How Much Wind Is Too Much for a Motorcycle?

Winds can be one of the hidden dangers of riding a motorcycle. Many beginner riders may easily overlook the effect winds can have on their ride, which can put them in serious danger. This is why being informed about the weather conditions in your area is mandatory.

How much wind is too much for a motorcycle? Winds between 20 to 30 mph will be too much for the majority of the smaller and lightweight motorcycles. On average 40 mph sustained winds, and 45 mph wind gusts will usually be considered too much for riding a heavier motorcycle. A motorcycle should not be ridden at winds above 50 mph.

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This is the gist of it, but there is more information and intricate details that need to be covered in order to fully answer this question.

Below I share with you more useful information so that you can make a well-educated guess on your next ride.

How much wind is too much for riding a motorcycle?

How much wind is going to be too much will be highly dependent on the motorcycle and the rider. A heavier motorcycle will be more stable at higher winds than a lightweight motorcycle. In addition to that, a motorcycle with a higher center of gravity is going to be less stable than one with a lower center of gravity.

The rider’s skill and experience are also important and will play a role in how stable the motorcycle will be on the road.

Riding a motorcycle in 15 mph wind

Riding a motorcycle in 15 mph wind can be difficult but not necessarily dangerous. Smaller and lighter motorcycles can be affected by winds around 15 mph. Heavier motorcycles will usually not have much trouble riding in 15 mph winds.

Riding a motorcycle in 20 mph wind

Riding a motorcycle in 20 mph winds can be dangerous for smaller and lighter motorcycles. Heavier motorcycles typically do not have much trouble riding in 20 mph winds.

Lightweight and taller motorcycles with a higher center of gravity, like some BMWs, will be affected a lot more, even by slower winds of about 15 to 20 mph. And for scooters, even 20 mph winds can be too much to ride in.

Riding a motorcycle in 25 mph wind

Riding a motorcycle in 25 wind is usually the point where most riders will start to feel uncomfortable. Riding in 25 mph winds can be dangerous if you are riding a lighter and smaller motorcycle or a motorcycle with a higher center of gravity.

From experience, I can say that winds above 25 mph usually take the fun out of the ride.

Riding a motorcycle in 30 mph wind

Riding a motorcycle in 30 mph winds can be dangerous. Lighter motorcycles and motorcycles with a higher center of gravity can be affected by winds around 30 mph. Heavier motorcycles usually deal a lot better at winds around 30 mph.

For example, many Harleys will be better at dealing with stronger winds because of their lower center of gravity and heavier weight, and can easily be taken out in winds of up to 30 mph.

Many motorcycle riders will not ride their motorcycle in winds that are around or exceeding 30 mph—especially if they are riding a smaller motorcycle below 400 pounds.

Riding a motorcycle in 40 mph wind

Riding a motorcycle in 40 mph winds can be dangerous and more difficult. Heavier motorcycles above 700 lbs with a lower center of gravity can do fairly well at winds around 40 to 45 mph. It is not recommended to ride smaller and lighter motorcycles at such wind speeds.

Heavier motorcycles above 700 pounds, like some cruisers and tourers, are not affected by the wind as much and can be ridden relatively trouble-free in winds between 40 to 45 mph. 

Riding a motorcycle in 50 mph wind or more

Generally, wind speeds exceeding 50 mph are dangerous for motorcycles. Motorcycles should not be ridden at wind speeds exceeding 50 or 60 mph. While riding in winds exceeding 50 mph, you will be tossed around and have very little control over the motorcycle.

In fact, winds exceeding 50 to 60 mph are classified as damaging winds as they can cause damage to ground structures. Winds at 60 mph or higher may even have a noticeable effect on moving cars.

The different types of winds

Sustained and gusty winds

Gusty winds are always going to be more dangerous to motorcycle riders than continuously sustained winds. With steady winds, you can adapt; however, gusty winds can be very unpredictable and catch you off guard. 

The same applies to situations where you are riding in a somewhat protected area, and then suddenly, you get out in the open, and a strong gust of wind hits you. This can also happen upon going up on highways and over bridges. Big open areas are generally going to be more dangerous as the wind there will be stronger. Another dangerous situation can be created behind and around trucks and semis.

Those unexpected wind gusts will cause you to lean heavily into the wind in order to balance your motorcycle, but once the wind vanishes, you will swerve in the direction you are leaning. This can put you into the other lane dangerously close to other vehicles in a matter of seconds.

This can be even worse when the winds are alternating from left to right.

Headwind and tailwinds

Riding a motorcycle in a strong headwind can feel like you are holding on for dear life. Strong headwinds can be especially tiring, too. Tailwinds can be a little easier to deal with; however, they should not be underestimated either.

Crosswinds

Riding a motorcycle in strong crosswinds can be very dangerous. Crosswinds will hit you from the side, which will affect your movement trajectory and can be exceptionally tiring after a while. Strong crosswind gusts can be particularly dangerous because it can be difficult to keep balance on the motorcycle.

Check the weather forecast and pay special attention to what it says about at what mph the wind is steady, how much it is gusting, and from what direction it is blowing.

Do road conditions affect motorcycles in windy weather?

The road conditions can significantly impact how a motorcycle behaves on the road in windy weather. Factors like rain, snow, ice, and even the type of road surface can lower your motorcycle’s traction with the road. Because of the lower traction, winds may have a bigger impact on your motorcycle.

 In this case, you will have to draw the line at even more conservative numbers.

How dangerous is it to ride a motorcycle in the wind?

Unpredictable behavior

Riding a motorcycle in winds that are too strong can cause the motorcycle to have more unpredictable and unnatural behavior on the road.

Unexpected strong wind gusts can easily cause the rider to lose control and crash, so exercising extra caution is vital. Strong wind gusts will cause the motorcycle and other vehicles on the road to move ever so slightly, which makes riding a motorcycle in those conditions very dangerous.

Flying objects and debris

Strong winds can cause random objects to fly across the road, too. Those flying objects and debris can be extremely dangerous if they hit the rider or the motorcycle.

The dirt, debris, rocks, and other flying objects carried by the wind can damage the paint and cause it to look worn out.

More dangerous for new riders

Lack of experience can also be another factor that needs to be accounted for.

A more experienced rider will be able to deal with stronger winds and unexpected wind gusts a lot better than a very new rider. They will be more aware of how to properly position their body to negate the effects of the strong winds.

What this means for new riders is that they may consider not taking their motorcycle even at winds that are noт very strong.

Strong winds can easily knock the rider off the motorcycle, which you don’t need me to tell you, can be extremely dangerous. The result can be injuries in varying severity; such a crash can even be lethal.

Every rider will be different, so if you find that the wind is making you nervous, uncomfortable, and you feel unstable, then the wind, no matter what the forecast says, is too much.

With that being said, riding in windy weather is an acquired skill.

Winds can be deceitfully scary, especially to new riders, who have not yet had the time to get used to the more extreme weather conditions and get over the fear of riding a motorcycle. Nonetheless, winds should never be underestimated, especially if the rider does not have enough experience riding in windy weather.

Increased fatigue

The other effect of riding in too much wind is that even if the motorcycle is not noticeably affected by the wind, the whole ride will be a lot more fatiguing. A tired rider is more likely to make a mistake, so more frequent stops should be made to avoid fatigue.

Using unsuitable motorcycle gear can also make riding in high winds more difficult and tricky. This is why it is recommended to have a good aerodynamic helmet.

Windshields should always not be underestimated in this case as they can be a lifesaver. If you are interested in reading more about windshields, I recommend checking out my article on the pros and cons of motorcycle windshields.

The strong winds can even push your motorcycle helmet to the side and can take your whole head to the side.

How much wind is too much for a parked motorcycle?

All that being said, strong gusts of wind will affect your motorcycle not only while you are riding it, but while it has been left sitting somewhere.

Strong winds can blow over a motorcycle depending on various factors like:

• How big the motorcycle is—naturally bigger, read heavier, motorcycles will hold their own better.
• The angle of the motorcycle to the road and the angle of the road itself.
• The condition and type of the kickstand or center stand.
• The angle at which the wind hits the motorcycle.

Generally speaking, winds between 15 to 25 mph are considered safe in most cases and shouldn’t be able to tip a properly parked motorcycle. If the motorcycle is not in good condition or hasn’t been parked properly, those numbers can be significantly lower.

Winds above 30 mph are potentially dangerous and may be able to tip some motorcycles, in which case you will have to take some preventative measures. Winds above 40 mph are very likely to blow over most motorcycles.

For more information, I recommend checking out my article on what winds can blow over a motorcycle, where I cover more information like the angle of the motorcycle to the road, and offer additional tips on preventing your motorcycle from being tipped over by the wind.

FAQ’s

• How much wind is too much for a motorcycle?
  • This question addresses the critical issue of wind’s impact on motorcycle riding. It explains that winds exceeding 20 to 30 mph can be problematic for smaller and lightweight motorcycles, while even heavier motorcycles can face challenges with sustained winds of around 40 mph and gusts of 45 mph. Riding in winds above 50 mph is generally not recommended.

• What types of winds affect motorcycle riding?
  • This question delves into the different types of winds and their effects on motorcycle riding. It covers sustained and gusty winds, headwinds, tailwinds, and crosswinds. It emphasizes the danger of gusty winds due to their unpredictable nature and highlights the potential risks associated with different wind directions.

• Is riding a motorcycle in windy weather dangerous?
  • This question explores the dangers of riding motorcycles in windy conditions. It discusses the unpredictable behavior of motorcycles in strong winds, the potential risks of flying objects and debris, and the increased danger for new riders. The article also highlights the importance of rider experience and suitable gear, along with offering insights into how wind affects parked motorcycles.