Getting Comfortable At Speeds

[Jer]

I made the jump to 40 mph last time I was on my bike.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE!

Though I was a bit nervous.

So far I've been practicing in the street in front ofmy house. Getting ready to take the riding test this Sat. Its going ok. Though so far I've only been going 25 or less just tooling around right by my house.

Last time though I got daring and went out on the main street that goes around our neighborhood. The long way around so to speak. All 45mph speed limit. There was almost zero traffic and I do feel in control of the bike so I wasnt worried. I realized as I approached 40mph though that I was a bit "on edge". Nervous. Still in control, but feeling a bit uneasy about the speed and wind.

This made me think about guys I see going 70 mph down the interstate with the clutch hand off the handlebar.

I suppose its a natural progression of being comfortable at each new speed you hit.

Thoughts?

[CANDY]

Originally Posted by Jer

I made the jump to 40 mph last time I was on my bike.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE!

Though I was a bit nervous.

So far I've been practicing in the street in front ofmy house. Getting ready to take the riding test this Sat. Its going ok. Though so far I've only been going 25 or less just tooling around right by my house.

Last time though I got daring and went out on the main street that goes around our neighborhood. The long way around so to speak. All 45mph speed limit. There was almost zero traffic and I do feel in control of the bike so I wasnt worried. I realized as I approached 40mph though that I was a bit "on edge". Nervous. Still in control, but feeling a bit uneasy about the speed and wind.

This made me think about guys I see going 70 mph down the interstate with the clutch hand off the handlebar.

I suppose its a natural progression of being comfortable at each new speed you hit.

Thoughts?

jer,when i started riding last summer i remember thinking i would never be able to return a wave because it meant turning loose of the handlebars.now i can relax and wave as needed.it really does get easier just don't let it get so easy you get over confident. the gz250 is a very forgiving bike,but the pavement isn't. enjoy and ride safe

[Jenny]

"jer,when i started riding last summer i remember thinking i would never be able to return a wave because it meant turning loose of the handlebars.now i can relax and wave as needed.it really does get easier just don't let it get so easy you get over confident. the gz250 is a very forgiving bike,but the pavement isn't. enjoy and ride safe[/quote]"

Um, I felt that way only a week ago! I just started going on higher speed roads, and I am thrilled beyond belief. This will probably sound odd, but I feel more comfortable than when I'm in the residential sections going 25 mph with cars and bikes and kids constantly ready to jump out and nail me. I am still watching vigilantly, but I feel more in control. Of course, when it gets very twisty and I am expected to go 55, I start to get nervous; after all, it's only been four days since my first go at 55 mph!

I did have to re-learn how to return a wave. I had done it at lower speeds, but at these higher speeds, I had a hard time keeping my hand from flying backwards. Turns out that you need to wave "sideways" so that your hand doesn't work like a sail :-)

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Jer

I suppose its a natural progression of being comfortable at each new speed you hit.

Thoughts?

For most riders, yes.

[Doug577]

Once I finally got comfortable doing 45mph I started to loosen my death grip on the handlebars. But then I got on the freeway and made it up to 70 and it was 45 all over again.

Take your time getting comfortable with the speed - especially with turning at speed. I found that I needed the time to get comfortable with leaning the bike at speed without thinking I was going to fall over.

[Jer]

Death grip is right.

My hands hurt after doing that.

[alanmcorcoran]

... but beyond that, my progression has slowed. The wind buffeting and the lack of power abouve 55, especially on an incline, make me feel that this is not an appropriate vehicle for CA freeways (avg speed ~80.) I 've had it north of 60 for a bit, but it feels like an Apollo liftoff or the like. Not super comfortable, and I wonder about braking and handling at that speed. (I just wonder about it, I don't attempt it.)

If I stick with riding, I'll be getting something beefier for the freeways.

[Jer]

I've wondered if larger bikes are more comfortable at those speeds too.

[music man]

Yes they are, My sister bought a 600 honda shadow earlier in the year, and I rode it about 120 miles to her house (she didn't know how to ride yet), and I got it up to about 90mph before it started giving me the same uncomfortable feeling my GZ gives me at 55mph.


Later

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

... make me feel that this is not an appropriate vehicle for CA freeways (avg speed ~80.)

Guess you missed the posts here where we've said that........about a hundred times !!

Then there is the other discussion about how ANY bike is probably not appropriate for the freeways in a major city.
They don't MAKE a bike big enough for me to ride on the Interstates around Chicago, LA, New York, Atlanta, etc.