Interstate Riding
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Hey chump, forward controls are EXCELLENT for relieving cramps AND they are great on ten hour days.
Mids require a much higher seat than I wish to own. If you have a low seat and mids you are asking for cramps.
Have a nice day. You remind me of the phrase "Low Information Voter."
I started out on baggers in 1964 before electric starting was available. How long have YOU been on a Hog?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Absolute rubbish! Perhaps if you have a set of forward controls that are too CLOSE and High to you... But if you install forwards where mine are you will find ZERO downside to them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
I respectfully disagree.
I add mid pegs to make each long run. My feet spend more time on the mid-pegs than the forward controls.
If my personal experiences is not enough evidence I suggest you review pictures of any bike that competed in the Iron Butt Rally. Those bikes are set up for optimum long distance comfort.
Additionally, every single touring bike from every single manufacturer is manufactured with mid-pegs or floorboards for a reason. The ergonomic engineers understand what it takes to make a motorcycle comfortable.
Highway pegs are an add.
Your experience is clearly different, but you would be the exception to the rule.
I add mid pegs to make each long run. My feet spend more time on the mid-pegs than the forward controls.
If my personal experiences is not enough evidence I suggest you review pictures of any bike that competed in the Iron Butt Rally. Those bikes are set up for optimum long distance comfort.
Additionally, every single touring bike from every single manufacturer is manufactured with mid-pegs or floorboards for a reason. The ergonomic engineers understand what it takes to make a motorcycle comfortable.
Highway pegs are an add.
Your experience is clearly different, but you would be the exception to the rule.
Last edited by Jonesee; Dec 13, 2015 at 06:44 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
There isn't a paved road in this country I won't ride. Lots of unpaved ones I'd have no issue riding, either.
Traffic sucks. No matter what I'm riding or driving. But it is unavoidable if you ride any kind of serious mileage/touring.
As many have already stated, interstates in the west can be breathtaking and provide an incredible riding experience. In flyover country, there's no difference between the interstate and the 'backroads' as far as scenery goes but the interstate will offer better pavement, fewer speed traps, and fewer sudden dangers such as wildlife, debris on the road, drunk farmers pulling their tractor out without looking, etc.
Most of my interstate miles have come in flyover country and in the valley/prairie land between mountain ranges out here in the west. Put me in hill or mountain country, though, and I'd prefer to be on a twisty backroad. I70 from Vail to Grand Junction, however, is one of the best stretches of interstate anywhere in this country and riding the massive aqueduct through Glenwood Canyon is a wonderful experience.
I will add this, though: The metropolitan interstate system in Texas is among the most ***-backwards I've ever seen. I've not been to Houston but I've been to Dallas and the I35 corridor down to Austin and that is the biggest shitshow I've seen outside of the tri-state area. Add in rush hour traffic and it's enough to make you wish you'd just avoided riding to that state altogether.
Traffic sucks. No matter what I'm riding or driving. But it is unavoidable if you ride any kind of serious mileage/touring.
As many have already stated, interstates in the west can be breathtaking and provide an incredible riding experience. In flyover country, there's no difference between the interstate and the 'backroads' as far as scenery goes but the interstate will offer better pavement, fewer speed traps, and fewer sudden dangers such as wildlife, debris on the road, drunk farmers pulling their tractor out without looking, etc.
Most of my interstate miles have come in flyover country and in the valley/prairie land between mountain ranges out here in the west. Put me in hill or mountain country, though, and I'd prefer to be on a twisty backroad. I70 from Vail to Grand Junction, however, is one of the best stretches of interstate anywhere in this country and riding the massive aqueduct through Glenwood Canyon is a wonderful experience.
I will add this, though: The metropolitan interstate system in Texas is among the most ***-backwards I've ever seen. I've not been to Houston but I've been to Dallas and the I35 corridor down to Austin and that is the biggest shitshow I've seen outside of the tri-state area. Add in rush hour traffic and it's enough to make you wish you'd just avoided riding to that state altogether.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 81
From: Largo, FL
I don't mind interstate riding on an Electra Glide, but hated it on my V-Rod. The EG just soaks up the miles in comfort. The fairing and windshield make a huge difference. I don't care for high winds or the turbulence off big vehicles, but you learn when to expect it and how to compensate for it. if you want to see a bike get squirelly, try a V-Rod in a cross wind. The solid wheels on the VRSC-A's were like a sail. Then add in no windshield or fairing and highway riding sucked, it was exhausting. I added a removable windshield which did help a little.
Riding on the interstate isn't my favorite, I'd much rather be on scenario back roads. However, the slab has it's benefits. When you need to cover some miles quickly, it is a necessary evil. I didn't care for it at first, but after getting much more experience, it isn't bad at all.
Riding on the interstate isn't my favorite, I'd much rather be on scenario back roads. However, the slab has it's benefits. When you need to cover some miles quickly, it is a necessary evil. I didn't care for it at first, but after getting much more experience, it isn't bad at all.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
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.
You have to be comfortable enough with letting the bike wander around some in the wind, on grooved pavement etc. Don't death grip the bars.
Wearing ear plugs makes a big difference with regard to fatigue as well as hearing loss. I don't know if you wear a helmet but a FF helmet makes things more pleasant on the highway especially in the rain.
If you're going to be on the highway regularly, go out during off hours to get some sense of the ride without all the other vehicles around you.
ALWAYS watch your 6 and if you're not passing, stay out of the left lane. Especially at night, people come barreling up on you before you know it.
Happy Motoring!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
The interstates in SW Connecticut aren't like those in most places (big cities and the surrounding suburbs excepted).
They're good roads to stay off of, if you're on a bike.
Too many cars and trucks, wind turbulence, noise, stuff goin' on all around you.
Who here goes out and rides the north end of the Jersey Turnpike for fun...?
They're good roads to stay off of, if you're on a bike.
Too many cars and trucks, wind turbulence, noise, stuff goin' on all around you.
Who here goes out and rides the north end of the Jersey Turnpike for fun...?
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 310
Likes: 19
From: Tampa Bay,FL
I have 120 miles of commuting on the Road King 5 days/week. It is a physical impossibility to get to work without a one hour detour around the top of the bay. No thanks.
As has been mentioned, stay away from semis, as the turbulence can make your ride squirelly, and a hell of a lot less safe due to them possibly not seeing you. There is nothing relaxing or fun wrestling with a bike in the vortex behind a large truck.
The club I ride with has rally points set up on the interstate, as the chapter is located 40 miles south. Interstate riding is mandatory to get their unless of course you want to add an extra hour and change each direction. If you have a 300 mile day planned already, and have 600 miles under your butt already for the week, adding more time and miles isn't an option.
Your comfort will increase in time. You can do it. Might help if you befriended a more experienced rider to cruise with.
As has been mentioned, stay away from semis, as the turbulence can make your ride squirelly, and a hell of a lot less safe due to them possibly not seeing you. There is nothing relaxing or fun wrestling with a bike in the vortex behind a large truck.
The club I ride with has rally points set up on the interstate, as the chapter is located 40 miles south. Interstate riding is mandatory to get their unless of course you want to add an extra hour and change each direction. If you have a 300 mile day planned already, and have 600 miles under your butt already for the week, adding more time and miles isn't an option.
Your comfort will increase in time. You can do it. Might help if you befriended a more experienced rider to cruise with.