Riding in high winds

[TrikeHD]

A couple of months ago I had to travel from South Eastern Washington back to Seattle. There were high wind warnings throughout Central and Eastern Washington...typically 30 - 35 mph with gusts over 50. They actually shutdown the Wind Farms in places. I made the trip at the time on my 2004 Road King and I was stopping frequently to relax because I was so tensed up riding in those winds. My question is what can I expect if I run into this kind of situation on my 2011 Tri-Glide. I haven't riden it in any kind of winds yet and I'm wondering if the size is going to catch the wind more or what.

Thanks all...I'm really enjoying this forum.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

From a big wind wimp......no problems with the triglide., except some more buffeting.

 

[msocko3]

My dad and I road to South Dakota in 2008 on 2 wheels, we both road 06 Ultra Classics. Along I90 out west, even along I80 it seems like the dang wind is always blowing. This year we both road our Triglides and a buddy U grew up with road a 06 Electraglide, talk about night and day difference. There were times I could see my buddy behind me in my mirror with his bike leaned right over fighting the wind much like my dad and I did in 2008. I was kicked back with the cruise control on and one hand on the bars while listening to the stereo. The Triglide handled the wind great, I was quite impressed.

 

[Nana]

I have ridden in high winds both on two wheels and three. Obviously with the bulk of the trike you feel the wind, but I always found it far more tense on two wheels. Having to lean to adjust for the wind pressure could be very tension producing when it was gusting and letting up! With the trike, I have never felt that instability!

 

[Triker Mike]

I live here in North Central Wa. & have ridden both 2&3 wheels It might take a few rides but you do get used to it .And 3-wheels is far better:yes:

 

[Casper]

I have more issues with my helmet than with the trike...

doesn't take long to pay it no attention at all, better than 2 wheels.

 

[skuuter]

Much easier and stable than on 2-wheelers......:wtg:

 

[The Wolf]

Well I can tell you how bad it got coming back from Ullapool in Scotland. Coming down the motorway the gusts blew the trike onto the hard shoulder ans I was gripping the trike for dear life. I had the Aliner trailer attached, even with all this weight the wind just buffeted us around. Dropped the speed to 30mph for safety. Went over the forth bridge to be met with massive gusts, they should have closed the bridge to trikes etc. They closed it for high sided vehicles and forgot about little us When I got back home my hands and arms were quite sore due to the holding on and pulling of the trike. I have learned greatly from this experience and certainly will not be cayght out like it again (her's hoping)

 

[TrikeHD]

Thanks all for the info. Hopefully I don't find myself in that situation again soon but it sounds as if it will be much less stressful.

 

[Comanche]

The one thing I learned rather early in my two wheel riding was to ease up on the bars in a high wind. Let the bike do its thing rather than trying to muscle it. You will arrive much more relaxed than if you try to fight the bike. I imagine riding three wheels in a high wind is much the same. I have 9000 miles on my trike and have not experienced really high winds yet.

 

[1550vt]

Ditto from here. It certainly will not feel any worse and I am betting you will also agree with most everyone else that has posted here...it handles the wind very well.

 

[Buggie Pilot]

I'll Let You Know Sunday hurricane Earl is coming up the coast and is supposed to brush us with gusts 50 to 60mph winds .....

 

[jim peacock]

I have a 96 1500 with a 06 lehman kit with floor boards.
I have found I can feel strong cross winds more with the trike then when it was a two wheeler but like the others said I do not have to worry about leaning into them as for as head on winds I can not tell any difference.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Freakin' Hurricane Earl. What a disappointment. I was looking forward to seeing how the Tri-glide handled in it (on Long Island). It was windier the day after. no problems.

 

[Boscoporp]

I rode back from The Outer Banks in NC last year in 40 to 50 mile and hour winds. On my trike pulling a trailer it was annoying. But the two HD in front of me were fighting for their lives. No doubt they could do it but I could see that they were concerned!

 

[duane43344]

We have winds here in Az. But worst was riding rt 160 in going to Colorado Sprgs. for a trike rally, and where the Sand Dunes national park is, it was so bad, I was changing lanes without moving the bars..lol. Saw several motorhomes that look like a small push would knock them over O-o

 

[earlyriser4444]

Biggest problem in strong winds is the gas mileage.....it goes down a couple if you maintain normal speeds. Believe me, I'm in NV and I know what winds are.