First (brief) trip onto the expressway

[AlanCT]

I drove my hack down to the shore to work on my wife's uncle's Virago for him. I took backroads, but decided to brave the freeway for about ten miles to get around a small city, and to satisfy my morbid curiosity about how this machine not meant for freeways would do.

I was pleasantly surprised. I kept my speed around 60-65 mph, which was not a problem on I-395 (in Eastern CT) because it is lightly trafficked. The motor seemed quite capable and unstrained, the rig tracked straight and steady, all the usual vibrations were gone, and the mirrors were crystal clear! I don't think I would want to ride it all day on the expressway, but it's nice to know that it isn't completely out of the question if necessary now and then.

[Spicy McHaggis]

I felt more comfortable on my '07 GearUp on the expressway than I did when I rode my '06 KLR650 on it...

[gec343]

My Tourist handles very well on the freeways, but I prefer secondary roads. And, yes, the Tourist handles freeways better that my Kawasaki W650.

[George Butz]

Now that the Patrol has almost 10k on it, it does 60mph quite nicely.
I seldom go that fast where I am, but do boot it up a bit on a 4 lane divided parkway.
I think I would be doing the Alternator Adapter bearing "re-do" very soon
if I did 65 for extended periods or commuted every day at the speed.
The alternator must be hittin' 10,000 rpm at that speed.
Otherwise, the engine seemed to be "working", but not "laboring".

[JohnBG]

I've ridden mine for short stretches on the interstate at 65 mph in the right lane. It works quite well.

But that first tailwnd from a tractor trailer was an experience!

Still, I prefer the two lane country road.

[antsaint]

Is it me, or have we been seeing more and more that the slab hasn't been as intimidating for the Ural lately? Maybe it just depends on where you are. I haven't ventured the yet-to-be-named Patrol onto I-5 yet, but it's going to have to get a whirl soon, just to see.

Definitely prefer that backroads riding though. I swear, even the cows look like they grin at a Ural.

[markhas]

Struck up a conversation with another custome while at my local dealer the other day. He was telling me how the 18 wheelers on I94 are going a straight 60 MPH instead of their usual 80 MPH because of the fuel savings. Since I don't have a reason to get on the stuporslabs often this was news to me and your observation is most likely in line with this...

[ChuckDude]

I did about 70 miles of super slab last nite. I picked up my rig from Crawford's after a tranny transplant (under warranty ). I had a meeting to attend later- didn't get outta there until 11:30. Late night, long way to go, 70 mile straight shot on the hwy, maybe 120 miles on the small roads. Not much traffic on a Tuesday.....

I kept her at 55-60 mph per GPS. Most of the big boys were also going 55-60, so life was good. The cool thing was the respect & room they gave me on the road. Several pulled up close enough to check me out & then backed off, staying about 100 yards in back of me. Most all the trucks that passed me gave me LOTS of room. Thanks guys!! In my F-150, they tend to treat me like uhmmm, a bug to be squashed.

I hate expressways in any vehicle, but I won't hesitate to take her on the slab as long as I can putt-putt at 55-60 without fear of being killed. Around here that means late at night.

[Ragman]

There is no way I will take my rig on any of the local freeways, here in Washington. Drivers race at 30 mph over the limit, and bikes fly by on one wheel.. Too crazy for me, I will stick to the roads less traveled.

[chicagorandy]

It does seem that the newer rigs are much better at speed than older models. As those of us with all drum brakes can attest, it isn't so much at what speed you can GO, it's from what speed can you STOP

I will definitely give the braking edge to them new fangled front disks.

Once I get a few hundred clicks on the new Herzog gear tower I'll have to see how Tovarishch responds to higher speeds than the 55mph or so I've already brought it up to for a few stretches. It will get a good workout at the 3x3x3.

The weather is supposed to be pretty good this weekend so perhaps I'll let Tovarishch come along for at least one of my usual runs out to Starved Rock, Utica and the JC Whitney store. The other ride will default to the Honda.

[hard8]

Is it me, or have we been seeing more and more that the slab hasn't been as intimidating for the Ural lately? Maybe it just depends on where you are. I haven't ventured the yet-to-be-named Patrol onto I-5 yet, but it's going to have to get a whirl soon, just to see.

Definitely prefer that backroads riding though. I swear, even the cows look like they grin at a Ural.

Man... I wouldn't get on I-5 in a car. After moving from S. Cal I swore I would never drive that thing again.

Love your blog btw. I read it on my lunch breaks.

[Tin Man]

Took a ride up I-35 and I-20 today and held her at a steady 65mph. With the total lack of wind I was able to maintian that and still had plenty of throttle left. Even found myself passing a few slower vehicle.

[TonyT]

Took the Green Bean (2007 Patrol) out on a ride from Scarborough ON to McAllen TX and back last June-July.

Superslab all the way at 55 - 65 Mph, mostly 60 with short spurts at 70 when no headwind; 600-800 Km days.

Had windshield outbound and managed to install Gene's classic windshield for the inbound. I heartily recommend a windshield when doing long superslab riding. More stable and comfortable. You'll hardly notice the 18 wheelers when they pass.

Had no issues with the bike except for a broken brake spring which I discovered when we changed the pusher wheel.

Started out with about 1700 Km on the clock and it read almost 8800 Km when I got back.

Had lots of fun. Will definitely do it again. I have no more qualms about superslab riding on the Green Bean.

When you ride a URAL, you're not just riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. You're riding a conversation piece

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Barbosa]

Was on the freeway today; a short jaunt of twenty miles or so with my wife in the hack. Never a problem. The rig just hums along like no one's business.

60-65 mph never bothers me or the rig.

[antsaint]

Is it me, or have we been seeing more and more that the slab hasn't been as intimidating for the Ural lately? Maybe it just depends on where you are. I haven't ventured the yet-to-be-named Patrol onto I-5 yet, but it's going to have to get a whirl soon, just to see.

Definitely prefer that backroads riding though. I swear, even the cows look like they grin at a Ural.

Man... I wouldn't get on I-5 in a car. After moving from S. Cal I swore I would never drive that thing again.

Love your blog btw. I read it on my lunch breaks.

Tell me about it - we only run the 5 when we have to, which pretty much would be if we're running up to Portland.

glad you like the blog!