Finally joined the highway crew :)

[Renner]

Have been riding for just a couple months now and I decided it was time to start using the highway instead of just side streets to get around.

Took my first ride to work this morning in rush hour about 30 miles to work and then had a couple meetings and rode back at noon, so a total of 60 miles.

I was really thinking that highway riding would be much worse, but I just stuck to a plan. Use the right or center lanes only, stick to no more that 10 over the speed limit and focus on being loose and relaxed.

It all went very well! Well except for the fact that it was 95 and I was sweating my ass off AND my ipass was not setting off the toll lights, so I should be expecting some mail from IDOT soon :thumb up:

I will say that the double bubble is amazing compared to a stock windshield and I think this was the biggest help out of anything that you could put on a bike for the highway...A++ for DOUBLE BUBBLE

[alex.s]

i prefer being between the fastest and second fastest lanes. less people changing lanes / getting on and off the freeway.

[Stingray1000]

Nice, Grats on the first highway ride!

[Motofool]

Welcome to the club, Joe!

I agree with Alex.

Also, be aware that you are allowed by the Federal Law to use the HOV lane even during the restricted hours.

[Renner]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Welcome to the club, Joe!

I agree with Alex.

Also, be aware that you are allowed by the Federal Law to use the HOV lane even during the restricted hours.

I wish we had carpool lanes...no go in IL

[Renner]

Originally Posted by alex.s

i prefer being between the fastest and second fastest lanes. less people changing lanes / getting on and off the freeway.

I was using the right lane just to keep within my rule of no speeding over 10+ on this ride...Most of the drivers here go 15-20 over limit all the time, so for my first highway ride I stuck with the older people and hung out in the slow lane

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Renner

I was using the right lane just to keep within my rule of no speeding over 10+ on this ride...Most of the drivers here go 15-20 over limit all the time, so for my first highway ride I stuck with the older people and hung out in the slow lane

ohhhh i see. when you said rush hour i was thinking california rushhour which means the entire freeway is driving at about 5mph.

[Malicious Logic]

Grats on the first freeway ride. I feel like I'm part of the minority having jumped on the highway already multiple times and I've only been riding about a month. It's definitely nothing to be afraid of once you get used to everything.

[edxmon]

I stick to the two right (slow) lanes as well. I know that if I went to the fast lane I would be topping the little ninja out and then if a bigger bike zoomed past me I would feel like a dummy XP

Plus that way I don't have to have my chest on the tank and my face right ontop of the keys the whole time.

On my way back from the MSF course I kinda "escorted" a young lady in a moped for a few miles :P

She was in a black moped, wearing all black...on the freeway. I thought mopeds arent allowed on? Anywho, I was wearing a reflective vest and reflective tape wrapped around my backpack (requirements to ride onto the navy base) and though I should make sure no one tailgated her (she was doing about 50~55 and I think she was maxed out). CA drivers can be dicks and I was feeling good, so what the heck!

[250rr]

Good work! I have only two trips on the freeway so far. Honestly, the first time I went one exit down, chickened out, turned around and came the one exit back. The second time, I went two exits down. At this rate I'll be 10 miles on the freeway in about a month!

I must confess, freeway riding is not my favorite. I'm slowly getting used to it, however.

[EthioKnight]

I like leaning in fully behind my DB windscreen...the silence and the full tucked in position gives me a sense of exhilaration...like I'm on a lengthy stretch at the track.

[Renner]

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

I like leaning in fully behind my DB windscreen...the silence and the full tucked in position gives me a sense of exhilaration...like I'm on a lengthy stretch at the track.

Oh I feel ya...it was windy today straight in my face, but I tucked in behind that DB and make it was awesome. Almost felt like driving in a cage LOL

[Stingray1000]

Originally Posted by 250rr

Good work! I have only two trips on the freeway so far. Honestly, the first time I went one exit down, chickened out, turned around and came the one exit back. The second time, I went two exits down. At this rate I'll be 10 miles on the freeway in about a month!

I must confess, freeway riding is not my favorite. I'm slowly getting used to it, however.

The first time on the freeway I felt like I was in more of a racing style track rather than jsut the backroads of my local town. I felt more manueverability and more decision making made it a better ride. I always know where every car is within a 50 foot radius is....

[Renner]

Originally Posted by Stingray1000

The first time on the freeway I felt like I was in more of a racing style track rather than jsut the backroads of my local town. I felt more manueverability and more decision making made it a better ride. I always know where every car is within a 50 foot radius is....

Yah it was weird I felt very aware...could tell you every car going 4 cars up, but the ride went by so fast....felt like 5 minutes before I was home

[250rr]

Originally Posted by Stingray1000

The first time on the freeway I felt like I was in more of a racing style track rather than jsut the backroads of my local town. I felt more manueverability and more decision making made it a better ride. I always know where every car is within a 50 foot radius is....

I agree with that. I think that it's the semi's and the speed combined that grabs my attention!

[250rr]

I should add I have no idea what racing a motorbike is like. I was more agreeing with the part where you said that you are super aware of the other vehicles around you.

[Mocha Man]

What kind of jacket do you wear?

[dfox]

i ride in the fast lane, almost exclusively.

for one, there's less people merging into you.

for two, I find that it's generally safer to be traveling faster than the majority of traffic. I just get in line in the fast lane, and stay there, regardless of speed. if the guy in front of me is gone, and there's someone behind who wants to go faster than I do, obviously I'll move over and let them pass, but until then, I just stay put.

the 250 will hold up to most highway traffic, I've ridden for 40ish miles at 85 mph, and i know others have done much more. it's not much fun at highway speeds due to the lack of acceleration, but it'll do it. getting into tuck behind the double bubble is incredible.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by dfox

i ride in the fast lane, almost exclusively.

for one, there's less people merging into you.

for two, I find that it's generally safer to be traveling faster than the majority of traffic. I just get in line in the fast lane, and stay there, regardless of speed. if the guy in front of me is gone, and there's someone behind who wants to go faster than I do, obviously I'll move over and let them pass, but until then, I just stay put.

the 250 will hold up to most highway traffic, I've ridden for 40ish miles at 85 mph, and i know others have done much more. it's not much fun at highway speeds due to the lack of acceleration, but it'll do it. getting into tuck behind the double bubble is incredible.

[Renner]

Originally Posted by Mocha Man

What kind of jacket do you wear?

I wear a xelements mesh armour jacket from leatherup.com. only $80
Posted via Mobile Device

[thisisbenji]

I don't think the little Ninja would do very well in the fast lanes around Chicago. I'm always having to get out of peoples way when I'm on i94. That being said if you stay out of the left lane i94 isn't so bad. I actually did a 180 mile highway ride the day after I bought my bike, so I guess I don't really see what the big fuss is about.