Triumphrat

jjmeadowlark

So I've had my '09 T-100 for a couple of months now, and having only a dirt-bike background, I feel as though I'm adjusting to street-riding pretty well, but I have yet to get out on the interstate. I feel very comfortable around town, in and out of traffic.

Logged over 1k miles so far, and have been up close to highway speeds for short periods on the local 4 lane state roads, but I'm sure the interstate system is a whole different beast.

I do consider myself a very careful driver, since I work in a hospital trauma ward and see the effects of motorcycle crashes several times a week. I wear appropriate gear, am very mindful of distance, reaction times and blind spots between myself and other vehicles, and in fact, I always ride as though I'm invisible to other drivers. So far I haven't taken any risks that I can think of.

I was thinking of taking the Bonnie 3-5 exits and back along I-75 which is three lanes each direction, and has a relatively new and good surface (in Florida, we don't get the freeze/thaw cracking they have up North, so our roads are pretty good). Thinking I'd go early Sunday morning when there's plenty of light out, but not too many cars on the road.

If anyone has anything to share I'd appreciate it, I'm assuming I'll have to ride close to the 70mph speed limit in order not to be a hazard to myself or other drivers, and reading the forums has convinced me to buy earplugs for comfort, but what else can I do, and what should I be on the look out for? I'm guessing large trucks / semi's with their turbulence if they pass me, but what else? Am I even ready to give this a try yet?

Since I'm relatively inexperienced, and actually non-experienced on the freeway, thought I'd ask some vets....Thanks in advance.

Catenaccio

These thoughts are simply my opinions. There are others who undoubtedly have more experience and expertise. But you asked...

I prefer to ride secondary roads only resorting to the Interstate system when there are no other choices. I've ridden them more in the last year than anytime before as I've traveled more miles in the last year than ever before. I find Interstates very safe for the most part but I ride in rural areas where there are never traffic jams. Maybe my thoughts won't match your needs.

HOV lanes are designated for bikes. I use them. It's easier to get in one lane and stay there then squid back-and-forth. I believe on ramps present an advantage to motorcyclists over cars because bikes accelerate so much quicker. I also believe off ramps are more treacherous for bikes because of signal light distractions and the number of options vehicles have exiting an Interstate. Plan well in advance where you anticipating exiting and maneuver into position early.

Wear clothing that is easy to see. The Hi-Vis stuff does show up better than most colors or black. I also think one is safer to travel at least as fast as traffic and just a little quicker.

For some reason, Interstates tend to have more debris than 2-lanes. Watch the edges for tire carcasses, bolts, dead animals, glass and accident leftovers, and all kinds of junk. When you get squeezed by lane shifts, be especially aware of crap on the road and next to the barriers.

Watch your mirrors. There will always be some idiot shooting lanes trying to gain an advantage. Likewise, there will always be another idiot toddling along below the speed limit (often in the left lane). Be cognizant of your abilities and stay within them. It's easy to get frustrated by the actions of others and react inappropriately. Be in control of what you can control.

__________________
The weather will continue to change on and off for a long, long time.

35yearson

Welcome to the adventure of riding. In your post you didn't mention if you had taken any rider training. This would be very helpful to develop confidence in most riding situations. Additional things to watch for is, other riders moving faster than you, and drivers as they move through traffic, ie cell phone talkers, coffee drinking, talking and waving hands, no signal lane changers, follow too closely because they don't fell comfortable passing too name a few. Start in the right lane and keep up with traffic cautious around interchanges by allowing for other vehicles to enter. Practice and experience helps build confidence. If you know someone who has Through-way experience maybe you can both ride together, work our any signals ahead of time.
Hope this helps

slowgator

Being from your neck of the woods and being familiar with the excellent alternatives to I-75 (301,441, 41,etc), the first thing I thought of reading your post was "why"?

I usually avoid the Interstates for a more relaxing ride. I find that my naked Bonny is quite vulnerable to wind blasts from 18-wheelers, and I find myself tensing up and feeling "balls to the wall" while fighting the much heavier traffic on the "stuporslab" compared with the much more relaxed secondary roads.

No doubt the Interstate is the way to go if getting there as soon as possible is your intent. When I find myself on the Interstate, I become a much more agressive rider, sticking to the fast lane, feeling more in control to be passing rather than being passed. Not nearly as much fun, IMHO. I smile more riding the wonderful back-country roads surrounding the Gainesville area.

I ride down to Safety Harbor every few weeks and am always happy when I pass under I-75, notice the heavy traffic, and smile big as I continue on the twisty smooth black asphalt that I share with very few others.

BTW, I live out in the lake area near Hawthorne but have a riding bud with a Scram in Gainesville. Be happy to have you join us for a ride to either coast when you're ready.

__________________
"Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead." - Charles Bukowski

jjmeadowlark

Cool, thanks for the tips, and the invite! With my minmum street, all dirt experience (and having never been licensed prior to my Bonnie purchase) I did take a MSF course, which was really great, but going 15-20 mph in a parking lot can only teach you so much...

So far I've had a couple of trips out to Waldo, Hawthorne etc, and I'm planning rides to Lakeland (via 441 to 471 to 98) and then to Biketoberfest in Daytona (through the Ocala Nat'l Forest and other back roads), so all rural travel there...

Like I said, I feel pretty comfortable around town, but have been thinking about longer rides (to Clearwater to see an elderly relative) that could require some interstate travel, probably between wildwood and zepherhills when I can shoot over to 19.

I just thought a little "practice" would help in advance of a sustained hour on I-75, which isn't a bad road. Any tips or things to look for would be much appreciated.

Thanks again!

slowgator

Meadowlark: I just sent you a PM; check your messages.

__________________
"Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead." - Charles Bukowski

LittleJoe

A few tips for you.

Don't stay around tractor trailers. Remember all those tire shreds you mentioned in the OP? Those came off a big rig at speed. Image one smacking you at 65mph. Either keep a very safe following distance (at least 6 seconds) from one in front of you, or pass it. If you choose to pass a truck, pass it like you mean it. Don't slot in behind a car passing a truck at 66mph while the truck is doing 65mph. Wait until you have a clear shot to get the whole way past the truck and make your move.

Don't hang around ANY rental truck (Ryder, Budget, U-haul, etc.) or trailer. Remember who is driving these things. More than likely this is biggest vehicle the person has ever driven. Not to mention the blind spots or not knowing how that trailer drives.

Use your whole lane to for maximum visibility. Be it the left, right or center part of your lane.

If you hang out in the right lane, expect people coming onto the interstate from the on ramps to not see you and cut you off. Others will start to come on and then nail their brakes when they do you see you.

Also for the traveling in the right lane. People will dive bomb you for their exit. They'll come out of no where, (you know, like the far left lane) to make their exit and either cut you off while heavily braking or be right on your ass.

Your throttle is your friend. Don't get boxed in anywhere. You have power to weight on your side, use it.

Hope this helps some.

LJ

KingOfFleece

"Ride hard, Ride Smart" by Pat Kahn.

hobbes80

I agree with what everyone has said. Having logged quite a few highway miles, my advice is that it is better to pass, then to be passed, 90% of the time.

If you can't ride with a partner on the freeway who can increase your visibility, then make sure to take full advantage of your ability to adjust in the lane to where you can see best.

Use the fact you can sit up straight and look over the top of cars to see when people are braking 5-7 cars in advance of you... a lot of times you can predict a massive slow down in traffic and start creating buffer room to slow down (and slow down the cagers behind you) without putting yourself at risk to rear-end someone, or be rear-ended by an unsuspecting cager behind you.

Cross-winds DO suck. You can tuck down and minimize them, but that doesn't always make a big difference. When winds start wreaking havoc and keep me from tracking straight, I have found it is easier for me to power through them, then it is to slow down and reduce the wind.

+1 to watching for debris. Tire scabs are the worst, a close second is being behind a large truck that kicks sand/gravel at you.

+1 to rental trucks. Fools that are not used to such a big vehicle are like driving around with a loaded gun pointed right at you. Avoid them, be overly visible. Just as dangerous are the pickups with junk filling the back of them. Everything from that refridgerator, to the poorly tied on mattress can come undone and fly right into you path. I saw someone doing 85mph with a twin mattress tied to the roof of the car. The mattress was folded in half by the wind because the front ties had already broken off. When I tried to get their attention to have them check at it, they flipped me off and sped up to get away, causing the mattress to finally rip off the rest of the way and land on the road behind them.

Despite all the above, its really not THAT bad. You just need to be aware of your surroundings and do your best to predict the worst possible things that those around you could do, and be ready for it.

__________________
"...of course, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus, but I'd still need to bum rides off of people"

Gob-ny-geay

To reiterate (or regurgitate!) what most others have said:

1.) Why? Long slabs are boring. Buy a Rand Mcnally Road Atlas and search for fun and interesting back roads, and seldom used old two-laners. Lot's of fun and less dangerous adventures out there.

2.) Be highly visable. Black is "cool", but bright colors - Yellow, orange, red - make you visable to other drivers. Don't ever fall into the "Loud pipes Save Lives" myth. If they alone do, just imagine what practicing and increasing your riding skills could do. "Loud Pipes Lose Rights". With todays soundproofed, cell phoned, massive stereo'd, DVD Player equiped land yachts, you need to be seen, not heard. If you don't choose to wear a helmet while riding at 80 mph, don't bother to read on, can't help ya'.

3.) Know what a "blind spot" is to other drivers... and stay out of it!

4.) Lately, I've found myself looking up at the sillouette of cage drivers in front of, and behind me, and recognising a "Cell Phone" driver from the shape. Stay as far away from these drivers as you can, and be very alert.

5.) Don't follow Tractor Trailers, or other larger sized trucks. You will experience uncomfortable wind turbulance from their wake, and also stand the chance of catching a tire tread, or a dislodged rock from the rear tires.

6.) These days, many, many folks believe the passing lane (far left) belongs to them (self-entitlement) and stay there all day, ruining the driving experience for everyone else. This selfish act has created additional danger, as now other folks are forced to pass on the right to maintain travel momentum and rythym. The far right lane, formerly for slow-pokes and truck traffic, is slowly evolving into the "fast lane" because of this, so it's a crazy, mixed up world out there. Once again, the majority pays dearly for the selfishness of a vast minority. In the far right lane, you also need to deal with yielding to incoming -and sudden, last minute decision outgoing - cagers. Arguably, the middle lane is the safest(!) I'll get flamed perhaps for that one!!

7.) See #1