Wind gusts

[easygzrider]

I am a new rider. I began riding in the 80's for about a year in California. I had a Honda 350. I have not rode a bike until a couple weeks ago after purchasing a Suzuki GZ 250. I must say I am a proud owner and I love the bike. :2tup:
I currently live in NW Arkansas and I have hundreds of miles of country roads and Ozark hills to play in. Last week, I was driving over a bridge across the Arkansas river at 40mph with wind gust of 30mph. I experienced a swerving moment from the wind gust, this nearly scared the :hide: out of me. This was not a terrifying experience, however this was not a comforting experience.
I know wind gust are something all riders must consider. Was my experience a normal situation in which more riding experience will gain me confidence while riding in the wind? or do I need to be extra alert because of the lighter size bike?
Sometimes I feel the wind could knock me off the road. I know this can happen and this is a factor of of safe motorcycle riding in which everyone encounters but am I being over sensitive? :cool:

[Rookie Rider]

You arent being sensitive. the bike is light at about 320lbs. Just let it do its dance while you are being alert and ready for the high winds. you should be fine, slow down if you have to or pull over.

[dalak79]

the only time i get really scared is hitting a curve, getting a strong gust of wind and i get that 0-gravity feeling. the bike feels like it should be pulling in one direction but doesn't. i don't know if i explained that properly but it is an uneasy feeling.

[JWR]

The wind has more effect on the rider than it does the bike.

That is why you stay loose on the bars and let it do its thing.

[Water Warrior 2]

Get into the habit of gripping the tank with your knees/legs. Keep your arms a bit loose and let the bike do it's dance in the wind. A really wild dance means get off the road. More saddle time and confidence is needed for a safe ride in the wind. Cross winds/side winds can be very hazardous to your health and life span so don't take chances until you are comfy with your abilitiy to tackle the wind. You can't always just stop riding when the winds starts blowing so be extra careful and consider it an opportunity to increase your learning curve and skill level.

[bpdchief]

My bike did another slide Saturday night... felt like I was going to dislocate my hip gripping the tank :lol: :lol: when the bike straightened up I eased back over to the fog line and got set for the next blast. Cleared the next sand dune and had two miles of 30 mph North wind coming across the bay. 25 mph was fast enough for me to ride, people in cages passing me looked at me like I was a fool going so slow when they wanted to do 60 - that's what that left lane is for... passing

[Water Warrior 2]

My bike did another slide Saturday night... felt like I was going to dislocate my hip gripping the tank :lol: :lol: when the bike straightened up I eased back over to the fog line and got set for the next blast. Cleared the next sand dune and had two miles of 30 mph North wind coming across the bay. 25 mph was fast enough for me to ride, people in cages passing me looked at me like I was a fool going so slow when they wanted to do 60 - that's what that left lane is for... passing
Was this an actual slide as in loss of traction or just a wind blowing you to the side?? Loss of traction means your tires are not doing their job. Glad you kept the shiny side up and made it home.

[bpdchief]

Actual "these tires are too old and hard" slide 2007 tires on a 2007 bike. Shopping for new tires as we speak.

[Water Warrior 2]

Good plan. New tires should make the bike ride a lot more planted on all surfaces. I made a point of keeping the pressures up on Lynda's bike. For her trip fully loaded with stuff I bumped the pressure up about 2 psi over the recommended maximun for the bike front and rear. The bike handled well and the tire wear was negligent. On my Vstrom I played with pressures and followed comments from other Vstrom riders who ran higher pressures. Better tire wear means less replacements over time.

[theneanderthal]

Actual "these tires are too old and hard" slide 2007 tires on a 2007 bike. Shopping for new tires as we speak.


Got the tire problem myself. Don't forget tubes. I found them at cheapcycleparts.com. Have you checked the local dealer? I'm gonna have to pay someone to spoon them on so I haven't yet purchased them.

Try the Navarre Bch causeway with an east or west wind and you'll learn to ride leaned over at about 30 degrees. The picket fence effect while riding along the beach roads with condos and dunes can get interesting.