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Message started by jimsgirl on 07/20/10 at 21:02:49

Title: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by jimsgirl on 07/20/10 at 21:02:49

I had a good friend (with bike experience) go with me yesterday for a "newbie putt". We warmed up on a fast two lane road down to Gilroy and my friend said I was doing really well. I love the backroads, was having a great time and feeling pretty confident about my riding. Then I ventured out on the freeway for the first time - which was the plan. He told me if/when I got nervous, or felt uncomfortable to get off the freeway and we'd just go the backroad home (More scenic anyway) no pressure.

We go on the onramp filled with more ruts and potholes I've ever seen, just in time to match wits with a huge 18 wheeler in the slow lane. Yikes what a start... I know 101 is probably not the best freeway to start with, but I figured it would be quiet, weekday, after commute traffic, etc. WRONG!
I made it about four exits or so? Maybe five miles? and then I had to get off, I was freaking out so badly. Friend says I never went past 50-55mph, he was watching me the whole time, said he could see my head going all over, he figured i was getting beaten by wind and maybe should have put my head down more, lean into the wind,etc. I had shut all my helmet airholes, zipped up my sleeves. I just kept thinking I didn't have enough safety gear to go this fast. (Had on leather jacket, boots, all the gear...but was thinking more like IronMan outfit)
The helmet felt like it was pushing into my cheeks, the jacket was lifting, which I could tolerate, but wish it wasn't moving so much.
The ruts in the road were freaking scariest.. the bike wobbled thru them, I kept thinking I was gonna wiggle/drop/skid all over the place. It was pretty awful. The only good thing was I didn't chicken out and go off at the first exit, I kept going for at least five or more before I gave up. Truth be told? The first few offramps I might have taken were full of ruts and I was more afraid of them than of exiting!

Have any Advice?
More short term practice, do a few exits and get off, add a few at a time?
Better freeway condition to start with?
Windshield install? I like the look anyway - will a shield help that much? I already know I want to install WindVest one...but that won't solve all my problem. www.windvest.com

I already won't go out there on a weekend, will only go when it's off peak times to try again. If I'm going to go on group rides, I have to be able to manage a freeway, so I have to conquer it. Plus I don't like something I can't "get over"... >:(

Thanks in advance - I'm grateful to have the forum to ask questions.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by MMRanch on 07/20/10 at 21:16:17

Hay "if it ain't a dirt bike you need a wind break in front". big or little is you choice.

Run the speed the rest of the trafic is doing.

Stay off the super-slab as much as posible (we all do)

I've done my share of 80-90 mph interstate riding keeping up with "get home from work" traffic. You just have to TRUST you equipment !

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by verslagen1 on 07/20/10 at 21:29:40

for the money, you can do just as well with a suzuki sport shield.

like this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-Sport-Windshield-VS700-VS800-VS1400-LS650-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4aa322042cQQitemZ320564495404QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_924

but I like a national flyshield...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-XL-Flyscreen-Windshield-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c55ef228bQQitemZ190420296331QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_907

In the beginning I couldn't do over 50 w/o a windshield.
but have come to enjoy the wind in my helmet.
the flyscreen keeps enough of the wind off the chest to make it endurable.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by Serowbot on 07/20/10 at 22:14:55

Super slabs have all the joy of a dry cracker, even if they don't scare the crap out of ya'...
Training to be comfortable on them is like practicing for the dentist...

I only ride 'em when I gotta'.. and only as long as I gotta'...

Our bikes aren't built for it,... but really, I don't even like to ride freeways in a car... an 18 wheeler would barely even notice the difference anyway...
if you ever get to the point that you aren't intimidated by an 18 wheeler going 75mph on your bike... sell it...

PS....I think my shorts are too tight,.. I'm right pissy today... :-?...

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by Wake51 on 07/21/10 at 02:13:39

As a new rider you're not the only one to have the head on wind scare ya at 60 MPH+. But you get used to it.

Situational awareness, situational awareness, and situational awareness are your friends. Be ALERT of what vehicles are around you. When you come up to a ramp/interchange, leave the two inner lanes as 'working lanes' so you don't to worry as much about people changing lanes.

Most of all though, you learn to get used to the wind hitting ya. If there is one occasion when the bike isn't going to fall, it's traveling straight and level at 60 MPH+. Once you get used to it, the single cylinder Savage feels like a BIG sewing machine just chugging along ;).

The key is NEVER get contempt, and ALWAYS pay attention to the dynamic traffic around you. And just because it's the interstate DOESN'T mean there isn't debris.

These are the things I've noticed as a noobie, but MOST importantly, listen to the experience of the veteran riders from this site!

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by LANCER on 07/21/10 at 03:15:47

Oh man, there is nothing I like more than Cat. 2 hurricaine force winds in my face and on my body
I do like at least a face shield to keep stuff out of the eyes of course but otherwise ... LET R BLOW ! !

You're a newbie rider and you are jumping on the 101 ?
not these days........
I grew up in N Cal ... San Jose area... and I liked the freeways but they were not brutal like they are now
YOU NEED TO GET EXPERIENCE ON SMALLER ROADS
if you must go on the slab then just do what is necessary and get off
when you have more experience and are more comfortable then you can stretch your freeway legs

I like freeways in this part of the world; traffic moves at a good pace and I like the extended high speed riding
California, the NE and locals like Atlanta, Chicago etc are no fun though..........CRAZY PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THERE

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by onelunger on 07/21/10 at 04:45:47

Bikes are almost telepathicly linked to the rider it seems. If you are tense often times the bike will seem skittish and unstable where if you're relaxed, it will be also. My first advice would be to relax. Relax your arms and the death grip you most likely had on the bars. Unclinch the posterior and relax your leg muscles. I think this will help a ton w/ the way the bike feels. Rutted up roads will make the bike wander but don't let that get to you.

Next, find a better road to practice on. A good 2 lane road outside of town would be a MUCH better place to get accustomed to high speed riding. If you live right in the middle of town and it takes a while to get out, make a day ride of it. Get w/ a riding friend and head out of town. Stop at a "Ma and Pa" diner for lunch and head back. Not only is it good practice, these kinds of rides can be a HUGE stress reliever and are great fun.

Just keep practicing and stay at it. Eventually it'll become 2nd nature and then you can REALLY enjoy the ride w/o the stress of the "learning curve".

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by CeliaMarie on 07/21/10 at 04:52:52

7F7E757C657E777562100 wrote:

Just keep practicing and stay at it. Eventually it'll become 2nd nature and then you can REALLY enjoy the ride w/o the stress of the "learning curve".

This is what I was hoping for also - since I passed my road test, and been out riding alone without another rider following me or me following them, I've got time to think, plan, experiment, relax. I go on the roads I want to, get off them when I want to, pull over when I want to..
My 20 minute ride yesterday around town - the bike finally felt LIGHT..like I had control, instead of the bike. It was a fun, happy empowering feeling. I've done 50-55 on a 2/2 lane road, and didnt like the resistance. I'm still waiting for the windshield to come in. I probably wont venture out onto the LIE probably til the end of the season, and it will be VERY early on a Sunday morning, probably for just a few exits, also.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by bill67 on 07/21/10 at 05:16:50

My wife put on over a 1000 miles on backroads before hitting any main 2 lane roads.She had no rider courses.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/21/10 at 05:23:28

I didnt even take mine more than a couple of traffic lights deep into town for months. I stayed out of town & on the rural roads for a couplke thousand miles, before I felt at ease with the idea of mixing it up w/ traffic & then, it wasnt easy. Go at YOUR pace, dont try to meet anyone elses expectations or do what you think "other people" """SHOULD"" be doing at this point. If it takes you a year to be able to run up an on ramp & ride 3 miles & get off & not have your knees shaking, then so what?
You really dont want to find out what happens to people who "push the envelope" learning to ride in traffic. Its not a place to be making mistakes & if you arent ready, you will. You got nothing BUT time, dont spend any of it in a hospital.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by Routy on 07/21/10 at 06:27:31

And then about Ca roads ??
I feel for you.
I left Ca 4 yrs ago, (born there) and the only bad thing is that I'm still forced to drive my MH over those lousy roads to get to Arizona every winter. >:( ;)

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by james may on 07/21/10 at 07:03:35

Yeah do alot of practicing on 2 lane speedways where the limit is around 55 and once your chugging along easily at 60 then try the 65+ highways. Once your used to the wind bullying you, you get used to it. Good mirrors I find give me confidence in lane changing on the highway.

Are you interested in long distance touring or really need to get to work fast on your bike? Cause you can get just about anywhere avoiding highways and for enjoyment you get more scenery and nice twists that you can lay the bike down in. Even roads with 45mph limits don't really have good corners in em mostly ya barely have to lean. So for fun country(lights are no fun) 35mph or less roads are the best.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by Bubba on 07/21/10 at 07:13:59

I had about 500 miles on my bike before I even thought about going up on the slab...when I hit 60 I thought I'd be pulled off the bike cuz of wind blast. Now I'm used to it but only in short bursts. The twisties are so much more fun and relaxing.
Many years ago, I took a trip from Bloomington IN to Mammoth Caves KY on an old Suzi GS650 (my roomates bike). I experienced rain, wind and even a little snow...most miserable trip I've ever taken with any kind of vehicle. It was back when the national speed limit was 55 and I still didn't like it. Now I take my time and only jump on the hiway when neccessary.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by John_D FSO on 07/21/10 at 13:10:27

Well, here's my two bits worth, which is exactly what it's worth, because in the end you have to go with what's comfortable to you. ;)

I'd get some more practice on small roads. I put in over 500 miles on 45mph backroads, filling up with a gas can before I even rode into town on the backroads to use the gas station for the first time! ;D First stoplight, I killed it. ::) I got better with practice though. Just ease into it, at your own pace. And yeah, practice on the freeways in "off peak" hours, if there's any such thing around your area.

Windshield? Yeah, if you don't like being blown around, definitely. I haven't had one yet, but everytime I ride a friends' bike that has one, I keep thinking I need to get one. ;D The feel of the wind in your face is indeed exhilerating, but at 65-75 mph, it can wear you down, and fatigue is never your friend while riding.

In the end, do what makes ya happy! :D

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by jimsgirl on 07/21/10 at 14:40:49

darn, in my rush to "learn" the next skill I forgot my favorite rule: Ride your own Ride...Thanks for reminding me.

Did a short ride up Highway 9 this weekend, all nice twists and turns, nothing over 35 and it was perfect. I much prefer the backroads and I don't have to be anywhere fast on my bike, so who the hell cares when I get there. For the first time the ride was comfortable/not a bit scary there was no pressure to go fast with the traffic, nobody on my butt hoping I'd get out of the way, and the forest smells good. The benefit to growing up in the Bay Area is you know you can get almost anywhere via some odd city street. I'm going to lay off the big freeways for now, which is probably best until I have more overall practice/street time. IF friends don't wanna go via backroads, I'll meet them there later or pass on the ride. It's better than pushing myself and having to change my shorts when I get to my destination. ::)

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by cursal on 07/21/10 at 16:50:37

Well said Justin.

My venture on my Savage started very similar.

You have to ride your ride. Practice should be fun, exciting, passionate and ready for adventure.

I set out for the first month daily with learning one skill set really well and doing all the other I was taught best I could.

Just getting out of town was 4 miles of lights and stop signs. Then the back-roads for as long as I wanted 2 lanes 45mph with long stretches of straight aways. (always mindful of dear and tractors that may jump or pull out). Alway full of nerves by the time I got out of town, but then it was fun enjoying practice.

Yeah I was slow going down the steep long twisties, so what. Pull over if the car behind is getting antsy. Your ride will be better without that pressure.

First time out on the super-slab I only made it 4 or 5 exits myself.
Since I've been riding pretty much daily for a year in all weather conditions here in Oregon (Rain, lots of Rain) My skills have grown and I'm learning how to work on the bike more and more.

This is a great forum to come and share your stories, concerns, bike issues, buy custom made parts, sell parts, mod your bike, and really learn how surprisingly wonderful the savage (s40) machine is.

;)

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by jsarsfield on 07/21/10 at 18:37:24

2D2C272E372C252730420 wrote:

Exactly what he said .... A bike is like dealing with a dog they can sense your fear and tension. Relax your grip and let the gyroscopic effect work the bike wants to remain upright.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by kimchris1 on 07/21/10 at 20:17:40

I had no problems with the freeway. In fact I had to ride my bike home 70 miles and all but 9 was freeway. Of course I had my Rebel for 2 years and rode the freeways with it so I was already broken in on freeways.
I agree with the information to ride your own ride. Ride when you feel rested and don't let anyone push you to go beyond your comfort zone. You will know when your ready to go to the next level.
And if you decide to never ride the freeways, so what? You don't have to ride the freeways to prove you can ride the bike.
Keep eyes open and watch the 4 way intersections. Kim :)

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by WD on 07/22/10 at 05:52:42

I bought my Savage on a Monday. That next Saturday, Lisa and I rode it two up from our home in Long Beach MS to Baton Rouge for an SCA event. Interstate 10 the whole way except for about 10 miles. No windshield, no face shield, inadequate gloves, light jacket. Ya know, it gets awfully cold in south Louisiana on an early February night...

I'm not fond of the slab, even in my Peterbilt (which died again yesterday). Too many idiots.

Do S40s ship with the same piece of junk IRC tires that Savages shipped with? If so, wear them out on the backroads and stay off the slab until you get a higher end tire. That won't be as inclined to hook a miniature rut and try to follow where it leads. On a slow backroad, no big deal, at 85mph on the slab... Even a set of Kenda Kruz or similar is better, and they are cheap.

Keep a light grip, relax your legs and just have fun with it. You'll get to where you can ride the slab, or you won't, no biggie. And group rides aren't all they are touted to be anyway. Once you've seen a few idiots hot dogging on $40K "customs" run a few other bikes off the road it gets old.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by mornhm - FSO on 07/22/10 at 08:39:17

Good advice from lots of people. Bottom line when you get thousands of miles behind you, you are still going to feel shoved around by the wind and turbulence. Even behind a full fairing on a liter sport tourer it happens. Difference is you don't pay attention to it anymore. Right up until you have to do something like go through a sweeper leaning the wrong way to stay on the road, or get something big blown in sideways between you and your fairing almost perpendicular to your direction of travel on the highway (means the windspeed is higher than your speed of travel). Then you remember about the wind again.

As I remember it on the Savage, there is a big change between 45 and 55 mph in perceived wind. I'm not sure how your friends advice to lean forward will work on a Savage. The MC is a cruiser, and I would not be comfortable leaning forward into the controls to get out of the wind on a cruiser. I'd just sit back and enjoy the ride (on something besides an expressway). I never really enjoyed the Savage on the expressway, too little power, too small of a gas tank, too upright riding position, etc., and can understand how it can be overwhelming.

Just continue to come up to speed - as it were - in your own time.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by Skid Mark on 07/22/10 at 08:43:07

Freeways were by far the most imtimidating for me as a new rider. First and foremost, you have to be able to do the freeway speeds, ie 60 mph or better, comfortably. Once you can flow with the traffic its a lot less stressful. When I first got my S40, I happily avoided the freeway. Too much happening close to me all at once. When I was more confident doing the freeway speed everything fell into place. You move along with traffic and cars no longer zip by you. Take you time on the secondary roads and build up the skills and conficence. Just give yourself a bit of time.

Title: Re: Freeway Freakout/Practice...
Post by qp on 07/22/10 at 10:11:19

check out training, in your area it may be by the California Motorcyclist Safety Program: http://www.ca-msp.org/. I just took the Experienced Rider course in Utah, and I still learned new things after riding for 30 years.