Interstate Riding
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 809
Likes: 45
From: WA
Ugh, not gravel roads - - it makes my bike dirty. Not good for my OCD tendencies. Bugs on the windshield I can deal with, a dusty motor and frame not so much ....
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 79
From: El Paso
Our first couple of rides on the big concrete were less than enjoyable due to head buffeting with the stock windshield. After replacing it with a LRS Flattop, interstate riding is very comfortable to both my wife and me.
We did get caught in a desert sand storm with gusting 60 mph crosswinds a couple weeks ago. That was an uncomfortable ride on the interstate regardless of what windshield we used.
My biggest fear on the interstate are the road gators. Hitting one at 80 mph will ruin your day.
We did get caught in a desert sand storm with gusting 60 mph crosswinds a couple weeks ago. That was an uncomfortable ride on the interstate regardless of what windshield we used.
My biggest fear on the interstate are the road gators. Hitting one at 80 mph will ruin your day.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
One day on I88, I saw a 3" diameter pipe laying crossways across the driving lane. I saw it in time and swerved to avoid it. The BMW behind me didn't. He hit the pipe square and blew all four tires!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
When i ride i am not trying to get anywhere fast. The ride for me is the point.
I don't ride interstate highway unless it is a necessary detour or i have jumped on it to beat a big storm.
Primary and back-roads, that is where the sights and pleasure is for me.
I don't ride interstate highway unless it is a necessary detour or i have jumped on it to beat a big storm.
Primary and back-roads, that is where the sights and pleasure is for me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
I love interstate riding, Kick'er up to 80 or so and do some left lane strollin'.
I can sit there 'til the tank's almost empty, fill'er up and do it again all day long and half the night.
I can sit there 'til the tank's almost empty, fill'er up and do it again all day long and half the night.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,085
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
Three years ago the wife and I rode our bikes out to CO. It was a light rain the day we were riding from Ouray to Durango on the Million dollar Higway, then up to Telluride then back to Ouray. Well at the end of Telluride, up a gravel/dirt road for a few miles is a beautiful set of falls we wanted to see.
We both road up to them in the mud. Falls were beautiful and well worth it. There were two Adventure bikes back there.
My wife and I were by our bikes, when they came up. These guys were looking around for the other rider. Even asked where our friend was, and that they would never ride a harley up to where we were. My wife said, the Purple Road Glide is mine. They were shocked.
That is the dirtiest my bike has ever been. Mud was falling off it back at the hotel. Had to wash it in the parking lot, it was nasty.
But worth it, loved the sights we saw and the memories.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Interstate requires you to accessorize for the job at hand.
A perfect large windshield or perfect fairing is a must.
The shield or top of fairing has to be angled at least 38 degrees slant to be streamlined.
If it is too upright the bike will bobble when trucks hit it with their wake or crosswinds grab it.
It has to be the right height and design to make the wind move up and over your helmet and avoid buffeting.
As Harley found out (with their "mail slot hole") you need to break the "seal" the wind makes as your windshield or fairing will produce a vacuum behind it.
The vacuum will cause your body to be pushed forward toward the shield and is like being hammered by the wind. I moved my shield up two inches and got some air in behind the shield which made all the difference.
Your handlebars need to be short for interstate riding. Wide bars make your steering inputs too wobbly. That is why drag bars and clip ons are favored by high speed bikes.
The bars need to "point" toward their respective fork tube tops. If your bars point behind you will feel like the bike sways and the direct connection with your steering inputs will be diminished. Again, think clip ons which all ways point at the tubes as do drag bars.
Your seat and bars need to be comfortable and need to give you good balance on the bike or you will feel stressed out. I went with drag bars and had Corbin make me a seat that moved me three inches up closer to the tank.
Great balance makes a difference in control and comfort.
If you have highway gear like a shield but it is crappy you may actually prefer riding without anything and taking a beating. I've done it. But not for a hundred to three hundred miles (my limit at my age).
I moved from the NYC area out to the country.
The first thing I did was take off all the cr*p and get back to cruising on country roads. There are no interstates around here.
Me and the bike are glad I made the move.
Hope you find my tips helpful.
Let's ride.
A perfect large windshield or perfect fairing is a must.
The shield or top of fairing has to be angled at least 38 degrees slant to be streamlined.
If it is too upright the bike will bobble when trucks hit it with their wake or crosswinds grab it.
It has to be the right height and design to make the wind move up and over your helmet and avoid buffeting.
As Harley found out (with their "mail slot hole") you need to break the "seal" the wind makes as your windshield or fairing will produce a vacuum behind it.
The vacuum will cause your body to be pushed forward toward the shield and is like being hammered by the wind. I moved my shield up two inches and got some air in behind the shield which made all the difference.
Your handlebars need to be short for interstate riding. Wide bars make your steering inputs too wobbly. That is why drag bars and clip ons are favored by high speed bikes.
The bars need to "point" toward their respective fork tube tops. If your bars point behind you will feel like the bike sways and the direct connection with your steering inputs will be diminished. Again, think clip ons which all ways point at the tubes as do drag bars.
Your seat and bars need to be comfortable and need to give you good balance on the bike or you will feel stressed out. I went with drag bars and had Corbin make me a seat that moved me three inches up closer to the tank.
Great balance makes a difference in control and comfort.
If you have highway gear like a shield but it is crappy you may actually prefer riding without anything and taking a beating. I've done it. But not for a hundred to three hundred miles (my limit at my age).
I moved from the NYC area out to the country.
The first thing I did was take off all the cr*p and get back to cruising on country roads. There are no interstates around here.
Me and the bike are glad I made the move.
Hope you find my tips helpful.
Let's ride.
Seriously, 65-75 on the interstate isn't the same as 150 MPH on the straightaway on a road race course.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 79
From: El Paso
Awareness on two wheels is mandatory. I'm happy you were able to dodge the pipe.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Trying to be a friend
OK I kinda thought someone would have a negative comment and that is just fine.
The 38 degree angle came about after trying to get the most stability possible and no I don't give a da*n what the MoCo does with their windshields.
If you read these forums people have been complaining about stock Harley shields about as long as the forums have existed.
I simply noticed that at a more upright angle the wind would grab my shield and cause some wiggling especially when hit by truck wake or strong mountain crosswinds.
I then checked the top ten best bikes and their shields and fairings and noticed they were raked more than I was. In fact they all seemed to settle on about 38 degrees as the most streamlining AND the most amount of height for protection.
So I tried it and BINGO it was much better streamlining and just about as tall as I could get.
As for the bars I gave that tip to help a new rider understand that narrower bars might be an option to decrease twitchiness. I know plenty of guys who adore their super wide beach style handlebars and good for them. But you just ain't gonna see a whole bunch of guys at the drags using 'em.
As for speed I wasn't trying to go 75.
The Gold Wings in the New York area typically cruise by at 90 on the Dewey thruway and it irritated me that I couldn't ride my Harley right along with them.
Now I can and in fact probably am a bit better set up for crosswinds than they are as I present less side area to the wind for crosswinds.
Glad you enjoy your ride.
I think these forums are great for trading information. Not everything someone finds works for them is useful to all riders of all types.
Can't we just be friends?
The 38 degree angle came about after trying to get the most stability possible and no I don't give a da*n what the MoCo does with their windshields.
If you read these forums people have been complaining about stock Harley shields about as long as the forums have existed.
I simply noticed that at a more upright angle the wind would grab my shield and cause some wiggling especially when hit by truck wake or strong mountain crosswinds.
I then checked the top ten best bikes and their shields and fairings and noticed they were raked more than I was. In fact they all seemed to settle on about 38 degrees as the most streamlining AND the most amount of height for protection.
So I tried it and BINGO it was much better streamlining and just about as tall as I could get.
As for the bars I gave that tip to help a new rider understand that narrower bars might be an option to decrease twitchiness. I know plenty of guys who adore their super wide beach style handlebars and good for them. But you just ain't gonna see a whole bunch of guys at the drags using 'em.
As for speed I wasn't trying to go 75.
The Gold Wings in the New York area typically cruise by at 90 on the Dewey thruway and it irritated me that I couldn't ride my Harley right along with them.
Now I can and in fact probably am a bit better set up for crosswinds than they are as I present less side area to the wind for crosswinds.
Glad you enjoy your ride.
I think these forums are great for trading information. Not everything someone finds works for them is useful to all riders of all types.
Can't we just be friends?
