Super Slab vs. Back Roading
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Tourer
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Super Slab vs. Back Roading
Every new season that comes along my wife and I get into it about how she doesn't like rding on the super slab at 75 mph because of merging trucks and traffic, etc. She much prefers the backroads and countryside. She rides her own bike -- a V-Rod. I keep trying to talk her into getting a Street Glide or something that offers better wind protection. I've riden her V-Rod on the highway and find that it sucks even with a windshield. There's just not a good way to get wind protection with that bike, not to mention that it looks much better without one anyways. I'm comfortable riding on any kind of road unless its rough and full of potholes, and I think she'd not be so intimidated on the slab if she rode behind some protection. What advice would you give her? She's 5'3", about 125 pounds.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,121
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From: NWFL
RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
I don't think it has anything to do with the speed per say. my wife rides with me on lots of long trips and doesn't like the super slab. I think it's the traffic and trucks.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
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From: Vermont
RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
You said she doesn't like 75 on the superslab because of the traffic - trucks and cars merging around her. It sounds more like she feels vulnerable on two wheels surrounded by cagers and trucks. No amount of wind protection is going to help that.
I think they're are stats out there that show that travel on a limited access highway is safer than on the back roads. There's a greater chance of problems with cars coming out of side roadsor turning in front of you on a two lane.
I feel safer on the superslab. However, I ride on it only if I have to get somewhere in a hurry. I think the back roads were made for biking - especially Harleys.
Your wife enjoys the sport. I'll probably get flamed at for suggesting it but why not take the back roads and enjoy the country side and companionship. It's a whole lot much enjoyable than pounding down the superslab.
Another thing to consider is the ergos of the V-rod with the forward controls and pull back handlebars. That makes for an uncomfortable ride, fighting the wind at 75. The more forward seating posture of a Street Rod may be the solution to her superslab woes.
I think they're are stats out there that show that travel on a limited access highway is safer than on the back roads. There's a greater chance of problems with cars coming out of side roadsor turning in front of you on a two lane.
I feel safer on the superslab. However, I ride on it only if I have to get somewhere in a hurry. I think the back roads were made for biking - especially Harleys.
Your wife enjoys the sport. I'll probably get flamed at for suggesting it but why not take the back roads and enjoy the country side and companionship. It's a whole lot much enjoyable than pounding down the superslab.
Another thing to consider is the ergos of the V-rod with the forward controls and pull back handlebars. That makes for an uncomfortable ride, fighting the wind at 75. The more forward seating posture of a Street Rod may be the solution to her superslab woes.
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Tourer
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From:
RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
ORIGINAL: Rollon
I don't think it has anything to do with the speed per say. my wife rides with me on lots of long trips and doesn't like the super slab. I think it's the traffic and trucks.
I don't think it has anything to do with the speed per say. my wife rides with me on lots of long trips and doesn't like the super slab. I think it's the traffic and trucks.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
I hate riding the freeways. Boring as hell and nothing to see. I've ridden all over the western USA, as far southeast as Texas, and as far east as South Dakota and I've done it all on the 2-lane highways. To me, that's what motorcycling is all about.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
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From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
Turn her V-Road into a Road Glide
www.cyclevisions.com
See a couple of these up-close at the Las Vegas Bikefest.... They look Awesome!!
www.cyclevisions.com
See a couple of these up-close at the Las Vegas Bikefest.... They look Awesome!!
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Tourer
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RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
ORIGINAL: SoCal_Pappy
Turn her V-Road into a Road Glide
www.cyclevisions.com
See a couple of these up-close at the Las Vegas Bikefest.... They look Awesome!!
Turn her V-Road into a Road Glide
www.cyclevisions.com
See a couple of these up-close at the Las Vegas Bikefest.... They look Awesome!!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Atlanta
RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
Well the interstate is certainly useful for traveling point-to-point quickly, and NTSB statistics show them to be safer than the two-lane highways that are not limited access. But like a lot of folks, I just don't enjoy riding on them. When I travel at the speed of traffic in the left lane, I am going a bit faster than I really want to go. When I am in one of the other lanes, there will be trucks that get just a little too close to me from behind. Now don't get me wrong, I generally travel at 70mph or so on them, but that's a little slower than the average here in Atlanta. But the most uncomfortable aspect of interstate riding in moderate to heavy traffic is the wind buffeting and handlebar shake from all of the turbulent wind currents developed by large trucks and many cars. There's just nothing relaxing about that. I'd rather leave home earlier and take the back roads; 60 mph on a two lane highway is pretty close to heavenly!
I find that my 3/4 coverage helmet and faceshield helps on the interstate; as someone else said, perhaps a full-face helmet would help. I'm considering one of the new Shoei's that have the hinge so that I can have both worlds.
I find that my 3/4 coverage helmet and faceshield helps on the interstate; as someone else said, perhaps a full-face helmet would help. I'm considering one of the new Shoei's that have the hinge so that I can have both worlds.
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Tourer
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From:
RE: Super Slab vs. Back Roading
ORIGINAL: LowriderFXRS
I hate riding the freeways. Boring as hell and nothing to see. I've ridden all over the western USA, as far southeast as Texas, and as far east as South Dakota and I've done it all on the 2-lane highways. To me, that's what motorcycling is all about.
I hate riding the freeways. Boring as hell and nothing to see. I've ridden all over the western USA, as far southeast as Texas, and as far east as South Dakota and I've done it all on the 2-lane highways. To me, that's what motorcycling is all about.