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Riding at Speeds Above 35 mph

by Wanda
(Harvest, AL)

I have my bike, and I passed my MSF skills test. I have been riding in my neighborhood, but I have not been out on the open road yet. I know the wind noise and resistance will be more noticeable at higher speeds. So far, I have only gone 35 mph and felt the gentle breeze. What is it like to ride faster? What can I expect? How long did it take you to get used to going highway speeds? What should I watch out for? Does it take longer to downshift and stop from highway/interstate speeds? I welcome any thoughts and suggestions.

Comments for Riding at Speeds Above 35 mph

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Sep 18, 2010

Speed
by: Noelle

Yes, it takes longer to downshift. AND, new riders are so focused on front/rear braking...checking their mirrors...stopping on the line...that they forget to downshift at all. This means trouble when starting again : ) Most likely a kill.

One thing to really watch out for on two lane highways is oncoming large trucks. The 'jetwash' that follows them will give you a good push/pull rush of wind. Hang on tight!

Aug 17, 2010

Not the Wind that Bothered Me
by: Mara

My husband had taken me out riding a few times before we tried to get on the freeway the first time. I was confident that I was going to be just fine, the wind didn't bother me at all. My problem was when we can to the first corner. We live in Northern California and there are a lot of corners in our freeway, anyway I couldn't get the bike to turn. I ride a Suzuki Katana 600, I tried as hard as I could to turn and it just wouldn't go. I pulled of the freeway and talked with my husband for a while, we got back on and went to the next exit. I was so freaked out that I couldn't ride home, we left the bike at a friends house and I rode with him on the way home.

I was scared to try again but I went for it. I was having trouble with the whole you don't turn the handle bars to turn the bike, I had to practice a lot on slower roads before I understood to press on the right side if I wanted to go right.

Anyway, I got back on the same stretch of free way about 2 weeks later and did just fine. I had the hugest smile on my face when we stopped later that day. It just took me a little while to figure everything out. Now I'm just fine on the freeway. I don't want to scare you out of trying, I'm just letting you know that it's different when your going 65mph. Have fun riding!!!

Aug 09, 2010

Update...
by: Sandra

I was out again yesterday, working on taking curves at a "normal" speed and increasing speed at take off from dead stops in the country, as I found myself always lagging behind during a recent poker run...I don't like to feel pressure from traffic behind me, and although I'm out "joy-riding" the cars stacking up behind me when I'm not up to highway speed is nerve wracking for me.

Anyway, I was practicing shifting through my gears quickly...and loving it...and there I was, doing 70 mph! YeeHa! :) I also found myself able to finally do a regular curve (no posted speed reduction sign) without slowing more than 5 mph from my straight-away traveling speed.

It was a good day's practice!

Jul 30, 2010

Build Up Gradually
by: Hannah

Hi Wanda--yep, it's a little windier when going faster, which you will feel especially if you are on a small bike, but just build up gradually and you'll get used to it. Always look as far ahead as you can and allow plenty of time to stop--after all, it won't matter if you're rolling along slowly for a few hundred yards :)Do short rides at first, slow down as much as you need and want to for corners, and you'll be bombing along before you know it!

I was surprised how much difference I felt between my small first bike and my new big one; I do feel the wind less now. A screen will definitely help as well.

Jul 29, 2010

Highway Riding
by: Lynn - SW Florida

If you have a windshield, highway speed isn't bad at all. The windshield blocks the wind, bugs & debris from your chest and face. My first bike had no windshield and a bee got stuck in my jacket collar, ouchy!

Jul 29, 2010

About a minute!
by: Sandra

I love riding through the country!

Take a drive around in your car; notice where you start to slow down for stop signs at highway speeds; do you wait for the "stop ahead" sign? How fast are you going then? It will be about the same for your bike. The downshifting takes speed off, but brakes will bring it down quicker if you are nervous.

Find a not-so-busy road and just get on out there...you'll feel very comfortable in no time!

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