How long did it take to get comfortable on the highway?

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chilihed · #1 Unread post by **chilihed** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:48 am

I just got my bike about a month ago. Boulevard C50 with windshield. I am comfortable up to about 60-65, but anything above that seems to make me nervous. The wind seems to blow my bike side to side like it does in a car following a semi too close. I am sure it's mostly in my head, and hopefully will go away with a little more experience. I have only been on the interstate twice so far, and both times took the first exit because I got spooked by the buffeting. How long does it take to shake the spooky feeling of being out of control on the highway?

JCS · #2 Unread post by **JCS** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:30 am

You do get used to it.

Some of your buffeting may be caused by your windshield. If the airflow falls in the right place it may place the air turbulence right at helmet level. Try adjusting the angle or height on your windshield.

jstark47 · #3 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:43 am

+ 1

My wife had put a huge shield on our Marauder right before she switched to her new bike. I discovered the bike was unrideable above 55. Taking the shield off improved it 100%.

As you get experience, you'll discover the bike can move around, but it's always within a certain set of parameters. The bike is sort of a self-correcting mechanism, and the faster it's going, the more powerful the gyroscopic forces. The last thing a bike at speed on good pavement wants to do is fall over.

It can take a couple of months to get comfortable. Concentrate on keeping loose from the waist up. It's very easy to unconsciously tense up - a tense body will transform bumps back into unintentional steering inputs, making the "out of control" feeling worse. Grip the tank with your legs but keep loose and light on the handlebars.

dzervit · #4 Unread post by **dzervit** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:35 am

I stayed off the road until I had all my gear, and once I got my jacket I hit the freeways last weekend. I started commuting (freeway) with my bike this week. I'm sure the 600 miles & approx 4 weeks or so around town and a 50mph top speed helped me get comfy, but I found once I hit the freeways I had no issues up to 90mph. With a combined weight of around 850 pounds I get blown around as well - and the firm yet relaxed grip on the bars helps tremdously. Relax, have fun, and pay attention to the folks with 4 wheels trying to kill you. I'm a newb myself and loving this!

chilihed · #5 Unread post by **chilihed** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:13 am

Thanks for the quick replys. I can feel myself using a death grip on my handlebars and have to consiously try to relax. I am going to have to really work on the firm yet relaxed grip. I do grip the tank with my legs pretty well. I seem to do okay till I hit that 65mph barrier. All in good time I guess.

sharpmagna · Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:00 am

jstark47 wrote:Taking the shield off improved it 100%.

I had the opposite experience. I'm ok with riding 75mph and over but I tend to be hit with the wind so fiercely in the chest that I have to get a kung fu grip on the handlebars. Adding a shield deflects the wind and I have no issues going 85+ on the highway.

MotoF150 · #7 Unread post by **MotoF150** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:35 pm

Don't take this the wrong way but the C50 isnot a hyway cruising bike, its not a good bike for prolong use on a 65-70 speed limit hyway. Its a slow cruising, just enjoy the slow ride type of bike. I own an M50, (same engine) and the comfortable cruising speed of my bike is between 50-55 mph, above that the engine screams and vibrates and its gets uncomfotable and hard to control.

Flak Monkey · Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:43 pm

MotoF150 wrote:Don't take this the wrong way but the C50 isnot a hyway cruising bike, its not a good bike for prolong use on a 65-70 speed limit hyway. Its a slow cruising, just enjoy the slow ride type of bike. I own an M50, (same engine) and the comfortable cruising speed of my bike is between 50-55 mph, above that the engine screams and vibrates and its gets uncomfotable and hard to control.

Right...
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sharpmagna · Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:10 pm

MotoF150 wrote:Don't take this the wrong way but the C50 isnot a hyway cruising bike, its not a good bike for prolong use on a 65-70 speed limit hyway. Its a slow cruising, just enjoy the slow ride type of bike. I own an M50, (same engine) and the comfortable cruising speed of my bike is between 50-55 mph, above that the engine screams and vibrates and its gets uncomfotable and hard to control.

And this is why the C50 was the best selling midsize cruiser last year...

jstark47 · #10 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:12 pm

MotoF150 wrote:Don't take this the wrong way but the C50 isnot a hyway cruising bike, its not a good bike for prolong use on a 65-70 speed limit hyway. Its a slow cruising, just enjoy the slow ride type of bike. I own an M50, (same engine) and the comfortable cruising speed of my bike is between 50-55 mph, above that the engine screams and vibrates and its gets uncomfotable and hard to control.

Y'know, it's so funny that I own a Marauder with the same engine and it acts nothing at all like this........ I must be hallucinating, after all you're the expert on all things Suzuki!