My first cross county ride

[TonkaTruck]

So, after several weeks of riding in country roads, in town, on the highway, and in several parking lots, I'm preparing to do my first long ride. Specifically, I'm heading to the office about 40 minutes away to pick up a paycheck to save gas and have fun all at the same time.

The route I'm taking will pretty much be a straight shot up to the next town with 55-60 MPH speed limits on the road until I get into town, where it'll be 45-35..and then back up to 55 on a two lane road until I get to my destination.

Here is my questions however.

I need tips for highway riding. I've been getting confused messages from riders who say move faster than the traffic to put room between you and others who say you should just cruise. I will be riding at a speed I feel comfortable at most of the time, I'd like to read some of your input.

Also, on a highway, do you ride in the left lane or right lane?

Also, I am new to the forums, but I've been lurking for a while. Bought a used GZ250 with less than 1000 miles from a guy who had bought it originally and rarely rode it. It's in good shape and it's been running solid.

[Fish Baseball]

Keep it upright and ride like you normally would. The GeeZer isn't any speed machine, so sit back and enjoy the time, and stick with where your comfortable. Ok, riding on the highway.....Well I personally stick to the far right lane (Aussies drive on the other side of the road remember) so for you I guess it would be the left. Reason being is that there is always the idiot in the cage who decides they need to cut across two lanes of traffic to get to the exit ramp your just about to pass, and when this happens at speed, your options are seriously reduced. And riding in that lane means you only have to deal with cagers on one side, rather than all around you. Yes, it does mean riding in the "fast" lane, but you'll do fine. The speeds your talking about should be comfortable to do on the Geezer.

Keep it upright and enjoy. And of course ATGATT.

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome TT. Glad to have you join us. For your first highway ride please do not try to exceed your abilities and do not speed. If per chance something goes wrong it will happen a lot faster. Seeing as how you have one of the slower vehicles on the road your safest position is in the righthand lane generally. Keep in mind to try to stay in the left track of the righthand lane. This give you lane ownership and no one will try to share the lane with you. If in the lefthand lane try to be in the righthand track to show lane ownership.
If you are uncomfortable with traffic or get a good scare you can always stop somewhere for a few minutes to gather your wits and carry on after you feel better. Been there done that, believe me. Have a successful first big ride and enjoy it.

[TonkaTruck]

Thanks guys. I've been spending the past couple hours reading old forum posts. I do have a full face helmet, a heavy leather jacket, and I have boots that I can wear. My only issues are the gloves and pants. I figure on wearing the heaviest pair of jeans I have, but my gloves are thin leather gloves. Hopefully after I get this paycheck I can find me a motorcycle shop or something around my area. Being out in the country doesn't give a lot of options.

[blaine]

Enjoy your first long ride.Ride at your own speed & have fun. :2tup: :)

[alantf]

Hi there, & welcome to the madhouse.

You're not on your own with your concerns about highway riding. I've been riding for over 45 years, and had the Geezer for nearly 4 years. I'm still not happy with riding on the autopista, with its 120 km/hr (75 mph) limit. The bike is too light to take the potholes in its stride, & riding at full throttle, with nothing in reserve, isn't very confidance inspiring. Luckily most of my riding is on 50 km/hr (30 mph) roads, often with heavy traffic, so I don't use the autopista much. If I upgraded to something that would cruise comfortably at 75 mph, it would still have to be highly monouverable for the other 99%, so, at the moment its the IDEAL bike for my usage. I still use it as my primary transport & workhorse (the car sits in the garage most of the time) so I hope you get as much enjoyment out of your Geezer as I do. I'll just add that my European bike has more power than the American bikes, as your emission laws mean that it's set up with a weaker mixture. When you get used to the bike, you might consider doing the mods, to bring the power up. :2tup:

[breakfast]

that;s cool!! enjoy your first cross country ride ,be safe!