases drag, which makes the bike drift in that direction.
Thank you for clarifying that. It makes sense. Thanks again.
And I can confirm that pointing your knee on the direction of the wind, is effective. It helps to ride in a straight line, despite of the wind.
Thanks for the tip; I'm going to try that.
Thank You,MCrider.
I love all the great tips, and safety video's, I have become a better rider, and feel much safer out on the roads. Thank you
I have been riding my 1982 Suzuki around town and local longer rides for a few years now, but I am planning a solo trip on a rented HD Electra Limited from CT to ME next month. I am thrilled that I found your channel only a week ago, as I have had quite a few questions answered and built up my confidence even more by watching your videos. I know that you're never too experienced to learn something new, especially about motorcycling. Keep up the great work Kevin!
The relaxing tip is excellent. Thanks.
Living in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this was very helpful. The wind here near the Carolina line can be brutal in these mountains. Thanks brother for the tips
Another good lesson Kevin. I also slow down when on the freeway and get into that right lane when it is realllllyyyy bad! I find that usually the right lane travelers (under powered trucks, hyper-milers, old folks like me) are barely doing the speed limit and this helps with wind management, and me calming down, especially when it is gusty from all directions. I also have the right shoulder available if needed in a emergency and vehicles only on the left to deal with. As the vehicles on the left pass by I can get a feel for what the wind is doing and somewhat predict the results on me. Blessings!
Thank you Kevin! Great video.
Great topic! Great tips! Wish I had this information prior to my very first experience on a major highway. All I did was pray! Thanks for your work Kevin!
John, you and me both.
Man I wish I would have watched this before going out today. I'm in Wyoming so I will definitely get to use these tips. Thank you for all of the useful information you provide to riders, new and old. Also, thank you to the other folks in this comment thread for providing feedback and additional info. It really helps us new guys.
MCrider, I have been watching you'r video tips all summer. And when I ride, your tips stick in my mind, like a riff.
LOL, I have heard that from a few people. May the force of MCrider be with you...or something like that.
:)
Nice information Kevin, excellent stuff, I use these strategies all the time.
Thank you great video.
I came here because, despite having driven for over thirty years now, I am just conquering a freeway phobia, in car driving. These tips are awesome, even for car drivers. The best tip is, "RELAX". I was on the freeway yesterday in high winds, tensing up, and it made me ten times more anxious. Not a fun - albeit short - ride. Thank you.
I hate hate ,did i say hate ridding in wind or gusty days. Thanks for all your info kevin,keep up the good work
Wow awsome video I'm having this problem on my cbr 300r I would be putting tention n panicking I am a beginner rider n this advice and tips helped alot I will remember this thank you so much for this video
I truly appreciate ur vids. The turning videos really really helped me a lot. It's funny how something as simple as looking where you want to go can make a huge difference. I now approach every turn that way. Thanks
Another tip: Slowing down minimizes the effect of wind. I’m a new rider. For the first time last weekend I’ve experienced strong winds. When i was fast it was so disturbing and felt hard to control. When i slowed down everything was becoming gradually fine.
It's generally error. You cannot be 'Loose' all tucked into a ball.
Glad you did a video on the wind. As a new rider, this is what makes me nervous.
Just had my first experience with, what I call "tar snakes". They are not fun either and I never thought twice about those until the other day when I hit one and felt the wheels slide. Luckily, I was on a straight stretch and not in a curve.
First time I encountered wind gusts is when I was coming back down (south) for a trip up the entire California cost. Really was my maiden voyage in so many ways. I did the trip on a Yamaha 400cc Majesty CVT belt drive scooter! Light weight bike. The bike performed so good it was insane. However on the way back down the 101' about 20 miles outside of Santa Barbar I got hit with the wind guesting back and fourth both ways over the water and cliffs! Its amazing to listen to your advice here now' because by instinct I was looking at the tress to gauge it, and also did the things with leaning into to wind with the bars slightly! Must be a natural! lol. After 10 minutes of a straight pounding, I got to thinking I was pushing my luck and pulled off the road for a while too!
Living here in Pensacola Florida I have to cross high bridges over the bay and inter coastal waterways all the time. I ride a Heritage Softail Classic and I’ve found that at the highest points over the brides with strong crosswinds and gusts, laying my upper body forward over the tank (almost crotch rocket style) with arms relaxed enough to let the bike “do its thing” under me helps immensely!
I'm a newer rider on a Heritage too. The Heritage is heavier than my first bike, a Sportster, so it's better in the wind.. But I still fight it! I get exhausted on windy days and quite discouraged! I'll keep your tip in mind for next time. I was doing that same technique on my Sporty and it helped alot but never thought to try it on my big girl bike! 😊
I liked your suggestions. I live in Seattle and ride over the world's longest floating bridge to and from work on my '96 Yamaha Virago 535 with no windshield. It can get pretty windy. I definitely learned that relaxing is super important. One thing that may sound crazy that I do is sing a little song. It helps me not focus on fear and I make sure to keep breathing.
Gets gusty out there on 90!
LOL, know what you're talking about. I used to live in Kirkland and hated going across that bridge when was windy even in a car!!!
I live in gusty winds area and I'm really having hard time dealing with the winds, specially when I have to cross the mountain to get to the neighboring city. I feel like I'm about to get blown away by the wind haha
Thanks for the tips!
In Hawaii the wind almost never stops. If I need to go to an reasonable size town there is basically a 30 minute wind tunnel to drive trough.
Great tips thanks
Don't forget ear protection, most of the noise comes from the wind so high winds at (relatively) low speed can get very loud.
Good point. In case anyone missed it, we just talked about wind noise here, ua-cam.com/video/aBHbtLWFF30/v-deo.html
Mark, This is common problem. Many riders will don a small bellaclava or head covering which protects the inside of the helmet from perspiration and covers the ears to keep your ear plugs from sliding out when the helmet in donned. Many dealers carry them or they can be ordered on the internet.
Same here. It's rarely the bike that causes the problem but the helmet. I started back with the HJC Max on a well silenced bike. After a year of riding I had bad Tinnitus, and started wearing ear plugs all the time. If you like flip front helmets get the SHOEI Neotech, it's even quieter than the Multitech.
What?!
Thanks Kevin for great instruction.
As regards wind effects, it’s also important to point out the effects of sudden LOSS of wind...we adjust to the effects of wind (eg with countersteer to balance wind pressure) and so it can be equally problematic if side wind ceases eg due to wind barrier (buildings, hills or other barrier) to the side of the road or alongside a truck which means your prior wind compensation steers you into the side wind that’s no longer there! As with all McRider training, look and plan ahead. Another factor with overtaking large trucks is to recognize the bow wave which causes a strong side wind effect pushing you away from the truck as you approach the cab immediately followed by sudden side wind cessation as you pass the cab which you should also be prepared for to avoid under or over compensating or being taken by surprise.
I don’t understand a prior comment suggesting more side wind susceptibility with “higher CoG”...higher CoG is generally bad with side or front wind (best to tuck down, leaning down into the tank as wind increases) but I agree that more weight from a full tank can be helpful (more inertia to side forces and more ground traction with increased weight).
Keep the great videos flowing, thanks.
DL (McRider Patreon supporter)
Relax was the one that was hardest for me to remember. Also, be careful as you emerge from riding under an overpass.
Kevin, really great tips. I'm a new rider as of June 2017. I took the MSF course and have logged nearly 4K miles since getting my license. I ride a 1995 Honda Pacific Coast 800. I absolutely love this machine and have taken it on several 200+ mile trips. I was on one such ride yesterday from NYC to Albany NY and the wind was pretty rough. I had to continuously remind myself to relax. That was the toughest part. I have dealt with the wind enough that I have learned the way my bike will handle a strong gust and not fall over (early riding fear) . I was so sore and mentally exhausted after the ride. Thanks for the great tips Kevin and keep the great content coming.
LOVE IT!
3 months and 4K, my kind of guy!
Very good! Thank you Kevin.
Outstanding. Thanks Kevin.
I live in Oregon. Anyone who lives in this state knows how quickly the weather can change. Today, right before work was out, I seen a dark mass coming over the western mountains. I tired to beat it home. I lost. Halfway on the expressway I got hit hard! And this is my 2nd season riding. Not only did I get hit hard with Rain, there was something akin to a not so violent tornado? There was debris circling the overpass and I got caught in it. I finally just pulled over and let the rain hammer me and my brand new Street Bob. I remember seeing this video pop up on my feed. I could have use this knowledge just a few minutes ago 😉 I made it home safely, just took me longer. I appreciate all your tips and advice! Keep up the good fight!
New rider here on a Yamaha V Star 250. Wanted to ride for a little practice on a windy day. Checked out this video first. Glad I did! My bike is so light I really had to fight to keep it in my lane. Counter steering helped a lot.
I have the same bike. Had lots of wind today and was NOT happy. It was very unpredictable and there was nowhere to stop.
Thanks for the tips, wish I watched this video sooner. I am very green to riding and only have 124 miles under my belt. I was on an overpass the other day and experienced a fairly powerful gust of wind come in from my left side, it pushed me fairly hard to the right and started to panic a bit which caused me to over-correct back to the left towards an oncoming SUV, which caused me to over-correct back to the right and almost wound up in the ditch after I was past the overpass. Thought I was dead man. I have to learn to relax more when on the bike.
Long time BMW K100RS rider that has been moved around my lane by the wind. Well I rented a '15 R1200GS in Ireland two up for 13 days and the "telelever" front fork or something else was really good in side winds. While riding along the Atlantic Ocean along a high 15' or higher wall that suddenly ended we noticed the high winds off the ocean suddenly and our helmets both jostled a lot however the front tire did not stray. This happened many times. I am very impressed. I've also ridden a bicycle with racing teammates in high cross winds and somehow you need to lean over 5 -20 degrees steadily just to go straight. Sailors learn that the faster you go the more the "apparent" wind "eventually just comes from the front."
Once saw two riders pulled to the roadside during a Sandstorm ! Near the Salton sea in Calif. We were in a rent a car, but I felt sorry for those two. Also being older , I have several friends who ride larger "scooters " such as the Burgman . Ithink the small wheels also contribute to instability. These guys have been around the block and know their stuff, but wind always gets them talking ! Thanks Kevin !
During strong cross winds I’ve found that having my feet on highway pegs (for cruisers) helps countering the gusts from side to side.
I'm riding my bike in the Netherlands. Flat landscape, open areas, bridges, wind gust sometimes up to 60 mph also in the rain.
I learned a few things:
-don't ride if you don't have to
-track the wind direction
-relax
-use counter stering to keep your line
-don't go too slow (use gyro effect from your wheels)
-overtake if you have to but do it fast
-wind is changing the direction when you are overtaking a lorries.
-keep your wind screen low to reduce the wind impact to the bike
-remove topbox if you have one.
Already I had to change my wind screen as it was demage in these weather conditions.
Keep safe!
Right on point,great advice i thank you so much.
Great video Ken. Thinking about the weight of a bike is an important consideration when choosing a bike for purchase. When I bough my T100 the other bike competing for my dollars was an FZ-07. While the light weight of the FZ makes it more entertaining to ride, I am glad I went with a heavier bike. Where I live in Arizona we have a nearly continuas wind of 15+ and 30 mile an hour winds are not at all uncommon. I got caught in a heavy down pour coming home from LasVegas with a gusting 30 mph crosswind. It was scary, and if there had been anywhere to get shelter would have chosen that. When I relaxed, the control was much easier. When I kept telling myself to trust my tires (which showed no signs of loosing grip) made me able to relax.
Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks for the video. I enjoy following your English pronunciation. God bless you.
Thank you for putting in the 5th technique. Been preaching that to my wife for years.
Strong winds started hitting my goldwing broad side as I was leaving the shop. I hadn't road a bike in 30+ yrs. The bike was sliding into the other lane. My butt was puckered super tight. I slowed for more tire grip, tilted my head and slightly leaned the bike into the wind until I got in the trees and stayed to the near right of my lane and just put putted home. Thanks for this video.
All good tips, thanks! One other thing, just started riding again, and before I found just the right jacket (Icon motorhead, love that thing) I rode around in a 3/4 loose fitting leather jacket. That thing really caught the wind, I felt like I was wearing a sail. So wear something as snug as possible.
Thanks, good tip!
And most decent riding jackets also have snap/straps on the sleeves, so there is room for a liner, long-sleeve sweat-shirt, or something in Cold weather, but can be snugged up in the summer...or if your arms are just not big enough to fill the sleeves... (-;
And many of them also have straps under the arms/ribcage area to also snug the jacket better.
ooooh good point! Thanks
On hard windy side winds I like to ride from side side so control the bike by cutting into wind then going with the wind most relaxing way ride on baddie winds also helps wear the side wall of our flat land tires!!!!! Lol good videos keep up the good info!!!
got motorhead jacket in black leather,aspalt tested+still in use!!
As a new rider on the Oregon coast, thank you.
I bet you do get some wind there!
Matthew Schmidt im also from the oregon coast
How about the Columbia River Gorge? The wind hits from all quarters as the road follows the winding river. It's exhausting.
R3 + me (130lbs) + heavy winds = no bueno lol.
These tips help!
Great tips! Remember those over passes when riding in windy conditions. As you pass under them you are protected from the wind for a second, or two. That leaning against the wind a little will move you to the right or left for that time out of the wind.
A good tip that someone shared on my CBR forum was to grab the tank with your legs rather than try and fight the wind with your arms.
Lisa loves hard dixon cider, stacy loves hard dixon cider, jenny loves hard dixon cider!!!.....😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I don't always do it but you should always control your bike with your knee grip. Takes conscious effort at first but then becomes a habit unless you're lazy like I am sometimes
I battled those same winds in New Mexico many years ago along with the biggest tumbleweeds I have ever seen! It was when I first started riding and was white knuckle all the way. I with I had access to your wisdom back then .
Yes Kevin, I have found that an increase tension on the shock help on windy days, I set the BMW R1200GS shock to minimal travel then adjust the rebound too hard, this helps take the movement out of the bike from heavy cross wind. The GS is higher than sports bikes and the alike and seem to suffer from wind more than a bike like a Honda Blackbird or K1200s etc that are about the same weight.
Thanks for the show. / Trevor
Choice of windscreen (windshield) can also help. Recently switched out my stock Goldwing windscreen for a Klock Werks custom sport. The change in stability was unbelievable. KW apparently designed the screen for Bonneville Salt Flats speed runs, and conducted wind tunnel testing. They assert a typical bike creates @ 50lbs of lift going down the road at highway speed. Their unusual design offsets that airborne tendency by creating @ 25lbs of down force by incorporating windscreen "hips." May not be "good old boy" advice, but the physics is rock solid.
Regarding hearing protection. Most ear nose and throat Dr's (ent's) will make you custom set of hearing protection. Most insurance will cover them with just a co pay. The nice thing is they fill your ear with a compound and then produce a mold for the hearing protection. My favorite feature is the sound valve that closes automatically when high decibels are present. This allows the sounds of traffic around you to be present and then block loud noises. These work so well I use them shooting too. because they are made for you and molded to your ear There is less irritation and can be worn for longer periods of time.
thanks that helped alot, the cross winds push me all over the road when im riding out in the back roads
I have just 222-miles of experience on a 1993 BMW K1100 RS; I haven’t ridden in 30-years and back then I rode mostly dirt bikes. Today, I was riding home (about 25-miles out and 25-miles back) and a rain storm was coming in. Intermittent gusts were terrifying! I didn’t have the nerve to maintain 55-MPH but I handled myself between 45 and 48-MPH. Was that in my head or is the bike actually less controllable at higher speeds in these conditions?
That patch of highway between Post Texas and Roswell NM can be a beast because of the wind. I grew up riding in west Texas so learning to ride in the wind is a must.
I can now testify to that. 😉
Great tips, Kevin. One I’d like to add is to move as much weight forward as you can. This puts more weight on the front tire and helps with directional stability. Simply shifting your butt as far forward in the seat as possible helps. I ride a 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 with the factory engine guards. I bought Givi Bar Bags which mount on the guards and moved my tool kit into one and first aid kit into the other. Since I always carry both this shifted a few pounds of weight from the rear to the front and freed up some valuable space in the panniers. Every little bit helps.
Towing a trailer with a low vertical profile acts very much like a tail on a kite in heavy wind. Conversely a tall trailer
Kevin, another great video, thanks. My buddy and I were returning to Eastern Washington from the middle of state and had to cross the Columbia River near Vantage. The wind was gusting and absolutely insane, I swear it felt like the front tire was lifted off the ground a couple of times. We were both leaning hard and ended up in the oncoming lane. These are some great tips.
Ha! I just blew through Roswell with 40 mph winds. The stuff is relentless. Great video. Thanks :)
Has anyone mentioned lane placement in gusty conditions? If it's blasting intermittently from the left, keep left for a buffer allowing for being blown to the right and of course, vice versa.
Good point.
I find wind blows as sucks (or at least it seems that way) so perhaps keeping slightly closer to the side the wind is coming from may help you but don't be riding too far over in case the wind changes direction when you're not expecting it.
good call, thanks
I came out of Indianapolis after the '08 MotoGP (the "hurricane race") on a sail boat Hayabusa. Raining, 60 mph cross winds, I was looking for semis to hide behind to get a break for a moment. Gusts would hit me broadside and push me across two full lanes at close to 70 mph. 40 miles of it, was sure glad to see the motel at Cloverdale IN..
Eye protection while riding is essential under ANY conditions!
Frank Costanzo isnt it the law to have eyepro on at all times? I know it is here in Florida.
I always wore it so I never found out about the law.
I picked up a bike one time and had to ride it 12 hours home. The first 2 hours was very windy. It was very scary. I told myself to trust the bike as it could ride better than me. So I held on loosely, leant into the wind and let the bike do its thing.
I survived got home safely 10 hours later. I had that bike 4 years and loved every moment on it.
Great story man. That’s the beautiful thing about having riding Adventures: you never now what comes next.
Im a new rider, did my Safety course including and passed my raodtest, now with a class M licnese I was on the highway with my Yamaha R3 and boy oh boy the wind was feeling strong on the belt parkway close to the water. The wind was really strong so without panic I held onto my handle bars took a breath cleared my mind and let of the throttle as times including making myself tuck in a bit so that the wind can flow better than me sitting upright and the wind blasting me even more. I did feel relief of getting off the highway though. Im taking it easy as im learning without being fearful yet respecting the machine also experienced riders.
Preparing for my California to Texas and back motorcycle trip.
Kevin I got scared when I saw the notification email thinking it was Friday already, and then I looked at my watch and OMG it is Friday again. This topic of wind is an important one something I learned a few years back now initially when I was Flight Training enlight aviation aircraft. Instructors tell you to look for direction of wind just as you explained in tall grasses trees Flags anything that can be moved with the wind to see wind direction as that is also extremely important on how you handle an aircraft and how to steer into the wind if necessary. That training was extremely useful for me on a motorcycle. Hi to have a 1999 Honda VFR and when a gust of wind hits that one it leans into the wind very quickly and sometimes so aggressively that it startles me. So far the rubber has stayed on the road. The other bikes like the Goldwing sits heavy like the valkyrie you mentioned and my little C50T Cruiser is way less affected due to the fact that the wind blows basically completely through it. Another great set of tips that is extremely important 2 biking thank you
Riding in wind happened to me when returning from Los Angeles to Phoenix. It was at night, at the end of May, and desert winds were really bad. Not only was there wind, but it was the middle of a typical sandstorm. Thankfully all traffic was having the same problem on the Interstate, and nothing was moving above 20mph. That was the only time I ever leaned the bike over as much to stay upright as someone riding hard in curves.
In Australia on national highways out of suburban areas we have B-Double trucks which are most easily described as a truck and a half or Road Trains which depending where you are can be two trailers long or more. The bull nose Kenworth style or flat front Mack trucks are unpredictable for the oncoming blast they hit you with when approaching from the opposite direction. Instead of leaning the motorcycle into the potential bow wave of air I suggest leaning your helmet and upper body instead and let the bike follow your movements. If you catch a bow wave it will be violent but the slight lean in reduces the effect enough so you aren't surprised by the the shock wave. As the bike follows your movement the slight lean in tends to cancel out the bow wave for the most part but you will still be struck by the shock wave but no so badly that it disrupts control. I have been caught a number of times with this effect and on a few occasions it has caused a slight steering head wobble if you haven't taken the precaution of a slight lean in to change the angle of attack.
Great tips. I remember my first time getting hit with a unexpected wind blast. It threw the bike like we were riding a kite. Learned a lot from that experience.
I ride a Goldwing and a friend taught me that when you have a steady side wind you can put one foot out on the highway peg and it helps steady the bike.
I have heard that too, or sticking a knee out on the side with the wind.
Thank you I've come back to biking after nearly 20 years and now I'm enjoying riding a BMW R1250RT and wow what a difference between this machine and my mk1 YZF1000R
No kidding about riding in New Mexico! I live here in NM, and as a new rider, the wind has been buffeting me around some, if not physically, mentally. Thanks for the tips! I like the addition of the Lady (Poetry in Motion!). Now we have some skills added with the Relax, tip.
My bike is only about 400lbs with a full tank! Any type of cross wind, especially across bridges, can cause major problems! Leaning in, leg drags, & slowing way down, was all I could do to keep from jumping the curb! Wish I saw this video a month ago! Lol
Thanks man.
Kevin, I don’t know if you ever rode on I-10 west bound. Between trucks and cuts through hills and mountains, I was being blown towards trucks at each passing of the hill and mountain cuts. I had to pull into the first rest stop and take a break. Also getting off I-10 heading north to Albuquerque there is a long tall rise where, at the top I ran into ice. I think I rode 2 miles on the road-side which had no ice but hellacious winds. Thank heavens for the truck stop further up the road. I spent the night there in the coffee shop.
Finally somebody with brain and skill. I think that last advice should actually be the first one. Relax on the seat and loose on the handles (which is kind of good rule in general.) Most of the wind effect is actually transferred to machine via body. I learned in hard way but, my judo and jiu-jitsu training was essential in figuring out what to do. When faced with overwhelming force, the best is to relax. You can't change the machine or the environment, only you own position and reaction. I went from struggling in wind at 40mph on 250cc, 290lbs bike to comfortably riding at 60mph in the same wind conditions.