My first highway experience

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skorman00 · #1 Unread post by **skorman00** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:15 pm

I hadn't been able to ride my bike lately since it's been raining a lot in the North East. Last weekend was nice, so I decided to take a 5 hour ride from MA to PA on my 883 Sportster. This was also my first time on a highway, which was an awesome experience. I was scared, anxious, and determined all at once. I stayed around 50/60 mph for a while getting used to the wind. Then my balls grew 3 sizes bigger, and I started to punch it. There was a point where it didn't even feel like I was on a motorcycle, but rather gliding; like the lower half of my body was my bike. While it was fun as hell and I can't wait to take that trip again, I'm going to throw out a few things I learned on this ride.

Bikes are not fun to sit on after 2 hours. Take stops, and take them frequently. If you can start a long trip about 2 hours before you get hungry, do so. That will give you an excuse for a long break. Even with that, your back, neck, and forearms will get quite a workout.

Wind is very loud. I had earplugs as I expected the wind to be nuts, but it was still comparable to being in a car with the windows open on the highway. I wear a half helmet, and I'm getting a full face partly because of this reason.

Wind also moves you around. It's something you just have to get used to. The wind also might move your mirrors.

You might not be able to hear your engine. If you're used to shifting gears only by listening to engine, you might want to try and break that habit.

This is sort of a "duh," but know where you're going. You can't read directions and ride a bike at the same time =) (I didn't try to do this )

The guys who patch the highway do not think "gee, this uneven road would scare the crap out of a biker, maybe we should even it out?" to themselves. There were a few spots that felt like I fell about a foot, but in reality it was only an inch or two. I didn't feel as if I was going to loose control, but it was scarey. Still, hold on to those bars man.

Make sure you have easy access to your wallet and pockets if you plan on going through tolls.

There's a lot of people who like to use their brakes in turns or are very sporadic with speed. I recommend passing these people quickly, and put a lot of space between you and them so they dont wind up in front of you again.

I'm sure a bunch of you guys will have more to add to this list =)

VermilionX · Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:25 pm

when you ride at high rpms, you'll hear your engine more than the wind.

congrats.

when i was on the freeway for the 1st time, the wind really was strong even at 65mph.

now that im used to it , even at 88mph , i still don't tuck in. i tuck in though when im going above 100mph.

also when i was new, i was worried about trucks pushing the bike bec of the vacuum they create, but now it never fazes me.

1will · #3 Unread post by **1will** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:10 pm

glad to hear it went well for you.

can you imgagine if your first highway ride went like this? for that matter it sounds like it was her first real ride...

http://dcsportbikes.com/forums/640823/ShowPost.aspx

NorthernPete · Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:20 pm

VermilionX wrote:when you ride at high rpms, you'll hear your engine more than the wind.

congrats.

when i was on the freeway for the 1st time, the wind really was strong even at 65mph.

now that im used to it , even at 88mph , i still don't tuck in. i tuck in though when im going above 100mph.

also when i was new, i was worried about trucks pushing the bike bec of the vacuum they create, but now it never fazes me.

Just out of curiousity, where would you go 100 MPH? what do they put the limits at down your way on the freeway?

VermilionX · Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:26 pm

NorthernPete wrote: Just out of curiousity, where would you go 100 MPH? what do they put the limits at down your way on the freeway?

any freeway that is not congested.

it's dumb really... i don't do it... a lot.

fastest i've pushed the bike was only 130mph, it's wasn't scary at all and the bike felt pretty stable.

i wanna go to a speed test area and find out how fast she can go.

in fact, diez said there's one near him... i'll probably go there and meet him too in the process. he said it's only around 80 miles from me.

Nalian · #6 Unread post by **Nalian** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:28 pm

I bet most people who wreck thought the bike felt stable right before they had a problem.

NorthernPete · Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:29 pm

130 MPH = 200 KPH

akkkkk! fast!.... I got up to 74 MPH on my bike today and thats enough for me..mind you, mines 23 years old and was on a road about the same age.... bumpy!

VermilionX · Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:35 pm

Nalian wrote:I bet most people who wreck thought the bike felt stable right before they had a problem.

that goes the same for any speed.

ofblong · #9 Unread post by **ofblong** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:40 pm

lol 50/60 on a highway buwhahahaha. sorry im not used to that. Our speed limit is 70 and if you aint doing at least that your getting run over. I am talking vehicles here not bikes. If you dont have your car doing at least 70 your getting run over hehe.

VermilionX · Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:55 pm

NorthernPete wrote:130 MPH = 200 KPH

akkkkk! fast!.... I got up to 74 MPH on my bike today and thats enough for me..mind you, mines 23 years old and was on a road about the same age.... bumpy!

oh and the speed limit is 65mph on freeways.

but people here usually drive at 80mph on freeways if traffic is light.