Not a fan of highway cruising

[Stig / Major Tom]

Up early this morning to do some testing and drying of my scooter.
Testing the adjustment I  made to my home-made mud flap on the Burgman and drying the anti-corrosion treatment I  applied  several days ago. Sprayed in areas I cannot reach with a rag.
Rode north on the 70mph highway for 20 mins, then south for nearly an hour here to my coffee village.
What a mind numbing ride!
Light fog and dark....but little traffic.
Just watching the road ahead 12 seconds like the instructor said....interested in how much the Dr P sliders lower the revs once above 50mph.
Cannot imagine touring on the highway for days at a time....even though they are much safer than riding or driving on surface roads.
Will go home on 45mph  county roads....
Stig
PS, nothing flew off in the mirrors, no flaming engine when I dismounted. So, tests went well.

[ScooterWolf]

I've found riding on the highway oddly comforting, but it's best when your bike is at it's peak -- good tire's, oil levels, and good weather as well.
Feeling anything off will magnifying stress and lower the experience into a hardship. Good back roads, twists and views trumps anything else though.
Find that, and you're good.

- Wolf

[Redk]

IMO, the bet way between A and B is a freeway, with limited access, IF on a long journey with time constraints.

At all other times I have a preference for the scenic route, at lower speeds.

Crossing Texas, or N to S Nevada...  all the HP I can get and bury the needle !
redk

[Mr. Paul]

After work today I road the Helix to Gainesville Ga. to visit my mom. Half of the ride is Highway 400. They call it the Alpharetta Autobahn. Rode the highway at 70 mph with no issues. But I enjoy the 55 mph back roads much more.(at 60 mph) It is a much more scenic, quieter, and enjoyable ride.

[hypophthalmus]

Where I am in Texas, even the full access highways are generally 60-70mph, and speeding is still common. They're still emphatically nicer than the interstates though, and barely slower if at all.

It might be possible to stick to slower roads here, but it would require careful planning and be rather convoluted. And you'd probably encounter a fair number of dirt/gravel roads.

[Scooter Dan]

Where I am in Texas, even the full access highways are generally 60-70mph, and speeding is still common. They're still emphatically nicer than the interstates though, and barely slower if at all.

It might be possible to stick to slower roads here, but it would require careful planning and be rather convoluted. And you'd probably encounter a fair number of dirt/gravel roads.

Got that right about the state highways having similar posted speeds as the interstates. That's why I ditched my PS200 for the BW250. Now I can keep up with traffic without riding the shoulder. I'm amazed how fast this little scooter can go. The other day I took it up to 85 but bike is very buzzy at that speed. 70 is comfortable and 60 is relaxed. Nice having a scoot that can do it all.

[Redk]

Rode the highway at 70 mph with no issues.

Mr Paul, your 93 Helix must be more powerful and faster than my 87.
My indicated speed is not close to yours.
Today, the little panel that showed green, labelled as OIL, is now showing red.
Oil is properly full, yet can use a change.
I'm concerned.
redk

[MJR]

Mr Paul, your 93 Helix must be more powerful and faster than my 87.
My indicated speed is not close to yours.

I seem to recall topping out on my '87 in the range of 70-75 mph locally.

[Mr. Paul]

Mr Paul, your 93 Helix must be more powerful and faster than my 87.
My indicated speed is not close to yours.
Today, the little panel that showed green, labelled as OIL, is now showing red.
Oil is properly full, yet can use a change.
I'm concerned.
redk

Hey Red! My Helix tops out at a true 73 mph on level ground. Sometimes a little faster. It will cruise at 70 pretty well. A hill will slow it  to around 68
(Unless it is doing the loss of power thing) Are you concerned about the oil?

[scrollderf]

To RedK:
"<Oil is properly full, yet can use a change.">
That Green/Red indicator is only a mileage counter. When it turns Red you are to change oil. There is no oil filter, so mileage between changes is very short (I think it is only 1000 miles). Good thing it only takes about 1 quart of oil and is super easy to change.

[Redk]

Yes, it does seem as though I am lagging a little.
I'm not overly concerned.  It is now 30 years old, and new to me, so I'm not anxious to squeeze the last bit out of it.
When I first got it, there was a bit of a judder as the clutch engaged, then a noticeable strum in the belt.
I suspect it had spent a lot of time at lowest speeds, off and on the throttle at the grab point.
Now I've learned to ride it more aggressively and I just Go.  The judder has gone by the wayside and most of the strum in the belt also.
I will inspect all that stuff over this next winter.
I can ride it like it's borrowed from a friend and still enjoy these summer months.

Freeway cruising speeds?  I will have more personal knowledge of my People 250 once it's serviceable and won't have reservations about higher speed because it's far newer and does have 16" wheels.
redk