Motorcycle Tips for Riding on the Highway

On longer rides, I tend to stop about every 100-120 miles or a couple of hours. Gas up, get a drink, restroom, and walk around a bit. That way, you get to hit the road 'fresh' and I feel better at the end of 8-10 hours of travel. Just a though

I’m really digging this “Tips for riding…” series. It’s good stuff to consider.

Great discussion Kevin. I agree with you on the value of a full-face helmet and hearing protection as a strategy to help with wind buffet. It amazes me that riders still take their machines out on the highway with no helmet or hearing protection. It doesn't take long for that wind pounding in your ears to make you tired and less focused. What's the advantage to no helmet? It makes you look badass? Laughable.

I love the fact that my bike has a windshield can be electronically moved up and down when I want to deal with wind and vision.

One of my first highway experiences was having an 18 wheeler blow by me at 70-75 mph while I was accelerating onto a that highway. Really puts things into perspective for you. As for tickets you may get when trying to keep safe out there I'll quote Dan Dan the Fireman "it's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6!" I think one of the first things they should say in any driving course is from Braveheart "first we must teach you to use this! (points to the kids head) Then we can teach you to use this" (points to sword but for our purposes insert a car or motorcycle) All to often I feel drivers turn their engines on and their brains off. Stay safe out there!

Thank you Kevin, God bless you and your family.

As far as speed goes, I know a piece of advice I've been given is to go a little faster than the flow of traffic, so you have to worry less about cars behind you. I typically try to pass until I get to a relatively open section of road, and from there I can cruise. My main objective in any traffic is giving myself space from cars in *all directions*. I'd rather not be stuck in someone's blind spot or get caught in a pileup.

Good video, I completely agree with a windshield and a helmet for the highway/freeway. A couple of weeks ago we had a hot spell here in Illinois so I decided to take the windshield off my Yamaha 650 for relief while running errands in town. A few days later I had to run out to the motorcycle club to do some work. Although the ride was only 7 miles it reminded me of why I like windshields, the blast was horrible and couldn't wait to get home and put the windshield back on. The best advice I give myself for highway travel on 2-lanes are keeping an eye on the traffic around me, sudden vehicles pulling on the road and loose gravel where gravel roads meet with paved roads. On the interstate I like to keep an eye on the big truck traffic and what's coming up behind me. On the interstate you always have that caravan of speeding cars running a lot faster than everyone else and they can come up on you suddenly when least expected, especially when wanting to pass a semi-truck. I like two lanes for the connection you get when going through small towns and seem they are safer than interstates, but interstates are great for covering ground fast and have more services at hand.

I agree with your recommendation about windscreen height. Another issue I have with tall windscreens is that they obstruct my vision ahead. I also don't like looking "through" a windscreen as it can distort what lies ahead.

As a trucker and rider, please pay attention to everything Kevin said about riding around trucks!

When riding on 2 lane highways, I usually move to the right wheel trough when encountering oncoming 18 wheelers to reduce the effect of the air dam and subsequent turbulence they produce.

My most often used component of road strategy is to move to a more left lane, if possible, anytime I see more than 1 car coming down the on ramp at my right. Inevitably, one of the non-leading cars wants to accelerate around and past those who are ahead. No looking, no care, no signal, just selfishness. That car is your immediate threat.

Hi Kevin, thank you for another great video. One thing I would add (or highlight) is to NOT let your fuel reserves get too low, or try to "push through" to the next town or petrol station. If you're taking regular breaks as you should be, it should be no trouble to top up the tank each time you stop. Much better than running out of fuel kilometres (or miles) before the next available fuel... especially in Australia! Cheers from Oz. 👍👍🇦🇺

When there are 3 or more lanes of traffic going in my direction, I like to pick one of the center lanes, I feel it gives me two escape routes. When riding sort of heave to heavy traffic, I don't like to in any one lane position too long, like to wander around a little, I feel it keeps the ones behind from starting to just look through you and eventually forget about you, plus the movement is more likely to keep the attention of the one in front. Yes, you MUST be able to see way up ahead like you always state, but, the being seen part and staying on others minds is equally important to me. Love your videos

Switched from big touring Harley(s) to a can am Spyder due to back and hip issues. It did take an adjustment as to riding style and road strategy, and also increased my comfort level with road conditions on streets and highways. The increased presence and footprint really made weather and road conditions less of an issue for me.

My windshield experiences differs greatly. Harley Softail with windshield cut to about 2" below eye level. I can see over the top and through it. The wind is diverted over my helmet perfectly. In fact I can put my hand on my helmet at cruising speed, then lift my hand just above the helmet before I feel the wind really hit my hand. I certainly don't have a bunch of turbulence hitting the back of my helmet, either. For me, there is no need to cut down the windshield and take the wind in the chest.

Two main rules for the highway - Always maintain a maximum following distance in front and behind, and don't speed. The only "flow of traffic" that is higher than the speed limit is in the left lanes and you can't maintain following distance in front and behind you in the left lanes. I say do most of your riding in the right lane with a comfortable buffer and let speeders go past you in the left lanes. No need whatsoever to keep up with them. I've ridden across the US several times and I love highway riding. But I never exceed the speed limit for anything more than a temporary pass. And yes, don't follow trucks. In 1998 a truck ahead of me blew a tire and it landed right in front of me at 60 MPH. Somehow I drove over it without wiping out.

About the helmet issue: I wear a Shoei Neotech II. It has a top vent. The wind noise around the top vent is loud. I bought a slightly higher windscreen for my 2024 Road Glide, and the noise disappeared. But I created just the problem you warned about in the video where I have to sit up straight and crane my neck to see over the windscreen’s distorting top edge or I have to crouch down to see through the screen. I’m going to put the original windscreen back on and change to a Shoei full-faced helmet with no top vent. Also, I noticed that Earpeace has different grades of sound reduction: an adjustment there is also in order.

Thnak you for your videos - as a new rider these tips are very helpful and informative - please keep it up!

How about a clip talking about riding cool in hot weather? Here is how I ride in 100 degree plus, weather and never break a sweat: First a short sleeve Cotton Tee shirt (wet), then a polyester tee shirt long sleeve (wet), next a evaporating cooling vest (wet) and last a mesh riding jacket> When its 98-105 at 3pm it feels like 72-75 and last for about 2-3 hours. SO, at stops I just recharge with a bottle of water down the collar and one down the back of the neck. It works like a charm.