Interstate riding versus 2 lane roads

[marcusknight]

For you guys that ride long trips, do you prefer riding on the interstate to cover as much ground as you can in the least time, or do you prefer to take 2 lane non interstate roads even though it would take longer?

For me, I would prefer I think to avoid interstate as much as practically possible. It annoys me dealing with semi truck traffic and random inattentive drivers, especially big city traffic.

Or am I just a young dorky guy that has not done enough serious riding?


:headscratch: :headscratch: :headscratch:

 

[Ansimp]

The more twists the better. That said if you want to cover 1000+ miles in a day you can't beat the interstates as far as I am concerned. Also riding in LA meant coming to grips with interstates and traffic pretty quickly. It was 80 miles between my brother's place in OC to Steve83's in Altadena and I did that trip I think almost a half dozen or so times :yes: :moped: :good:

 

[dan filipi]

I like both. Actually since I can't ride as much as I like I prefer to run the side roads most of the day where it's quieter with less traffic then at days end run the interstate home.
You just need to get hours on the interstate. You'll get used to it.

 

[IBAJIM]

Depends what slab & two-lane you are talking about. I like the slab & two-lanes outside the metropolitan areas, but neither inside. Can't beat the slab when doing an IBA ride ( https://ironbutt.com ) , but adding a little bit of two-lane is a welcome change.

 

[brianinpa]

Last summer I rode to the Deals Gap area of North Carolina/Tennessee. To get there I rode the super slabs and to get home I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive. The ride down took 12 hours. The ride home took three days. I would much rather ride at a slower pace and enjoy it.

 

[zman]

Don't much care for the one horse towns with speed traps, towns economy depends on traffic revenues and some will fool you into speed traps. If I know the area I will but I don't go exploring.
I know whats coming on the interstate, never had a problem.

 

[Ansimp]

Reminds me of Page Az!!

 

[HockeyFan]

It all depends on your goals, my first cross country trip I decided to get off the east coast as fast as possible so by the afternoon of the third day I was in the Badlands SD. Stuck to the side roads through to Salt Lake City UT then slab city until I hit Cali. PCH is not one I'll trade for an easy day in the interstate if I can help it. Kansas however is a lean into the wind and get it done kind of place.

 

[Winger 82]

All depends on what's available , prefer 2 lanes but if the slab is only 20 min. or so we might take it just to get to some more 2 lanes quicker :ahem: :ahem: :moped: :moped: :moped: :moped:

 

[rob.lafady]

Agreed, it all depends on what your up to. For a nice afternoon jaunt, you can't beat the back roads, if you need to get somewhere quickly, take the freeway, either way your on two wheels in the wind! [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

 

[Denver]

As most of my rides are day trips, 20 to 45 min of highway to the ride. Then go generally south, southwest, or southeast, round about on 2 lane blacktop, mostly secondary state routes, for better part of the day, & then head to the interstate north, 2-3 hr's later I'm home. One of my favorites involves about 2 hrs highway & 6-7 on 2 lane rds. So I like both :smilie_happy:

 

[joedrum]

yep

 

[wilcoy02]

I will be doing the super slab on my trip up to Alaska. Too many driveways and places where I could get into trouble with the cagers.

Coming back from Alaska I hope to use the other roads just to really see America.

 

[Retroyz]

The bottom line is that there is no right or wrong answer here. The interstate is quick and easy and there is little chance of getting lost or getting a speeding ticket. The back roads are generally more scenic and, since you are not going as fast, you will better enjoy it.

I also might depend on your ride. My GL1100I is screaming at 5000 rpm to go 75 mph. Yes, I know they can handle it, but I wish it was geared a bit higher.

I would say if you have the time then take the back roads.

 

[stanlw]

Nearest Interstate is around a hundred mile away down here, so do a lot of riding on 2 lane roads.

 

[Denver]

That's the HUGE difference between 1100 & 1200's. As I recall 4,000 RPM's= 60 M P H, on 1100's, on my 1200's its about 80 @ 4,000 RPM's. Big difference, & top end is the most of any wing, @ 151 mph, per MCS motorcyclespecs.co.za/Honda/Honda gl1200... :good:

 

[desertrefugee]

This was a neat topic I missed the first time around. Believe it or not, it was one of those related topics at the bottom of the page for the "75 versus 2001 wing".

The pros and cons for secondary road vs. superslab have been laid out pretty well. In a hurry? Slab. Not in a rush? Two lanes. Even so, here out west, two lanes don't necessarily mean you don't make good time. My riding buddy is a human GPS (even though we use a real one). We avoid the slabs because that's not where America is. I've seen things that I'd never have seen because of this.

To wit: A memory seared into my brain was a trip a while back to South Dakota. Chased by monsoon rains the entire time, half of our intended camping nights were in motel rooms. Never got truly soaked, but we did less camping than expected.

But this night...

Coming across the Zuni Indian Reservation in NW New Mexico, it was a beautiful ride, good weather and we were going to camp this night. Stopped for supplies on the res. Drank much red wine, ate antelope steaks, corn and potatoes while camped on a cliff overlooking a broad valley with the most incredible lightning show I'd ever seen to our south. It stayed to the south and the stars blazed over us.

Seared into my brain. I seriously think I had a religious experience. Maybe it was the wine.

 

[sledge]

I live in the North East Tn. Mountains , about 40 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway , and 90 miles from Gatlinburg . I ride I-81 & I-40 to Knoxville sometimes , but....not much , but I Love riding the Mountain roads and the Parkway ......... :music:

 

[joedrum]

riding its always t 2 lane and as country as i can find ...if im traveling its superslab all the way...im useally late before i go LOL

 

[mcgovern61]

sledge » Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:23 pm[/url]":10xgkbxl]
I live in the North East Tn. Mountains , about 40 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway , and 90 miles from Gatlinburg . I ride I-81 & I-40 to Knoxville sometimes , but....not much , but I Love riding the Mountain roads and the Parkway ......... :music:

81 can be a bear with trucks! My daughter and her family live in Abingdon, VA and we come down I-81 quite a bit. It sure is nice scenery though up through the mountains. I want to do Skyline drive on the bike for my next trip down there, but it will take a lot longer.