Motorcycle Tips for Riding on the Highway
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- Let's get up to speed and talk about some tips and best practices for riding a motorcycle on the highway.
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On longer rides, I tend to stop about every 100-120 miles or a couple of hours. Gas up, get a drink, restroom, and walk around a bit. That way, you get to hit the road 'fresh' and I feel better at the end of 8-10 hours of travel. Just a though
My butt can't that long
I love the fact that my bike has a windshield can be electronically moved up and down when I want to deal with wind and vision.
I have that, too. I didn't think I would use it much, but I certainly do!
I’m really digging this “Tips for riding…” series. It’s good stuff to consider.
Great discussion Kevin. I agree with you on the value of a full-face helmet and hearing protection as a strategy to help with wind buffet. It amazes me that riders still take their machines out on the highway with no helmet or hearing protection. It doesn't take long for that wind pounding in your ears to make you tired and less focused. What's the advantage to no helmet? It makes you look badass? Laughable.
One of my first highway experiences was having an 18 wheeler blow by me at 70-75 mph while I was accelerating onto a that highway. Really puts things into perspective for you. As for tickets you may get when trying to keep safe out there I'll quote Dan Dan the Fireman "it's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6!" I think one of the first things they should say in any driving course is from Braveheart "first we must teach you to use this! (points to the kids head) Then we can teach you to use this" (points to sword but for our purposes insert a car or motorcycle) All to often I feel drivers turn their engines on and their brains off. Stay safe out there!
Thank you Kevin, God bless you and your family.
Two main rules for the highway - Always maintain a maximum following distance in front and behind, and don't speed. The only "flow of traffic" that is higher than the speed limit is in the left lanes and you can't maintain following distance in front and behind you in the left lanes. I say do most of your riding in the right lane with a comfortable buffer and let speeders go past you in the left lanes. No need whatsoever to keep up with them. I've ridden across the US several times and I love highway riding. But I never exceed the speed limit for anything more than a temporary pass. And yes, don't follow trucks. In 1998 a truck ahead of me blew a tire and it landed right in front of me at 60 MPH. Somehow I drove over it without wiping out.
Hi Kevin, thank you for another great video. One thing I would add (or highlight) is to NOT let your fuel reserves get too low, or try to "push through" to the next town or petrol station. If you're taking regular breaks as you should be, it should be no trouble to top up the tank each time you stop. Much better than running out of fuel kilometres (or miles) before the next available fuel... especially in Australia! Cheers from Oz. 👍👍🇦🇺
When riding on 2 lane highways, I usually move to the right wheel trough when encountering oncoming 18 wheelers to reduce the effect of the air dam and subsequent turbulence they produce.
Fundamental safety management strategy…well done👍
When there are 3 or more lanes of traffic going in my direction, I like to pick one of the center lanes, I feel it gives me two escape routes.
When riding sort of heave to heavy traffic, I don't like to in any one lane position too long, like to wander around a little, I feel it keeps the ones behind from starting to just look through you and eventually forget about you, plus the movement is more likely to keep the attention of the one in front. Yes, you MUST be able to see way up ahead like you always state, but, the being seen part and staying on others minds is equally important to me.
Love your videos
As far as speed goes, I know a piece of advice I've been given is to go a little faster than the flow of traffic, so you have to worry less about cars behind you. I typically try to pass until I get to a relatively open section of road, and from there I can cruise. My main objective in any traffic is giving myself space from cars in *all directions*. I'd rather not be stuck in someone's blind spot or get caught in a pileup.
@@hydrogen.jukebox I run about 5 mph over posted for the same reason.
Agreed. Riding at the same speed as traffic makes us static with respect to the other cars and we become invisible.
However, I agree with Kevin that a safe distance ahead, behind and adjacent to me is the safest.
My rule is “If you’re not near me, you can’t hurt me.” (Except, of course, in a case like the 18 year old girl, who was going 150 MPH at 10:30 PM on an “empty” Rt 60 near us in her Corvette, and nailed a 56 year old on a motorcycle from behind killing him almost instantly.)
How about a clip talking about riding cool in hot weather? Here is how I ride in 100 degree plus, weather and never break a sweat:
First a short sleeve Cotton Tee shirt (wet), then a polyester tee shirt long sleeve (wet), next a evaporating cooling vest (wet) and last a mesh riding jacket> When its 98-105 at 3pm it feels like 72-75 and last for about 2-3 hours. SO, at stops I just recharge with a bottle of water down the collar and one down the back of the neck. It works like a charm.
Just ordered a CompCooler system that routes ice water through a liner. It should be here in a couple of days.
Members on the MC Rider forum talked about CycleChillers which seems to be the same as CompCooler. Members had a lot of great things to say about it and, I think, Kevin has a video on it.
My windshield experiences differs greatly. Harley Softail with windshield cut to about 2" below eye level. I can see over the top and through it. The wind is diverted over my helmet perfectly. In fact I can put my hand on my helmet at cruising speed, then lift my hand just above the helmet before I feel the wind really hit my hand. I certainly don't have a bunch of turbulence hitting the back of my helmet, either. For me, there is no need to cut down the windshield and take the wind in the chest.
Switched from big touring Harley(s) to a can am Spyder due to back and hip issues. It did take an adjustment as to riding style and road strategy, and also increased my comfort level with road conditions on streets and highways. The increased presence and footprint really made weather and road conditions less of an issue for me.
Good Stuff! I love all your content and take it to heart. From a fellow Indian Challenger rider.
Good video, I completely agree with a windshield and a helmet for the highway/freeway. A couple of weeks ago we had a hot spell here in Illinois so I decided to take the windshield off my Yamaha 650 for relief while running errands in town. A few days later I had to run out to the motorcycle club to do some work. Although the ride was only 7 miles it reminded me of why I like windshields, the blast was horrible and couldn't wait to get home and put the windshield back on. The best advice I give myself for highway travel on 2-lanes are keeping an eye on the traffic around me, sudden vehicles pulling on the road and loose gravel where gravel roads meet with paved roads. On the interstate I like to keep an eye on the big truck traffic and what's coming up behind me. On the interstate you always have that caravan of speeding cars running a lot faster than everyone else and they can come up on you suddenly when least expected, especially when wanting to pass a semi-truck. I like two lanes for the connection you get when going through small towns and seem they are safer than interstates, but interstates are great for covering ground fast and have more services at hand.
Great tips! Luckily, my Rebel 250 isn't too hard to navigate around town; but, it does lack on the pep to pass a big-rig on the highway. Thanks for sharing!
My most often used component of road strategy is to move to a more left lane, if possible, anytime I see more than 1 car coming down the on ramp at my right. Inevitably, one of the non-leading cars wants to accelerate around and past those who are ahead. No looking, no care, no signal, just selfishness. That car is your immediate threat.
About the helmet issue: I wear a Shoei Neotech II. It has a top vent. The wind noise around the top vent is loud. I bought a slightly higher windscreen for my 2024 Road Glide, and the noise disappeared. But I created just the problem you warned about in the video where I have to sit up straight and crane my neck to see over the windscreen’s distorting top edge or I have to crouch down to see through the screen. I’m going to put the original windscreen back on and change to a Shoei full-faced helmet with no top vent. Also, I noticed that Earpeace has different grades of sound reduction: an adjustment there is also in order.
Good earplugs are a godsend for long highway rides, IMO, even with my excellent RF-1400 (which is very quiet). Virtually no wind noise from my vents (while riding my FXLRST). I second your thought.
I agree with your recommendation about windscreen height. Another issue I have with tall windscreens is that they obstruct my vision ahead. I also don't like looking "through" a windscreen as it can distort what lies ahead.
If you're in one of the right-most lanes keep an eye out for those drivers that try to cross multiple lanes of traffic at the last few seconds in order to make their exit. Something to keep in mind as you approach freeway exits. Similarly with on-ramps .. watch for drivers quickly crossing multiple lanes of traffic as they enter the freeway.
I used to find that the full size foam ear plugs got uncomfortable very quickly under a helmet. I'd cut one plug diagonally across the thirds, giving me a shorter plug that would still seal. With the small end outward, that give me something to grasp for removal.
Agreed! I switched to nice earplugs (for $20-$30) and they are amazing!
Agree w/the truck comment. Unfortunately, excessive speeding is a challenge on most highways in America. I've ridden from Ca and Carolinas and Midwest (N/W/E/S). So as much as I love cruise control...you have to throttle up and down constantly to avoid being boxed in. Staying clear of hazards (which today means other drivers) is fundamentally important. It's a mental challenge of chess out there. I also didn't hear you mention "time". I try to get through large cities in off hours - not rush hour. People late for work are just too aggressive and they don't care about motorcycles. So TIME OF DAY matters. Plan trips accordingly. So in DFW when I'm headed out of town I often leave at 05:30 before rush hour begins. Or wait until 09:00. One of the worst areas I've every ridden for Nuts....I-20 South of Dallas or I-45 from Woodlands to Downtown Houston or I-75 just North of Tampa/St Pete down to Naples, or I-95 from St Aug down to Stuart...then bad again Near Boca toward Miami. Montreal...holy cow. Ca...amazing. So you can't avoid it...just have patience and 10x normal awareness. NYC is a zoo. Chicago on 294...or 75 N of Detroit on F/Sat/Sun w/all the folks headed to lake homes - racing ! I can say this...and Kevin I'm sure is tired of me saying it....but 19k miles in Europe, riding everyday, and never once experienced what I do in N America. It's far far more dangerous here...so don't be a fool out there.
Just adding a comment for support.
Excellent, Kevin
Exlant advice great video thanks for sharing
Great topic
I’ve done a lot more cycling than motorcycle riding (just started this year). I live in a rural town around population around 7,500. People always ask if I am afraid to ride on the highway. I tell them it’s safer on the highway than in town.
When cycling I ride the white shoulder line or close to it. I don’t ride on the edge of the road and dirt.
I ended up switching to a shorter windscreen on my ADV because of buffeting issues, and the clean air around my head now feels great. Even on the highways, I have no problem wearing my dirt helmet (Fox V1) with goggles and the peak removed, and with earplugs of course. It feels great in the summer and it's great in the city, since breathing is much easier than constantly flipping up my visor at stop lights
As a native New Yorker, if you can ride safely in the City and Boroughs of New York for decades, then you can ride “almost” anywhere safely, effectively and efficiently! For long rides on my Cruiser, I use my Full Face SHOEI or Arai racing type helmets with spoilers in the back to help with the wind and fatigue in my neck. Now that I’m in a small town in Maryland, I can ride with a SHOEI modular helmet or a Glamster, or an Arai Rapide most of the time which are both more rounded in shape but are less effective in the wind. I don’t recommend wearing open face or half helmets at any time, because they don’t offer any protection in case an accident occurs and a person lands on their face(very bad day) at speed. Another great video, thank you! 👍
Here in Michigan the Interstates are nuts! Traffic in the right lane consists mainly of trucks and people entering and leaving the interstate, the typical speed being 70 mph (the speed limit). Traffic in the left lane of a two-lane highway is typically flowing at 80 mph, but you get a lot of folks traveling at much higher rates of speed. I promised myself that I wouldn’t get on the interstate until the bike was an extension of me and my skills were crisp and well-trained. I think I’m there. Speed doesn’t bother me the way it used to, either. But the speed differential and the people who routinely drive at 90 mph or faster lead me to conclude that there is a missing judgment factor in a lot of other drivers. So, call me a wuss, but in my days of commuting in a car on the interstate in Michigan, I have seen a lot of bizarre behavior. On the other hand, state highways that aren’t limited access are usually pretty sane, and even though I have to be more vigilant about intersections and wildlife, I don’t feel that the people around me are nearly as unsafe.
The easiest roads to ride are first, the motorway, second open road, and hardest as Kevin has said, the urban area.
LOL! I agree with riding the same as the flow of traffic in or out of town. Here in PHX Metro the flow of traffic is usually at least 75 MPH in a 65 zone... so keep up or exceed just a bit.
I live in and ride motorcycle around Africa. This channel taught me how to ride.
I’m a retired Automotive Engineer from Detroit Metro…. I’ve spent a lot of time in wind tunnels.
I mounted my own windshield with a 2-3 in gap at the bottom to direct airflow over my head. I don’t know why manufacturers don’t do this but it works great.
Do you have any videos about mirrors?
I have a question. Why do I feel so anxious before getting on my bike, but once I am on the bike and start riding anxiety goes away. So weird.
I would like to make an argument for me. It’s easier for me to ride the motorcycle in town because I have a 2020 Honda super cub and the top speed is 50 to 55 on flat ground less if I’m going uphill faster if I’m going downhill so some highways have speed limits that are higher than 55 the one that I frequent the speed limit is 55 so I’m more or less can keep up with traffic and I just live in slow lane But when I’m in town and speed limits 30 35, even 40 I have no problem keeping up with traffic and that makes it easier for me to ride in town.
Carrying a hydration pack in a tail bag helps me a lot. Just stop anywhere and grab a drink.
Why do you call petrol "Gas" when its a liquid? Your highways are they like Motorways here in the UK. Obviously we do not have so much space. How do you deal with really long highway roads? the boredom must be hard on a long straight road. Here in the UK there seems to be a prejudice between bikers.. BmW and Ducati riders do not acknowledge me on my 98 Fazer.. Same with Harley 'rebals' out on the road.. However they are always nice enough when chatting at a bike shop or cafe.. Gotta do more social interaction.. Hate riding alone.. cheers Kev.. Always lopok forward to your vids in my in box.. Acually caught you early saturday mourning.. cheers
What kind of earplugs do you think are good? Do they allow you to maintain awareness to the traffic around you?
Yes, most of the better brands will allow good or even better awareness due to the removal of the worst of the wind "booming". I wear custom moulded plugs and wouldn't be without them (I will qualify this statement by saying I also have rather loud pipes and that it helps having that noise removed from the equation too). Cheers from Oz. 👍👍🇦🇺
Agreed but I would argue they’re only good on the highway - they’re a little TOO effective around town.
I had a Victory Vision and I chose to get the tallest windshield even though I had the electric raising windshield. I did this because my commute back and forth to work was 1 hour and sometimes I would get behind trucks and they would kick up a lot of dust and even small stones at times and I would get it all thrown on to me and yes it would even get into my helmet even though I had a shield. I also liked the fact that the rain would skip right over the top of the windshield when I was riding and I could literally stay dry as long as I kept moving. Think about being caught in the rain for an hour unexpectedly and then not having this type of protection. Lastly even though the bike had heated grips and seats what the problem was if it got to be really cold out I wanted all the wind deflection I could actually get sometimes I would get caught in an area where it got down to as low as 45 degrees and at 65 Mi an hour it was brutal. I was so happy for my windshield and I would do it again in a heartbeat. If it got hot out I could always lower the shield and more air would come around and I had the deflectors on the sides lower to go ahead and bring in more air to cool me off on 90° days. Love the channel but consider there are other reasons why people do this not just because they're inexperienced I've been writing since I was a teenager and I'm 67 this year.
Hay Man.. Heard your storty about your eye awhile ago, it must of heart hurt? Having a hard time with my eyes, can't get no satisfaction" from the nhs.. Gonna complain for medical negligence.. cheers
Walmart parking lots are another set of skills
Are you?
Is the motorcycle airbag worth it ?
Are you?