Interstate Riding
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 686
Likes: 37
From: Central Wisconsin
Yes, it gets better with time. You learn to look well ahead, plan to make your moves and stay visible.
For me it didn't get easy until we HAD TO do 500 miles in the rain. There was no two ways about it. I just kind of turned off thinking about the weather and traffic and rode.
For me it didn't get easy until we HAD TO do 500 miles in the rain. There was no two ways about it. I just kind of turned off thinking about the weather and traffic and rode.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,365
Likes: 24,241
From: NC, USA
Lately I've had more close calls on the back roads. I feel like I have a large target on me and with the deer moving, wet leaves and colder temps so cagers have windows up I find myself taking some longer runs on a 6 lane more enjoyable. I know there's risks on any road but the back roads especially at night just aren't cutting it lately.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
Yes riding on the interstate gets better with time. It never gets to be fun when riding in a suburban area such as Houston. Put a windshield on the bike. Never be the slowest one in traffic. I also ride in the far left lane and try to ride just a little faster than the traffic. I have found that riding in any other lane results in vehicles from all directions coming at me. Also, no music while in town on the interstate. Out on the open road, as stated previously, the interstate is a great way to cover 600 miles in a day without stress.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
An interstate is a huge asphalt conveyor belt designed to transport large containers of freight and smaller containers of people from A to B with minimal effort/input by operators of said containers...
If YOU need to get from A to B in a prescribed amount of time, they work. On the other hand, I can go for thousands of miles on 2 lane, thru countless small towns, and be happy as can be. Depends on your trip
I have ridden interstates and you can get accustomed to them; definitely require a different style and time frame than moseying down a secondary highway. I ride to be able to do what I like; never commute on my bike.
If YOU need to get from A to B in a prescribed amount of time, they work. On the other hand, I can go for thousands of miles on 2 lane, thru countless small towns, and be happy as can be. Depends on your trip
I have ridden interstates and you can get accustomed to them; definitely require a different style and time frame than moseying down a secondary highway. I ride to be able to do what I like; never commute on my bike.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
I ride a Road King, it eats up the interstate, runs the back roads and twisties too. Running the fast lane 80mph is effortless for me and the bike. But, here in the North West we have many beautiful Interstates that make a great ride. We get there and enjoy the ride all at the same time.
As for you being a new rider, Yes you will get used to all that riding offers. Being cold, hot, miserable and having the time of your life is all part of motorcycle riding. There are many low mile bikes for sale because lots of folks find out they can't cut it.
As for you being a new rider, Yes you will get used to all that riding offers. Being cold, hot, miserable and having the time of your life is all part of motorcycle riding. There are many low mile bikes for sale because lots of folks find out they can't cut it.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 656
Likes: 115
From: Florida
On our last trip out west we logged over 4,000 miles on the 09 Ultra. Probably less than 200 miles of that was interstate. There are just some big metro areas that you have to use the interstate to go through/around.
Locally I will jump on the interstate and run short distances just to run errands quicker, rather than sit in traffic and take twice as long to go someplace. If riding with others locally we almost always avoid interstates.
The point is you should get comfortable with all types of road configurations in all types of traffic patterns. I enjoy riding no matter if I am running across town to pick up a lawn mower blade or I am on a cross country trip.
Locally I will jump on the interstate and run short distances just to run errands quicker, rather than sit in traffic and take twice as long to go someplace. If riding with others locally we almost always avoid interstates.
The point is you should get comfortable with all types of road configurations in all types of traffic patterns. I enjoy riding no matter if I am running across town to pick up a lawn mower blade or I am on a cross country trip.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 200
From: usa
Hey there....fellow Houstonian here and know the problems w/ interstate!
Think they are universal to all metro areas now...traffic (heavy truck traffic due to the cranked up economy). But even the back roads are getting crowded with everyone having a gps. Those clever fools find the shortcuts.
My last trip I did solo was to leave Houston and go out to the Dragons Tail area.
I rode up there backroads...only touched the interstate to go thru Chattanooga. Coming back I was short on time and went interstate or major US highways the entire way back.
Man, im getting to hate the interstate. I was kind of hoping with all this shovel ready jobs and "hope and change" that the current govt. was going to do a major upgrade to our interstates. Silly me.
Think they are universal to all metro areas now...traffic (heavy truck traffic due to the cranked up economy). But even the back roads are getting crowded with everyone having a gps. Those clever fools find the shortcuts.
My last trip I did solo was to leave Houston and go out to the Dragons Tail area.
I rode up there backroads...only touched the interstate to go thru Chattanooga. Coming back I was short on time and went interstate or major US highways the entire way back.
Man, im getting to hate the interstate. I was kind of hoping with all this shovel ready jobs and "hope and change" that the current govt. was going to do a major upgrade to our interstates. Silly me.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Not for sure where that is, but Yes. Riding out west like I90 to Sturgis is like riding a big *** back road. Same for lots of Nevada and Utah and perhaps most of our USA away from the big cities.