Personally I would avoid this section of the highway. Uninteresting, and far better alternative routes to make your way East/West. If you have the time I would suggest turning off and heading south via Jindabyne, Khancoban and Cabramurra. (Obviously staying on the highway is much shorter and faster, but if you´re here on a bike, you´re here to have fun, and not travel the quickest most boring route).
The Snowy Mountain Highway West of Cabramurra, or East of the Monaro Highway / Jindabyne Turnoff are quite nice - it´s just this section that´s least attractive.