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Windy riding days
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August 9, 2010 at 11:04 pm #4163Jon D.Participant
Hi folks. haven’t seen a whole lot of info for riders riding on windy days , so, here is some of my observations as I have been out. Here in Kansas a typical day can average 10 to 25 mph winds. Had a bunch of 40+ days this season. If you have taken the MSF then you have been taught about pressing your handle bars to make a turn , the same holds true for pushing your bike into the wind to maintain directional control. I decided to try a few other things and found that if I press my knee into the side of the bike opposite the wind that it really helps improve my stability. I am riding a B king so the weight of my bike is just under 600lbs. My wife rides a Kawasaki 454ltd and using the same techniques allows her to fight the wind as well. I haven’t put her bike on the scales but I figure she is around the 300lb range ( the bike that is ). I have ridden bikes in many different regions and have found Kansas to be the most challenging as far as the wind is concerned.Those 40mph plus days kinda take the fun out of the ride but comes along with living here. Hope this helps and I am interested in any other feed back that might make the battle more relaxing. I have come out of shelter belts and the wind will literally give me a left cross to the helmet, glad that the bike knows it’s job as I straighten myself out. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
August 17, 2010 at 10:58 pm #28123Jon D.ParticipantRacing home from county fair Saturday evening, trying to beat a storm front. I didn’t make it:(, Could see a pretty good updraft to my right as I was shooting down the highway ( 75mph ) , and hoping I would get on the other side of it before it crossed. As I topped a hill I already had the dirt from an adjacent field crossing the road. Slowed down, ducked behind the wind screen and found myself on the opposite side of the road with an inch of blacktop between me and the ditch, no fun. Later found out that the wind speed was in excess of 70 mph. I was less than a mile from town and ended up riding maybe the equivalent of 3 blocks and left the bike in a friends barn til the next day. Being blown off the road really increases the “pucker factor” and takes the enjoyment part out of the ride. I started out with 25mph tailwind ( pleasant ) and was defeated by the crosswind. Never before has the statement ” Keep it vertical” meant so much. I thank God and his hand holding me to the road. You other Kansas motorcycle riders that may be getting ready to ride should always keep in mind that the winds that we get in rural areas can get ya.Be alert and observant at all times. Spoke with some of my buddies at work and they have seen Road Kings sent into the ditch. Goldwing’s don’t seem to like the winds above 50mph. We do have a hazard that many people do not have to put up with. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
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