You need to get comfortable going faster . Highway speed is not as dangerous and nerve racking as going too slow in traffic. Get used to the sound and feel of the Rebel at 60-65 mph and get comfortable with cornering at these speeds. Newbies are often fearful of any significant lean angle in a corner. Once some confidence and proficiency is established, fast cornering is the most fun you can have on a bike.
Concentrate on sitting still and using the handlebars as needed to get around corners at higher and higher (but still normal) speeds so you are moving at least at the speed of traffic on the rural roads.

 

Newbies are often fearful of any significant lean angle in a corner.

PLP

Parking Lot Practice. Get used to leaning the bike in a controlled environment, then it will come more naturally when you're out in the wild.

The Rebel is not a sport bike. Don't even try to keep up with one.

I sure enjoy riding mine like it is. I can flick that thing through curves with a bigger smile than any of my bigger bikes. I've even passed a few sport bikes in those curves (ridden by inexperienced riders who seem to think the superior acceleration. brakes, and handling characteristics will overcome their ability to ride).

Alas, those 16 ponies serve as a constant reminder that it really isn't a sport bike.

 

yeah i think that's what freaks me out on the curves on the road near the river, it's 2 lanes and i'm afraid i won't be able to keep turning and go into the dirt! Then when the big semi-trucks go by the other way on the bigger non-divided roads the wind is very strong opposing me! I used to ride dirt bikes long ago and some on street but it's been a long minute and now i'm fairly old. Thanks for the input!

 

I once had a wise friend who told me "If you're not having fun at it, then you're doing it wrong." Riding your bike is supposed to be fun, not full of terror and foreboding.

Fear is a useful thing. It instructs us about danger and our limits. Listen to it and heed it. Part of being in the "Never Put Down My Bike" club is knowing your limits and respecting them. Figure out what you're comfortable doing, and do that.

There's no shame in riding when and where you like. HDForums is full of Harley riders who will not ride between November and April. It's not that they don't want to get their pretty bikes dirty; it's because, for them, riding in the cold just ain't fun and they worry about black ice. I respect that, because that's part of their comfort zone. It's not MY comfort zone, but I can't fault them for riding their ride in their own way. BTW, I won't ride on gravel. It wigs me out, but some folks do it on the same bike that I ride, and are completely unfazed by it. It works for them, but it doesn't work for me.

As for when you choose to tackle the Highway of Doom, pick a time when you know the traffic on the road is going to be light, get your husband to ride behind you and ride at a comfortable but legal speed. If the hubby is behind you, he can ward off any pressure from behind to drive faster. If it's possible, find a third person to lead. That way, you only have to follow along behind them, and you get to see how the passing vehicles affect them before you get "the blast". As for trucks coming from the other side, get low. The less of your chest that is exposed to the displaced air by the truck, the less impact it will have on you. After you have had to deal with it a few times, it will become second nature and you'll be just fine.

 

The freeway can be intimidating on any cycle. Even the biggest tourers feel small and insignificant when out on a lonely stretch of open road.
Logically, the freeway is safer since its limited access and every one is traveling the same direction but knowing that and feeling comfortable can seem a world apart.
On the two lane blacktop, the wind from passing trucks shouldn't be too bad.
It sounds a bit of practice and using the handlebars as Duckster said should make it better.
The Rebel will go where you want it to. I find it one of the best cycles for dealing with wind at speed I've even owned. Its just about as intuitive as walking in wind.

 

I also sometimes feel a little uncomfortable on those two lane higher speed roads where traffic is oncoming on the other lane. I think that's normal. It even bothers me when I'm driving my van sometimes.

The large divided highways/expressways also feel intimidating. Like Buickguy says it makes us feel small. But I try to remember that in actuality they are quite safe and are the safest roads to ride on.

As far as cars behind you seeming to push you. As long as you're going the speed limit or higher....ignore them. What matters is what is in front. Sometimes being too considerate or sensitive can make one somewhat paranoid. Screw em. They are not going to run you over. There are times when I just pull over and let them pass if I feel like I'm being pushed.

 

I'm still hesitant to drive on the thruway (I95, CT/NY). So far I've gone 1 exit at a time to try and get used to the large truck/bus wind and still have to get used to the idea that the Rebel reving so high at 60 mph (seems high to me) won't explode under me. I drove on one of the "hairy" areas over a tall bridge/over water that I had been wanting to when the traffic was crawling along at 25 during rush hour. Was nice to be able to take in the view.
Just have to avoid the road rage lane changers.

 

On cornering and fear of not being able to get around the bend...... Keep your eyes up ahead around the bend, not dwelling on that guardrail half way around.
The guardrail stare is called TARGET FIXATION, and will draw the inexperienced in like a moth to a flame. Remember the old chestnut "you go where you look" It's very true, and it can either work against you (target fixation) or for you (eyes on the corner exit) .
Looking as far as possible ahead will also make your corners seem much slower and more relaxed since you are not continuously being surprised, and you have lots of warning to make adjustments if needed.

 

I've been riding for about a year and feel pretty confident on my bike. But last night I had a dream I took a curve to quickly, without the proper counter steer and while staring at something... target fixation as Duckster points out. Anyway, I did everything wrong in my dream and ended up in the dirt trying to keep the bike upright. Don't know if I crashed or not as I woke up. Was grateful it was just a dream. Now I need to go practice riding.

 

I'm curious about what scooter you had before. My scoot is more challenging to ride than my Rebel.

 

I agree! I haven't been back on the Helix since getting the Rebel. A strong breeze felt like gale force winds and the semis coming at me on the highway invoked sheer terror!
The Genuine Buddy-that's the one that looks like a Vespa?
Take your time, I gained comfort on a 2 lane highway that has little traffic and I followed a friend on a curvy stretch so I could watch and learn. Of course he rides a BMW like Duckster so he was having more fun than I was
Take your time Greta and it'll come to you.
BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

It sounds like you are a little more comfortable on a 4 lane divided Highway. Am I correct? At least you don't have to deal with oncoming trucks and faster vehicles can make their way around you better on a 4 lane. I would spend more time on the divided 4 lane till you are comfortable with the speed and sounds before you try a high speed 2 lane. Where in AZ are you?

 

I just got my Rebel on Monday, and I have no problem keeping up with people in the city. I hadn't riden in about 6 months, and even that was a scooter. I had only rode a bike at the MSF safety course.

The bike I got was 70 miles away, so, from day one, I had to ride freeway, at 40 degress F. This wasn't too bad, it's definitely easier to do than riding in the city. Less things to worry about, and after the speed limit dropped to 65MPH, I was able to keep up with cars going 70 no problem. I try to avoid it to be honest though. We'll see what I think about in a few months.

 

It's true on the 2 lane with opposing huge truck wind it shakes my whole truck also, I guess it just seems more protective with the walls around me. I love to ride the bike anyway, just wanna get out of town and everytime I have tried I don't get too far before I'm afraid and turn back. Yesterday I went on a curvy road by the Salt River here, I live in East Mesa, AZ, just trying to get used to it. I practiced looking where I wanted to go alot and appreciate all the advise. I will continue that and see if it helps. I grew up driving in the mountains in Boulder, Colorado so I am no stranger to curvy roads but I think it's always best to know the road your on too. When I was young I rode motorcycles but not so much on curves. When I take the left curve or turn I think because I'm leaning the whole bike over I'll stick into the other side coming at me. I know it's dumb and I guess I just need to practice more. I'm not afraid to go fast in town.I am much more comfortable on a 4 lane road or even one with the middle lane open, somewhere to go if traffic behind me doesn't see me on time. Thank you each one of you have had good suggestions and advice!
I had a genuine buddy 150cc scooter before this and felt the wind moved the whole bike too much because of the solidity of the body, no wholes for the wind to cross through. Gave it to my daughter in Portland, Oregon as she had no other transportation. We drove it up there on the back of the suv we had. That was not fun.

 

Buickguy, I loved my scooter, it's a great brand and it was pretty easy to not shift but strange as it is, I can reach the ground much better on the rebel, I'm 5'2" with fairly short legs. My sister had a Honda I rode a few times when I was about 21 or so and I loved that I didn't have to tip toe on one foot at the lights!

 

I am familiar with the Genuine Buddy 150. Its a nice scoot.There are a couple of folks who have them in the A3SC. (Ann Arbor Area Scooter Club)
The panels of scooters do catch the wind but is the rake and trail of the Rebel that make it so forgiving in the wind. Same thing with the tracking.
The MaxiScooters tend to have geometry similar to sport bikes and as a result feel more twitchy than the balance the Rebel gets on its OE geometry.
The reason you reach the ground better on the Rebel is the width of the saddle. Seat height is probably about the same.
My wife had to tip toe her Virago when she first got it. A narrower Mustang Saddle allowed here to flat foot the Virago.

 

To get more comfortable in the turns you may want to play in an empty church parking lot for a couple of afternoons. Set up a course and work into it a little faster at a time.

 

No ... don't do the church parking lot ... Most people only go there for weddings and funerals !!!

Do the school parking lot, or WalMart if you have one close by early in the morning.

 

I had fun riding the first time in the rain not too long ago during the 5:00 pm bluelight special hour here in Florida during "season". Now that was scary ... it's much more dangerous driving in the city now because of the snowbirds, especially the ones that won't give up driving!

Just keep at it doing what is comfortable ... I don't recall there being a clause in any license that says "you must drive on the highway by the end of 3 months or you will be excommunicated!" :flowers:

 

Actually I'd stay on the roads for cornering unless you are going to be sweeping all the sand off your course. The roads get swept clean remarkably soon just by traffic passing by. All the dirt and debris ends up at the edges of the travelled roadway where you NEVER want to go.

 

You know what the problem is? Pardon me but... you have no.........

It really helps to be a guy I think. Try to grow a pair will ya? It'll help suppress the common sense that you women have too much of :flowers:

 

It is especially helpful if you are a male under the age of 25, too. Nothing quite like being young and indestructible, when all of the nastiness in the world happens to somebody else and not you.

One word of caution, Greta. The Rebel is not a sport bike. Don't even try to keep up with one. You'll only wind up doing yourself a serious mischief.

 

Come on! enough with the testosterone humour. No squids ride Rebels. When we talk about high speed riding on a Rebel we are talking about staying out of the grille of that Toyota Camry coming up behind you.
Being comfortable at 60-70 mph on an open highway is part of being safe on a bike.
I think the noise and vibration at these speeds may be enough to intimidate some newbies until they get used to what it feels like to go that fast on a 250. Then it becomes a non event.
The Rebel does have very good handling and excellent brakes, so it is a very safe ride.

 

I like that Stella!! I remember the first time I hit 60 on the Helix-it was smooth and quiet. Now at 60 my ears are ringing! :lol2:

 

freeway riding

a little fear is a good thing, it makes sure you are giving it due respect. Too much takes all the joy out of riding. I have ridden thousands of miles in my life thus far, I still don't care much for free way riding. I tend too stick too the back roads, much more enjoyable. My wife rides as well, freeway riding totally freaks her out, so she avoids it. Not because of riding skill, simply comfort levels. everyone is different in that respect. enjoy the ride and be safe is of utmost importance