Crosswind and a Nervous Passenger
Dana and her cousin ride two-up on Dana's 650cc V-strom southbound on US-191 toward West Yellowstone. The forecast calls for sustained 25 mph crosswind from the west, gusts to 40. The road is a two-lane 55 mph highway with open ranch land, occasional cattle guards, and a few passing lanes. Dana's cousin has never ridden pillion; she grips the grab rails and leans away from the wind when gusted. The bike has a loaded tail bag and a top case. Dana wants to 'make good time' to reach the park by 5 p.m. She plans to pass a pickup and travel trailer on the next passing lane. The wind is strongest where the road crosses a cut in the hills.
1. How should Dana adjust speed, lane position, and her passing plan for the crosswind and passenger?
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Dana should slow to a speed where a 40 mph gust does not push her across the lane, often 10 to 15 mph below the posted 55, and increase following distance. She should ride in the lane position that leaves the widest buffer from both the centerline and the shoulder, lean the bike into the wind, and keep her upper body relaxed so the bike can move underneath her. Passing the pickup and travel trailer in a gusty cut is a bad trade: large vehicles create turbulence and block escape space. Wait for a sheltered section with a clear passing lane, or stay behind. Brief the passenger to sit neutral, look through the turn, hold the grab rails, and not lean away from the wind. If gusts cause repeated drift or panic, pull off at a safe turnout.
2. What should Dana tell her passenger before continuing, and when should she pull over?
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Before continuing, Dana should tell her cousin: keep feet on the pegs, hold the rails or Dana's waist, lean with the bike, look over Dana's shoulder into turns, and signal before adjusting position. The passenger's instinct to lean away from the wind is dangerous because it fights the bike's lean and makes the motorcycle harder to control. Pull over at the next safe turnout if gusts exceed Dana's comfort, if the passenger is stiff or panicked, if visibility drops, or if the bike is being pushed toward the centerline. Also check that the tail bag and top case are secure, because a shifting load in wind is a stability problem. 'Making good time' is not a reason to continue.