Cranky Pete
Well-known member
Yes. I avoid the 401 (within the GTA) as much as possible. More trucks, more aggressive drivers, and more converging multilane mayhem than I care to deal with. I'm happy to pay 407 fees.
riding a 250cc (or less) bike on the 401 (or other major highways)
- Thread starter 5:12
- Start date
Yes. I avoid the 401 (within the GTA) as much as possible. More trucks, more aggressive drivers, and more converging multilane mayhem than I care to deal with. I'm happy to pay 407 fees.
Cranky Pete
Well-known member
A CBR or Ninja is fine. I'd say no for a 250 cruiser/thumper/scooter. If you have no passing power you're a sitting duck.
PLau
Well-known member
... or greatly INcrease your speed
... until you hit a curve on the highway and face another direction lol
Scary? The first few times, yes. After that, not really
More risks? I dunno. I didn't crash or get killed, so that's my only frame of reference
Fun? Nah, the highway gets boring no matter what bike I'm on
Avoid rush hours? Yeah, the clutch hand gets a little tired after a while. But this is for any bike.
My experience was with a 250cc cruiser.
250cc should be no problem. I did it with my 250cc scooter riding the majority of the time in the left lane on 400 series highways and passing cars too. I do check behind me a lot though just in case a speedster comes up I can be prepared to move over for them. Heck I even drove my 250cc scooter from Toronto to Vancouver Island and back. Though the top speed can be a pain and takes a while to reach but that's all in the experience of knowing how to handle a 250cc or less bike differently than a 500cc+ bike.
So a 250cc motorcycle should be no problem. A 125 you'd need experience and some skills but it's doable.
So a 250cc motorcycle should be no problem. A 125 you'd need experience and some skills but it's doable.
5:12
Well-known member
thanks for the replies. i guess mainly i was wondering about a 250cc's power/performance with respect to other vehicles on the 401. (ie: scooter on a higway feeling, to illustrate what i'm talking about).
anyhow, the rider's peformance/skill set/experience etc would be the key. the rider is the key
besides the ones that mentioned long trips on their 250cc bike, has anyone else tried? perhaps a 4 or more hr ride on the highway that they would like to share? toronto to windsor or toronto to montreal or point a to point b etc.
ride safe.
anyhow, the rider's peformance/skill set/experience etc would be the key. the rider is the key
besides the ones that mentioned long trips on their 250cc bike, has anyone else tried? perhaps a 4 or more hr ride on the highway that they would like to share? toronto to windsor or toronto to montreal or point a to point b etc.
ride safe.
I just got my M2 and am contemplating about riding it to work via 401 or 407. It takes me about 1,5 hours to get to work via streets.
I'm thinking 401 will be more dangerous because of the level of the other drivers. Seems that people on 401 at rush hour are either not paying attention or in too much of a hurry. Not to mention on the amount of trucks.
Now at 407 people are more respectful, however speeds in the hush hour are usually over 140 km/h... Not to mention higher winds. Two factors that still intimidate me a bit.
So I haven't tried riding my 250 on the highway yet... I'm still a bit wary.
I'm thinking 401 will be more dangerous because of the level of the other drivers. Seems that people on 401 at rush hour are either not paying attention or in too much of a hurry. Not to mention on the amount of trucks.
Now at 407 people are more respectful, however speeds in the hush hour are usually over 140 km/h... Not to mention higher winds. Two factors that still intimidate me a bit.
So I haven't tried riding my 250 on the highway yet... I'm still a bit wary.
How about Florida to Deadhorse Alaska and back within a month on a CBR125 (Completed last summer - article is from before it was done)
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2011/05/24/motorcycle-news/florida-to-alaska-and-back-on-a-honda-cbr125r/
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Gryph
Well-known member
When I had my 250 I spent the majority of the 30,000 kms I put on it on the highway. A whole lot of Windsor to Guelph and back, Guelph to cottages, Guelph to Cape Breton Nova Scotia and back in 4 days. The bike is better on the highway than my sister's automatic Civic power wise (at 130), it's revving at 9500rpm but that isn't an issue and on my year redline was 14,000 so you're a long way from that. Most of those trips were 2-up with fully loaded 60 litre saddlebags and a huge tank bag (GF is light luckily, me not so much ~200+).
Now is my 650R more comfortable/better suited to it, certainly, but never had an issue with the 250.
Can see pics from my Nova Scotia trip here, it was gruelling (went in early May) buddy was on the same bike as me just a different colour.
Here's us returning to Quebec, -1 Celsius
http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg91/Gryphs/Bike Trip to the Cabot Trail/
I started out learning on the cbr125cc at the course and ended up buying a black 2008 ninja 250r in late 08 for 3700$ with only 280 km or so (now wasnt that a deal of the century?!?).
On my 250r I use to flyby cbr125s on highways (no disrespect to 125cc owners), now I have upgraded to a r6 and hoping NOT to fly by 250ccss cuz that sure will earn me a ticket
250cc r fine to be honest..im sure there isnt much difference in performances between the two...
I use to ride rain or shine, windy or not.. because that was my only transportation..and the bike was amazingg!!
You will be fine and the bike was soo fun to beat around the corners...
Enjoy your season and safe riding
UJelly
Well-known member
thanks for the replies. i guess mainly i was wondering about a 250cc's power/performance with respect to other vehicles on the 401. (ie: scooter on a higway feeling, to illustrate what i'm talking about).
anyhow, the rider's peformance/skill set/experience etc would be the key. the rider is the key
besides the ones that mentioned long trips on their 250cc bike, has anyone else tried? perhaps a 4 or more hr ride on the highway that they would like to share? toronto to windsor or toronto to montreal or point a to point b etc.
ride safe.
Took the 125 to Montreal. That was FUN (no not really)
LOL what was that like?...I imagine its like having a lady riding 2up constantly screaming her lungs out into ur ears throughout your 7 hr ride ?? Juss jokess
OMGSelenaGomez
Well-known member
Ninja 250 / CBR 250 are fine on those highways. You can safely merge at the right speed and can comfortably give yourself space without fear of getting tailgated.
125 is another story. Started out on a CBR 125 and there was many issues riding on 100km/h stretches of highway. For one, it's impossible to hit 100km/h only given the merge lane. Secondly, it tops out at 105ish on an incline and 115ish on a flat surface. Not being able to give yourself room between cars is not something you want.
125 is another story. Started out on a CBR 125 and there was many issues riding on 100km/h stretches of highway. For one, it's impossible to hit 100km/h only given the merge lane. Secondly, it tops out at 105ish on an incline and 115ish on a flat surface. Not being able to give yourself room between cars is not something you want.
biglandfarm
Well-known member
u ride justin biber?
Ride_Safe
Well-known member
I ride my CBR125 on the highway all the time. Yesterday I rode down the 404 from Newmarket, and then took the 401 east to Ajax. And today I took the 400 north all the way to Barrie to go get my bike serviced. I've even taken the 400 all the way to highway 11 up past Bracebridge and back (4 hour trip) I usually just go around 115-125km/h on the freeway, and 90-100km/h on the highway. I'm 5'7 at 165lbs.
I have a second set of convex mirrors struck onto my existing ones, so I literally have no blind spots whatsoever. As long as you're aware and safe, I don't see a problem with it. A 250 would definitely work a lot better than a 125 too.
I have a second set of convex mirrors struck onto my existing ones, so I literally have no blind spots whatsoever. As long as you're aware and safe, I don't see a problem with it. A 250 would definitely work a lot better than a 125 too.
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Just take your time, and don't push yourself if you're not comfortable. Took me a while to get comfortable on the highway. I started with short trips, like a couple of exits, and they got progressively longer from there. No matter what, stay within your comfort zone.
You won't get blown around any more then most other bikes would on say a windy day, or when passing or riding behind a large truck. You get used to the wind and eventually your body will adjust accordingly without even thinking about it.
torontoZX6R
Well-known member
I have a second set of convex mirrors struck onto my existing ones, so I literally have no blind spots whatsoever.
Blindspots???? Just turn your head/neck......you're on a motorcycle, remember
