Rode my GZ on a CA freeway for the first time

[Moedad]

While I was out at lunch, I went to a couple of places (one of which was Long Beach Motorsports for any SoCal locals, where out of curiosity, I asked what the price was for a key blank - $12!!). On my way back to my office, I realized I could hop on the south 405 at Cherry and get right off again at Lakewood. It's only a mile, but at least my feet are wet now. :cool:

[alanmcorcoran]

I rode from AH to Big Corona Beach Saturday...

At one point, Jamboree, which is technically NOT a freeway, gets four lanes wide, has those green overhanging signs, and a 60mph speed limit, sure seems to turn into a freeway. Close as I've gotten.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, I had been riding the bike over a week or so before I realized my permit doesn't allow night driving or freeway driving. The first day I rode it I was practicing in a parking lot well after dark. Oops!

Seems like a stupid rule, there's generally a lot less people on the road after dark, especially in the summer. Or is it after a certain time?

[Moedad]

I rode from AH to Big Corona Beach Saturday...

At one point, Jamboree, which is technically NOT a freeway, gets four lanes wide, has those green overhanging signs, and a 60mph speed limit, sure seems to turn into a freeway. Close as I've gotten.

I bought my bike used from a guy in Tustin and when I picked it up I went down Jamboree to PCH. It's defintely freeway-like. It was afternoon and I had a headwind. Felt like I was going to lift off the bike a couple of times. I closed a few zippers on my jacket and it got better. Of course I ended up on PCH during rush hour. I learned that it's better to shift into 1st before the bike stops rather than after.

[RichInFla]

While I was out at lunch, I went to a couple of places (one of which was Long Beach Motorsports for any SoCal locals, where out of curiosity, I asked what the price was for a key blank - $12!!).

Moe, did you see my post on "Key Blanks - FYI". I ended up buying 6 due to "minimum purchase" requirements. I only had 3 of them cut, so if anyone out there wants one, I'd be more than happy to send you one. I've got 3 blanks left just sitting in a drawer !!

[patrick_777]

I realized my permit doesn't allow night driving or freeway driving. The first day I rode it I was practicing in a parking lot well after dark.

At least you didn't take a freeway to get there.

[alanmcorcoran]

...about this CA restriction on the permits. First I was kinda wondering about the definition of night (time, darkness or what) now I'm wondering about what exatly constitutes a "freeway".

I live right next to California 241, which, in the truest sense of the word, is NOT a freeway, by virtue of the fact you have to pay to ride on it. And it is some of the sweetest pavement around these parts. Good scenery, freshly paved, lots of rolling hills and sweeping curves and stuff. And damn near no traffic.

My experience in arguing technicalities with LEO's is... well, I haven't won an argument yet. Anybody know what the specifics are on the CA permit restrictions? I'm gonna be riding with one until at least the end of September.

[Moedad]

While I was out at lunch, I went to a couple of places (one of which was Long Beach Motorsports for any SoCal locals, where out of curiosity, I asked what the price was for a key blank - $12!!).

Moe, did you see my post on "Key Blanks - FYI". I ended up buying 6 due to "minimum purchase" requirements. I only had 3 of them cut, so if anyone out there wants one, I'd be more than happy to send you one. I've got 3 blanks left just sitting in a drawer !!

I did see that, that's why I asked at the dealer and I mentioned it - so folks would know what a good deal you posted.

[rusty rider]

Alan I don't know about CA, but here in Indiana any limited access road is considered a freeway.

Took about 10 mile ride on Interstate 70 near my house last month. I was able to cruise right along with everyone else speed wise, but when passing one semi, and coming up behind another the turbulance (sic) was winging me everywhere. It gets you there fast but isn't a very enjoyable ride. :cool:

[OC Hoosier]

Hey Moedad and Alan--

I live in Costa Mesa, work in Newport Coast, and my girlfriend lives in Mission Viejo (on the SW end of Santiago Canyon Rd...lots of Cook's Corner traffic!!). I too have only my permit and as Alan can testify, the Safety Courses are booked almost two months in advance. I am on the road at 5 a.m. heading for work, so needless to say it is 'dark'. I commute via the 73 to PCH. There is almost no traffic in the mornings, but moderate to heavy in the evenings. The road is fairly smooth and I can hold my own with the cagers. I have braved the 405 about three times heading to/from my girlfriend's house. I don't mind the diamond lane, but everywhere else on this stretch of concrete makes me nervous. Heavy traffic, high speeds, and uneven/grooved/wavy paving are a bad combination for a GZ! So...except for riding double (which I refuse to do as a learner...I have actually removed the back seat both for aesthetics and to alleviate the temptation) I have managed to quite illegally ride both on a freeway and in the dark...often combining the two, ha! I am a very responsible/conservative rider and am becoming very confident in my skill level. I am, however, anxiously awaiting my training course. It's extremely rare to see a motorcycle pulled over on the SoCal freeways, so I haven't worried too much about being hindered by my 'permit'. Besides, good luck getting anywhere out here without hopping on some sort of multi-lane thoroughfare! With an air-cooled 5 speed, we'd be much more likely burn out the clutch or blow the motor before actually reaching our destination (which is usually only 15 miles or less), right?! Ha!!

[alanmcorcoran]

Nice to hear from you OC. I am in month 12 of my latest 18 month traffic school probationary period and I tend to be a little more compliant with the laws until I am eligible to attend again. (If they awarded degrees in traffic school, I'd have a handful of Ph.D's by now. Tend to go a tad faster than you're supposed to on the freeway.)

My bike is sitting in the service department at San Juan Cap waiting for them to fix the $%^&&!! left blinker which was defective on delivery.

Maybe, before we all get too jaded, we can meet up over on Chapman and Jamboree and do a Geezy convoy through Harley Country. If I ever see mine again.

FYI, I'm pretty a conservative rider too. Politically? Not so much.

-Alan.

[patrick_777]

FYI, I'm pretty a conservative rider too. Politically? Not so much.

Ditto x 100

[jonathan180iq]

I'm a rainbow flag flying, veggie oil car driving, women-rights loving, animal hugging commie too.

[patrick_777]

I bet that goes over well in Georgia.

[jonathan180iq]

Honestly, more of an independent but yeah... Very red down here.

[alanmcorcoran]

...mentioned the politics. It's so civil on here. Hate to see it get all flame-y. I'll refrain from volunteering my un-solicited, non-motorcycling views unless they somehow apply to riding the bike. Motorcycles are kind of a uniter anyway.

[Sarris]

The rednecks in Atlanta have taken up arms 'cause they heard the Russians have invaded.

:roll: :lol:

[Easy Rider]

Tend to go a tad faster than you're supposed to on the freeway.


:oops: Sit right down here, young man. We need to have a little talk about that !! :cry: :lol: :lol:

Now I am SURE you got that right bike as it is almost impossible to get a speeding ticket on the freeway while rinding a GZ. :tup:

The political thing is interesting in a very broad sense. I wonder if 250 cc motorcycles (and maybe scooters too) tend to be ridden by people with a "liberal" leaning? I would guess that IS true. Having said that, I do NOT think this is an appropriate subject for in-depth discussion on here! :)

[alanmcorcoran]

I'll take your lead on that. My leanings tend to be a little of "Live and let live" and a lot of "What's in it for me?" To that end, I assume that I'm a lot more interested in what I think than anybody else is.

[Easy Rider]

To that end, I assume that I'm a lot more interested in what I think than anybody else is.

Which is true of most everybody, but scant few actually realize it and most of THOSE won't admit it! :lol:

A truly wise man is one who knows that he knows not. :tup:

[alanmcorcoran]

...Hey Moe! I got my bike back from from Perf. Motorsports. Sent a nastygram to the GM and all of the sudden, it was all fixed up. They offered to deliver it again, but I decided to ride it back this time. About 2 miles down El Toro, I guess I musta finally grew a pair or something - rolled the throttle, pushed it up to 55-60 and kept ahead of the traffic all the way up Santiago. I realized the "cagers" can catch me on the uphill straights, but I have an advantage in the turns. Still get a little clenchy on some of the blind corners, but I'm starting to get a better feel for the lean-ability of the bike. The crosswind is a bitch, though, on some of the open passages. Had to actually "put my shoulder" into it a little at one point, kind of felt like I was tacking (sailboat talk.)

Best of all, I used my turn signal at every opportunity and I didn't forget to turn it off once. (Mom would be so proud!)

Also ran out of gas about a mile from the house. Thanks to Patrick, I think, I had double checked to make sure I was NOT on reserve to begin with. I'd like to say I calmly reached down "en passant" and flipped to reserve, but I did pulll over. It actually took a second or two after the bike stopped thumping for me to register what had happened. One more thing that will probably take some getting used to.

And I passed some people... in the left lane.

I dare say I'm getting a little cocky. I'll have to try and dial it back before I overstep my boundaries.

[jonathan180iq]

All I know is that I don't know anything.

[music man]

For every time that I thought I knew something, I can give you at least 10 examples of that "something" proving to me I didn't know S@#t.

[Moedad]

All's I know is I'm dying to take a road trip on my GZ. I'll have to include some interstate to get to and connect the areas I want to go, so the more I get used to it, the better off I'll be.

[music man]

I have found that if you look on a map hard enough, and have the extra time to take the side roads and back highways you can pretty much go across the entire U.S. without using interstates. It is quicker if you use the interstates or "freeways" but not completely necessary.

Also a lot more enjoyable than pushing your little GZ to the max on the freeway.

[jonathan180iq]

People used "backroads" for a long time in this country before the interstate came along. Think of it has a trip back in time or a history tour.

[patrick_777]

Back roads have a danger all their own though. You have to be even more careful of unobservant cagers and possibly some REALLY broken down terrain. Most back roads are county-managed and usually don't get inspected more than once every 6 months unless there is a complaint filed.

[music man]

Back roads have a danger all their own though. You have to be even more careful of unobservant cagers and possibly some REALLY broken down terrain. Most back roads are county-managed and usually don't get inspected more than once every 6 months unless there is a complaint filed.


You obviously have never traveled through Arkansas. The so-called "Interstates" or "Freeways" in Arkansas are almost exactly how you just described "Back Roads", Broken down.

[patrick_777]

It's same a few miles to the west. Horrible roads and highways. Believe it or not, I can tell immediately when I cross into AR because the roads actually improve.

[music man]

Oh I am sorry I completely forgot you were from Oklahoma. I have been through there and you are right, I have it better than you as far as roads,(at least the ones I went down in Oklahoma).

[patrick_777]

I have gotten lost in the mountain roads of AR once on the way to Bentonville from the south. We almost ran out of gas trying to get to a gas station, which was actually just about 2 miles off the highway, but only accessible by 30 miles of tight mountain road. There are some twisties there that I wouldn't mind riding on a bike, but I seriously have doubts about the GZ's power on those extreme grades.

[music man]

And even though I have been to a lot of places and drove on a lot of interstate, there is nothing worse (that I have seen) than driving in Little Rock, Ar. You couldn't pay me to drive on the freeways in Little Rock on a bike that would go 200 mph, much less a GZ.

So I could not even Imagine going to California and driving on those Big "Superslabs", thats just crazy. I think I will Stick to good Ole Hot Springs. Of course I am from an even smaller Arkansas town (Monticello) Where the worst traffic you will see is trying to find a parking spot at Wal-Mart.

[alanmcorcoran]

The closest Suzuki dealer to me is actually in Corona. Check out my "non-freeway" route.


http://www.postimage.org/gx2vk0tS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx2vk0tS)

[Moedad]

The closest Suzuki dealer to me is actually in Corona. Check out my "non-freeway" route.


http://www.postimage.org/gx2vk0tS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx2vk0tS)

:lol: All because of that one little stretch between Gypsum Canyon and Green River.

[Easy Rider]

Also a lot more enjoyable than pushing your little GZ to the max on the freeway.

Indeed.

Here's the "trick" to achieve max. flexibility. Many Interstates roughly followed an existing US route (or routes) when they were layed out. If you choose a US route that parallels an Interstate, you will usually find a road that is in excellent shape because there are virtually NO trucks on it......and darned little other traffic either.

You can enjoy the ride at 50-60 mph and still get back to "civilization" if you need to just by going back over to the Interstate which is usually 5 miles or less away.