First long distance motorway trip

[Marclev]

Took my XJ6 on its first 300 mile roundtrip today, all motorway.

Some observations, which will hopefully be helpful to other newbies contemplating something similar, and I'd welcome people's views on these:

1. Long motorway trips without the creature comforts of a car can feel like an endurance challenge rather than a fun ride at times. Great as a learning experience but I think it's fair to say not the best use of the bike.

2. At motorway speeds, the only way to steer is to deliberately countersteer. Would probably end up in the central reservation without this!

3.Unlike the steering on a car, a bike requires effort to "unlean".. This is great, as you can set the the angle of lean for a bend, and if you get it right, forget about it until the end of the bend.

4. Sticking to the speed limit is surprisingly difficult, a lot more so than in a car. The bike seems to "want" to go faster.

5. Keeping a constant throttle setting with your hand can get really painful. If ever there was a need for cruise control this is it!

6. The noise really is dangerously loud without ear plugs.

7. Everybody else really is out to kill you.

8. If you haven't got a number plate on the front, forward facing cameras are nothing to worry about (hypothetically if course)

9. Needed to frequently stop at services just to stretch legs, more so than in a car.

[darkhorizon]

They're boring. Be prepared for boredom. And lane changing fools.
____________________
2009 CBF600 - London hack - stolen then recovered - still going!
2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[pinkyfloyd]

1. Long motorway trips without the creature comforts of a car can feel like an endurance challenge rather than a fun ride at times.

And terribly boring.

2. At motorway speeds, the only way to steer is to deliberately countersteer. This want thought on my training and if I hadn't picked it up from the Internet and tought myself I feel like I may well have ended up in the central reservation!

It is easy to figure out. I managed it and I now use the motorway every day

3.Unlike the steering on a car, a bike requires effort to "unlean".. This is great, as you can set to the angle of lean for a bend, and if you get it right, forget about it until the end of the bend.

No such thing as a bend on a motorway. The road curves so gently it feels straight

4. Sticking to the speed limit is surprisingly difficult, a lot more so than in a car.

XJ6 is more comfortable at 80

5. Keeping a constant throttle setting with your hand can get really painful. If ever there was a need for cruise control this is itp!

You can get a cramp buster (google it)

6. The noise really is dangerously loud without ear plugs.

Music maestro please!

7. Assume everybody else is out to kill you.

8. If you haven't got a number platen on the front, forward facing cameras are nothing to worry about (hypothetically if course)

Yuu'd be surprised at how many bikers are tracked down and fined

9. Needed to occasionally stop at services just to stretch legs.

Rest breaks are important, even in a car.
____________________
illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.