| Author | Message | ||
     Iamarchangel |
I contemplating doing some long riding over the next week. That will put me as a stranger in a strange land. I'm looking at entering the US at Buffalo and heading to Ithica to visit my bro and mom, from there I'm thinking of heading to near UConn to visit my uncle. (And back the same way, about 4 days of abut 325 miles a day.) Question: So, tolls, we don't have them in Canada. (Well, one, but they photo the plate and bill you.) How do you deal with toll tickets and change on a bike? (Question is on both forums.) | ||
| Werewulf |
in florida, you buy a "sunpass". | ||
| Jlnance |
It is a pain in the A$$. You pull up to the tool booth, put the kickstand down, take off your gloves, fetch your wallet and pull out a dollar. You pay the toll operator, who hands you two dimes because the toll is something like $0.80. Now the toll gate comes up. Before it comes back down, you need to throw the dimes somewhere, put your wallet back in your pocket (which is under your riding pants), put your gloves back on, and pull through. You will drive 5 miles down the road, and there will be another toll plaza. Lather, rinse, repeat. | ||
| Metalstorm |
On the days I have to cross the Golden Gate bridge into the City I have a $5 bill either tucked in the cuff of my glove or in my tank bag. I don't have to remove my gloves to do this. The only requirement is to put the bike in neutral before grabbing the $$. | ||
| Lazylion |
Or, travel any road in the state other than the New York State Thruway (Rt. 90). Seriously. It is a little tough to travel east/west, but Rt.86/17 a little farther south than Rt.90 followed by Rt.13 at Horseheads to Ithaca would work just great - no tolls. I will be going the other way next Thursday (only to Niagara Falls), did the same last Monday and didn't hit a four lane road anywhere (not Rt.17/86 - that is 4 lane). I start 20 miles east of Ithaca (go right through it) and it really didn't take a lot longer. You will see a lot more of the world on a 2 lane. If you want a route I can help you out. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
even better than 86 would be rt 20. that's some pretty country thru there along 20/5. then drop down 96 into ithica. | ||
| Beachbuell |
Yup, Sunpass FTW in Florida! | ||
| Firebolt32 |
in florida, you buy a "sunpass". Love it...and it just became even easier for a bike with the new sticker they came out with... Don't even stop...throw your money out when you go by and duck...  | ||
| Lazylion |
"even better than 86 would be rt 20. that's some pretty country thru there along 20/5. then drop down 96 into ithica." Well, yea, that was where I was headed if the OP wanted two lane travel. Cross over from 405 to 190, have a dollar ready for the toll at Grand Island, go to 290 east, 5 east. That works. Generally, 5 runs north of the Thruway and 20 runs south of it. Sometimes they run together. Oh, and I would do 96a just east of Geneva to 96 half way down to Ithaca. It is shorter, quicker and not a bad road at all. While on 96a you will see a lot of chain link fence on the east side of the road. It is known as Seneca Depot and is home to a large white (not albino) deer herd. Quite unique and unusual. I saw one grazing in the grass on the 30th when I rode past. | ||
| Irideabuell |
The beauty of the SunPass is it doesn't register but 40% of the time on my bike. More often than not I go through the toll plazas invisible. | ||
| Mikej |
 http://img.jpcycles.com/main/44eefdc9-1767-4c01-82 71-399a915b8549.jpeg | ||
| Darthane |
...I enjoyed making a real pain in the ass out of myself on the way to Wisconsin and leaving my wallet in the top case on the XT. The look on the lady's face in the SUV behind me was PRICELESS. | ||
| Jaimec |
New York State and most of the East Coast has "EZ Pass." There's even one specifically for motorcycles in the NYC metro area that only charges half price for the MTA bridges and tunnels, and a reduced price on the Port Authority bridges and tunnels. I don't think it gets you any discount on the Thruway though. | ||
| 1324 |
The Thruway is a pretty easy road to travel since you only have to go through toll booths when you get on and off. No matter how you cut it, its no big deal. It's not like the outer loop in Houston where you stop every couple miles. Personally, I like to avoid the super slab just to get more rural roads. I find I usually get less traffic, better scenery, and better food. If you need to travel fast though, the slab is the only option. If you're going to head into Ithaca and have a little more time to burn, I recommend heading a little more east on the Thruway before dropping south..say Skaneateles and head down 41A. Nice road for the area, IMO. After living in the Ithaca area, I usually avoid 96. Not much traffic and it travels relatively fast, but IMO it's bleedingly boring. Taking 17 and heading north is a good suggestion, too. If you play your cards right, there are some nice back roads coming up into Ithaca (223, 327, etc.)... | ||
| Superfly |
I got an ezpass for traveling in New England, takes a while to get them in the mail, so if you go for that, be sure to leave a good cushion of time. If your brother lives in Ithica, he might have one and be willing to ship his to you? just a thought. | ||
| Brad1445 |
In Colorado we really only have one toll road that loops the city. I rarely use it but I have on three occasions paid at the first booth, and then just rode through the express lanes the rest of the way. I have not received any tickets "for this" Do they show mercy for the bike? The first time i did it I figured, so what, &80 for a photo of my bike for the office. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
First thing I do when I approach a toll booth is choose the longest line. I know it sounds counterproductive, but it gives me time to fish out the correct money. Otherwise if I feel rushed I do something stupid, like drop a glove while in line. Nothing makes people happier than to see a motorcyclist dismount in front of them... | ||
| Smiley1eye |
On the way up to Homecoming, I was following Ratbuell. Get to a tollbooth in Indiana where you just stop to get a ticket and then they stick it to you later down the road. The road sensor wont read my bike. So I push the button to get the ticket. Nothing. I have the truck behind me pull up on the sensor. Nothing. Put down the kickstand, get off the bike. Walk over to the next toll lane right as a car pulls up and a ticket pops out. I snatch his ticket, walk back to my bike, get on and then ride off. The lesson I took from this: program your GPS to avoid tollroads which equal aggravation. Does it really add so much time to your trip when you have to stop every X amount of miles? Plus the scenic route is free! I don't see the downside. | ||
| Schleppy |
Find a way to buy/borrow a Speedpass, EZ Pass, whatever. If you have a friend in the states they may be able to get one and add your bike to the account. | ||
| Froggy |
EZpass + tank bag = no worries. It sucks when I'm in a group, because I am always first through the booth and I have to stop have and wait a few minutes on the side for the technologically impaired to play the fumble the wallet and pay the toll game.  | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
+1 on the Transponder in the tank bag. No real convenient place/not motivated/too cheap to buy a mounting kit to mount the sunpass on the city x so the tank bag is my solution when I commute to Orlando on the Buell. My only issue is when I have an hour or longer commute, I'm generally jamming to Sonic Youth or the Pixies on the MP3 player and don't hear the beeping of the sunpass when I zoom through the toll booth. So I never really know if its picking up the signal but haven't been dinged for running a toll plaza without paying so no worries on my end!! | ||
| Hammeroid |
Just put your foot over the plate as you ride through. | ||
| Echoseven |
+1 Yeah I just reach back and cover up my plate as I blow through the cruise card line. | ||
| Buellfighter |
I prep with quaters or dollars in my pocket before I leave. As I approach the booth I put the bike in neutral and am still rolling to a stop as I reach in my pocket, pull out money, hand it over, put in gear and go. Only takes a few seconds. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
So the trip might happen tomorrow. It will be my first long trip on any bike, let alone on the XB9R. For that reason, I want to stick to the highways. I'm actually heading to north of Ithaca, somewhere around the Cayuga Heights area. From the interstate, 96 runs along the lake, 34 runs through Auburn and 34B splits the difference. This will come up about hour 5 so I'll probably be tired and not as sharp as I'd like. I'm planning lots of breaks but I feel that I'd like to avoid city as well as urban, stop every block, areas. Some of you seem familiar with that area. Any ideas? | ||
| 1324 |
Cayuga Heights is practically within Ithaca, so it may as well be. Coming down 96 into Ithaca and taking 13 to your final destination will yield some traffic in town, but it depends on what time. If you hit Ithaca around rush hour, traffic is surprisingly congested for such a small town. I don't know about the 9R, but with my 9S, I found I was able to consistently run 3 hours which also coordinated nicely with fuel stops. I am no long distance hauler, either. If you stop about halfway, you should stay alert. Drink plenty of fluids since it will probably be warm and humid. Eat a good breakfast before you leave, but don't overdo it with anything heavy. Small snacks are key along the way as well. Oh, and cover up any exposed skin as you'll stay hydrated longer. |
