Is it possible for wind to blow you off the road?! : Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums: Gixxer.com

**KINGFABIAN** · 08-14-2008, 06:32 AM

Just wondering, I never thought it would be possible as stuff like that doesnt happen in a cage, however last night I just finished jumping on the Hwy and was travelling bout 70-75 MPH when this crazy ass Florida storm just began to hit. The kind of storms we have here sometimes start out with what feels like Hurricane force freakin winds. Im talking gust of 40 sometimes even 50mph. Well it started raining preatty bad and that didnt bother me so much but all of a sudden these freaking powerful gust of cross wind would hit me hard while Im on the rain slicked Hwy and I could feel it pushing my bike HARD to the sides. So freakin hard this wind was pushin me I had to counter steer quite hard against it to keep the bike straight. So is it possible for a strong enough gust to blow the bike litterally of the road or into the median. Driving slow it dodnt affect it as much over 70 mph and its like WHOA! So needless to say I ended up turning my ass back around to pick up the cage ...cause I just didnt think it was worth the risk. Got to work 40 mins late ...F it, at least im still alive /

**crzydv13** · 08-14-2008, 06:38 AM

I've seen news stories and such about people crashing because they're bike got "blown off the road". I think someone got killed here from that this summer. Being in the Kansas flat lands with ridiculous winds I just don't understand how this happens. If you don't wig out and aren't afraid to lean the bike into the wind and are prepared when passing a large vehicle wind should not be a problem.

**Carnage** · 08-14-2008, 07:04 AM

Possible yeah (think: Tornado). Likely, NO, unless you have arms like a 7 year old girl.

**crashhelmet** · 08-14-2008, 07:12 AM

it sure feels like it! Just recently I was heading home from work alongside a huge storm. I later found out that there were 60mph gusts reported in the area.

**tony2010** · 08-14-2008, 08:58 AM

In my experiences, I think so.

Many times crossing bridges and going past semis, a nice gust came across, causing my bike to be blown in all sorts of directions like a toy, i can only imagine riding in gale force winds...

**foskamink** · 08-14-2008, 09:12 AM

i think its possible,

once i was rideing in the bycycle lane doing only like 40

on my left was cars doing like 30 and on my right was parked cars

there was roughly a meter space on each side, a gust of wind and i found myself blown a meter to the right instantly. luckily i was slightly closer to the left and not dead in the middle or i would have been smack

this was on my light 125 aprilia doubt i would have had the same movement on the gsxr

but id say its possible

SVS · 08-14-2008, 09:21 AM

If the wind is hard enough and you don't pay attention to the road and more important objects that block the wind ahead, yes. If you lean against the wind and ride past one of those objects without being prepared, you can swerve quite a bit - or if you come from a quite area out in the open. In short, look ahead.

**AndrewM** · 08-14-2008, 09:24 AM

I've gotten pushed into the oposing lane on a right hand turn before... luckily noone was there. yeah it's scary as hell man, just gots to go extra slow when there's a strong headwind,giggity

**mrmako777** · 08-14-2008, 11:26 AM

ive been in some pretty bad wind that scared the hell out of me. just slow down a bit and you should be fine. if wind can pull a tree from the ground believe it can push you off the road. if the wind is that bad tho i dont suspect any sane person would be out riding anyways

**falken191504** · 08-14-2008, 11:55 AM

Hell yeah. The 580 Freeway in Northern California is a perfect example. Its so windy there that the utility companies put up wind turbine farms on the hills next to the freeway. Worst place to ride.

**gixx1000** · 08-14-2008, 12:39 PM

I read (I think Sportrider) you should loosen your grip on the bars. When the wind hits your body it transfers less of those forces into the steering. I do it regularly and it seems to help.

**Blaise** · 08-14-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falken191504

Hell yeah. The 580 Freeway in Northern California is a perfect example. Its so windy there that the utility companies put up wind turbine farms on the hills next to the freeway. Worst place to ride.

I used to do that commute every day and honestly, it wasn't shit.

The winds on the 101 north of the Golden Gate put the winds in the Altamont to shame.

**Driving_Miss_Daisy** · 08-14-2008, 01:18 PM

In high winds I just slow the speed down and lean as far forward as you can. That way majority of the wind goes over you and doesn't push on you. I have done this many times with winds blowing at 60mph from the side.

**obc** · 08-14-2008, 01:29 PM

my brother used to have a hd fatboy with the solid wheels
when you were on a bridge, or high wind area you were in trouble

**dsmgixxer** · 08-14-2008, 01:32 PM

i was on a 4 lane highway going about 70 and it was super windy not sure on the mph but somehow i was stuck between 4 semis. kinda scared me because the wind was strong and unpredictible, with gusts back and forth. kinda scared me, i got the hell out of there real quick.

**HellFireX12** · 08-14-2008, 01:33 PM

Ive "heard" of some one saying that a very strong side gust put them into a decent speed wobble but he didnt crash so i suppose its possible. i live in central florida and yesterdays storm was blowing crap all threw my yard, but from my own experiences riding in it the wind on my helmet makes my head wobble but ive never felt un easy on the bike you just have to lean into it a bit.

some one i knew said he was out riding with a friend of his who decided to do a wheelie and as he came to 12oclock a stong head wind hit him and made him loop, bike landed on him and that was all she wrote.

**Sucram** · 08-14-2008, 10:29 PM

I have been a solid foot off line. Comoing out of the mountains over a bridge going straight. Bars did not move, the whole bike did!

**ckay** · 08-15-2008, 07:15 AM

It's possible. Likely? No, but possible. I'd ridden by 18 wheelers and the blast from the trucks could get forceful. You're talking moving you off line slightly but it feels much worse than it is. Thought I was getting pushed off to the shoulder.

**Sucram** · 08-15-2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckay

I'd ridden by 18 wheelers and the blast from the trucks could get forceful. You're talking moving you off line slightly but it feels much worse than it is. Thought I was getting pushed off to the shoulder.

I been past a fair few semi's both ways and the bike does move around a bit. You get used to it.

But when I was hit by this gust of wind I could feel the front tyre slide. Quite a weird sensation and different to the front end not biting on entry, hitting a crack or tar snake and even loosing the front with your knee on the deck.

**RyanH314** · 08-15-2008, 01:10 PM

It's very possible. Only once was I so terrified by the wind did I pull over (as did much of the traffic). I was going about 80 in a 110 zone and the wind was so bad that I was leaned left a ridiculous amount, I cannot describe it, just to go straight. Then suddenly the wind would go leftwards and I would have to lean right. I pulled over and thought "OMFG" and there was I believe, if I recollect properly, 3 buses, several trucks and cars on the shoulder under a bridge near old banff coach road. I forget what day it was but I was honestly scared shitless I had no control whatsoever. I had several months of experience at that point but even tucked fully the wind was hitting me from the sides so hard I could barely keep control. I turned around, went back into the city and got a ride to banff for the weekend instead.