Interstates
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Interstates
I've only been riding for a couple of years, and have avoided the interstates except for a short hop about a year ago. Hate to admit it, but the grooves, crosswind and other traffic scared the hell out of me. Love the backroads and would ride them all day.
Was in a position today where I had to do about 50 miles on an interstate, and managed it fine, but wondered if any of you had advice for interstate riding. I mostly ride solo; no one else to ask.
Thanks!
Was in a position today where I had to do about 50 miles on an interstate, and managed it fine, but wondered if any of you had advice for interstate riding. I mostly ride solo; no one else to ask.
Thanks!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 37
From: Monroe, Louisiana
Don't ride beside 18 wheelers or follow too closely as thrown tire caps will wipe you out. If you are beside an 18 wheeler when a tire blows you will likely be in trouble as it sounds more like a sonic boom. Control the space in front of you and beside you as much as possible and leave enough room to see what is ahead of you. Don't ride in blind spots.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
road trash on interstates
Well said about the 18 wheelers. If you ride alone you have the whole lane you can use. When I pass the trucks I get as much distance between me and their tires and dont sit in there blind spots. Dont pass them slowly, I pass them a fast pace. So I am out of there danger zone.
Just watch out for the road trash. It will come up on you fast.
expect the unexpected
More you ride the comforable you will be.
Be safe,
Just watch out for the road trash. It will come up on you fast.
expect the unexpected
More you ride the comforable you will be.
Be safe,
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I feel safer on interstates, bored, but safer. No cross streets, driveways, shopping centers, kids playing, you get the idea.
Make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Debris comes out from under that vehicle way too quickly to be tail gating at 70 mph.
I always make sure that I can see the driver in his outside mirror as I'm overtaking. If I can see him, he SHOULD be able to see me. That's assuming that he's looking.
As others have stated, DO NOT follow, or ride beside, the big rigs. Not only can the trucker not see you, if one of those big ole truck tires comes apart it will do really nasty things to a motorcycle.
Also, make sure you have the proper pressure in your tires. A tire with low pressure will be more susceptible to lines, cracks, irregularities in the road surface as well as more sensitive to cross winds and gusting winds.
Make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Debris comes out from under that vehicle way too quickly to be tail gating at 70 mph.
I always make sure that I can see the driver in his outside mirror as I'm overtaking. If I can see him, he SHOULD be able to see me. That's assuming that he's looking.
As others have stated, DO NOT follow, or ride beside, the big rigs. Not only can the trucker not see you, if one of those big ole truck tires comes apart it will do really nasty things to a motorcycle.
Also, make sure you have the proper pressure in your tires. A tire with low pressure will be more susceptible to lines, cracks, irregularities in the road surface as well as more sensitive to cross winds and gusting winds.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
wasn't there a mythbusters that proved being next to a big rig tire blowing up wasn't trouble at all? All the enertia is going in the direction of the rotation. That being said, listen to all the advice here, including the not riding next to trucks.
Use your hand signals too. I use the arm down (slow down) a lot as I ride in Phoenix rush hour traffic often.
Don't be afraid to wave off a tailgater. Most people will back off.
Use your hand signals too. I use the arm down (slow down) a lot as I ride in Phoenix rush hour traffic often.
Don't be afraid to wave off a tailgater. Most people will back off.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Wow - thanks for all the good advice so quickly. I'm sure more experience will help; all the comments about 18 wheelers are noted and appreciated.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 12
From: Missouri
I was coming up behind a 18 wheeler in my truck when one of those tires blew and it come right at me, trust me, it will knock hell out of a bike, You will go down. That is one big chunk of rubber and it's heavy.
My advice; some people will speed up if your passing, or if they pass they will linger, they want to check out your Harley and they want to hear it rumble down the road. DON'T ALLOW IT. They will run your *** over or run you off the road. If they decide to hang beside you and gawk either slow down or blow by them. The longer they are there the more danger your in.
My advice; some people will speed up if your passing, or if they pass they will linger, they want to check out your Harley and they want to hear it rumble down the road. DON'T ALLOW IT. They will run your *** over or run you off the road. If they decide to hang beside you and gawk either slow down or blow by them. The longer they are there the more danger your in.
Last edited by Jeff W; May 16, 2011 at 12:56 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 8
From: Western Canada
Amen brother!
I was coming up behind a 18 wheeler in my truck when one of those tires blew and it come right at me, trust me, it will knock hell out of a bike, You will go down. That is one big chunk of rubber and it's heavy.
My advice; some people will speed up if your passing, or if they pass they will linger, they want to check out your Harley and they want to hear it rumble down the road. DON'T ALLOW IT. They will run your *** over or run you off the road. If they decide to hang beside you and gawk either slow down or blow by them. The longer they are there the more danger your in.
My advice; some people will speed up if your passing, or if they pass they will linger, they want to check out your Harley and they want to hear it rumble down the road. DON'T ALLOW IT. They will run your *** over or run you off the road. If they decide to hang beside you and gawk either slow down or blow by them. The longer they are there the more danger your in.