Interstate Riding
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 650
Likes: 355
From: connecticut
How many of you hate it? I'm new to riding, 3 months, 2400 miles. Yesterday I had my first interstate travel, about 50 miles. It was in windy conditions, and it was uncomfortable and miserable. I did about 400 miles yesterday, mostly back roads and highways. I am comfortable with 70-74 MPH. I ride a fatboy without the windshield, although I have one. It just seemed like the ride was different after I got on the interstate with all the truckers and turbulence. Is this something that I will get used to, or do you all still hate it after years of experience. I suspect it would be better on a touring bike with a fairing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
That's normal for a new rider. You'll get used to it, even if you don't like it as much as back roads. For some reason I never had a problem with the interstate when I first began riding, but then again I was a kid and really liked going fast and straight. I prefer nice backroads now but sometimes hopping on the interstate saves time, plus it's a good place to really open up your bike, especially when there's very little traffic.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 25
From: Santa Fe NM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
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.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
wimped out
Gotta disagree with you on a windshield being a must. I'm no youngster and I've ridden 400 to 500 miles a day (300+ on interstate in some cases), 2000 to 3000 mile road trips without a windshield.....with wide and high bars too. If you want to do a constant 90+ mph I suppose a windshield or fairing would help over many miles, but at 75 to 80 mph it's really not that big of a deal. Windshields and fairings are overrated.
I am pretty wimpy, I admit it.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 411
Likes: 71
From: Texas hill country
Gotta disagree with you on a windshield being a must. I'm no youngster and I've ridden 400 to 500 miles a day (300+ on interstate in some cases), 2000 to 3000 mile road trips without a windshield.....with wide and high bars too. If you want to do a constant 90+ mph I suppose a windshield or fairing would help over many miles, but at 75 to 80 mph it's really not that big of a deal. Windshields and fairings are overrated.
I bet not. Just a personal preference for you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Like TejasJeff said, just personal preference. I don't like riding in extreme heat. Some guys don't mind. Personal preference.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 6
for me,,interstate is ok for fast way,,but one key is do not stay behind 18 wheelers..and especially box trucks,,do whatever you need to but pass them,,.the air they displace is sucky!....pick a sweat spot in traffic and enjoy your pipes..
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 303
From: N. Tx.
I suspect the interstate traffic in the Houston area is miserable...always has been when I've been in Houston. But other areas of the country it's not so bad. I-10 out thru W Tx is a nice ride.