Interstate Riding
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 164
Likes: 9
From: Houston
Interstate Riding
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.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 610
From: USA
Interstates will get you from point A to B in the shortest amount of time (most of the time) and are great for rolling on the miles. They are also accompanied by numerous gas stations, places to eat and hotels located right off many exits. For long distance trips with limited time, I find interstates are the way to travel. I'm also riding a FLHTK and not a Fatboy w/o a windshield. Just my experience.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Back roads are nice if your just out riding in a circle. But if you have to go a distance, highways are the way to go. Having and using a windshield will make highway travel less tiring.,,,
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
I do most of my riding on them,although here in the UK we call them Motorways I use them mainly because I hate all the stopping and starting you get with traffic lights, roundabouts and Zebra crossing on normal roads as well as cars coming out of side roads at you, unlike America our roads are pretty crowded, also Motorways have better road suffices unlike normal roads that are generally full of potholes and sunken man hole covers, only bummer is the wind.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 982
From: Kansas
I avoid the interstate for aesthetic reasons. The slab is generally boring, while the GON2L (Good Old Numbered 2 Lane) roads take me through small towns and interesting rural areas. You see more of real America that way. If I need to get someplace quickly, or if it's raining real hard I will ride the interstate, but it's not as much fun as GON2L.
Ride with the windshield. You don't want to get a June bug up your nose. Also, having the wind blast you on the chest, arms and head for 500 miles in a day can make you feel like you've gone a couple rounds with Mike Tyson. (Does for me, anyway. YMMV.) The ride is suppose to be fun, not an endurance test.
Ride with the windshield. You don't want to get a June bug up your nose. Also, having the wind blast you on the chest, arms and head for 500 miles in a day can make you feel like you've gone a couple rounds with Mike Tyson. (Does for me, anyway. YMMV.) The ride is suppose to be fun, not an endurance test.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 164
Likes: 9
From: Houston
I suppose I should rephrase my question. I was in a position where I needed to make some miles in a hurry as I had already enjoyed the back roads too long. My experience was uncomfortable and scary as hell. Granted I was on the edge of Houston. Does it get better with time? I suspect it would be a little more comfortable without the crosswinds. It is impossible to travel around here without at least some interstate travel and HEAVY traffic.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I suspect you're right.
My Super Glide was a blast in the curves, for a short time, and under 65-ish.
Out on the interstate at 75, even with a windshield, gusty crosswinds and passing trucks beat the crap out of me.
Can you get used to it? Sure. Will you ever like it? Probably not. Depends on how many miles/hours you have to put up with it.
My Super Glide was a blast in the curves, for a short time, and under 65-ish.
Out on the interstate at 75, even with a windshield, gusty crosswinds and passing trucks beat the crap out of me.
Can you get used to it? Sure. Will you ever like it? Probably not. Depends on how many miles/hours you have to put up with it.