SPEED! How to get comfortable at speed???

[stw]

Had a 5 outings on the freeway and wonder how to learn to relax and cruise at 70+ ?

The bike feels stable, no wobbles, at ease at high speed. It's not the bike; it's me.

At first on the freeway I'm wary and careful but pretty comfortable at speed. But after a few minutes I feel gripped and too tense, and I notice my speed falling toward 65-60. This seems to be true for me regardless of heavy or light traffic and I notice I'm way too tense about pavement repair or ridge in the lane I have to cross, especially at an angle.  Little bit of buffeting since there's no fairing but doesn't seem like it's the problem.  I lean forward a little and the full-face helmet feels comfortable on the freeway.

Probably just need to get used to if with more freeway riding.

But if you have suggestions for getting past this phase, please let me know.

[kevin_stevens]

Go driving with the car windows down.  It helps get used to the noise and buffeting, and makes the next-lane traffic seem visually much closer.

KeS

[GRN]

Or skip the slab, 2 laners are far more enjoyable.

[Blunder]

There's no quick and easy fix. There's the slow gaining of experience by riding more, mixing in all kinds of roads as you explore the world via a motorcycle. Ya, it's long and requires patience, but it's fun, so you got that goin' fer ya.  

Stay off the freeways as much as possible until you gain some experience and comfort on your bike. You got one thing working in your favor; you seem to be aware of road conditions, just don't lock in on them to the exclusion of everything else. It's a very dynamic and fluid environment out there and it sometimes seems as if it all is conspiring to kill you.

Have fun!

[mugwump58]

Stay in your comfort zone. It'll either change over time or it won't, but then you'll always be in your comfort zone.

[FiremanBob]

Lift your eyes, look farther down the road and anticipate everything farther in advance.  If your vision horizon is too short, everything looks like it is rushing up at you. If you lengthen your view, the world comes at you more slowly. Your focus should generally be at least 12 seconds ahead of where you are; i.e., where you will be in at least 12 second. This way you have more time to respond to changing conditions such as potholes, obstacles and lane-changing cages and you won't feel so rushed.

This should enable you to relax your grip and enjoy the ride more.

[Cablebandit]

Cruise along at 80.  Pretty soon 70 will feel like you're standing still.

[UHOH]

Lift your eyes, look farther down the road and anticipate everything farther in advance.  
If your vision horizon is too short, everything looks like it is rushing up at you.
If you lengthen your view, the world comes at you more slowly...

The Fireman speaks on target.

[richak]

   Grip the bike with your legs, use your trunk muscles to hold yourself against the wind, and lighten up your grip on the bars. Your hands and forearms won't tire as much and the bike will be more stable reacting to the road surface without a tight grip on the bars. And what Bob said.

[ANZAC]

A light grip on the bars - keep it loose.  Let the bike move under you and don't grip too hard.  Try resting your left arm on the tank.  Make sure you relax and have a slight curve to your back.

Wear good gear and ear plugs too  

[FiremanBob]

ANZAC brought up a great point. All that wind pounding your eardrums raises the stress level could lead to a pounding headache. Earplugs will keep the inside of your head comfortable.

[doublen675]

Practice makes perfect.  Speed has never bothered me, I was a little skittish after my off a couple years ago and really am still kinda recovering from that.  But it's just a matter of doing it and getting used to it.

[cbsnbiker]

Had a 5 outings on the freeway and wonder how to learn to relax and cruise at 70+ ?

First questions: how much riding experience do you have, and have you taken any rider education courses (e.g. the MSF Basic RiderCourse)?

If you have not taken a riding course, I recommend you do so. Completing the course could give you a big boost in confidence, because you'll have a better handle on how to operate the motorcycle.

Otherwise, just take it easy and gradually work your way up. As you gain experience, you'll also gain confidence.

[GRN]

...have you taken any rider education courses (e.g. the MSF Basic RiderCourse)?

If you have taken a basic course, consider intermediate and advanced courses you can take to expand the tool box. Some are geared more toward technique, some like the on street course are about real life situational awareness... both are invaluable. A quick google scan suggests Utah is unfortunately pretty thin on continued training... MSF ERC which is OK (better than nothing - basic practice on your own bike), and an advanced class http://www.utahsba.com/schools/ART/

[cbsnbiker]

If you have taken a basic course, consider intermediate and advanced courses you can take to expand the tool box. Some are geared more toward technique, some like the on street course are about real life situational awareness... both are invaluable. A quick google scan suggests Utah is unfortunately pretty thin on continued training... MSF ERC which is OK (better than nothing - basic practice on your own bike), and an advanced class http://www.utahsba.com/schools/ART/

+1

The BRC2 (formerly known as ERC) might be just the ticket for him.

[Max Wedge]

First questions: how much riding experience do you have, and have you taken any rider education courses (e.g. the MSF Basic RiderCourse)?

If you have not taken a riding course, I recommend you do so. Completing the course could give you a big boost in confidence, because you'll have a better handle on how to operate the motorcycle.

Otherwise, just take it easy and gradually work your way up. As you gain experience, you'll also gain confidence.

+1. Also, might give ear plugs a try. I started using them on freeway cruises, it makes it much less fatigueing. It reduces the feeling of speed through audible means and lets you concentrate on the ride itself.

[vulcanbill]

Find someone to mentor you through some skills drills on a big ole parking lot or industrial area.  Once you get comfortable with the bike in a variety of situations at varying speeds, you'll be more mentally prepared for what speed means.  Right now it probably means "everything could kill me".  After you have an arsenal of things you can do to protect yourself should something go awry, you'll likely feel more like, "I'm ready for the unknown and can therefore enjoy the ride more".  

Granted, at a certain point, you need to accept the reality that you're road pizza should something go seriously wrong.  However, by drilling certain behaviors into your brain, you dramatically increase your ability to anticipate properly, react properly, and get yourself safe before your brain has time to protest.    I say find a mentor because pushing yourself beyond your known skill set is very difficult when you're alone.  You need to see what limits look like before you can flirt with them.  If you find some psycho that can show you, maybe even on your bike, that it really will stop in 1/2 the amount of space its taking you to stop it, then you'll be more inclined to try harder and get better.  

We've done this for a lot of people and it works.  It can be hard and tedious but I think going out any less than fully prepared is reckless.    

[garry]

I've ridden a shit ton of technical, sporty miles since 2003 (150K miles?) and I still find my GPS-confirmed top speed to be in the 80s most days unless there is some multi-car agro-pass that approaches the ton. I just don't like going fast in a straight line (even at a track day). Give me a road polluted with 25 MPH corners and I'll still try to ride it at my usual70 MPH (give or take a little), but I just don't ever twist the throttle in anger on a straight. I really need to grow a set at track days an hit the rev limiter in top gear on my KTM, but I'm bored by straights. I ride for the curves.

[stw]

Thanks for all the great advice. I've been using it all (whenever I get the chance as winter eases).

Confidence at speed does seem to grow slowly as I keep at it.

I try to ride a piece of freeway regularly, 20 miles at a time, and I'm looking farther down the road and relaxing my grip on the bar, squeezing tank, and leaning forward more.  

Freeway riding is not my favorite or intended kind of riding. But I do have a good commute available on the freeway that is probably safer than picking my way through the dozens and dozens of intersections on the much longer (and not more interesting) commute off the freeway.

Yes, I took the MSF basic rider course, and I drill the skills regularly at parking lot sessions. Also drill higher speed emergency stops. Don't know much about the intermediate course, and we may not have much on the schedule here in Utah, as was mentioned. I've wondered what skill level is needed for the intermediate rider course.

[richak]

  Assuming you passed the beginners course, that should qualify you for the intermediate.