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Post by catrell92 on Mar 15, 2012 0:58:35 GMT -5
I'm scared to attempt it, my scoot is FAST though it's a 244cc motor (Honda helix engine) on a 150 frame.. Well it be sufficient for highway use, I can pretty much burn anything off the line and this thing is pretty damn fast for a scooter, anybody ride on the freeway?
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Post by h3nry on Mar 15, 2012 1:04:20 GMT -5
I used to take my honda elite deluxe (1985) on the freeway, it went 72 and was plenty to overtake when needed. That was a 150cc scoot ( i miss it)
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Post by Yelloscoot on Mar 15, 2012 1:10:56 GMT -5
I did once while breaking mine in...a full 3/4 mis.  I enjoy the service and back roads. You get to see more of the surroundings and just enjoy the ride. No high wind drag, better fuel efficiency and doesn't over stress my 150. But, you have plenty of power and speed, though on a 150 frame. If you don't feel comfortable running at those speeds, then don't. Just my two cents. Ride safe. |
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Post by catrell92 on Mar 15, 2012 1:12:41 GMT -5
Lol I'm gonna try in the morning, idk just seems like it will be weird
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Post by scooterfun on Mar 15, 2012 1:23:13 GMT -5
I ride it all the time..not a real big deal.
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Post by rockynv on Mar 15, 2012 4:33:05 GMT -5
Do it all the time on a Aprilia Sport City 250. The bike is fuel injected (about 25 hp), has 15 inch tires front and back (front tire is actually same as on a Burgman) , weighs 326 lbs and tops out at around 95 mph +/-. Wind can be a bit tireing at interstate speeds however since I have put on a Puig Sport Fairing running over 55 mph has become much less of a strain.
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Post by shalomdawg on Mar 15, 2012 5:49:54 GMT -5
howdy, yup, the question of whether to ride the freeway has no set answer. it really depends on where you live and what freeway and what time, traffic, weather, protective equipment, experience level ,condition of machine etc. in general though, i say if you want to or need to then do it. just watch the traffic around and respond to conditions. sometimes the better part of valor is to get outa the way.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
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Post by bullet on Mar 15, 2012 7:17:59 GMT -5
I did once while breaking mine in...a full 3/4 mis. I enjoy the service and back roads. You get to see more of the surroundings and just enjoy the ride. No high wind drag, better fuel efficiency and doesn't over stress my 150. I'm with you on that. The highways around here are crowded and full of aggressive drivers. Enjoy the ride. |
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Post by terrilee on Mar 15, 2012 7:37:38 GMT -5
when u say highway or freeway
do u mean a limited access road.
see people in diff states call things diff names.
i take Chrissy on a main road , but its not limited access
and even tho speed is 45 or 50 in a few places, thats not what people drive.
i do 60 on that road and people pass me like im standing still.
so is that a highway ?
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Post by bullet on Mar 15, 2012 11:05:02 GMT -5
I was referring to secondary and back roads with speed limits of 50 mph or lower up to two lanes each way. I do not mean interstates or turnpikes or freeways. I may get there a little later but I get there a lot happier.
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Mar 15, 2012 13:28:06 GMT -5
I was referring to secondary and back roads with speed limits of 50 mph or lower up to two lanes each way. I do not mean interstates or turnpikes or freeways. I may get there a little later but I get there a lot happier. I do. Not on the freeway. We have some 45, 50 and 55mph stretches Ill use. I ride a 4lane divided every day too and from work. Other directions or destinations may get me on the 50 and 55 bits. My top end s still just below 55, but I haven't felt threatened. 8hp won't ever cut it for the freeway @ 65+. On similar topic, besides a cheap dyno, has anyone used any of the stand alone electronic gadgets or GPS apps to calculate hp and performance? |
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Post by pizzot on Mar 15, 2012 15:15:21 GMT -5
Yeah its no problem. I ride my TGB 151cc on the interstate to work on a daily basis. I stay in right lane cruise at 65 mph and keep my whits about me. If people want to pass you they have two other lanes to do it in.
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Post by inuyasha on Mar 15, 2012 15:24:55 GMT -5
I'm scared to attempt it, my scoot is FAST though it's a 244cc motor (Honda helix engine) on a 150 frame.. Well it be sufficient for highway use, I can pretty much burn anything off the line and this thing is pretty damn fast for a scooter, anybody ride on the freeway? Hi Pleased to meet you If you feeling that way i would not try to as the proper mind set is the first thing you would need, if your to scared to ride your too scared to make the proper decisions when needed Second is i would not try it on any thing less then a large framed 250 cc, weight is your friend when dealing with the wind turbulence created when larger vehicles like trucks or buses pass you or you them Even on my Indian it can get hairy sometimes Just my 2 cents on the matter at hand Take care and drive safely Yours Hank |
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Post by catrell92 on Mar 15, 2012 16:40:57 GMT -5
Maybe I made it sound too wimpish lol I drive my scoot FAST but safe, the only thing I'm not to fond of is ridiculous head winds, how are they?
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 15, 2012 18:15:30 GMT -5
I ride everywhere even the interstate since I can legally speed
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Post by nulldevice on Mar 15, 2012 21:39:17 GMT -5
My 250 goes fast enough, but things get scarey when the traffic gets heavy and the speeds rise well above the 65 MPH Ohio speed limit.
At high speeds the trucks' turbulence tends to throw you around until they get over 100 yards ahead of you. Be ready and expect that. Try not to jump off your scooter when someone passes you going 20-30 MPH faster than you are going. The noise from the tires is loud and sudden.
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Post by trailheadmike on Mar 15, 2012 22:02:16 GMT -5
I have the same experience as Null. I took my 260 on the highway, and while I could cruise at 65 ok, the cars blowing by me at 75+ really knocked me around which I did not like at all. I would only do it again on an early sunday morning or some similar low traffic time.
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Post by pizzot on Mar 16, 2012 0:46:14 GMT -5
I'm scared to attempt it, my scoot is FAST though it's a 244cc motor (Honda helix engine) on a 150 frame.. Well it be sufficient for highway use, I can pretty much burn anything off the line and this thing is pretty damn fast for a scooter, anybody ride on the freeway? Hi Pleased to meet you If you feeling that way i would not try to as the proper mind set is the first thing you would need, if your to scared to ride your too scared to make the proper decisions when needed Second is i would not try it on any thing less then a large framed 250 cc, weight is your friend when dealing with the wind turbulence created when larger vehicles like trucks or buses pass you or you them Even on my Indian it can get hairy sometimes Just my 2 cents on the matter at hand Take care and drive safely Yours Hank I'm with Hank on this one, like usual. Its all about comfort. I have over 8 year sport bike experience on the interstate/highway so I am used to running with traffic blowing by traffic and getting blown all over the place by semi-trucks and full size cars. I would recommend getting really comfortable on it first. Make sure you wear all your gear. Helmet, Gloves, Riding jacket/pants. Then find a desolate road and run her wide open a few times until you get used to it and comfortable. If you never get comfortable then you know not to try highway, but you might find that you like it. Make sure to keep both hands on bars, don't white knuckle it. Be loose and calm and everything will be ok. Cheers Matt |
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Post by inuyasha on Mar 16, 2012 0:54:33 GMT -5
Hi Pleased to meet you If you feeling that way i would not try to as the proper mind set is the first thing you would need, if your to scared to ride your too scared to make the proper decisions when needed Second is i would not try it on any thing less then a large framed 250 cc, weight is your friend when dealing with the wind turbulence created when larger vehicles like trucks or buses pass you or you them Even on my Indian it can get hairy sometimes Just my 2 cents on the matter at hand Take care and drive safely Yours Hank I'm with Hank on this one, like usual. Its all about comfort. I have over 8 year sport bike experience on the interstate/highway so I am used to running with traffic blowing by traffic and getting blown all over the place by semi-trucks and full size cars. I would recommend getting really comfortable on it first. Make sure you wear all your gear. Helmet, Gloves, Riding jacket/pants. Then find a desolate road and run her wide open a few times until you get used to it and comfortable. If you never get comfortable then you know not to try highway, but you might find that you like it. Make sure to keep both hands on bars, don't white knuckle it. Be loose and calm and everything will be ok. Cheers Matt Hi Matt Excellent advice Taken are and drive safely dear friend Yours Hank |
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Post by rockynv on Mar 16, 2012 4:17:02 GMT -5
It is not just about the weight of the bike. I ride with a bunch on heavy 1.3 litre touring bikes and the V-Stars get blown about much worse than my 326 lb Aprilia 250. Aerodynamics, weight balance, tires and suspension do come into play also as do the over-reactions of the rider.
It is just like crossing a steel grate bridge. Learn not to over-react and you make it over just fine.
If you truely are getting blown about in your lane and not just buffeted then it may be time to asses the bike and its tires. Tires made with hard rubber formulations as those with more knubby tread patterns do tend to wander more at higher speeds.
Once you get some years experience on stable bikes and learn to go with the flow it becomes second nature to you. You need to have respect but not fear.
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Post by SylvreKat on Mar 17, 2012 7:09:17 GMT -5
I agree with Hank and Matt.
If the thought of riding on a highway scares you, then don't. Not yet. Work up to it if you really do want to be on the highway. Do like Matt suggested and start on a highway with lots less traffic. See how you do with the higher sustained speeds and the wind and everything. If you're comfortable with it, and the thought of moving over to the traffic-roads no longer concerns you, then you'll be fine.
Me, I drive the interstate in my wagon and feel the push as a semi passes me. Then I think how that would be on my scooter about a sixth the weight and unprotected. And I always think, "No thanks." Yes, it does scare me to think of riding in the open in all that traffic. But perhaps the state highways, once I've gotten my riding skills back to snuff? That's a possibility.
But please, if you do decide to ride on the highways and interstates and whatever, pleasepleaseplease do NOT go 100mph through the traffic! Guy last eve on his sports bike breezed by me like I was parked. I was going just over 70 matching traffic. I heard this motorcycle coming and looked left and the guy was already five or more car lengths ahead of me. Not even a minute later he was pretty much gone from sight despite traffic. Stupid stupid idiot moron dope. All I hope is when he smears himself, he doesn't involve an innocent driver.
>'Kat
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Post by silverfox96 on Mar 17, 2012 11:19:09 GMT -5
I've ridden Motorcycles all my life, practically. Well since I was 21 and I'm 72 now. But when I lived in Irving TX, back in 1980, I saw a motorcycle go down on the freeway (i think it's 435), in 4:00pm traffic. By the time I got to where the guy went down there was not much left but some crushed metal and lots of blood that stretched for over a quarter mile. No limited access hiway riding for me! Especially on a 150cc scooter!
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Post by spandi on Mar 17, 2012 13:48:14 GMT -5
I used to take my Honda 125cc scooter to the dealer (about 50 miles away) for routine checkups. Rolling down the interstate and onto the DC beltway, it was on weekends, so you could really "wind it up" as you had the whole road to yourself, and in those early hours the sky would be glowing with an orange-red hue. Like shooting down a tunnel of fire. (Wonderful memories.)
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Post by skuttadawg on Mar 17, 2012 16:00:10 GMT -5
Whats crazy is a large dump truck going the other way can almost make me loose control from its draft . I let off the throttle , duck down and hold on then resume WOT to be safe . I love 3 and 4 am rides with no other traffic on the road so its only me to drive as fast or slow as desired .
Yesterday I was doing 70 mph on our country Auotbahn and saw a cop he just kept on going whew I just knew it was ticket time .
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Post by orehor on Mar 17, 2012 16:33:32 GMT -5
Tall windshield is helpful. My Morphous had almost no windshield and the headwinds at 70mph were rough. I liked 55mph alot, could lean back and enjoy the road.
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Post by ootscoot on Mar 17, 2012 22:40:56 GMT -5
I commute daily on the highway/freeway where the average speed is 65 to 75mph. My Citycom 3001 weighs 400lbs, 16" wheels and has a windscreen. I tend to ride in the fast lane at 75 mph - less trucks in the way. My older Citycom had the larger windscreen and would get quite buffeted by the wind - affecting the steering. My new Citycom has a smaller windscreen that is very effective - giving me a comfortable, true tracking and faster ride.
One benefit of a multilane freeway riding is that (most of the time) everybody is going the same direction.
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Post by scooterfun on Mar 18, 2012 4:51:35 GMT -5
I've ridden Motorcycles all my life, practically. Well since I was 21 and I'm 72 now. But when I lived in Irving TX, back in 1980, I saw a motorcycle go down on the freeway (i think it's 435), in 4:00pm traffic. By the time I got to where the guy went down there was not much left but some crushed metal and lots of blood that stretched for over a quarter mile. No limited access hiway riding for me! Especially on a 150cc scooter! I believe you meant I635.. i lived there for 30 yrs and got out when i retired to an island. |
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Post by redhandmoto on Mar 18, 2012 5:43:04 GMT -5
Used to ride both the Vespa GTS250ie and the modded Honda Big Ruckus on the Interstates. Both were powerful and stable enough for it, but....the Interstates are boring - nothing of any visual interest, sterile, sort of like vehicular mail chutes.
Oddly enough, they seemed very much safer to me than the very crowded locals roads where traffic is always heavy, drivers are stressed and distracted, often on the phone, and aggresively demented.
On the Interstate, everybody's going the same way, so to speak: no intersection surprises, no erratic turns. Riding on scoots anywhere wants hypervigilance and a proper spatial 'bubble', but comparatively, the superslab is an underwhelming experience.
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Post by silverfox96 on Mar 18, 2012 8:55:39 GMT -5
Yep, scooterfun, it was I635! I used to live out by Venus, TX and took loop 12 to work every day. 48 mile commute one way on a sx 750 yamaha. I worked at Square D mfg at 1111 Regal Row there in Dallas. Don't think the plant is there anymore. This was back in the early 80's.
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Post by troutkitty on Mar 18, 2012 11:03:21 GMT -5
I'm scared to attempt it, my scoot is FAST though it's a 244cc motor (Honda helix engine) on a 150 frame.. Well it be sufficient for highway use, I can pretty much burn anything off the line and this thing is pretty damn fast for a scooter, anybody ride on the freeway? When I was 14 and stupid I took my 50cc Spree from Slave Lake to High Prairie, 60 miles apart on a highway used mostly by logging trucks. High Prairie had a book store and Slave did not so I felt justified. If my child ever wants a scooter before they are sixteen they're getting one with a collar that won't allow them to leave the town limits. |
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I enjoy the service and back roads. You get to see more of the surroundings and just enjoy the ride. No high wind drag, better fuel efficiency and doesn't over stress my 150. 
