Bad advice

[dpex]

Maybe I should stop offering advice on this site.

Clearly one reader took my "Own Your Bit Of The Road" dissertation to heart.

There I was, on Saturday, in my cage, driving from Ngongataha to the Ohau Channel for the purposes of wresting fine-fat fish from the waters, when I hoved up behind a Mack logging truck...loaded. He was doing 70Ks....unusual, but it happens.

I waited till we came to a spot I knew had a good straight, pulled out to have a decko before doing the business. Was about to snap into third and plant the boot when I saw, directly ahead of the Mack, (and when I say directly, I mean like within ten feet) and nearly on the centre-line, was a dude on the obligatory 250 Scorpion, L-plate clear, High-vis-clad, bent over like he was doing The Isle of Man, doing 70K's.....with forty tonnes of Mack truck up his arse.

He stopped at Okere Falls, Cafe. I pulled in near him and watched this 20-something, chinless wonder remove his gloves, then helmet. He then stretched as a man will do when all is well with the world and pleasure is coursing through his veins.

'Scuse me mate. I was following the Mack truck which was following you....like within inches. Did that worry you? Him being so close, and all?'

Believe it or believe it not he replied, 'What Mack truck?'

I frowned then said, 'I've followed you....well I followed the Mack truck following you, for the last 13 Ks. Didn't you see it?'

He frowned then said, 'Nar mate. I don't look in me mirrors. I own my bit of road and so all I have to worry about is what's in front, not what's behind.'

'Really? And where did you get that idea?'

'Some bloke on KB said we motor-bikers have got to own our bit of road or get trashed.'

'KB?'

'Yeah. It's a site or motor-bikers like me. You heard of it?'

'Um. No. Tell me, have you been riding long?'

'Aw yeah. I've had this bike for nearly three months....and I'm a really good rider. You should try riding a bike, mate. They's really great!'

I felt my anger rising, my right fist ball, and my middle finger-knuckle project. Just one strike between the eyes and this complete moron would be taken from the gene-pool.

But, of course, such direct action, despite the probable value of it, is contrary to civilised behaviour.

I just walked away, wondering.

But you. You tit. You know who you are because you are on this site.

I swear, if ever I see you again, doing what you were doing, so utterly stupidly misinterpreting the concept of 'owning' your bit of road, I swear I'll.....Well shit, I'll think of something.

It's mind-numbingly stupid shit like this which gives all of us bikers a bad name.

But worse. I'm directly responsible for putting this idiot's life in clear danger having suggested he needs to 'own' his bit of road.

You see? We get back to the modern concept that everything has to be spelled out otherwise it ain't my fault.

And so, for all the other total fucking morons who need the advice, the advice is, "Own your bit of road BUT KEEP UP TO THE PREVAILING SPEED OR PULL OVER AND GIVE WAY!"

If nothing else this whole issue points up the stupidity of limiting learners to 70Ks, and/or giving learner-licences to those with an IQ measurable in single digits.

Jesus H Christ!

[slofox]

There, there, don't feel so bad...every teacher has dorks for students at times...I always used to say that ya couldn't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

[Murray]

But worse. I'm directly responsible for putting this idiot's life in clear danger having suggested he needs to 'own' his bit of road.

You see? We get back to the modern concept that everything has to be spelled out otherwise it ain't my fault.

And so, for all the other total fucking morons who need the advice, the advice is, "Own your bit of road BUT KEEP UP TO THE PREVAILING SPEED OR PULL OVER AND GIVE WAY!"


Sorry but a sign of the times. If you want to make a statement you need to do it in triplicate, cross all the t's, dot all the i's. Spell out correctly leave no room for misinterpretation.

And as I was recently told, never ASSUME anything because it always makes an ASS out of U and ME

[Laxi]

There, there, don't feel so bad...every teacher has dorks for students at times...I always used to say that ya couldn't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

especially when teaching some people on here makes you a special needs teacher:2guns::rofl:

[6ft5]

Ignorant idiot, wonder who will pass him for his restricted if he ever makes it that far. Another trucker would have pushed him off the road or scared the sh###t out of him with a horn blast or two.

[p.dath]

Nothing in the original thread suggested that common sense should not prevail.

[6ft5]

Nothing in the original thread suggested that common sense should not prevail. Isn't that what traffic participation all means....???

[varminter]

Nah, not your responsibility, just remember 'You can lead a whore to culture but you can't make her think' so, ok it was a bloke but I like the quote. When I saw you're in my neck of the woods I started wondering what I'd done wrong, glad it wasn't me:Punk:

[sunhuntin]

bloody hell... what a maroon. ups to the trucker for having some patience. others would have run the dumbass off the road. and as for you... you are not responsible for some dopes interpretation of something. its called common sense. mirrors are there for a reason... not your fault if a kid thinks they arent needed. but then, even without mirrors, wouldnt you "feel" the vibrations of the truck? or something?? i always know when theres something large coming cos of the vibrations or whatever in the air. doesnt make sense, sorry.

[yod]

it was me!!!!!

i totally pwned that truck.....like....totally!!

[CookMySock]

Who cares? It doesn't affect you. Why provoke a heart attack over it. Go build something fun.

Steve

[howdamnhard]

I hope he reads this and doesn't end up becoming road kill. People will always misconstrue what you you say or mean, don't take it to personally.

[varminter]

it was me!!!!!

i totally pwned that truck.....like....totally!!

So, you bike from Palmy just to piss off our truckies, so cruel.

[caseye]

Know that bit of road, well. You poor bugger, what a complete twat!
Well, it's cold comfort but one of these days he'll etiher get killed or learn something of extremely great importance, either way we will win, eventually.

[Cheshire Cat]

What a mornon!!!:weird:
Tell that wankstain to go get his restricted if he's scared too go over 70ks!! I've never followed that rule and never been pulled up.

[6ft5]

Too bloody right, get a perm moron :Punk:

[bogan]

i wud have thort even without consiously looking in the mirrows you would notice a truck behind u. And if hes owning that bit of road surely you shud see who the neighbours are every now and then anyway. Though i must admit im unsure what is meant by owning the road

[Cheshire Cat]

He better stay off Hamurana road! I own that:bleh:

[bogan]

ahh so thats what it means, shotgun SH2 then:laugh:

[davebullet]

The loser (him) is always quick to blame someone else (you) for his predicament. Taking responsibility is a life skill seriously lacking in many people I meet.

[Cheshire Cat]

ahh so thats what it means, shotgun SH2 then:laugh:

Also, TeWaerenga road and Paradise valley raod are mine! :p

[gatch]

Poor bugger, he probably doesn't know any better.

You would think noone on here has made a mistake before..

[Maki]

You can't polish a turd. That is all there is to it. You can give the best advice in the world and like it or not some moron is going to misinterpret and misuse it. That's life.

[Horney1]

Also, TeWaerenga road and Paradise valley raod are mine! :p

Hey, nice roads. I've ridden them many many many times. I haven't seen much of them in the last ten years or so but last time I did the Hamurana road they had straightened it out and made it boring. Before that it was quite narrow (& good fun) and I wouldn't have liked a truck to try passing me on most of it (not that they would EVER get the chance). I think it's still a bit narrow, isn't it?

One must always check ones mirrors. I removed my mirrors one day and it cost me a ticket because I didn't see the cop behind me! :laugh:

[CookMySock]

You can give the best advice in the world and like it or not some moron is going to misinterpret and misuse it. That's life.Everyone does that - we hear someone elses' words from our own perspective, and then we go do as we choose. It's nothing about someone being mentally deficit - its normal human nature. Think about it.

Steve

[Insanity_rules]

What a mornon!!!:weird:
Tell that wankstain to go get his restricted if he's scared too go over 70ks!! I've never followed that rule and never been pulled up.

Wankstain...........:laugh::laugh::clap::clap: Great description. I got one of these mensa candidates on the Rimutaka Hill one weekday afternoon and everytime I dropped down one to pass him (which I did four times and thought better of it) he wobbled violently. Then when it hit a passing lane he took the path of least cornering going over both lanes, almost took me out twice and then tried to tell me off at the top of the hill for tailgaiting.

I asked him how long he had been riding and he said he got his license and bike on Saturday. He was celebrating with a ride Carterton to Wellington and return on a (get this!!!) very small Suzuki 100 that I think maybe Moses rode when he was a boy. This guy wasn't young either, I'd have put him at about 65 or so.

But hey at least he was aware of me right?

[Laxi]

Wankstain...........:laugh::laugh::clap::clap: Great description. I got one of these mensa candidates on the Rimutaka Hill one weekday afternoon and everytime I dropped down one to pass him (which I did four times and thought better of it) he wobbled violently. Then when it hit a passing lane he took the path of least cornering going over both lanes, almost took me out twice and then tried to tell me off at the top of the hill for tailgaiting.

I asked him how long he had been riding and he said he got his license and bike on Saturday. He was celebrating with a ride Carterton to Wellington and return on a (get this!!!) very small Suzuki 100 that I think maybe Moses rode when he was a boy. This guy wasn't young either, I'd have put him at about 65 or so.

But hey at least he was aware of me right?

ducatis dont do overtaking, espicially on corners:bleh:

[BMWST?]

ahh so thats what it means, shotgun SH2 then:laugh:

what? ......all of it?

its a wonder the MACk didnt give hima blast on the Horn...the guy woulda shit his self

[Maha]

Slight over-reaction to a harmless situation...

''I felt my anger rising, my right fist ball, and my middle finger-knuckle project. Just one strike between the eyes and this complete moron would be taken from the gene-pool.''

I dont think the Mack would have kept up around Wilsons bay with the hills, and I am sure if the dude on the bike was at all put off by the big bad twuck, he would have pulled over and let him by?

[ducatilover]

ducatis dont do overtaking, espicially on corners:bleh:

Nor do hondas or zzr250's


I think the mentioned scrotum biscuit in this thread took some advice the wrong way and should have what the original meaning of said advice explained to him. :done:

[Cheshire Cat]

Wankstain...........:laugh::laugh::clap::clap: Great description. I got one of these mensa candidates on the Rimutaka Hill one weekday afternoon and everytime I dropped down one to pass him (which I did four times and thought better of it) he wobbled violently. Then when it hit a passing lane he took the path of least cornering going over both lanes, almost took me out twice and then tried to tell me off at the top of the hill for tailgaiting.

I asked him how long he had been riding and he said he got his license and bike on Saturday. He was celebrating with a ride Carterton to Wellington and return on a (get this!!!) very small Suzuki 100 that I think maybe Moses rode when he was a boy. This guy wasn't young either, I'd have put him at about 65 or so.

But hey at least he was aware of me right?

Well thats what those sorts of people are! :yeah::laugh:

Eeek :eek5: Late Mid-life crisis?

[Laxi]

Nor do hondas or zzr250's


have to agree with you on hondas! them and ducs are easy to pass on a zzr when the riders pushin em:laugh:

[DarkLord]

The loser (him) is always quick to blame someone else (you) for his predicament. Taking responsibility is a life skill seriously lacking in many people I meet.

Too right.

[ducatilover]

have to agree with you on hondas! them and ducs are easy to pass on a zzr when the riders pushin em:laugh:

I passed a gsxr thou on the napir taupo, mind you he was cruising. :jerry:

[Cheshire Cat]

I dont think the Mack would have kept up around Wilsons bay with the hills, and I am sure if the dude on the bike was at all put off by the big bad twuck, he would have pulled over and let him by?

I don't think the noob would have gone fast enough through Wilsons bay :p

[Insanity_rules]

ducatis dont do overtaking, espicially on corners:bleh:

They do too and they slide quite nicely too. Care to be on the receiving end of a learn sandwich?

[Laxi]

They do too and they slide quite nicely too.

what were you doing? havin a nana nap?:shifty:

[Maha]

I don't think the noob would have gone fast enough through Wilsons bay :p

Possibly not but a fully loaded logging truck would be even slower. dpex was more than likely pissed that his chances of passing were zero at that point, missed his chance at Hamurana and now its the bikes fault. His anger proves this, Offer the guy some advice rather than slate him, be proactive not reactive.

[MaxB]

I passed a gsxr thou on the napir taupo, mind you he was cruising. :jerry:

Maybe he was on 95 points?

[Insanity_rules]

what were you doing? havin a nana nap?:shifty:

Nah, Its hard to type one handed....................... I cut myself you perv!

[Laxi]

Nah, Its hard to type one handed....................... I cut myself you perv!

what ever gets you through the day mate:no::no::no:

[monkeymcbean]

I think you should have tied this LEARNER up, and invited all the kbers around to have a scarification, then we could all pat each other on the back and puff our chests out remind ourselves out loud what fantastic bike riding skills we all have achieved so far, and we would have never done any such silly things or the likes when we had our L PLATE on.....or course that is if we all have our legal bike license. Shit did i just say that? tuss tuss.:shutup:

[Insanity_rules]

what ever gets you through the day mate:no::no::no:

I save the rubber undies, gimp mask and jumper leads till later.

[Cheshire Cat]

Possibly not but a fully loaded logging truck would be even slower. dpex was more than likely pissed that his chances of passing were zero at that point.

Indeed. I always am. Getting stuck behind slow cagers on the 55k corners by Central road more often too:2guns:

[Laxi]

I save the rubber undies, gimp mask and jumper leads till later.

haha! I'll turn up to a wncr on the pocket bike if you turn up in said gimp suit:Offtopic::rofl:

[Insanity_rules]

haha! I'll turn up to a wncr on the pocket bike if you turn up in said gimp suit:Offtopic::rofl:

As long as I dont have to wear the mask, your on! Don't tempt me, remember what I did at The Mount camp ground a few years back.

[ducatilover]

Maybe he was on 95 points?

Perhaps, mind you he was going the other way:shifty:

[vifferman]

He better stay off Hamurana road! I own that:bleh:
Is it alright if I have a turn on it sometime? :confused:

I've been over it a few times in the car recentlyish, but not on a bike since.... ooer... 1976? :blink:
Every time I go that way in the car I wish I was on the VFR. :yes:

[nosebleed]

Maybe he was on 95 points?

aaaah, living that dream.
frustrating as.

good on him for getting out, but i'd wager if he did look in his mirrors and saw nothing but MACK, he probably would have wobbled off and ended up underneath it

sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

[Cheshire Cat]

Is it alright if I have a turn on it sometime? :confused:

I've been over it a few times in the car recentlyish, but not on a bike since.... ooer... 1976? :blink:
Every time I go that way in the car I wish I was on the VFR. :yes:

Sure! :rockon:

[Mystic13]

Maybe I should stop offering advice on this site.

Clearly one reader took my "Own Your Bit Of The Road" dissertation to heart.

There I was, on Saturday, in my cage, driving ( .... )
when I hoved up behind a Mack logging truck...loaded. He was doing 70Ks....unusual, but it happens.

I waited till we came to a spot I knew had a good straight, pulled out ( ... ) when I saw, directly ahead of the Mack, ( ...) and nearly on the centre-line, was a dude on the ( ... ) 250 Scorpion, L-plate clear, High-vis-clad, bent over like he was doing The Isle of Man, doing 70K's.....with forty tonnes of Mack truck up his arse.
............................

I swear, if ever I see you again, doing what you were doing, so utterly stupidly misinterpreting the concept of 'owning' your bit of road, I swear I'll.....Well shit, I'll think of something.

It's mind-numbingly stupid shit like this which gives all of us bikers a bad name.

But worse. I'm directly responsible for putting this idiot's life in clear danger having suggested he needs to 'own' his bit of road.

You see? We get back to the modern concept that everything has to be spelled out otherwise it ain't my fault.

And so, for all the other total fucking morons who need the advice, the advice is, "Own your bit of road BUT KEEP UP TO THE PREVAILING SPEED OR PULL OVER AND GIVE WAY!"

If nothing else this whole issue points up the stupidity of limiting learners to 70Ks, and/or giving learner-licences to those with an IQ measurable in single digits.

Jesus H Christ!

So let me see if I have this right.

The guy was on a learners doing 70k as he's legally limited to. Wearing a Hi-Viz vest. Impressive.

Personally I think that law is stupid but I'd be buggered if I'd ride to the left at that speed and let people pass me by running me up against the side of the road on a 225 Scorpion.

It seems to me your primary issue is the law being an ass.

I don't see that as a reason to beat the guy though.

It seems your initial advice was sound.

The guy could go quicker to appease you but then he'd likely cop a ticket. If he wanders around to your place are you going to pay the bill?

The fact he doesn't check his mirrors and is unaware of what's going on around him is more a risk to him and something he needs to sort.

You could have helped him with some helpful advice especially since he'd already been listening to you on KB.

I'm curious did the road rage last till you got home and could post on KB because I'd be concerned about that.

People who hold up a long line of traffic are challenging. It was you and one truck right.

Up in the US they have a law that if you have something like 3 cars behind you that you need to pull over and let them pass.

In Brisbane and the Gold Coast they fine you $150 if you don't move left. Consequently all the cars on the motorway are in the left lane, they move out and pass and move back.

Here our lawmakers are considering passing a law to fine you if you pass on the left because it's dangerous. FFS surely you'd fine those sitting out in the outside lane of three lanes doing 80k's that you find almost every week in Auckland while dozens of cars pass on the left.

Soon people will sit behind them horns blaring till they move. And of course they'd know that person can't pass to the left so they'd sit there.

So the guy was riding for 3 months. Seems like he needs support and encouragement and a big welcome to the bike community. Let's help him on his way to getting better.

On a side not if I had a 225 Scorpion I think I'd have a bid sign on the back saying "The law limits me to 70kmph on the open road. Sorry." and maybe an email address for a law change.

[Breed777]

ok, Im a newbie.... so I wanna check something.....

I understand that not checking your mirrors is a dumb ass thing to do.

But....

staying within the law, doing 70...as instructed by the law makers....

If a Mack truck is up his ass and should he happen to fall off and get squished surely its the gimp driving the truck that needs to back the F$%k off and give this obvious learner some room i.e enough room to brake safely without crashing into him... or... the leaner needs to use his mirrors and move left to let the truck pass...

Sounds as if the learner and the trucker are to blame...

Just my 2c

[Sparrowhawk]

Personally I think that law is stupid but I'd be buggered if I'd ride to the left at that speed and let people pass me by running me up against the side of the road on a 225 Scorpion.


Agreed that the law is stupid, however... After a mate & I got our licences and first bikes (his is a GN250, & mines a GPX250) we took a ride thru the hunua's, then down SH2 & 27 to Te Aroha. On the way down we stuck to the 70kph limit. It was really simple. If another vehicle came up behind us, we'd both tuck in to the left hand side of the road as soon as we could. I felt safer doing that than having impatient cagers up my jacksey.

Even now (legally able to do 100!), if someones tailgating I'll let them past. It's for my own sake, not theirs. If they want to go 130k's, it's their neck. :whocares:

[MarkH]

He frowned then said, 'Nar mate. I don't look in me mirrors. I own my bit of road and so all I have to worry about is what's in front, not what's behind.'

'Really? And where did you get that idea?'

'Some bloke on KB said we motor-bikers have got to own our bit of road or get trashed.'


I am another bloke on KB and I have some advise for anyone reading this:

Situational awareness!
Be aware of what is around you, check your mirrors now and then so that if there is a big truck behind you that you realise it. If a dog runs out in front of you do you dodge or brake? If a truck is less than 10 metres off your tail then emergancy braking may not be the best option. Owning your piece of road doesn't mean being unaware of what is near you or being inconsiderate to other road users.

Also:
It is illegal to hog the centreline while moving slower than the flow of traffic. The road code say you are to keep as far to the left as practicable when slower than the other traffic.

And:
Upgrade your license and enjoy travelling at 100kph on the open road with no truck driving up your tailpipe. 70kph on the open road with angry frustrated drivers behind you does not equal being safe! What do you want on your gravestone - "It wasn't his fault". It is much safer to keep with the flow of traffic and not have some impatient prick pull a dangerous passing manoeuvre causing your death, being their fault wont bring you back to life.

[Breed777]

And:
Upgrade your license and enjoy travelling at 100kph on the open road with no truck driving up your tailpipe. 70kph on the open road with angry frustrated drivers behind you does not equal being safe! What do you want on your gravestone - "It wasn't his fault". It is much safer to keep with the flow of traffic and not have some impatient prick pull a dangerous passing manoeuvre causing your death, being their fault wont bring you back to life.

I totally agree with you but as I found out today, you can do 100 and still end up with some prick behind you wanting to do 120. the amount of times I have been driving/riding and would kill to have a set of blue and reds and a siren I could throw on.... always the way.... never a cop when you see crazy stuff...

little off the topic.... saw a guy in Tauranga last weekend on what looked like a GN, pulled up to the lights and reach out and grab a Mr Whippy van and let it tow him for about 200m...must of really wanted that ice cream!:gob:

[MarkH]

I totally agree with you but as I found out today, you can do 100 and still end up with some prick behind you wanting to do 120.

Maybe, but the prick behind you will be less angry and impatient when you are doing 100-105kph than when you are doing 70kph and he wants to do 120!

[Breed777]

Maybe, but the prick behind you will be less angry and impatient when you are doing 100-105kph than when you are doing 70kph and he wants to do 120!

Have a feeling if I do 140 i will still end up with someone riding or driving up my ass :wari:

[Bass]

Have a feeling if I do 140 i will still end up with someone riding or driving up my ass :wari:

Then let them pass - help them to do so even.
To me, it makes more sense to have those who wish to travel faster than me, in front of me where I can keep an eye on them, (for the brief period that they are in sight), rather than behind me and maybe planning something stupid to get by.

[dpex]

.

I'm curious did the road rage last till you got home and could post on KB because I'd be concerned about that.

Nar Mate. Ten minutes later I was doing 'There's No Sodding Trout!' rage, and thus had forgotten all about the dick-head. Besides, I don't ever do more than 'think' what I'd like to do to a dick-head.

BTW: There's some damned nice biker roads around the area. I was especially taken with the road beyond Lake Tarawera. All narrow and rolling hills. Must bike down and do that road sometime soon.

[madbikeboy]

ok, Im a newbie.... so I wanna check something.....

I understand that not checking your mirrors is a dumb ass thing to do.

But....

staying within the law, doing 70...as instructed by the law makers....

If a Mack truck is up his ass and should he happen to fall off and get squished surely its the gimp driving the truck that needs to back the F$%k off and give this obvious learner some room i.e enough room to brake safely without crashing into him... or... the leaner needs to use his mirrors and move left to let the truck pass...

Sounds as if the learner and the trucker are to blame...

Just my 2c

Umm, the realities of surviving while riding a bike, versus the law are sometimes quite different.

Judgement and common sense trumps the rules...