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I prefer the highways. Cruise control is best thing since sliced bread! I gusee it depends on where you are, but I love most of the smells when riding. Nature smells are nice -exhaust and skunks -no.
I never cared for the interstate on the bike. Too much [road] noise and too much turbulence when there's a lot of traffic around. And here in SW Connecticut (and over into NY state), there's usually a lot of traffic around.
I don't even like four-lane (non-interstate) roads that much.
Guess I'm pretty much a "country two-laner". So be it.
Like the highway for the speed, as well as not having to stop every few minutes for red lights, etc. The only issue is that I-95 around here is stop and go, a lot of times quite a few last minute slam on the brakes types, which kind of takes the fun out of during rush hour/congestion. It is nice to ride when there isn't that much traffic. Same thing with wild life on the back roads, either alive or dead.
There are some sections of interstate that are actually really nice rides. I like being on the interstate either real early in the morning or late at night. Set the cruise, zone out, and let the miles drift by. It's very relaxing and regenerative on long rides.
Worse thing about the interstate though is you ride past some really cool things and never even know it. I find myself eating a lot at McDonald's and sleeping in Motel 6's; not my idea of a good travel experience.
Really don't care for highway riding at all. Maybe I would feel different if I had a touring bike rather than a softail.
My '03 FXST does just fine on the highway even with its 88 CI engine. And with the seat I put on, my tush is just fine as well, lol! To be honest, I don't think the Heritage I had for a while was THAT much better.
I mostly love riding for the enjoyment of my surroundings - the scenery, the animals, the fresh country smell, meandering country roads etc.,e tc. BUT ... every now and then I do enjoy getting up on the super slab, up to highway speed and just cruising for a while.
The main thing is, I do not MIND the highway like many riders. Perhaps because when I got my motorcycle license I pretty much immediately had to make trips from MA up to VT on the highway due to time factors. So I got used to it real quick.
There's nothing better then hitting the highway and shifting into high gear for a couple of hours. Getting your bike up to speed and watching the scenery go by. Feeling the wind blowing over you and the bike. Checking out scenery on a road you may drive in your car, but never noticed before. Like a lake or stream hidden behind some trees. Traffic all moving in the same direction with little chance of someone turning into your path. The miles get added in the easiest way, with momentum carrying you along. Gas stops seem more of a annoyance then necessity . And when you get back home after a few hundred miles, your more relaxed and clear headed. That's what highway ridding will do to ya.,,
With the proper setup, it's great on the highway. I think you're crazy if you have no windshield or at least a face shield. Was doing about 65 on I-70 (last time I had the windshield on - which as last year sometime) and this guy flys past me doing about 80: No shield, no face shield, no helmet. About 16" apes and this guy was holding on for dear life. Can't tell me that was enjoyable.
I was about to ask if the guy have Maryland plates, because that was probably me. But I don't have 16" apes and I always have a helmet on.
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