Last winter the wind was gusting so bad a lady went around the corner and flew back in the air. I was have a hard time at the traffic light just standing up on the bike. I will tell you if the wind is blowing that hard. Ride like bat out of hell and get home. The slower you drive the hard it is to keep the bike on the road. And went you hit the dirt devils going slow be ready to change driving habits. Speed it up it will hit less as hard.

 

Basic physics would tend to support the idea of increasing speed, up to a point, to resist the tendency for the bike's path to be deflected.

As a rule I will either increase speed, again up to a point. Or just go with the flow. Let the wind move you over, then you move back. Don't fight it. Just go with the flow.

You need to maintain situational awareness. If you are in an area subject to high winds and rough terrain then expect wind gusts from different direction.

 

I just ride it out and adjust speed, etc... as required. I came home from Toronto the week before last and I had constant high winds that were changing direction. I really noticed it when I had to pass slower traffic: I was getting speed wobbles which I've never experienced before. Needless to say, my pucker factor was high, hehehe... It was only about a 250 mile ride, but I was BEAT when I got home!

Cheers!
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The gyro of the wheel spin help the bike stay up. The stronger the gyro the easyer it to cut the wind. Just try doing a 5 mile an hour in the strong wind. It is not going to work.

 

We get a lot of cross winds in Kansas. I too lean into them and when they are most severe, usually well above 40 mph, I will slow down a bit. These are not the times to speed up or use throttle locks or cruise control. Not much fun but, on the other hand, I love the strange zone of calmness that comes when riding with a 40 mph wind to your back.

 

Believe that your having fun.

 

dunno about other bikes but on my roadglide I just let the bike correct itself. easy grip on the bars and the bike kicks over into the wind on its own and rights its self once the gust is gone.

 

Own a Suzuki C50T before buying your Harley. The winds won't seem near as big of a deal...........

 

Just lean to the wind and ride or give it more gas.

 

If it's unexpected or I'm on a roadtrip I try to keep my grip loose and adjust to the wind. If I'm thinking about going for a day ride and the weatherman says winds 40+..I find something else to do.