Topic: CB550 on the highway

[Mr.D]

So today I took my 77 CB550F out on a *major* highway for the first time (the QEW for those in Ontario who know)... I'm still relatively new to riding and this is my first bike....I've had it out on all other kinds of roads and it feels great. But basically i felt like a leaf in the wind out there on this highway, doing 110-115 and cars still ripping past me.  A bit of a hairy experience to say the least. 
So i'm just wondering, do you guys often ride on major highways with your 550s?  Do you just get used to being blown around a bit and learn how to handle it?  Do you change your riding position at all?

[LesterPiglet]

I gues you are talking KMH not MPH.
I don't avoid our motorways, the bike has more than enough to hold it's own against other traffic. I usually do around 80MPH on Mways.

[Sprocket75]

HA! I had to read it twice! I thought he said 110-115 MPH... Which would explain the "leaf in the wind" sensation. 

[robvangulik]

Always ride faster than other traffic, even on a 400 no problem
http://youtu.be/Ck55EDJY2sg

[TwoTired]

No roads are verbotten for the Cb550.  Dirt roads with deep ruts are an exception though.
You must drive more alertly and even more aggressively than 99% of the auto drivers out there.  They are trying to kill you, you know.  Only you can prevent that.
One strategy is keeping visible in the windshield of all the cars, because it is proven that auto drivers don't understand mirrors and god forbid that they swivel their head on their necks.  But, it really doesn't matter much.  Because if they scan, they are only looking for threats to them.  Motorcycles/motorcyclists don't qualify for any attention or concern.  When people havea fixed gaze ahead, you need to wave your hand in front of their eyes

Wind is always a factor you learn to cope with.  Ever walk a straight line in a storm?  Exhilarating!  I was surprised to learn that the Vetter fairing made operations in crosswinds easier.  I expected the opposite, beforehand.

[Frostyboy]

Although you said you feel like a leaf in the wind, you didn't actually say that it was a windy day.  I wonder if you meant the bike felt unstable? It might be time to check swing arm bushes & make sure the steering head bearings aren't loose perhaps. What tires are you running? (See I spelt "tyres" "tires" for my American friends?) 
High cross winds will affect most any bike, but there's a difference if you're wobbling around at speed. Also, go for a run with a friend & check your speedo for accuracy perhaps?

[drj434343]

As a new rider myself who started on a CB500, I can say my first experiences on our freeways here in Portland were similar; and we have speed limits of 90 kph.  Part of the feeling for me was the buzziness of the bike at those speeds (it sounds like I'm flying!), combined with the wind gusts from trucks and general traffic navigation and congestion.  It can be quite unnerving for the first time rider, and I still do feel like a little "leaf" when taking it out on a freeway.  The other unexpected contributor was doing it on a naked bike; wind pressures even at 90 kph are substantial if you've never experienced them before.  I do agree that either the 500 or 550 has plenty of power to keep up with traffic at any speed. 

The other factors I mentioned above are what drove me to try out a larger full fairing bike for super slab riding.  I went with a BMW R100RS, which has a full fairing, steering damping, and is geared for high speed cruising so it doesn't sound buzzy on the highway.  Now the CB500 gets to go around town and on back country roads while the R100RS gets high speed cruising; and with the advantages it has, I arrive a lot less flustered.  The advantages from the full fairing alone are substantial; when you remove the buffeting effects of the wind from speed and from vehicles, the experience is MUCH less daunting.

There are guys that commute on their 500's and 550's every day.  I guess I'm not an iron butt in that regard.

[bjbuchanan]

You have to get used to the feel of the wind on you with that naked bike. I have only been riding for about a year now and I remember the first time at 65 mph on my 750, felt like I could practically be blown right off the bike. You get used to it. First time I hit 80 was wild, 100 is interesting on these old bikes

Also you have to get used to revs. They give the illusion of being on a rocket ship, you feel like you are really cruising but it is just the character of the bike. Comfortable cruising speed on these is getting near red line rpm for cars

[Stev-o]

Years ago, I toured the US on a Kaw 1000, great bike for that. Then I got interested in vintage bikes and bought a CB550F.  I also felt like a "leak in the wind" on the highway and did not like it.
Bought a CB750 and like how it feels on the highway much better.
Still have a 550, but is ridden mostly around town and rarely on the highway.

[Bankerdanny]

Didn't ever have a problem on mine, and Chicago area highways are as busy as they come.

[Damfino]

I also felt like a "leak in the wind" on the highway and did not like it.

Confucius say, he who take leak in wind, end up with wet pants!   

[Frostyboy]

I also felt like a "leak in the wind" on the highway and did not like it.

Confucius say, he who take leak in wind, end up with wet pants!   

NYUK,NYUK,NYUK! Now that's funny!   

[Rgconner]

The 550 is pretty solid on the freeway. I have a little tombstone windscreen that keeps the wind buffing down. I can take my hands off the throttle and she will track straight as an arrow.

You want squirrely? I can loan you my P200 with 10 inch wheels some time... it is like a rocket powered roller-skate.

[Mr.D]

Thanks for all the comments guys.  Yeah I should have clarified I suppose, that was KPH! 
It was a bit of a windy day, and especially going over the Burlington Skyway was a bit daunting, but yeah i think like some of you mentioned most of it was just the wind pressure against me that I wasn't used to and the high revs, mirrors vibrating to the point where i couldn't see a thing...i was probably much more tense than I needed to be.  I'll probably relax more with experience.
I can see why guys buy bigger bikes now though...something that weighs 3 times as much as my 550 must feel a heck of a lot more comfortable!

[Mr.D]

Although you said you feel like a leaf in the wind, you didn't actually say that it was a windy day.  I wonder if you meant the bike felt unstable? It might be time to check swing arm bushes & make sure the steering head bearings aren't loose perhaps. What tires are you running? (See I spelt "tyres" "tires" for my American friends?) 
High cross winds will affect most any bike, but there's a difference if you're wobbling around at speed. Also, go for a run with a friend & check your speedo for accuracy perhaps?

Thanks for the advice!  I don't think it was the bike that was unstable though, I think it was the gusts of wind that kind of shook me around a bit that i wasn't used to. The tires on the bike are the ones that came with it when i bought it, the front one is Dunlop Gold Seal F11 100/90-19 and the rear one is Challenger 110/90-18.  Don't know if they are good or not.  I'll probably replace them in the Spring.

[turboguzzi]

holding on tightly to the bars is a common beginners mistake, it's even worse off-road/motocross where your arms will pump up in no time if you dont relax your grip.

you can adjust quite a bit your bum position on a 550's seat so you are more canted fwd = less weight on wrists and handlebars.

[Mr.D]

Always ride faster than other traffic, even on a 400 no problem
http://youtu.be/Ck55EDJY2sg

Cool clip! Awesome bike!  Do you find the little fairing makes a big difference?

[Fritz]

Hey,

110-115 kph translates to "violent storm" on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale

I often do 160 kph ("hurricane")  on my CB 550 and I don't feel uncomfortable at that.
A good "silent" full face helmet helps, maybe some ear protection. Of course you should take care of everything that might produce wobble: Tires, steering and wheel bearings, swingarm bushings and suspension.

Cheers
Carsten

[70CB750]

Hey,

110-115 kph translates to "violent storm" on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale


Cheers
Carsten

I like it, looks like there is no life in speed under violent storm

[Lostboy Steve]

I gues you are talking KMH not MPH.
I don't avoid our motorways, the bike has more than enough to hold it's own against other traffic. I usually do around 80MPH on Mways.

Thats my cruising speed.... No issues at all.

[Duanob]

Always ride faster than other traffic, even on a 400 no problem
http://youtu.be/Ck55EDJY2sg

Cool clip! Awesome bike!  Do you find the little fairing makes a big difference?

A small fairing can make a big difference. Mine is a Spitfire, a bit bigger than the cafe style. Considering that you are the one that gets buffered around as much as the bike. If the wind doesn't effect you, the rider, the difference is a smoother ride at speed. As far as semi trucks and busses you get used to them and how to ride through the "air wake" they put out. It is a learning experience. I remember riding my little CB360 with a sissy bar on the freeway. Anything over 85MPH and the front end would start to lift. Talk about a greasy feeling. 

[Deltarider]

On German autobahns I used to cruise at 140 km/h for hours and I never felt unsafe. I should ad that to get a licence here, you have to go through a thorough training (like cops do).

[evanphi]

I had the same experiences when I first took my 750 on the highway too! I just hunker down now, and my standard cruising speed is 130KPH, revving at 5K in top gear. I feel safer always being ahead of people (who usually cruise around 120KPH in my part of New Brunswick), and my throttle seems to just settle in around that speed when I am tucked in to streamline myself.

I ride with an open face 3/4 helmet with a bubble shield, and EAR PROTECTION. This I can't stress enough. You feel SO MUCH MORE RELAXED when you don't have that constant SHHHHHSHJDSHJKDSHKSDHKSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH in your ears. At highway speeds, your ears aren't doing you any good in terms of hearing traffic, so ear plugs are a no brainer! Your EYES are all that will keep you aware of danger. I'm also an audiologist, so it is my professional obligation to tell you (all) that extended periods of highway riding can cause noise-induced hearing loss!

[Deltarider]

I ride with an open face 3/4 helmet with a bubble shield, and EAR PROTECTION. This I can't stress enough. You feel SO MUCH MORE RELAXED when you don't have that constant SHHHHHSHJDSHJKDSHKSDHKSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH in your ears. At highway speeds, your ears aren't doing you any good in terms of hearing traffic, so ear plugs are a no brainer! Your EYES are all that will keep you aware of danger. I'm also an audiologist, so it is my professional obligation to tell you (all) that extended periods of highway riding can cause noise-induced hearing loss!

You are absolutely right! I've been lucky. It seems I have escaped severe hearing damage, although I must have some. In the past I was quite nonchalant about protecting my ears. Not now anymore. I always wear earplugs. It's a must!!! And whenever you need a helmet, choose the one that prooved most silent in tests.

[dave500]

i use cotton wool it just takes the edge off,i feel proper ear plugs cut off too much noise for me.