If you're looking for a perfect day for riding in the Sunflower State, you'll only ride one or two days a year. That said, I embarked on a deliberate effort yesterday and today to ride with side winds between 35-40 mph at highway speeds and was successful with lessons learned. Yesterday was "only" about 30 mph wind. Highway speeds were 50-55 mph.

Lesson 1: Always concentrate on the road. Blew a shift today after a turn out of a stop sign and when I looked up from my inst panel/bike, saw that I was on the wrong side of the center line. Not good. Lesson learned for sure. PTFA.

Lesson 2: Try to keep your head/eyes above the line you want your bike to follow in your lane and let the bike "swivel" beneath you as the wind does its thing in the open spaces and in wind shadows. Be mindful that gusts can slap the snot right out of you, too.

Lesson 3: Don't keep a death grip on the grips. Firm, yes, but white knuckles, no. Also keep your knees tucked in and ride as a unit with your bike. This all makes the swivel thing mentioned above a little easier.

Lesson 4: No daydreaming. See Lesson 1 above.

I don't know how useful this is to all the more experienced riders out there, but it was sure a baptism of fire for me. Already am looking to go out and try it again, soon.

 

I am a fairly new rider, i havent experinced too much crosswind here in alabama BUT where i ride is a major thurofare for Semitrucks and large vehicles, and the wall of air you hit when passing an apporoching truck or trucks or even following one is i would guess 30mph or more depending on speeds, and all those things you mentioned play huge into keeping the bike grounded. good info!

 

I can zone out in a crosswind and still be okay. It becomes second nature to me and my body just reacts without me thinking about it. Here in Oklahoma, the wind is nearly always blowing. Once in a while, we may get a few calm days, and then the wind will shift directions and blow again.

 

I hear ya! I was out in it Sunday as well.
Something interesting - I eat alot more wind on my 300 than I do on my new KLR but the wind sure tosses the KLR aound alot more.

 

A KLR is knocked around more than a KLX? I would have thought the opposite. Is this on open highways at speed? Aren't KLR's a touch lower and also heavier than KLX's, too?

I was considering a KLR at some point in the intermediate term future. Whatever my selection turns out to be, it'll be a thumper, though. I like 'em.

 

Yep. I guess just because there's more stuff there for the wind to grab onto and pull around? However it is alot more comfy cruising down the road.
I don't think the wind pushed me around near as much on my DR650. But I like my 08 KLR better because of the wind protection.

 

Same here today.... 34mph winds. Try TMs, rain groves and the wind. It was only a short trip to work, but I thought I was goin to need an ambulance a few times. Wouldn't do me any good, I'm the medic on shift lol.

 

Whereabouts do you ride?