My bike "too small" for highway? | GTAMotorcycle.com

My bike "too small" for highway?

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niagara1

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Greetings folks,

I'm a new rider and will be taking my M2 course next week which means I'll be able to get on the 400 series highways.

I ride a 1987 Yamaha Virago 535. I have been told by many (well-meaning) riders that my bike is not suitable for riding on 400 series highways. Here are some of the reasons presented.


  1. Not enough power in a 535 Virago to accelerate quickly when at 100 km/hr+ so I won't be able to avoid situations by rapidly accelerating if needed.
  2. Car drivers are notoriously oblivious to motorcycles. The Virago 535 is a small-ish bike and will be even more invisible than a larger bike.
  3. The Virago's only 410 lbs. I'm 215 lbs. The combined weight is so light that I will be severely buffeted by the winds from passing trucks which will put me in danger due to increased potential for losing control.

Now, while I'm a new rider, I used to be a driving instructor at Young Drivers of Canada. I drank the defensive-driving Kool Aid and am a very aware driver. I'm even more aware of traffic on the bike.

So, my question to you - is defensive driving enough? Do I need more power? It's been suggested that my bike's only good for commuting locally and it's been strongly implied I would be a fool to even consider riding into the Toronto area on the QEW and that I'd be a moron to take my bike on the 401. These sentiments are coming from riders who've been riding for longer than my 40+ years on this earth. While I appreciate their concern for my well being, I'd like to hear the perspectives of people who are riding the 400 series highways in the GTA. The people I'm talking to don't.

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!
 
Why do you listen so much to what other people say.
Your bike is fine for highway.
 
The best thing to do is try it. Regardless of the bike highways are dangerous if you drive poorly and sit in blind spots, weave between traffic.

Lots of people told me my 250 was too slow for the highway too, its pretty fast. I don't have rocket like acceleration (at any speed), I just look ahead and try and stay out of potential bad situations. To me highways feel 10X safer than city streets, I only need to worry about cars flowing one way. I don't need to worry about cross traffic, I just look at the cars infront and comming up behind, leave myself room.

All of my close calls have been on city streets, have not had one yet on 401...knock on wood.
 
My worst close call was in the country, straight stretch of road, intersection with a flashing warning light. Never hasd anything on the QEW, 401, 403, 402, 400. I always keep an eye on vehicles around me and if a taxi,faster car or weaver is coming by, assume they will do something stupid. I am seldom disappointed.

I rode a250 Rebel on highway 11 in northern Ontario and found it hard to pass a transport. Once you are going 110 there is not much left for that machine. After that I went to a 750 and have not looked back.
 
Low rider said:
Your bike is fine for highway.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

OP - I'm 5'4" and ride a 500R. I have no issues with it at all on the highway. I've even ridden 2up with saddle bags and had no issues getting up to speed.

Your bike is fine. Just ride safely, enjoy and "ride your own ride".


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00ninja said:
Agreed.

OP - I'm 5'4" and ride a 500R. I have no issues with it at all on the highway. I've even ridden 2up with saddle bags and had no issues getting up to speed.

Your bike is fine. Just ride safely, enjoy and "ride your own ride".


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Click to expand...

But your 500R has a fair bit more get up and go.

Personally, I would be uncomfortable on a Virago 535 on the 400 highways. Too under-powered.
 
People who don't ride on the highway have told you that your cruiser is only good for riding local city streets?

Hahahahahahaha


Adapt your riding style to match the capabilities of the bike, and you should be fine (i.e. plan your maneuvers ahead of time, keep a safe distance around you, learn your bike's limits, etc...).
 
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My sister and brother both rode Honda 350's on the hiway. Enjoy it. (Sunday mornings are always a good time to try it out)
 
You need a super sport. If I was in your shoes I would be selling that wimpy 535 and shopping for a Triumph 675.
 
A 535 Virago is plenty big enough for highway use. Let me guess, you are riding with a group of guys on larger cruisers and they are trying to get you to upsize your ride. Many years ago I rode a CB350 and used it to commute on the 401 with no issues at all. That bike had far less power than your 535 and it was fine on the 401.

The overall size of the bike will not make it any more noticeable to cagers. I ride a bright red ST1100 and many don't seem to be able to see me either. Defensive riding techniques will be your best way to cope with highway traffic, much like city traffic.

All bikes, even larger touring bikes can be affected by cross-winds and buffeting from large trucks. Sometimes the larger bikes are affected more because there is more surface area for the wind to catch. A smaller bike is less of a wind barrier and might actually be less of a problem under some wind conditions.

Continue to ride your bike until you feel it is time for a change.
 
Give me an effing break... Too under powered??? Can someone please give me one scenario where you would have to ACCELERATE out of a situation? I can't honestly think of one.

OP, I've ridden my DRZ on the highway many times doing 100 in the right hand lane. I'm pretty sure my bike is only about that much weight, or lighter. Mine may be better visually, but I'm also way higher to be buffeted by winds. Yes, people seem to drive too close behind me, but I'm not going to further risk my life by speeding away, only for them to speed up and stay too close. They drive to close not because they want to pass me, or for me to go faster, but because they don't understand that I don't want them so close just in case I wipe out.
 
if a 125cc can go on the 400-series highway just fine (dry weight approx 280lbs), i can't see why yours can't.

Advice by some "experience" riders are sometimes not really suitable for new riders, as they definitely can handle higher powered bikes and they don't put themselves into your shoe and think in a new rider perspective.
 
I saw a guy on a Bergman 400 scooter riding on the 401, 3 days ago. If he can do it i don't see why an actual motorcycle can't. If/when you are passing or being passed by a large truck just move to the part of the lane furthest from the truck, this should help limit some of the buffeting.
 
MattB said:
But your 500R has a fair bit more get up and go.
Click to expand...

True. But not much more.

It's more about planning my maneuvers like lane changes and passing. It's also about "knowing" my bike which helps when determining when and if I need to down shift for passing as an example.

I think the OP should go for a ride early on a Sunday morning and decide If he is comfortable at highway speed on his bike as others have suggested.


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Most people, well meaning or not, are morons. Don't pay attention to peoples opinions. Ride it and find out.
 
Your bike is fine for highway riding. I started with a Vulcan 500 and tacked on close to 60k km on my mostly highway riding (it topped out at 120 though).
 
OP Your bike is fine for highway riding - you just need to be willing to use the shifter when needed.

As for the Burgman 400 comment - it has a much more flexible CVT transmission than a standard transmission motorcycle so makes better use of the smaller engine. He's ALWAYS in the right gear.

We used to ride much smaller displacement machines on the major highways at well above the posted limits ;) - it's how willing you are to use your rpm and shifters. Some of the smaller bikes can wind up to 13,000 rpm with 6 speed transmissions.

In a heavy headwind you will notice your lowish power band so stick with the right or middle lane and stay out of the nutso high speed lane.
 
Seriously, what retarded riders are you hearing this from?

I rode for a year on a Kawisaki Vulcan 500 and on the 400 series highways in my second year of riding. It's not what you ride, but how you ride it and your ability to control yourself and the bike.

Can your vehicle do a 100km for an hour or more? Because the last time I checked that's the speed limit on the 400 series highways. And since the only lanes that have a blocking position are the right and left, You should be fine. The right lane rarely exceeds a 100 so the need for extreme accelaration for passing is also rare. Stay out of other drivers blind spots. With regards to truck, stay in his mirrors or be in front of the truck so that you can see the truck in your rearview mirrors.

Try to practice out on Sunday mornings when traffic is a little lighter. Good luck and safe riding. God Speed.
 
I rode with a friend who had a 500 Shadow from Baltimore to Toronto and back again the next day with no issue.

A friend and I rode his LTD 250 to Toronto and back on the QEW many times when we were in high school.

I rode my GS400E at excessive speeds on the 400's all the time.

Tell your friends to put the crack pipe down and quit giving out false information. If they said they don't find the 535 an enjoyable highway ride, that's a little different. If you've been told you will lose control from a passing truck I suggest speaking to someone who has actually ridden a motorcycle.
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