On Saturday I was out riding and it was very windy about a 25 mph wind or more didn't have a problem with the head on wind but the side gusts would stand you right up while you turning on a bend in the road this happened twice to me almost took out the guard rail. When we stopped a D donuts the girl friend who was riding behind me on her bike asked me what happened, I said the wind stood me right up I said that the bike has so much plastic on it it acts like a sail in strong wind from the side. She wondered why she had no problem with the wind I showed her that her bike has a open concept ( her bike is a v twin) and not much plastic on it and the wind will go through it unlike the 650 GT. Have any of you out there had the same problem with this if you haven't yet be careful on very windy days it will certainly leave a brown stain in your pants.
Windy day
- Thread starter wsteele
- Start date
Xian Forbes
New member
Practice good Counter Steering techniques, if you are using your body weight to lean into turns then the wind can push you upright again. If you are counter steering the bike itself is leaning into the turn as the pilot maintains pressure on the bars. When a gust occurs then more push on the bars. will maintain your intended line.. 25 mph winds should not be too much crosswind for a stable 550lb bike. I did have a crosswind problem once when crossing the Benicia bridge in S.F. Bay Area, but it was closer to 60+mph gusts. When we found ourselves blown 2 lanes over I knew it was time to change our route.
Maybe Jaime has some tips as he also rides a big touring bike as well as a GT.
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Maybe Jaime has some tips as he also rides a big touring bike as well as a GT.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Last edited:
JaimeC
New member
Gusty winds are a real problem because you don't really have any clue when they might hit. However, if you pay attention you can SOMETIMES pick up clues that can prepare you. When traveling out of a tunnel, be prepared for sidewinds when you exit. Look far ahead to see how the cars in front are reacting, or if debris in the road is moving to get an idea if it is windy, and if so, which way the winds are blowing so you can prepare yourself to counteract them.
Same goes for leaving a forest road into a clearing. On the highway, tractor trailers will block side winds giving you a momentary period of calm. Once they pass you, they produce their own turbulence which can knock you around a bit before the prevailing winds take over. Keep your eyes on your rearview mirrors for trucks approaching from the rear and of course look well ahead for trucks approaching from the opposite direction.
Finally, when on wide open stretches, search the road ahead and look for debris flying around, tree branches bending in the wind, etc. Those are also good indicators of gusty conditions. You can't SEE wind, but you can usually spot the results of that wind if you're paying attention.
This is a link to my previous observations on wind that Xian mentioned above: http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/c600-c650gt-general-discussion/560-k1200lt-vs-c650gt.html
Same goes for leaving a forest road into a clearing. On the highway, tractor trailers will block side winds giving you a momentary period of calm. Once they pass you, they produce their own turbulence which can knock you around a bit before the prevailing winds take over. Keep your eyes on your rearview mirrors for trucks approaching from the rear and of course look well ahead for trucks approaching from the opposite direction.
Finally, when on wide open stretches, search the road ahead and look for debris flying around, tree branches bending in the wind, etc. Those are also good indicators of gusty conditions. You can't SEE wind, but you can usually spot the results of that wind if you're paying attention.
This is a link to my previous observations on wind that Xian mentioned above: http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/c600-c650gt-general-discussion/560-k1200lt-vs-c650gt.html
I have had the same problem with other bikes I have owned in the past 30 or so years of riding but not to the extent as with the 650 GT I'll just have to keep it in mind when riding on very windy days, also the weather here in the Mtns of Vt can change on a dime, and it is just a quirk of the bike.
Skutorr
Active member
My brother and I ride up around Lake Henshaw south of Mount Palomar. Going through the hills, the wind shifts side-to-side instantly from one side of a cut to the other. It took a county Sherriff off of the road in his cruiser last year and killed him.
As previously said, just counter steer, relax and stay in the middle of your lane.
When we went up the coast going to Big Sur, the winds off of the ocean were about 50mph, and shifted from right to left instantly. We turned around went back into town and ate breakfast, then went back north just a bit to Hearst Castle and spent the day THERE, instead. Rode up to Big Sur the next day. If it's real bad...DON'T RIDE!!
As previously said, just counter steer, relax and stay in the middle of your lane.When we went up the coast going to Big Sur, the winds off of the ocean were about 50mph, and shifted from right to left instantly. We turned around went back into town and ate breakfast, then went back north just a bit to Hearst Castle and spent the day THERE, instead.
Rode up to Big Sur the next day. If it's real bad...DON'T RIDE!!
ItsPhilD
Member
No "blo-thru" just blo-by [emoji48]
TwoPort
Member
I've been over that bridge many times. A "crosswind problem" is putting it lightly! There's no way I'm an expert rider but after a year I think I'm getting better at it. At least I'm not scared out of my wits anymore. There seems to be some "dance" between the gust and counter steering moves that I've gotten better at so I can stay in my lane. I think the GT responds very well even if it does get blown a bit by the wind. There are a number of places in the Nor Cal bay and east bay that can get very windy and even though you know it and anticipate it - getting hit by a 50mpg wind still seems "unfair."