[crazyjoedivola]

I've been on the freeway a handful of times and feel comfortable at speed and other vehicles surrounding me. But the crosswinds & wind resistance is something I can't overcome. I feel that at any moment I'm gonna get tossed off the bike.

Is it a matter of riding experience before I overcome that fear? I ride with confidence in Chicago traffic but I'm scarred as can be on the freeway.

 

[icon1k]

I have the same problem
i have been told to just tuck tighter, grip harder and after many more miles
it will become second nature

 

[The_Don]

I can safely say after about 1000 miles on the 118 freeway doing 80+ mph, it only 'feels' like that, but you probably won't be blown off the bike.

I've gone through the Santa Susana pass on super windy days as well. It can get pretty scary sometimes, and I do slow down if the wind is actually pushing my bike into another lane, but if you squeeze the tank with your knees and tuck in, you and the bike will remain one piece.

-THE DON

 

[-dondae-]

I used to have the same problem. Wind noise is overwhelming at a high speed. Like you I was scared that I'd get tossed anytime thus I got stiffed and was hanging on to the handle bar like there was no tomorrow. Then I started using an ear plug, boy, what a difference. Everything got quiet and I was able to focus more on my driving. Try it, you wouldn't believe the difference.

 

[-dondae-]

I can safely say after about 1000 miles on the 118 freeway doing 80+ mph, it only 'feels' like that, but you probably won't be blown off the bike.

I've gone through the Santa Susana pass on super windy days as well. It can get pretty scary sometimes, and I do slow down if the wind is actually pushing my bike into another lane, but if you squeeze the tank with your knees and tuck in, you and the bike will remain one piece.

-THE DON

I used to ride Santa susana pass on my road bike and wind there can get really nasty.

 

[NoD GP]

I have to deal with really bad crosswinds on my way to work (going over two small bridges north to south and the wind here always blows west to east pretty much. Just keep practicing and condition yourself to it and be ready to lean at any moment to counter it. The worst I have had so far is pushed from the far right all the way to the left side of my lane while still leaning to counter it, but I could have easily leaned more. Since then I've gotten used to it.

 

[thecomputerguy06]

You'll build muscle memory after a while and your body will adjust on it's own.
Gripping tighter is not the answer, that will cause an accident.

 

[NoD GP]

You'll build muscle memory after a while and your body will adjust on it's own.
Gripping tighter is not the answer, that will cause an accident.

Yep. Just lean in and go with the flow.

 

[dmdusen]

definitely after experience it will feel normal. youre body will learn to adjust on its own no matter how windy it is. tucking down helps a lot but the most important part is to try to stay loose and just stay focused. i remember the first time i road my harley on the freeway, it felt like i was on a roller coaster with no shoulder harness haha but after two years it now just feels like a walk in the park.

 

[phrenetiK]

when i tuck on this bike the windshield shoots air at me and makes it seem worse than in the upright position but maybe that is because my helmet is made to be quiet at the upright position.

anyways, i would say DONT tense up and DONT grip harder. ive noticed if i go with the flow and just keep the bike pointed straight it is fine and i have gotten used to the wind at even 90mph

 

[dmdusen]

when i tuck on this bike the windshield shoots air at me and makes it seem worse than in the upright position but maybe that is because my helmet is made to be quiet at the upright position.

anyways, i would say DONT tense up and DONT grip harder. ive noticed if i go with the flow and just keep the bike pointed straight it is fine and i have gotten used to the wind at even 90mph

+1 i agree with that!

 

[HardRacing]

when i tuck on this bike the windshield shoots air at me and makes it seem worse than in the upright position but maybe that is because my helmet is made to be quiet at the upright position.

anyways, i would say DONT tense up and DONT grip harder. ive noticed if i go with the flow and just keep the bike pointed straight it is fine and i have gotten used to the wind at even 90mph

Our guys here agree with being loose and relaxed with cross winds or even with huge semi trucks around. It is Really scary when you're leaning into the cross wind, then it disappears and you almost pull a 3 laner. Just gotta keep your cool, gain the experience, and let instinct take over in those circumstances.

.

 

[Rick]

Plus the faster I go on the highway the greater the wind resistance supports me so my body doesn't tire as quickly

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[Captain]

Good info. Thanks everyone. Ill be doing my freeway trial run this weekend.


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[the_intrudor]

I had the same problem

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[dkw12002]

I ride a lot on the freeway with my 300 and it holds the road well for me and seems well- planted. Today we had 20 mph gusts and it did move the bike a little, but nothing dangerous. The other thing is to make sure your helmet is not leaking and making your head bob in the wind. I think experience is a big factor cause the 300 does well for a smaller bike. I even ride wot on my Vespa (80 mph, on those 12-in. tires) and it too seems stable. At 5'7" I am naturally a little crouched just reaching for the handlebars. The Ninja 250r was a different story. That bike did not feel planted to me. I don't think the suspension was quite right on my bike, and going over a bump would make it go a little squirrelly, which was one reason I only kept it 3 months.

 

[bryce]

Just stay loose, if u grip tight, the wind will force u to swerve.


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[tfkrocks]

I feel fine unless there's a particularly strong crosswind (10+ mph ). I've only encountered that in one location and I ended up stopping for about an hour because I was barely pushing 50 mph and still getting pushed too much by the wind.

 

[DaveTheCanuck]

You'll build muscle memory after a while and your body will adjust on it's own.
Gripping tighter is not the answer, that will cause an accident.

definitely after experience it will feel normal. youre body will learn to adjust on its own no matter how windy it is. tucking down helps a lot but the most important part is to try to stay loose and just stay focused. i remember the first time i road my harley on the freeway, it felt like i was on a roller coaster with no shoulder harness haha but after two years it now just feels like a walk in the park.

when i tuck on this bike the windshield shoots air at me and makes it seem worse than in the upright position but maybe that is because my helmet is made to be quiet at the upright position.
anyways, i would say DONT tense up and DONT grip harder. ive noticed if i go with the flow and just keep the bike pointed straight it is fine and i have gotten used to the wind at even 90mph

Just stay loose, if u grip tight, the wind will force u to swerve.

^ This

When in high winds, the wind is pushing you (the rider) around more than the bike. If you tighten your grip or tense up, you transfer that energy to the controls of the bike and lose even more control.

Stay loose and tuck.

 

[Marioalex24]

Great info. I've never been on the freeway yet on my bike. This weekend might be my first.