I total agree with Hawg.....I have seen alot more bikers killed on the side roads than the highways....For starters everyone around you is moving in the same direction....I always take the highways whenever I can....

 

You can run a modern Harley all day long at 3000 rpm's.

 

I refuse to ride backroads unless I have to because their are no one around if anything happen to you and it's just not that safe anymore. and 1500 rpm will destory your engine.

 

Freeway speeds on my SG in 5th gear translates to anywhere from 2800 to 3200 rpms (60 to 85 mph) Even the old bikes run a little higher than 1500 at speed, and if they are cared for, they can hang...

As far as highway or back roads, depends on the day. With a newer bike, sometimes I take the highway to get where I need to be without any drama. If there is a fun back road to take, I will consider, but most of the backroads around here will be treacherous with all the flooding... I can understand not taking an old WL out on the highway, but one of the things I love about most Harleys is that they will go anywhere. Take good care of em, and they will take you wherever you want to go... If you don't have enough confidence to take em on the highway, that would be a bummer around my neck of the woods, because every trip is going to involve at least a little highway...

Ride safe, and get your tach checked.

 

My Glide hunkers down and cruises on the highway - -love it- - - and generally, everyone is moving the same direction and they are more predicatable than the back roads but gets me to farther destinations faster --i.e. up to Ohio and back (430 miles one way)-

I do love a back road jaunt more - - as the highway can be mezmorizing and boring at the same time, -- back roads offer more to see (and avoid) and it's great to vary the speed and scenery

 

Way I ride is, if I have a time I have to be some place, I take the highway. If I'm out for a cruise or not worried about how long it takes, I will always take the back roads. I have to ride the highway every week day to go to work, and I run 80 mph, in the left lane. Like they said, only have to watch one lane behind you and I get a clear picture of the lower lane fools.


Yoman

 

Not only is this correct but it is a statistical fact that more riders are fatally injured on local roads than they are on highways.

 

I can't believe some of you guys prefer the highway to a back road. I hate red lights, highways and the idiots in that traffic even more !!!! Don't you think the best thing about riding a scooter is getting on a back country road, going through some twisties and looking at the scenery ??

 

I like to mix it up! If I'm going on a long haul like up to D.C. (283 miles) I get on I-95 and ride 70-75 the whole way. If I get home from work and just want to ride a bit I get on the backroads very relaxing. However, after about 7 PM there is a freeway (with very little traffic) close by that I can get on and just cruise for about 40 miles and that is nice as well.

 

First choice - Backroads.

When deer are roaming - at night or in a hurry I take the freeway and set the cruise about 72.