Interstate Riding
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
When we go out riding we usually take 2 lane to where we are going and take interstate back. It was crazy the first time I rode behind a semi. You do get used to it but I never ride behind a semi to long and I pass them in a hurry. I never want to be in a semi's blind spot cause usually they are just as loud and can't hear ether
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
I prefer the interstate slab to back roads. I don't have to worry about vehicles coming at me from all sides, or head-on from crossing the yellow lines, or making left turns in front of me. Lot easier maintaining situational awareness, making it a more enjoyable ride.
I ride a Fatboy with a windshield, commute on it year round, and ride pleasure on weekends. I like taking the windshield off during the summer for local rides, but enjoy the slab rides a lot more with it on. Besides, every bug splat or ding I see in the shield is something that didn't hit me.
I ride a Fatboy with a windshield, commute on it year round, and ride pleasure on weekends. I like taking the windshield off during the summer for local rides, but enjoy the slab rides a lot more with it on. Besides, every bug splat or ding I see in the shield is something that didn't hit me.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Wind protection makes all the difference when riding at interstate speeds. My limited is great on the interstate. I had a Night Train with no wind screen, and 100 miles felt like torture.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 117
Likes: 9
From: Oregon
I have a 2010 Fat Boy Lo & definitely prefer the windshield on the open interstate. Our I5 interstate in Oregon has lots of cross winds & semi's.
I have ridden all kinds of bikes on the 30 mile stretch to work, mainly light weight sport bikes & get blown all over the place, nothing scarier on a CBR1000 than passing a semi LOL so much wind buffeting, you feel like your going to blow right off the road.
But the heavier Harley makes a huge difference, you will get used to it. It took me a little while as well.
Ride safe!
I have ridden all kinds of bikes on the 30 mile stretch to work, mainly light weight sport bikes & get blown all over the place, nothing scarier on a CBR1000 than passing a semi LOL so much wind buffeting, you feel like your going to blow right off the road.
But the heavier Harley makes a huge difference, you will get used to it. It took me a little while as well.
Ride safe!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Highway Harleys
The best part about Harleys is they are capable of being improved for use on the highway at 80 in comfort and with great stability. But except for Touring models chances are you have to do your part.
The rake and trail is GREAT for stability but WIDE handlebars are NOT. Wide bars give the bike a "twitchy" feeling because every tiny move is MAGNIFIED. Which is why guys that do 200 mph on Harley drag bikes all use VERY NARROW drag bars.
Harleys are great for comfort because you sit BOLT UPRIGHT. But being bolt upright means you get slammed by the wind something terrible. You will need a good looking windshield that is raked back to increase stability at high speeds. It helps if the shield is as light as possible if bar mounted so that the bike doesn't handle bad due to excess weight on the forks.
Remember to allow one semi-tractor trailer of space for every 30 MPH of road speed. So at 60 that is TWO tractor trailers of space between your nose and the bumper of the car in front of you. This will decrease your paranoia and give you a relaxing "comfort zone" although cars will CONSTANTLY cut in front of you and try to crowd out your comfort zone.
Just keep your space as much as possible and be amazed how much less stress you feel.
There is a wealth of information and BS about highway riding on this forum. Do some homework. And remember that fear is not your enemy. It is trying to TELL you something.
A properly set up Harley is WONDERFUL on the Highway and at least most of the time the highway is SAFER than around town.
Enjoy.
Notice my bike has a great shield, drag bars, a perfect combination of seat/bars/pegs for balanced ergos and control.
And it goes potato potato. What more could you want in life?
The rake and trail is GREAT for stability but WIDE handlebars are NOT. Wide bars give the bike a "twitchy" feeling because every tiny move is MAGNIFIED. Which is why guys that do 200 mph on Harley drag bikes all use VERY NARROW drag bars.
Harleys are great for comfort because you sit BOLT UPRIGHT. But being bolt upright means you get slammed by the wind something terrible. You will need a good looking windshield that is raked back to increase stability at high speeds. It helps if the shield is as light as possible if bar mounted so that the bike doesn't handle bad due to excess weight on the forks.
Remember to allow one semi-tractor trailer of space for every 30 MPH of road speed. So at 60 that is TWO tractor trailers of space between your nose and the bumper of the car in front of you. This will decrease your paranoia and give you a relaxing "comfort zone" although cars will CONSTANTLY cut in front of you and try to crowd out your comfort zone.
Just keep your space as much as possible and be amazed how much less stress you feel.
There is a wealth of information and BS about highway riding on this forum. Do some homework. And remember that fear is not your enemy. It is trying to TELL you something.
A properly set up Harley is WONDERFUL on the Highway and at least most of the time the highway is SAFER than around town.
Enjoy.
Notice my bike has a great shield, drag bars, a perfect combination of seat/bars/pegs for balanced ergos and control.
And it goes potato potato. What more could you want in life?
Last edited by rleedeuce; Dec 13, 2015 at 01:04 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 177
Likes: 21
From: Southern Ontario
Interstates are definitely the way to go if you need to get from point a to point b. I would also say that a lot of the interstates are actually pretty scenic, and have lots of big sweepers and elevation changes. It's also not uncommon to have the opposing lanes divided by a wide median, often with brush/trees, etc. so you don't have as big a concern for traffic coming over the center line. I've ridden lots slab miles on a Virago 1100 (fairly light bike), Kawi Vaquero (1700cc Bagger) and now my FLHTK, and I've mostly enjoyed all of it. Love the back roads and twisties, small town America, etc., but sometimes it's also fun to let the big dog eat!
