Highway Questions
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,598
Likes: 4,030
From: San Diego, CA
I ride to work and do about 40 minutes each way on the highway (65mph speed limit). The first couple times, it seems you are going a lot faster than you are... you'll get used to it quick.
Double check any bags or anything with straps. Double check any strings or anything you might have on your clothes or jacket, the last thing you want is a string with a knot on the end whipping you in the back of the head.
Don't follow too close to anyone, you might miss some debris in the road and not have a chance to get out of the way. I see everything from shredded up tires to sheets of plywood on the highway, regularly. Plus, people throw out garbage, cigaratte butts, etc. out their windows.
Depending on how comfortable you are, I usually try to keep a good 5-10mph clip above the speed limit to keep up with, and slowly pass most traffic. You don't want people passing you constantly. When I see a semi or other large truck, I speed up a bit and get around them as quickly as possible to get out of their wind, they kick up a lot of gravel and dust too.
Pay extra attention to anyone with a trailer or boat, stuff flies off of those all the time. Also watch out for those Uhaul or Budget rental trucks, a lot of times the people driving them rented it and are driving a truck for the first time, they can be all over the road.
Double check any bags or anything with straps. Double check any strings or anything you might have on your clothes or jacket, the last thing you want is a string with a knot on the end whipping you in the back of the head.
Don't follow too close to anyone, you might miss some debris in the road and not have a chance to get out of the way. I see everything from shredded up tires to sheets of plywood on the highway, regularly. Plus, people throw out garbage, cigaratte butts, etc. out their windows.
Depending on how comfortable you are, I usually try to keep a good 5-10mph clip above the speed limit to keep up with, and slowly pass most traffic. You don't want people passing you constantly. When I see a semi or other large truck, I speed up a bit and get around them as quickly as possible to get out of their wind, they kick up a lot of gravel and dust too.
Pay extra attention to anyone with a trailer or boat, stuff flies off of those all the time. Also watch out for those Uhaul or Budget rental trucks, a lot of times the people driving them rented it and are driving a truck for the first time, they can be all over the road.
John
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 4
From: EastCoast
Dont underestimate the wind/temp at higher speeds and especially the ride home..... Can get hypothermic fast even it moderate temps. I prefer tighter gear for high speeds to avoid "sailing away". Fight/seal out wind>fight temp w pourous layers. Cheers
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
How'd it go?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 8
From: Clinton IA
No kidding, my GPS looked like someone threw spaghetti on the screen when I went around Atlanta a couple years ago. A real white knuckle drive (in my car) for me, there had just been a big ice storm, and they didn't put down any salt that I could see. I grew up in a town with only one stoplight... only one stoplight in the county still, I'm not used to traffic at all.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
Make sure you are well rested and hydrated. Take enough breaks and, seeing you have a small tank I suggest a 15min one after each time you fill up. Take your time it's not a race! But, most importantly!!!!!! Enjoy yourself and tell us about it later and ride safe so you CAN tell us about it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Watch out for road debris and pothole. Be careful of the dreaded black snakes of death.
Don't be dedicated to one section of your lane. Always adjust depending on the road conditions and traffic around you. Remember, every car on the road wants to kill you. That said, relax. You'll be fine.
Don't be dedicated to one section of your lane. Always adjust depending on the road conditions and traffic around you. Remember, every car on the road wants to kill you. That said, relax. You'll be fine.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Watch out for road debris and pothole. Be careful of the dreaded black snakes of death.
Don't be dedicated to one section of your lane. Always adjust depending on the road conditions and traffic around you. Remember, every car on the road wants to kill you. That said, relax. You'll be fine.
Don't be dedicated to one section of your lane. Always adjust depending on the road conditions and traffic around you. Remember, every car on the road wants to kill you. That said, relax. You'll be fine.