How to ride in the wind: motorcycle riding tips

[@fat_biker]

The point about relaxing is super critical - you know how little effort it takes through the bars to swerve the bike - if you tense up, then your body becomes a big sail connected rigidly to the handlebars, you get hit by the wind and the bike will swerve instantly in response. If you try and fight it you'll be knackered very quickly, it will be very stressful & you'll be all over the road anyway! One thing that I find helpful, in addition to everything in this video, to help with being loose as a goose, is to concentrate on keeping my head in the right place and just letting body & bike go where the hell it wants to underneath it. When the wind is really strong & gusty and you are on the motorway or whatever, the bike can be being blown from side to side really violently, but if you are focussed on staying relaxed and keeping your head in the middle of the lane, the wind will cause your body position to self-steer the bike back on the straight and narrow without you needing to do anything deliberate. The windiest conditions I've ever ridden in was a ride over the top of the M62 in almost gale force conditions, with the bike wildly swinging from 45 degrees one way to 45 degrees the other under me, and passing trucks involved emerging from still air into a massive punch in the side as one cleared the cab... if I'd tensed up I'm sure I'd have been straight into a barrier or another vehicle, as it was I just concentrated on keeping my head moving in a straight line in the middle of my lane and just let the rest happen under me. If I'd known what the wind was like up there I'd have taken another route, and I'm sure it looked pretty scary if you were following me, but actually being aboard was OK, not particularly scary or tiring at all as long as I continued to tell myself to relax & stay loose, and not let the gusty wind powered bucking bronco under me freak me out...

[@fourassedmonkey]

This. So much more stable as long as you stay loose. Had to ride through horrible winds today here in Australia, so this is still fresh in my mind.

[@gillbailey6586]

This takes me back, riding around the streets of Stoke in the 70s on a Kawa Z1, leaning into the wind going past junctions became second nature.

[@colonelclaw]

I would genuinely prefer to ride in the pouring rain than in high gusty winds, especially when on motorways. For me it's the definition of pure terror when out of nowhere you get picked up by a gust and are blown half-way across a lane.

[@robertcar1000]

I was out riding my Suzuki GS500 today (first bike, passed my test 2 weeks ago). It was quite nice, but then i got these MASSIVE side winds on a 70 road, i practically finished the rest of the journey as if i was leaning into a turn, it was crazy. Kept my speed at about 50-55 and got home safe. And as always, great vid Russ

[@swilliams8251]

I think the windshield mirror is genius. Keep up the good work!

[@dbovenzi]

Good advice. Coming from Wellington, NZ - where it is regularly pretty windy - I find a good tip when riding out of town is to note where trees and long grass is being blown about ahead of you as this can give you a heads up for gusty cross winds you are riding towards.

[@Docdaugh]

Great tips! Here in Southern California, especially high in the mountains or on the desert floor, we get the "Santa Ana" winds from the east, usually produced from a high ridge weather system off the west coast. The winds spin in a clockwise motion and gusts can reach up to 70 & 80 MPH. I try not to ride when these conditions exist, but sometimes you must. The wind screen on my cruiser acts like a giant "sail" which makes it more treacherous.

[@xxKatiexx13]

When the wind's behind you on a 125 it's awesome, however being light as a feather when it's going across you and pushing you about everywhere is definitely unnerving to say the least! Great tips and vids, as a new-ish rider it's brilliant. ^.^

[@TheDizzyPotato]

I ride is wind regularly due to living in the middle of nowhere with very little coverage. The only thing i would add is to always be prepared when a large articulated or other large vehicle passes. They really do pound you when they go by with the wind they are trailing behind them. Also, cornering in strong winds requires you to slow down quite substantially when in open areas because i made the mistake of going my regular speed and needs being pushed into the verge! great video :)

[@Bowlin01]

Excellent video Russ, especially like the way you managed to get the debris to blow across the road on cue,

[@GnOOky]

+1 on everything you said. Another advice I found useful was to follow large vehicles (trucks, RVs, etc.) from a distance and to be reaaaally careful when overtaking them.

[@DarthPeachy]

Good video and good advice. I generally try to keep a lose grip on the handle bars as over tensing leads to poor handling in the best of conditions. Nice to see you putting up videos again. All the best. Chris.

[@robindews]

That was really helpful Russ, its been bloody windy in Nottingham the last couple of days - the Gotham road was very scary!

[@AlofD]

I saw this video like two days after all the wind disappeared. But it's good advice for next time. Thanks for the upload.

[@pjeball]

Very timely Russ; did 60 miles on Sunday on a YBR125 getting blown to kingdom come between the hedgerows at first. Was an excellent learning curve and much better once I got used to it and concentrated back on making smooth progress.

[@suetaylor5186]

Excellent advice as ever

[@B0M0A0K]

+1 for we have missed regular videos from you Russ. You have been commenting alot but we like to hear from you in person :-)

[@ArranNorth]

Thanks for the post - always great advice. I'm over in Worcester and tried to ride to work this morning (50 mile one way) and the gusts were just unsafe, decided to call it a day and just work from home. (Leave the house at 530am) I think it is also important to know when to park up the bike and not risk it. Depends on your level of confidence I guess. (Ride all year round, 500 ish miles a week!)

[@MOTOLEWISRACING]

I get blown about quite a lot on my YBR. Downside of a light bike I suppose. Also, I'd just like to say that I've been watching your videos since before I started riding over a year ago from when I was looking how to change gear. Really enjoy them. Keep them coming :)

[@KeriNyx]

What impeccable timing you have... ^_^ I literally was just wondering this, as it is quite windy here in SoCal right now and I haven't got much experience riding in the wind.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

This was a timed bus lane, you should have them in Newcastle too. Into town they're only active between 07.30 and 09.30 and out of town 4 till 6pm. You'd be surprised how many full licence holders don't know they can use them out of these times. I think only London allows bikes all the time.

[@WheelsNotHeels]

Thank you...very timely vid as we are having strong winds right now...every day. This was very helpful...relaxing my grip & just going w/ it, like you mentioned, has helped me the most.

[@CarolanIvey]

Someone else suggested this to me and it really works! I don't know if it's the knee itself, or the subtle shift in weight/body position, but it really did help. Also, I've noticed that since I got my bike lowered a couple inches, and swapped out the seat for one that lowers me another couple inches, sudden gusts of wind don't seem to shove me around quite as much.

[@MyBrilliantChannel]

Was in Matlock this weekend on the cubs. the wind was really mental on the tops. Had a jolly good run though!

[@ian1981uk]

Very timely, it's been blowing a gale recently! Like you suggested I've been sacrificing a bit of lane position lately in return for safety. Good vid!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Took me ages to find one too as I'd forgotten what they looked like ;-) I put this up as it's Trent Bridge in Nottingham where I ride.

[@AbdulMatinLittle]

I would also say that relaxing the grip on the handlebars is very important, you can hold by practicing your thigh master excises but loose grip equals happy, less jerky and self correcting bike. I go over the Bosphorous bridge in Istanbul every morning and night, you can get pushed by gusts clear across a whole lane!! So positioning on the road and in lane becomes very important as cars have no idea how much a motorcycle can get moved by wind.

[@markgr1nyer]

I prefer to call the pan a sail in this weather lol. I find if I know which way the winds going I can often watch trees on that side (if they're back from the road) and work out when the gust is going to hit the bike, came in very useful the past few days

[@TychoCelchu]

There really is a massive difference in how badly different bikes can be affected. My previous 848 Evo was like a sail in high winds, but my RSV4 barely even twitches. The RSV4 is a lot more compact. It also has a low centre of gravity.

[@tuiroo]

Great vid wish I had seen it a while ago. I used to tense up in strong gusts but have slowly trained myself to have light grip in windy conditions. The bike wants to be upright so just going with the flow and gently correcting if it is moving you in/across your lane does the trick. Great vids BTW

[@staryjanek]

good vid. Can't emphasis enough a "relaxed" grip, if you tense up any upset of the bike can lead to reflexive tightening of the grip, this can "amplify" steering input. Gripping ,again lightly, the tank with your knees/thighs,again lightly, can help you feel more secure in the saddle. NOT easy when you get hit with sudden gusts I know, but try to overcome your reflexive "gripping" of the bars. Johnny (Scotland)

[@robertbates1079]

So much common sense here Russ. On motorways if the wind is say blowing left to right, i will be over near side and will 'go with the flow'on gusty bits rather than try to overcorrect instantly. Or better still stay indoors and watch youtube 😂

[@TheCodexNecro]

This would seem like a good idea to me. Being in a lower gear gives me a sense of stability. Also, i'm not sure about others, but when it's REALLY windy, riding at a higher speed seems to help a lot better than slow speeds. If you roll a coin along the ground, the slower it rolls, the more likely it is to tip over. This is the way I see it. Also leaning down into the shape of a bullet seems to help cut through it easier.

[@xTiiDDY]

Thanks hopefully these tips will help me on my way to work. I keep getting crosswinds throwing me about

[@MrNightcrawler1969]

I have also learnt to use the road more to anticipate where the wind is going to be strong & move in to wards it that way you don't get blown too far off course. My dad once got blown across 3 lanes of traffic 2 oncoming & one with the traffic don't know how he managed to miss everything. I am also a cyclist & I lean my bike into the wind too to counterbalance/steer the effect.

[@pippipster6767]

Today I did a 120 mile trip in very high winds. It was a real battle most of the way. It is important to tilt the bike very slightly into the wind direction. And also I find powering out of extremely high wind works. I do not agree with completely relaxing on the bike. You have to take charge of it and consciously and in a rather determined way ride through the wind. Having my KTM adventure 1190 R helps a lot. That bike is super stable - naked - and has huge amounts of smooth power available when required.

[@joeaustinmedia]

I heard counter steering slightly so you're pushing into the gust can work ?

[@matt46vale]

I've risen in wind where you leant over between 10-20 degrees just to go in a straight line. That's was going over a bridge on a 125 a few years ago.

[@Lorddarthvader1701]

great vid, Hey I tested briefly the Laminar Lip on my bike and it needs more testing with placement involved, mine set a max height right now seems to be OK. I did notice more wind quieting though.

[@B0M0A0K]

Good Man Russ, all sensible advice. We have had high winds up in Scotland in the past week and this is all stuff that's good to know. I have a pretty heavy bike (not as heavy as the Pan) and it was between buildings I felt it the most. Drop speed is always a good way to deal with sudden gusts. Is this the Drift HD you are using these days?

[@ninjaturtledude999]

Commuting in a coastal rural area facing the Atlantic on a zxr 400 squeezing the legs and letting loose with your grip was something I soon learned

[@Uruguay182]

Excellent video. As always!

[@BBoyXy]

lol, I live in the coast so, this is not really new to me, you forgot to explain when overtaking large trucks, to be careful when you finally overtake him, those gusts sometimes are really hard :) Thanks for sharing, very useful for new guys :))

[@Alan-xy2vb]

We had one ride home a few weeks ago where for most of the distance we had on average 25kph side wind coming from the North as we were heading in a S/W direction. Country road so you have gaps between trees etc. to watch out for as well. Riding the same side of the road in Australia as you do in the UK and RH side wind means on coming traffic also has some effect. Not so much cars but 18 wheelers doing a 100 k/h towards you also push you around a bit as the bow wave hits and you then have the side wind on top of that. The only thing you can do is go as far to LH side of you lane as you can go to reduce the buffeting. I also ride a Honda ST1100A as in the video and on that last trip I was also towing my trailer so maximum safe speed I could maintain was 90 k/h......

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks bud, it's a challenge for sure. Luckily both my test went ahead today despite the wind (good examiner) and passed. :-)

[@deauvilledad07]

Great advice. Norfolk won't allow bikes in the bus lanes. Well done 🤓 Merry Christmas 🎅

[@helen-akaprincesspeachesme6578]

I am a new rider (few months) and live in Cornwall where there are loads of trees!! I would like to see a video where riding on roads that go under tress at this time of the year when there are huge piles of leaves all over the road and its wet and windy. Thanks

[@moorshound3243]

+Helen Ansell that's scary, the trees also keep the road wet because of the shade, I no like it. My bike came from down Kernow! Laters..

[@nemesis88417]

cheers Russ. Good tips mate

[@AlphaRidervlogs]

What's your advice for sudden side winds? When it's windy I seem to stick to more built up area's but sometimes it's not possible so I have to travel along a main road that's fairly wide. I'm on a light 125 and seem to get pushed around my lane a bit in strong winds.

[@theonlyjoker1]

Also be aware of overhead street signs and the like, once saw a guy on a honda c90 get hit by a butterfly that fell from blackpool illuminations in very high wind, he managed to stay on the bike and said he was ok but it was a close call.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

It would make a difference, I feel it's also down to how hollow the bike is...I suppose a heavy solid bike would be better than a light one

[@Blahde]

I kinda like it... It can be a bit of fun sometimes but I guess I've got that masochistic streak in me sometimes ;-) As usual Russ, great upload!

[@EthanD2452]

If it is a constant breeze in one direction yes. It if fluctuates then you kinda just have to take the hits and go with it a bit

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Nottingham doesn't allow motorbikes in bus lanes like London does. The bus lanes I ride in are timed early morning or later afternoon and are out of hours.

[@marceloquiroga1904]

Great advice as always, commenting from Uruguay. Keep up the good work, cheers :)

[@peterrichards7387]

So obvious once you are aware of the dangers, cheers.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Unfortunately there's not a lot you can do, if the wind is constant you can use a little countersteering to "counter" and lean into the wind, if it's gusty all you can do is slow down a little and pray.

[@Bowlinginstaller]

riding over the humber bridge in 70mph winds is interesting.

[@wyvernbiker]

Great advice as usual.

[@Spraaaaay]

Good tips man, always nice to see a new video from you in my sub box :) Take care out there lads!

[@d00dz]

Cool! Just what I wanted! Thanks!

[@GatecrasherSlim]

wind blew me into the severn bridge at 70mph - anyone going over a bridge with the weather at the mo, remember the tips here! definately loose grip, slower, and allowing more space (maybe staying in a left lane if the winds are going to punch you right). Also, if wearing a big rain suit, or big bag, itll act like a damn parachute. ride safe guys

[@AbdulMatinLittle]

Forgetting all other issues with going fast, in high winds is the bike more effected or less effected by the wind the faster you go? Lets assume the wind is coming side on for purposes of the question. many thanks

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Good point, thanks

[@bootstrapbe4]

Winds last night were pretty bad in Nottingham (as you may know) was a weather warning out but I still had to ride, nothing serious, was only my second time out with the gopro so that made it even worse. Hopefully the drift wont be as bad in the wind!

[@mjb3962]

Also a good trick is to put your knee out a little. Like a sail. Keep your feet on the steps offcourse. when the wind comes out off the left direction you put out your left knee, wind from the right side. right knee out. And as you said Russ: relax, relax,relax.

[@tobortine]

Very good tips.

[@Tyrone696]

The wind was crazy today!

[@FlameXXAU]

Personally I often shift down a gear to keep the revs up as it "feels" like the extra centrifugal force helps cut through cross wind a bit.

[@shaunjohnson9262]

Quick Q - i notice your was riding in the bus lane and i have read somewhere they was tryig it out in some cities !! Is it now allowed for motorcycles to ride the bus lane - great advice btw as always :)

[@101andytoll101]

As someone who hit part of a fallen tree yesterday. Watch out for them!

[@3248934]

So what's the best way to stop at traffic lights? I put it in 1st, hold the clutch down, left foot on the ground and right foot on the front brake. My reasoning behind this is I can pull out quicker if I'm about to get rear ended, mugged or have any reason to get out of there quickly. I do not mind over wearing the clutch or whatever. Putting it in neutral release the clutch, right hand on the brake, left foot on the gear lever and right on the ground seems a slower process altogether.

[@CarolanIvey]

Did you make/install your windscreen extension yourself or is it an existing accessory you bought? Thanks.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Agreed but it's getting warmer!

[@a__journey_through_books]

at 0.50 you were talking about putting both feet on the ground at traffic lights to balance the bike....i was nearly blown off my bike due to a sudden gust when i was turning right from a T junction, fortunately there were no cars nearby to cause injury, or more importantly, my dignity ;)

[@lwsg296]

Really enjoy your videos,

[@fatcrap12]

Hey russ, this is completely off-topic but i was hoping you could help. When slowing down, to junctions, roundabouts, red light ects. Do i need to be in first? say i approach the junction in 3rd, do i plan ahead, and shift down to first, or if i fail to plan ahead, shift down when i stop, or is it possible to stay in 3rd while stationary, with the clutch in. (just passed CBT, regret not asking instructor, this was the only thing i wasn't confident on) Hope you can help, cheers man.

[@sheerif100]

Excellent tips thanks a lot ........ keep up cheers

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

DAMN! I KNEW there was something I missed! ;-)

[@Tamaresque]

Off topic, but what bike are you riding? It's very smooth and quiet. And I love the convex mirror on the screen.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

That's good to know, thanks

[@m0mgf]

Hull allows bikes to use the Bus lanes at all times too.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

It does but be aware if the gust suddenly stops, you may go flying lol

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks buddy

[@qazwsx753ish]

Yep, Relax! just learning and have been holding on too tight in winds i reckon after seeing this vid i will try. Im 7stone and have a honda msx125. Is that better or worse? Noted about baggy clothing too,

[@ddazzler]

good common sense advice Russ. Just need to up my forward vision and anticipation :)

[@SkeggyCruiser]

I've been riding for 31 years now and on Tuesday I was unfortunate enough to be riding in gusts of wind up to 52kph, and I was riding from Skegness Lincolnshire to Swaffam in Norfolk, and it's the closest yet I've ever come to being blown clear from my side of the road to the other, thankfully there was nothing coming at that time, nothing but open fields all around, and I found myself just hanging on for dear life, could I have done anything to stop this happening? I ride a Kawasaki VN800.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Just re-read your comment on the pc, you nutter! lmao. :-) Thanks

[@DerbyshireSights]

I can't say it isn't a little unnerving seeing your bike lean to the left, I've experienced it on a bicycle, but I'm unsure I could really hold a motorbike up in high winds.

[@nigelsansom2407]

Thx this is v useful. Any advice though regarding motorway riding when it's really windy and there are big trucks to contend with plus filtering to be considered? Thx

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I really don't have an opinion either way on that one. Interesting.

[@SleeplessEntity]

I drive a small 50cc scooter, do i need to take higher precautions when riding? Since it is quite light and i noticed when travelling at 30mph it tends to wobble a lot.

[@vtrboy34]

Hello, nice videos, can I ask where you got your central mirror from?

[@ibrahimCuba]

friends, today i rode in A1A, in Miami Beach, strong wins, the buildings, make some effects, my HD street 750 was moving across the way, three times, was very scared, i stopped and came back home

[@LonesomeLetsPlays]

What's your opinion on automatics ie, 125cc mopeds? I'm thinking there better for storage if ya get one that's big enough, and another thing is is a larger bike better than a smaller one when it comes to presence on the road

[@SkidLidVLOG]

great video =] any tips for riding with a pillion? I have a 2011 cbr250r and my girlfriend is keen to come for a ride. I've never had a pillion on the back. and being quite a small and light bike, kind of scared

[@MxHDSoldier]

Hey mate I have been looking at getting a mirror like yours but cant find them any where. Where did you get yours from if you dont mind me asking

[@MrHauptsturmfuehrer]

Wind. Often here. I feel compfy with head deep down, the knies pressed on the tank and bum up. Well not over hundreds of miles but the 20 miles to work, it does to trick for me

[@LachlanMelville95]

after coming off my bike(honda cbf 125) in the wet a week ago , losing a lot of my confidence and then couple of days after that i was getting ragdoll about in the wind :(. it makes u realise how vulnerable u really are

[@triumph157]

thanks every little helps