Ok, So i am a new rider and really still getting used to my bike and riding on the road in general. Does anyone have any tips for getting on the freeway? Thats one thing I have yet to do and just not sure how to approach it. Other than just hitting the freeway and see what happens lol
Kingerhlc
Yup, that's about the extent of it. Getting on a freeway is probably easier than with a car because you have better acceleration. Just avoid the blind spot in the mirrors of others, and do a head check before you change lanes.
And assume a serious look on your face. Very serious. 8)
Enjoy the ride!
You can approach this one of two ways...
First option - go at FULL BLOWN rush hour and white-knuckle your way through stop & go, bumper to bumper traffic. It will be stressful and frustrating, but it will get you on the freeway and there is less chance you will die in stop & go traffic than 70mph.
Second option - go early Sunday morning when traffic is light. Fewer cars = fewer people trying to run into you. You will get the sensation of full-speed freeway driving without the worries associated with full-speed busy times. Use lighter traffic freeways and higher speed side-roads to prep you for the busier segments.
Both options need to happen at some point if you plan on riding the freeways as a means of commuting.
HOWEVER.......
If you are a new rider, don't rush yourself into a situation you are not ready to handle. Stick to the side roads until you are confident in your abilities. If you are truly nervous about it, you are more of a danger to yourself and others. Get comfortable with your bike and how it handles. Get used to the feeling of looking over your shoulder to change lanes. Practice panic-stops a few more times. Be comfortable with your abilities.
First option - go at FULL BLOWN rush hour and white-knuckle your way through stop & go, bumper to bumper traffic. It will be stressful and frustrating, but it will get you on the freeway and there is less chance you will die in stop & go traffic than 70mph.
Second option - go early Sunday morning when traffic is light. Fewer cars = fewer people trying to run into you. You will get the sensation of full-speed freeway driving without the worries associated with full-speed busy times. Use lighter traffic freeways and higher speed side-roads to prep you for the busier segments.
Both options need to happen at some point if you plan on riding the freeways as a means of commuting.
HOWEVER.......
If you are a new rider, don't rush yourself into a situation you are not ready to handle. Stick to the side roads until you are confident in your abilities. If you are truly nervous about it, you are more of a danger to yourself and others. Get comfortable with your bike and how it handles. Get used to the feeling of looking over your shoulder to change lanes. Practice panic-stops a few more times. Be comfortable with your abilities.
I avoid freeways/interstates unless necessary. I DO NOT ride in the left lane against a concrete divider. I DO NOT ride in the middle lane when theres 3 lanes each way. And I WILL NOT ride next to any vehicles or in a blind spot except to pass/being passed. I keep a good line of sight up the road from me (never right up on car/cars) better to spot road debris , uneven pavement, and so on.
Getting on, keep it in lower gears/higher rpm for better throttle response. Look over ur shoulder too dont just depend on the mirror. And dont forget to slow down for exit ramps.. overshooting a curve and ending up in the grass makes for a bad bad afternoon
BE CAREFUL!
*edit* if u dont know already, radiator coolant on a tire is slicker than ice.. dumping a bike on a highway can end a lot worse than dumping it on a side road. I only add this cuz i plowed thru someones coolant after they dumped it right in front of me one time... slick slick slick stuff. Highway or not. I guess itd be a small chance someone up the road blows a radiator but if u ever see it happen try and not go thru it ..
Getting on, keep it in lower gears/higher rpm for better throttle response. Look over ur shoulder too dont just depend on the mirror. And dont forget to slow down for exit ramps.. overshooting a curve and ending up in the grass makes for a bad bad afternoon
BE CAREFUL!
*edit* if u dont know already, radiator coolant on a tire is slicker than ice.. dumping a bike on a highway can end a lot worse than dumping it on a side road. I only add this cuz i plowed thru someones coolant after they dumped it right in front of me one time... slick slick slick stuff. Highway or not. I guess itd be a small chance someone up the road blows a radiator but if u ever see it happen try and not go thru it ..
I agree with everybody's advice. I'm relatively new to riding myself and first time on the Interstate was a bit scary but the more you ride it more comfortable you will get. I usually keep to the right and go just little over speed limit and if anybody wants to pass me, they can get around me. It all about your comfort level. Good luck and ride safe!
Find the widest, emptiest highway you can to practice on/off ramps. Like someone said, be sure to slow down when exiting as many accidents occur from people taking a curved exit too fast and ending up in the bushes.
Avoid blind spots. I always try to get in front of anyone to my sides so they see me next to them without their mirrors.
Look WAY ahead. Although you can stop faster than a car, you can't do it as safe in a slam on the breaks situation.
Take ownership of oncoming traffic if you are in the slow lane. In other words anticipate what they are doing and either speed up before they enter or slow down if they are hell bent on entering no matter who is next to them.
Be extra alert for whats on the road itself ... potholes, car parts, tire pieces, etc.
Avoid blind spots. I always try to get in front of anyone to my sides so they see me next to them without their mirrors.
Look WAY ahead. Although you can stop faster than a car, you can't do it as safe in a slam on the breaks situation.
Take ownership of oncoming traffic if you are in the slow lane. In other words anticipate what they are doing and either speed up before they enter or slow down if they are hell bent on entering no matter who is next to them.
Be extra alert for whats on the road itself ... potholes, car parts, tire pieces, etc.
If going along the on-ramp behind a car, leave enough space between it and you so you can speed up to merge into the freeway traffic. If you are right on his bumper the only option you have to change speed is to slow down. You want to be able to do either to move into the travel lane traffic.
Plus, you have got to take your eyes off the vehicle ahead of you while merging so you can do a head turn and check your mirror. If the guy in front slows abruptly while you're not looking, that's bad.
While on any multi-lane highway, never hang out in someone's blind spot. Move on through it or slow a bit to let them get ahead.
While in the right lane, watch for vehicles merging with your lane. Although they are supposed to match speeds with the traffic, don't count on it. I will adjust mine so if they merge abruptly I am not nailed. The cemeteries are full of people who had the right-of-way.
Run with your high beams on so you are slightly more visible in someone's mirror or if they do a quick glance before a lane change. Do not be hesitant about using your horn to let them know you are there.
I wear a high-viz yellow mesh vest over my textile riding jacket. Makes me much more visible.
Don not focus only on the vehicle in front. Watch several vehicles ahead. That save my butt on I-40 when I noticed the line of cars jinking to the right side of our lane. There was a large truck retread casing in the left of our lane and with that extra warning I missed it easily without having to make an emergency dodge.
And maintain good following distance. At those speeds you need it more than at 45 mph. If someone pulls into it, and they will, just open it up again. Tailgating at 70+ mph is very hazardous.
Keep an especially sharp watch for out of state plates when nearing an interchange as they are on unfamiliar roads and might make a kamikaze dive across lanes to exit.
Actually, always be wary when nearing an off-ramp. I commute on part of I-40 and see many drivers speeding past me in the left lanes only to dart across two or more lanes to dive towards an exit.
And watch for any type of rental truck or trailer, e.g. U-Haul, Ryder, Penske, etc. That large truck or combo is likely being driven or pulled by someone who normally drives a compact car. They are not used to using mirrors and have no idea how long that thing is when changing lanes.
If you have to ride next to someone, do it even with the driver's window so they see you.
And +1 own the Sunday morning rides for quieter traffic. Good luck.
Plus, you have got to take your eyes off the vehicle ahead of you while merging so you can do a head turn and check your mirror. If the guy in front slows abruptly while you're not looking, that's bad.
While on any multi-lane highway, never hang out in someone's blind spot. Move on through it or slow a bit to let them get ahead.
While in the right lane, watch for vehicles merging with your lane. Although they are supposed to match speeds with the traffic, don't count on it. I will adjust mine so if they merge abruptly I am not nailed. The cemeteries are full of people who had the right-of-way.
Run with your high beams on so you are slightly more visible in someone's mirror or if they do a quick glance before a lane change. Do not be hesitant about using your horn to let them know you are there.
I wear a high-viz yellow mesh vest over my textile riding jacket. Makes me much more visible.
Don not focus only on the vehicle in front. Watch several vehicles ahead. That save my butt on I-40 when I noticed the line of cars jinking to the right side of our lane. There was a large truck retread casing in the left of our lane and with that extra warning I missed it easily without having to make an emergency dodge.
And maintain good following distance. At those speeds you need it more than at 45 mph. If someone pulls into it, and they will, just open it up again. Tailgating at 70+ mph is very hazardous.
Keep an especially sharp watch for out of state plates when nearing an interchange as they are on unfamiliar roads and might make a kamikaze dive across lanes to exit.
Actually, always be wary when nearing an off-ramp. I commute on part of I-40 and see many drivers speeding past me in the left lanes only to dart across two or more lanes to dive towards an exit.
And watch for any type of rental truck or trailer, e.g. U-Haul, Ryder, Penske, etc. That large truck or combo is likely being driven or pulled by someone who normally drives a compact car. They are not used to using mirrors and have no idea how long that thing is when changing lanes.
If you have to ride next to someone, do it even with the driver's window so they see you.
And +1 own the Sunday morning rides for quieter traffic. Good luck.
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