Modern Vespa

Today was my first time driving my new GT60 on the freeway to work. It was terrifying. When I pulled into work, i realized I had a bad headache...my first thought was that my helmet was too tight...then I realized it was because my face had been clenched in a worried expression for over 30 minutes. lol. The wind on the 105 was incredibly strong, and people were zipping by me. The 110 was an easy ride...due its duel laned carpool. The 5 had a lot of big trucks...but was far less windy than the 105.

Anyway....

I MAY try it again....but now i need to relax.

Are you a new rider, or just new to the GT60? If a new rider together, my commendations on surviving a SoCal freeway ride so early in your Vespa "career." I can't speak for everybody, but my *guess* is that freeways/interstates are something most of us worked up to. Sounds like you just jumped right on in!

If you are new to riding altogether, many will recommend the MSF course (as will I), but it will give you mainly the basic riding fundamentals on which you then build. If you're going to keep doing the daily freeway riding thing, go to your local B&N or Borders and pick up a copy of David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" and make sure to read as much of it as soon as you can. The sections about freeway riding will give you some good pointers on where to be in traffic (i.e., lane position), blind spots to avoid - particularly semi-trucks, and managing on- and off-ramp mergers.

Congrats on your purchase, and good luck. Most importanly, ride safe, and take things at YOUR own pace - not that of the traffic around you.

Regards -

Congrats on your first Highway ride!

Interesting huh?

I felt the same way the first few times I hit the highways. I had headaches and stiff muscles. Plus I was super tired all day at work. It was very hard in the beginning.

But the more you do it, the more relaxed you will become.

Sometimes it helps to have two routes to work. Highways and side roads.
I can alternated when I want and avoid the Highways. But you will find that the side routes have their own issues, with heavy traffic and plenty of lights.

You need to learn to relax your arms and neck. Keep loose and don't get stiff and tight. I like to keep adjusting my grip on the handles to keep the blood flowing. I also move my shoulders slightly.

If possible get a friend to ride with you. I followed my BF on the highways on the weekends to start and then he came to work a couple times to ride home with me.

Experience is probably the only thing that will make you relax. Once you conquer that, then you have construction zones, steel grate bridges and grooved concrete to deal with!

Exactly! It sounds like you started out nervous/up tight and so got yourself all wound up.
I picked up my Vespa last weekend from Santa Clarita and rode it back home to Venice Beach using the 14, 5, 405 freeways. I was suprised as to how easy it was on the freeway. I even had to lane split the last half on the 405. The bike did not miss a beat.

If you are a new/inexperienced rider work up to riding the freeways. It's a mental thing. Stay relaxed. A good idea may be to ride the freeways late at night when they are empty just so you get the feel of it w/o traffic buzzing you.

Please for your own safety do not use carpool unless speed is under 55MPH on the freway, you best to stay in second lane, I ride a Motorcyle and a Vespa and I have not made the car pool lane with it. also just relax go with the flow in the slower lanes of traffic. and rember the freeway is safer then the street. Also if you have not got a wind screen get on ASAP it will make your ride much better.

The wind screen should only be the mid size, also relax the arms and hands. if you need rider coaching PM som of us locals

If not look for DVD
Street Smarts and Ride like a Pro.

Thank you all! Yes this was my first ever freeway ride...not just my first ride in my GT60. Very great advice...i will be getting that book for sure. I agree with you that I should stay away from the carpool lane...and stick the 2nd lane...however the 110 has two carpool lanes...and I feel quite safe sticking to the right of the inside lane.

hiya scandell. Years ago I had ridden freeways but only a few times. Then I stopped riding for some years due to near misses with LA drivers. I couldn't stay away from riding though.

Now that I've been commuting again... in the past year or so I've worked my way up to the LA freeways. It definitely took me some time to adjust. I was major head rushed from all of the adrenaline and yes, I got very tired after.

I'm moving from Hollywood to Los Feliz and soon I will be commuting from the east side to Malibu. I checked out my commute on the 10 FWY last night and I'm a lot more relaxed on the freeway than I was. Some dude pulled up next to me and gave me a thumbs up....(must of been my 3 wheels).

I'm sure it is different for everyone on how long it takes for comfort level. The freeway certainly is a surreal and fascinating place (for me), anyways, there is also a joy knowing you'll get home faster.

Ride on.