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.

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-LS6...

but I like a national flyshield...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-XL-Flyscreen-Windshield-_W0QQcmdZViewIt...

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.

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!

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".

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

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.

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.

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.