My VFR 800 (08) Is "SCARY"to ride in strong side winds

Hehehehe... Muffin fans... Damn Billy.

 

All bikes are a sail from the side but you are more of a sail than the bike you are riding.

Tuck your elbows into your trunk. Relax a bit. Bend elbows. Turn into gust but very light handed. If not, when the gust stops, you will be in an oversteer situation... Which is what causes most people issues. It's an experience thing very hard to TYPE any real help. I hope some of what you finding this thread is helpful including the above.

 

Anybody up for adding another 36 muffin fans to the other side? This theory shit has got to stop!

 

There is one solution that seems to have eluded this discussion: if you dont like the weather, stop at the bar and wait it out... drinking is optional, but requires a longer stay and a long nap.

And as one of those so called nut-bars, you should know that riding in high winds is one of the best rushes you'll get. Pay attention to the faces of the on comming traffic as your leaned over almost to your pegs going down a straight hiway, its one of the most funniest things to witness.

PS I sent sockey on, but he has came back several times, once the box was crushed. I have since moved to lower sask and found that the last attempt to send him on was a return due to non-delivery. Since I moved, he has been in postal limbo, but has made it back to me. He is fine and wil be making another attempt to make the next connection. Beware that monkey has caused much frustration and hair loss, even postal workers refuse to handle him!

 

Was in pretty high winds the other day as well on the 98 and took a little getting used to. My last bike was a ST1100 and that thing was relativly stable in similar conditions. That extra weight makes a difference for sure.

 

Pull over and have a beer.

 

If only the same physics applied to boats I'd have a supersonic dingy.

 

This is all good advice...I talked to some guys on the chatbox before I left for work and they told me about tucking the elbows, relaxing, etc.. It turned out to be ok and I doubt the 30mph gusts were too much compared to some stuff you guys are talking about lol. I've definitely built a little more confidence riding in the wind today, but still got a lot to learn. And most my ride is down a semi-windy road for about ten minutes, then on the main highway (its the big island so the highway is just a 2 lane road with 55mph limits lol) for a few minutes, then down another mellow road for another few minutes into the resort I work at. Not the most hectic ride to take with winds, but I feel like its a good learning ground. Thanks again for bringing this thread back to life for me!

 

Michaels214,
Very familiar with this section of road. I am from Hilo, uses to ride the west side a lot. Lots of full fairing bike guys I hear have
similar experiences. I feel that the upper old road to Kona is even worst. The wind comes down the mountains over the flat
lava fields would be similar to the plains. On the upper road you learn to watch the grass on the side of the road especially in the
early to late afternoon. The grass will tell you the speed of the approaching wind. Be especially observant of passing thru areas
with high sides. While in a hard lean to offset the wind the wind will just dies as you pass thru the protected areas. Almost went
down the first time when I first started riding. I ride my '87VFR mostly now, noticed the difference from my '98VTR. The VTR
is more stable in the wind and being not fully faired the cross winds do not affect me as much as the VFR. With both bikes when
I hit strong wind I tuck on my tank bag and gas on,(as mentioned by bitterpil earlier). Though I haven't experienced wind like
Badbilly on the Columbia , what I have experienced I now find a rush.
Ride Well....

 

There's a town about 50 miles South of Seattle called Enumclaw..Kind of a gateway to Rainier National Park. The name according to legend and Native American lore-ophiles means "big wind" My call is that the town was named, after the first white dude hit town. Gets gusty there too.

Whilst doing me thing with my Uncle Sam, I spent some time at Edwards AFB. Had a rear engine Porsche. The breezes blow off the nearby mountain range and perpindicular to the highway in and out of the base. Same road BTW where Willow Springs is located in Rosamond, CA. In that car and that stretch, lots of third cog pedal to the metal and cramping.

Not crumping so nobody get the wrong idea. I prefer tap or the the Hula..

 

I guess the only time I will ride the upper road is if I go to Waimea then! Today seems to be completely still, this pleases me lol. I may ride out to Kona for a safety check so I can get the registration done. Do you know if anyone does safety checks for bikes in Waimea? I went to Waikoloa Auto and the guy told me that he doesnt think anyone in waimea does it and I would have to go to kaisers in kona. I would prefer not to go to Kona lol but I will if I have to.

 

Is that grass some of the Maui Wowie we keep hearing about?

 

No, its that Kona Gold!

 

I need ten characters to post "LOL!" done..lol

 

Lol.......

 

Good to hear things are working out 214

 

Any bike with side fairing gets pretty ugly in the wind. One of the few areas where a cruiser is superior in most cases.