The months ahead ...

[6ft5]

I've just picked up my Transalp to find that the wind on the motorway was unbearable. At one point I was down to 40 mph which seem to make the truck drivers upset

Can you share with me your experiences so I can do battle once more ...

I dont want to be a fair weather rider !

I do want to be in one piece

[AlanH]

At one point I was down to 40 mph which seem to make the truck drivers upset

Not half as upset as you'd be if one of them was reading the paper and not looking where they were going... SPLAT!

I've ridden far too many miles in all sorts of weather on all sorts of bikes. Crosswinds can be entertaining especially when gusting over 70mph. You need to get your body lower down on the bike and lean into the wind. Be ready to catch the bike when the wind drops or drop the bike further over when you get hit by a gust. Riding slower can actually make matters worse and, if it's so bad that you don't feel safe keeping up with the speed of the traffic, get off the motorway before you get 'collected' and have to be hosed off the front of a truck.

Like anything, you'll improve with practice. The TransAlp is a tall bike so will get buffeted about. However it has good wide bars giving you plenty of leverage to throw it around if you need to correct course quickly.

[6ft5]

The wind was gusting from both directions today !!!

I think leaning into the wind will come with practice - I did see a few sportsbikes tearing past at over 80 mph !!

Thanks for the tip.

[Frad]

When I picked mine up from Preston and rode it home South of Warrington the wind was blowing me all over the place. I have got used to it now and I am not half as bothered by it.

Im sure with a bit more time on the bike you will become accostomed to its ways.

Dont let it put you off.

Enjoy

Now show us some photos

[TWIN BURNER]

Had a little play in the wind yesterday myself,

Came up the A470 from Brecon and the wind really picked up, I was doing about 60 ish and the cross winds were blowing the bike about 2 feet sideways on the more exposed parts going up past the veranda and storey arms Just keep the bike in 4th gear to enable me to power into the gusts, Head down behind the screen and elbows up, teeth and butt clenched.

Great fun

[YEN_POWELL]

Acceleration helps when passing lorries on a side-windy motorway. My usual speed is 80, so when passing lorries I either accelerate to 90 as I pass the front of the lorry or slow down to 60 then speed up again. It's the acceleration rather than the speed which keeps you stable. You're still going to get a swat from the turbulance but it is less scary.

Counter steering (applying pressure to one side of the handlebars) will keep you going in a straight line when a gust hits you from the side, you'll just lean over a little but at least you'll stay in your own lane. When the wind gets scarily fast I lay down a little on the tank as well, this seems to help, though whether it's lowering the centre of gravity or presenting less of a target for the wind I'm not sure. Has to be bad for me to do that though, as it makes me feel silly.

[6ft5]

Cheers gents for your advice and photos as promised :

[Chad]

the more you deal with it the better it gets mate , as you overtake try not to tense up to much keep a light grip on the bars andd prepare to lean against the twind blast as you pass the trucks , the same applyswhen approaching bridges etc soon you will revell in the challenge of it mate

[6ft5]

Cheers Chad - your advice is appreciated.

[Rubberchicken]

Wot he said.

I love riding with side winds (as long as it's not too crowded that is!) brings some excitement to an otherwise dreary motorway ride, it's a challenge to "read" your surroundings and anticipate where the blasts are coming from.

Before you know it you're letting yourself fall into the quiet bits downwind from lorries, and throwing yourself into the blast on the other end of them, grinning like a nutter.

(Though I have to say, it does get a bit hairy on the light & tall dommie, the GS feels a lot more planted.)