engine size for interstate highways? - Page 3

**cagie** · 04-26-2010, 10:41 PM

After this 4600+ mile trip I have to say that I had a lot of fun, even when a large protion was on interstates. I did find the sweet spot with the 15-33 sprocket setup at 70-72 mph. It would hold speed even on hills and still had some throttle left. Didn't have any problems finding where to ride the bow wave of semi's when I would pass them. I think I only had a couple of times when I would start to pass and end up on a hill with a headwind, then it became a chore. Most folks were pretty decent too, kind of surprised me.

JunkyardDog · 04-26-2010, 11:44 PM

There is no way I would try to ride a Royal Enfield at freeway speeds. It has a very long stroke single cylinder cylinder, and would fly apart at freeway speeds. I see it as a hobby bike, to ride around on on local rural roads, and to tinker with. I would love to own one, but they are too expensive.

I have never had problems with riding the Rebel, with stock gearing, on interstates. I stay in the right lane, at an indicated 65 mph, wear a solid white helmet and a reflective orange vest, and will flash the brakelight any time I feel it is necessary. I keep a lookout in the mirrors, and will move off the road onto the shoulder if something gets to close, but have yet to have that happen. I would not be afraid to ride it cross country at all, except for maybe comfort. While moving the footpegs forward have made it significantly more comfortable, the fact remains that I am 51 years old, and have arthritis and fibromyalgia. My Vulcan 750 is way more comfortable, but then it is also way more comfortable than just about any bike I've ever owned, including a Gold Wing, and my new EX500 with handlebar risers, foam grips, and a Corbin seat.

As for urban freeways, if you value your life, don't. Anybody who is familiar with the loop 101, 202, 51, and U.S. 60 around the Phoenix metro area knows what I'm talking about. Those are almost attempted suicide even in a cage, let alone a bike, even a fast one. These roads are 5-6 lanes wide, with traffic traveling at all different speeds, changing lanes, and constantly getting on and off. It is impossible not to be in somebody's blind spot most of the time, and cars will constantly cut you off changing lanes and getting on exit ramps they almost missed, without giving a signal. Even the most skilled, experienced rider is going to get taken out eventually if they ride on these roads for long enough. 20-30 car crashes a day are common on these roads. Jerry.

**Blueberry** · 04-27-2010, 12:33 AM

Jerry, you are so right about the Royal Enfield. Put on a 2 lane backroad at 45-55 mph and its in its happy place. You must know what type of motorcycle it is, and what it was built to do. If not you will not be very happy with it. I do , and I am 1 happy thumper.

**Fridgitator** · 04-27-2010, 12:59 AM

The Royal Enfield may not be well suited for interstates, but it's the best thing on two wheels for some other sorts of riding. The movie "One Crazy Ride" shows them going through every conceivable off road condition in remote parts of India. Good film.

**bev2** · 04-27-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fridgitator

I ride my Reb on the highway regularly. I commute about twenty miles each way on urban interstate, changing roads twice. I use the HOV lane in the morning, but usually not on the return trip because the merge on requires a left exit after a blind curve, and crossing entering traffic. It just isn't worth the stress unless traffic is stop and go. Then it's pretty easy. I'm familiar enough with the ride to know which lane I want to be in at any point. There are areas with bad pavement, lots of traffic entering and exiting, etc. where the right lane is bad news. Other areas where traffic moves faster than my comfort zone, so I stay right. I was intimidated at first, but honestly, there are fewer surprises on the highway than there are on surface streets with blind intersections and the like. Statistically, You're more likely to get seriously hurt in a highway accident, but less likely to be in one to begin with. It really comes down to what you are comfortable with. On a really nice afternoon, I'll spend twice as long riding back roads home just to enjoy the ride. In the morning, my mission is to get to work alive. HOV lane, open up and go.

My main concern is a deer running out in front of me when I'm doing 65 in the early morning on the freeway..what do you do?

**bev2** · 04-27-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atis

I asked this question at NYS DMV when I ws registering my Elite 80, since in NY it requires a motorcycle endorsement. I was told that as a motorcycle it could go on any highway that I was able to maintain the minimum speed limit, usually 40 MPH, which is no problem for the awesome 80 cc's. Would I do it? Not on your life, or mine!

AMEN to that..I have an 80 Elite and would never consider going anywhere near an Interstate.. just picked up a 250 Rebel and am still gunshy about taking her on a Freeway for any length of time.

**Fridgitator** · 04-27-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bev2

My main concern is a deer running out in front of me when I'm doing 65 in the early morning on the freeway..what do you do?

The highway that I ride in the morning doesn't go through deer country. At least I've never heard of one being hit. My alternate route probably does have deer at times, but I haven't seen one yet. I have no personal experience with deer encounters on a bike, but having avoided a number of them on roads while driving a cage, the best thing you can do is to keep your speed down in obvious deer areas, and expect them to stop on a dime and deliberately jump right in front of you at the last second. I swear at least half of them are suicidal, and looking to take a human out with them. Must be the stress of having us around, I guess. They are off the ground more than on when running, and even with all fours on the ground, their center of mass is going to be higher than yours. If I were going to hit one. I'd want to be tucked over as low as possible, so I would catch the weight with the handlebars rather than my face.

**flitecontrol** · 04-28-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bev2

My main concern is a deer running out in front of me when I'm doing 65 in the early morning on the freeway..what do you do?

Ask Guba, he knows!

JunkyardDog · 04-28-2010, 12:10 AM

There certainly are no deer where I live, only a few wild rabbits in some of the few undeveloped areas. But up north, where I ride in the summer, because it is simply to hot to ride in the Phoenix area, there are both deer and elk. There are no freeways up there, and there are warning signs everywhere. Collisions with bikes is a rare occurrence, but collisions between cars and trucks happen on an almost daily basis. And they do seem bent on suicide, many of them have hit the side of cars and trucks. Fortunately that results in a lot less people getting killed or seriously injured from hitting them head on. They actually seem to be trying to attack cars. Maybe bikes aren't a big enough target. Jerry.

**flitecontrol** · 04-28-2010, 12:18 AM

The most dangerous time for deer collisions are when they are blinded/confused by vehicle lights. I actually had a fawn run into the front grille of a Jeep when it was stopped. He smacked it so hard I figured his neck was broken. But he jumped up and ran off into the darkness. But even in the daytime they are unpredictable. So if you see one, slow down, because you never know what they will do.

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