How long 'till highway riding?

[jstark47]

Freeway riding is safe, but can be a little unnerving the first time at rush hour. Rush hour riding in Jersey can require good braking skills, the traffic can yo-yo from 80mph to 20mph and back for no apparent reason. If Cali is like that, suggest you try a low traffic time first.

Many of us find we're comfortable when running slightly faster than traffic. You don't want to be slower 'cause they'll (cagers) climb up your butt, and you don't want to be the same speed 'cause you become invisible to them.

The first time you hit a pothole, bump, etc. at 80mph can be a little startling. Relax, don't tighten up, don't overcontrol, let the bike do the work, there's more control and stability built into most bikes than most of us riders know how to tap into. Good luck, once you get accustomed it's actually fun.

[scan]

I know when I first did the freeway I had been riding on country roads for about 2 months. I easily was riding on freeway speeds by then, from time to time. To start with I would pick a non-rush time of the day and jump from one exit to the next. So I'd get on at one exit and get off the next, and then maybe head back the other way. It got me use to merging and exiting and speed changes. One of the biggest problems can be the "cloverleaf" exits, since you have to "watch" where you want to go, but also watch for the merge into traffic, and finally also, not miss any sand or gravel in the road. That can take some skill, and I've read a few stories hear about guys losing it on that style of exit to road debris. Like some others have said, take your time.

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

35 miles in bumper to bumper traffic...you wont be riding your bike, you'll be walking your bike. I would probably leave the highway experience to another day where you could easily pull off or turn around if it got to overwhelming.

[gitarjunky]

Yeah, I ended up having to take the cage to work beacause it looked like it was going to rain. Not that I wont' ride in the rain, I just didn't want my first time on the highway to be in the rain. I'll get some more miles under my belt this weekend and give it a go on Monday. The nice thing is, there is a car pool lane for half of the trip and the rest of it, sometimes the traffic goes so slow that I could lane split without much risk (its legal here). Once I'm sure I'll be fine once I get out there, it was the same way bringing my bike home, I was nervous till I realized it wasn't a big deal then I just relaxed and had fun. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

[jmillheiser]

yeah LA rush hour is a sucky first experience for highway riding.

I waited about 2 weeks before doing a short stint down the interstate. Have done several 50+ mile rides on backroads at 65-70mph. My bike gets a tad vibey at 75+, but I am planning a 100 mile highway ride for the next nice friday I get (im off on fridays but the wife works so its a good day for me to get in a lot of riding)

[gitarjunky]

So, I rode from Orange County to L.A. yesterday on the highway and I had no problems. It was actually a lot of fun! I stayed in the car pool lane as much as I could. I even a little lane splitting (no more than 30 mph) and I actually felt very comfortable. When you're in a car and you see motorcyclist splitting lanes its like "They're crazy!" but when I was on the bike I felt stupid waiting in line when there was a perfect motorcycle sized lane for me to use! I did have a couple instances of people changing lanes a little to close for comfort (not when I was lane splitting) but I saw them in plenty of time and just slowed down...you really do have to drive like you're invisible....other than that, it was a good experience and I'm glad I did it

[VermilionX]

congrats!

i should post for bike meet for us all LA members. yep, im gonna do it right now.