First-time bad weather experience : Yamaha R1 Forum

siddiqim · 11-17-2012, 07:44 AM

ISo last week on Sunday it was a nice 63° day in Chicago . I have been wanting to pick up my bike for a nice long drive so I rode it an hour to downtown Chicago. Went up and down Lake shore drive a few times on my way back I decided to stop at a friends apartment
When I left the wind had picked up like crazy I did not notice it till I was actually on the highway and it kept hitting me from my left side I was going about 60 mph when a few gusts literally pushed me from my Lane and threw me into the lane next to me I almost fell. It was pretty scary. I just kept riding slowly in the right lane at about 45 mph and my worst fear started when it started to rain. I couldn't see anything through my helmet so I pulled up the visor found a safe spot to stop underneath a bridge and waited for the rain to stop. When about 45 minutes passed and it didn't stop I checked the weather on my phone it was supposed to rain till 9pm. I decided to wait another 30 minutes to see if it atleast slows down when it did I rode it back with the wind gusts constantly knocking me off my Lane I got off all highways and main roads and drove a much longer ride through residential streets and smaller roads back to the safety of my house. IMO it was the scariest ride ever the winds were around 45mph and they hit hard from the side.

Once thing that gelled a lot was I picked streets in the direction of the winds. Then it was a little better but the reason killed it too

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Motorcycle.com Free App

Fuzzy · 11-17-2012, 08:03 AM

You should have checked the forecast for the entire day..Might not be really accurate, but they will give you a good idea on what to expect.

Stonewall · 11-17-2012, 08:37 AM

The wind is bad! I have had it knock me into almost a reverse lean. The gusts can catch you by surprise and blow you into oncoming traffic.Not a lot you can do but get low be ready to react.

SamusR1 · 11-18-2012, 02:43 PM

One thing that really helps with wind is to loosen / slacken your grip on the bars. Sounds counter-intuitive but if you can grip the bike with legs, you will find it much easier to stay in your lane.

The reason this happens is due to your upper body inadvertently putting steering input into the bars when you get blown from the side (trying to hold on).

Knackers · 11-18-2012, 03:08 PM

On holidays at the moment and this is what my wife & I were faced with whilst going up this hill. Stopped under a shop for 30 mins while it passed

siddiqim · 11-19-2012, 06:13 AM

That's insane!!! Yeah the group with legs works I tried that. But if possible to t ride in the direction it is bloeing helps a lot id rather stay odd the road though lol

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Motorcycle.com Free App

Medevack1 · 11-19-2012, 06:44 AM

In the "trunk" of the bike I carry an emergency disposable rain suit. I got it at the dollar store ... I got 5 that day. So far I’ve used 1. IMO was the best $1.00 I have spend. My leather jacket was dry, my a$$ was dry the only thing that for soaked was my shoes.

this is a little more than 1.00 but its reusable...

never hurts to keep it in the trunk...lol

Amazon

SmoothyNoButt · 11-19-2012, 10:34 PM

I rode my bike to work one day not looking at the weather like I normally did (dumb move.) by the time it was nearing me to get off work( bout an hour or 2 til the end of my shift) people were telling me there have been tornados sighted, showing me the radar I worked at a airport) and all kinds of stuff. had multiple people offer me a place to stay so I wouldn't have to ride in it. I kept tellin people, nah I will beat it home. Sure enough I beat it home with about 10 minutes to spare. I did not drive the speed limit home per say, and nor do I do that alot. I was desperate to make it home. 30 minute drive turned into a 11 minute drive. slowed down once because I saw sprinkles, sprinkles stopped and hit it again.