so im riding home this morning from a golf tournament and the wind is gusty. i drive a hatchback and the wind was very noticable. im somewhat in the market for a bike so its always on my mind, and i was wondering how bad the wind affects driving when on a bike?

 

if you're not paying attention it can blow you into the next lane. You just have to adjust. Usually if it's windy you just have to be more aware of the wind so if you feel it pushing you to the side you can counter it.

 

Just prior to Isabel there were turning gusts that were really messing me up. We decided to move all the bikes at the last minute but didn't have enough trailer space. Luckily I got the unfaired #2 bike to ride. Still not fun. With a strong crosswind it's important to stay focused, loose and think. Most problems you may have overreacting or panicing in a tight space such as a crowded freeway.

 

I've almost been blown off the road by windgusts, you just have to pay attention don't day dream and you'll be alright.

 

Practice riding by 18 wheelers, you get the same feeling as a strong gust when you pass them closely... basically you have to drive slightly into the wind to correct its push...

 

If your small like me it's even harder to keep the bike under control under strong winds.

 

Actually it should be easier... taller bigger people are more non-aerodynamic force for the wind to push against... if you've ever watched superbike racing, you'll notice the guys tucked under acceleration and they sit up during braking to effectively use their bodies to slow the bike faster...

 

yeh, when you sit up going high speeds its like pulling on the brakes, at about 120 mph you sit up and you'll slow down real quick,

 

i always wondered why they did that. i just thought they were stretching :shrugs:

 

Indeed, the smaller you are the easier it is for you to really avoid the gusts, don't get me wrong, you still need to be alert, no matter what size you are, but if your a big person you're gonna catch that gust and its gonna knock ya, you just have to push against it and maintain a level head. Like Volpe suggested, practice riding by 18 wheelers, you should know what kind of suction they have if you drive a hatch, its basically the same mentality !!!