Good ideas and handy hints

[shrub]

I'm sure this has been done before, in which case i will drink myself to death, but it dawned on me that there are a heap of good ideas out there, some I know and some I don't, so I thought I'd get a thread rolling for good ideas. I have picked up a few along the way, but would be keen to hear some more. And hopefully I'm not talking too much crap.

1. Use your trip meter as a fuel guage by setting it to zero every time you gas up. As long as you know how many ks to reserve/fuel light or out of gas you know how far you can go before you run out so can gas up before it's too late.

2. Safety pin a spare key to the lining of a pocket in your riding jacket. I have lost my keys and had to hotwire my bike, but now if that happens again I have a key handy (as long as you haven't lost your jacket as well).

3. Buy a handpump for $40.00 from Torpedo 7 (http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/GYPUFW754/title/giyo-high-pressure-steel-floor-pump-gf-54) and keep it in your shed. Before I go for a ride I check my tyres and pump them up at home which saves grovelling around on a gas station forecourt bending their attachment to fit.

4. Tape a film canister under your seat with a $20.00 note, spare fuses, a couple of cable ties and spare ear plugs.

5. On a long ride a sheepskin is your best friend.

6. In traffic don't blend in. It's my belief that 99.99% of car drivers genuinely don't want to hit you but probably aren't looking for bikes, so if you blend in with the traffic etc, they won't see you. I always get to the front of the queue at an intersection and then make sure I'm a good distance ahead of the cars behind me so i stand out. I also use my whole lane and if a car is waiting to turn I accelerate or brake and move towards them as a moving object (relative to the background) is always easier to see.

7. In traffic make sure you can see the car driver's interior mirrors. They don't use their wing mirrors as much as they should and being in a blind spot is bad for bike condition.

8. If a car does something unexpected like slow down or move in their lane, expect them to do something else like turn across your bows or stop suddenly.

9. If a car is stationary the brake lights are on then go off, watch them because they have taken their foot off the brake and are probably about to move.

10. In cold weather newspaper is the best insulation there is.

11. Lube your chain regularly - I normally only need to adjust my chain when I get a new back tyre but lube the crap out of it in the meantime. Also keep it at the loose end of adjustment because an overtight chain kills bearings and stretches.

12. Oil is your best friend. Change your oil and filters too often and your bike will love you for it.

[Parlane]

10. In cold weather newspaper is the best insulation there is.


The Day After Tomorrow ?

[imdying]

With age comes wisdom, all good ideas :yes:

[willytheekid]

Great tips Shrub :yes:

If I may add some.

-Always carry at the very least, the "basic" tools for your bike.

-Zip ties and super glue are priceless tools!

-Carry a good First Aid kit & keep it updated and organised....it could save your life or your mates!

-Always check your indicators, brake lights etc before leaving for a ride (and carry some spare bulbs if possible)

-A clean bike is a nice bike to work on and easier to spot faults or parts in need of service etc...it can save you money!

-Always! ride to the conditions and within your own abilities

-And remember Willys Basic Survival rule: "Their panel damage...could be my life!"...don't argue with cars!....they will win everytime!

-Always wear the Gear! (ATGATT-all the gear,all the time!)

-And last but NOT least...always wave too fellow riders, and ALWAYS! stop to help a broken down/crashed rider...ALWAYS!!

Ride safe everyone :yes:

Great thread Shrub :first:

[DrunkenMistake]

Best tip I have been given to date was,

Always clean your bike once a week,
Its the best way to spot any missing bolts or nuts, or anything loose or broken, it will save you from any nasty surprises.

I also like the idea of the film canister with fuses, $20 and zippies,
I have only ever once been caught out with a fuse blow out, and it caused a wicked headache

[gijoe1313]

Ride with a clear head, don't ignore any spidey sense feelings - if you feel for some reason not comfortable riding, it's time to turn around and head home!

Remember to tell someone if you're heading out on a ride somewhere, even if it's just a quick text, give some idea of locatiom/destination.

Try to avoid riding with a full bladder or baking brownies!

[cheshirecat]

Don't do a night ride when the temperature drops to minus 11.

[Mad-V2]

Carry some "anti fog" stuff for ya visor.

Always remember to remove your disk lock.

[Edbear]

Don't snap your key off in the ignition. :facepalm: DAMHIK...

[ukusa]

Don't do a night ride when the temperature drops to minus 11.

don't ride at night without your lights on .....:facepalm:

seriously though;

* put your cellphone in a ziplock plastic bag in your pocket, as your "waterproof" jacket may not be torrential downpour proof! (been there, done that)
* buy gloves with the wiper blade on the thumb, great for clearing those raindrops from the visor.
* rub spit on the inside of the visor as emergency anti-fog.

[avgas]

cans of tyre foam are worth gold when you have a flat.

[Usarka]

4. Tape a film canister under your seat with a $20.00 note, spare fuses, a couple of cable ties and spare ear plugs.


I like this one cheers, but you're going to need to think of a different vessel soon. The younger folk are probably asking "what's a fiilm canister?"


cans of tyre foam are worth gold when you have a flat.

Or a puncture repair kit.

Which is useless on a dark night on a dark road unless you have a light source :facepalm: dimhaik. So also carry one of those tiny LED lamps you can get from outdoors shops.

[Parlane]

cans of tyre foam are worth gold when you have a flat.

Especially when you pull over to 'help' a broken down biker. And offer him the cans in exchange for his gold watch. :innocent:

[Parlane]

The younger folk are probably asking "what's a fiilm canister?"



It's where you keep your microsd cards! Der!

[Bikemad]

a penlight torch can be handy if something goes wrong at night.........and i have used a large rubbish bag with holes cut out for arms and head as an insulation vest under my jacket one time..........also carry plug type tyre repair kit which got used for the first time on mates bike on the way to the burt last year

oh..........and be kind to old people and animals

[cheshirecat]

246458 Arrange your load appropriately when touring.

[Maha]

Wet Wipes...
Good to wipe your arse (instead of grass) visor/forehead on a hot day/forehead on anyday/head/neck/hands after toileting/the list is enless...
Wet Wipes......it all you will ever need.

[Mad-V2]

Well you'll also need some panniers to hold your puncture repair kit, first aid kit, wet wipes?, torch, tools, oil, plugs, fuses, tape, super-glue, spare bulbs, zip ties, news paper, anti fog, tyre foam, rubbish bag, ear plugs, $20 and ya might aswell chuck a fire extinguisher in there while your at it.

[ExpertoCrede]

don't ride at night without your lights on .....:facepalm:


....and don't ride during the day without your lights on ---

for visibility and safety

and to avoid being ticketed.

[The Pastor]

dont over take cops,

dont piss into the wind

when in doubt power out

[DrunkenMistake]

Well you'll also need some panniers to hold your puncture repair kit, first aid kit, wet wipes?, torch, tools, oil, plugs, fuses, tape, super-glue, spare bulbs, zip ties, news paper, anti fog, tyre foam, rubbish bag, ear plugs, $20 and ya might aswell chuck a fire extinguisher in there while your at it.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=405489700
I have some for cheap ;):innocent:

[Winston001]

There is a thread on useful stuff to carry at all times: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124248-Stuff-to-carry-everywhere?highlight=torch



Vivid permanent marker
Multitool
Duct tape
Panadol or stronger pain relief
2 supermarket plastic bags
Small piece tube rubber as a firelighter
Waterproof matches
Lighter as alternative
3-4 metres Braided string/twine
Small notebook or paper
Biro
Pen torch - LED best
Short length candle
Condoms - to carry water, protect stuff
300mm cable ties
Small pack wetwipes in bank coin bag (to keep fresh)
Iodine tablets or similar for sterilising water
Credit card
$60 cash in various notes
Survival blanket

[scumdog]

Wet Wipes...
Good to wipe your arse (instead of grass) visor/forehead on a hot day/forehead on anyday/head/neck/hands after toileting/the list is enless...
Wet Wipes......it all you will ever need.

Ah, I guess it would be a Bad Idea(tm) to use the one Wet Wipe for all of the above tasks - particularly after using it for the first one you mentioned...:shutup:

Oh, tips, riiigght..If you're handle-bar ends are easily removed you can stash $$, cable-ties etc in them.

And a short-but-thick lead from the + terminal on the battery to a convenient spot (and suitable covered at the exposed end) can make for a handy place to hook up jumper-leads without having to remove the seat/fairing whatever - and a place to hook up accessories via one of those 'cigarette-lighter sockets-with two alligator-clips' thingies.

[Gixxer peter]

Always remember to remove your disk lock.

Tie a brightly colour piece of string from your disklock to your trottle so you dont forget it.

[Winston001]

And this thread has plenty of good ideas too:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/75912-What-is-a-MUST-for-you-to-have-when-riding?highlight=tools+carry

[tigertim20]

There is a thread on useful stuff to carry at all times: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124248-Stuff-to-carry-everywhere?highlight=torch



Vivid permanent marker
Multitool
Duct tape
Panadol or stronger pain relief
camera
restraints
chloroform
3-4 metres Braided string/twine
Small notebook or paper
Biro
Pen torch - LED best
Short length candle
Condoms - to carry water, protect stuff
300mm cable ties
Small pack wetwipes in bank coin bag (to keep fresh)



fixed!:innocent::shutup:

[thehovel]

3. Buy a handpump for $40.00 from Torpedo 7 and keep it in your shed. Before I go for a ride I check my tyres and pump them up at home which saves grovelling around on a gas station forecourt bending their attachment to fit.


Fitting right-angle tyre valves fixes this.

[Usarka]

A gonk. And a spare gonk.

[Oakie]

Everything I carry has been mentioned except
.
.
.
.
a pair of latex gloves in a film canister (I know) in case I come across a person needing assistance and leaking body fluids.
What else do I carry under the seat?
tools
disk lock
emergency blanket
DUCT TAPE
small LED torch

Having read this thread I shall also add $20 cash. (Not much room under my seat)
Cheers to the OP.

[Old Steve]

I have made a decision that I don't drink alcohol if I'm riding my bike.

As a relative newcomer to motorbike riding, and as an older rider with slower reaction times, I think I need whatever I have left unimpaired to improve the chances of my survival.

[Parlane]

I have made a decision that I don't drink alcohol if I'm riding my bike.

As a relative newcomer to motorbike riding, and as an older rider with slower reaction times, I think I need whatever I have left unimpaired to improve the chances of my survival.

Bit hard to clutch and brake with a beer in one hand aye. I have no idea how onearmedbandit does it!

[Oakie]

Oh, and one of them there multiple tool pocket knife things ... you know, with the hook thing to remove stones from your horse's hoof amongst many other things.

[shrub]

Bit hard to clutch and brake with a beer in one hand aye. I have no idea how onearmedbandit does it!

A long time ago I had a mate who cut a hole in the chinguard of his helmet so he could drink beer while riding. I doubt he is still riding.

[shrub]

They are bloody useful things and you can still get them from some pharmacies and photographic shops. I have a stockpile of a dozen or so and have one in my jacket pocket with ear plugs as well as my emergency one under the seat.

Once this thread has run its course I'm going to compile all the hints in a list, but a couple more from me:

Don't ride tired. It's easy to want to press on and finish the trip, but that's when your concentration lapses and I have fallen asleep riding - bloody scary. I have learned that if I get tired to the point where I'm not concentrating I find a friendly cafe and pull over for a coffee and maybe a low GI muesli bar - not sugar because sugar makes you peak and crash so 50 ks down the road you're worse off than before. I have also been known to pull over in a rest area for 10 minutes kip.

On a long ride hydrate and snack regularly, especially if it's hot. You still sweat and if all you're drinking is coffee and/or beer you'll get dehydrated, so I stick a bottle of water in my pack with a couple of low GI muesli bars. When I gas up I have a snack and a drink and it keeps me fresh and enjoying the ride for longer.

Treat unfamiliar bikes with caution. Other people's bikes have different brakes, their tyre pressures may be out, the power is different, the steering geometry is different etc, and in an emergency you react instinctively so you may find yourself wondering why the hell the bike isn't doing what it normally does - just before you bin it.

[imdying]

dont over take cops,

dont piss into the windYou don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger
:drinkup:

And you don't mess around with Jim2
:drinkup:

[avgas]

Or a puncture repair kit.

Which is useless on a dark night on a dark road unless you have a light source :facepalm: dimhaik.
Yep. Which is why I only do the foam these days.
Gets the tire up enough to crawl to a station.

[The Lone Rider]

Boot leaks? plastic bags over your dry feet and socks, then into your boots

buy a removable elbow join for your tire valves, put in your tool kit

laws be damned; having a knife is very handy indeed

mole complaining to much? take off at the next petrol station while shes buying smokes

loctite your bolts, medium grade for screwin into or through metal, light for plastics

keep your tattoos covered in sunscreen if you arent going to cover them with a shirt

high energy chocolate can pep you up a little when you've got a long day on the road. Carry two in your pocket.

bring condoms. Unless you're married.

[F5 Dave]

Continue the manufacturers good work of late with mass centralisation & general reduction of weight. A lighter bike will be less tiring to ride, more accurate & wear tyres & other components less.

Have a good look around the bike to see what you don't need. Not many bikes have centrestands anymore, but if you look around you will be amazed at all the things you can remove from the bike or your luggage. Std toolkits, cableties, misc film canisters, spare fuses, blankets, duct tape, fire extinguishers, pillions, pumps, torches, locks, chain oiling systems, biros, notepads, condoms, jump leads, panadol, knives, gonks, spare gonks, $20 notes, maps, fairing panel inners, the list goes on.

Buy some decent tyres & enjoy the newfound handling. Shweeet!:love:


Oh yeah & you don't need a 4 stroke, - those unnecessary 2 extra strokes are surprisingly heavy.

[sgtp]

loctite your bolts, medium grade for screwin into or through metal, light for plastics


x2 ..... on my morning commute today, my shift lever was no longer in the same position. I look down and see a bolt from the footpeg assembly completly out, laying in a groove. :facepalm: Atlest I didnt lose the bolt...time to buy locktite.

Oh, and dont put your wallet in an outside pocket!

[MSTRS]

Always leave your ego at home...

[sinfull]

Beer !


246496

[scumdog]

Oh, and dont put your wallet in an outside pocket!

Be a bodgie (sort of an early bogan for you young 'uns) like me - have your wallet on a chain attached to your belt.:yes:

[huff3r]

Good alternative to film canisters (although maybe slightly larger) would be "eclipse" mint containers. They are small, alloy, and would hold all the stuff mentioned in previous posts I'd imagine.

And they still make them :lol:

[scumdog]

Good alternative to film canisters (although maybe slightly larger) would be "eclipse" mint containers. They are small, alloy, and would hold all the stuff mentioned in previous posts I'd imagine.

And they still make them :lol:

Barocca containers are pretty good too.

[Berries]

Oh, tips, riiigght..If you're handle-bar ends are easily removed you can stash $$, cable-ties etc in them.
And a big doobie.

[shrub]

Barocca containers are pretty good too.

Good idea, and they're easier to come by.

[Swoop]

The problem with stashing a small torch in your kit is that they are nothing more than an aluminium tube in which to store dead batteries...
Get a cylume stick (http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/search.aspx?q=glow&x=20&y=11)and stash that instead. Ready to go when needed and for years to come. Will easily fit into a handlebar end, like Scummy suggested.
They are available for much cheaper than the example in the link, so shop around!

[MadDuck]

If you have a bag that has zips on it......MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ZIPPED IT UP!!!!!

I will forever refer to the Desert Road now as Duckys Desert Dodgem as the contents of my bag now stretch a fair amount of the road.

PS: If anyone finds a pair of glasses give me a shout :eek:

[DEVVIL]

If you have a bag that has zips on it......MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ZIPPED IT UP!!!!!

I will forever refer to the Desert Road now as Duckys Desert Dodgem as the contents of my bag now stretch a fair amount of the road.

PS: If anyone finds a pair of glasses give me a shout :eek:

Make it Zip :innocent:

[baffa]

Regarding a torch, most people have cellphones that can use the flash like a torch nowadays, otherwise, carry one on your keyring. I have a little legoman with super bright leds built into his feet, useful when I was discovering how to flick the reserve switch on the side of a busy motorway :facepalm:

[Parlane]

discovering how to flick the reserve switch on the side of a busy motorway :facepalm:

I do it while riding... :innocent:

[G4L4XY]

dont over take cops,

dont piss into the wind

when in doubt power out

I overtake cops if they're sitting on 100 or just under. Everyone is too scared to pass them but as long as you don't go over the tolerance you should be fine. I've done it to marked and unmarked cars and never been stopped, and i'm on a 250!!

[DrunkenMistake]

I recently managed to lose my license plate and tail tidy in my swing arm on a trip I done, thinking I had somehow bottomed the wheel on the plastic under tray I ignored it only to find 50km down the road my plate was mashed into the swing arm, I had no zip ties on me,
Im pretty sure its been said,
But Emphasis on the Zip ties
I also keep a length of cord under my seat its about a meter and a half long, just encase, I used it for the plate this time around but ya never know when you might need to tie something down

[spinergy]

Spare headlight bulb

[G4L4XY]

They are bloody useful things and you can still get them from some pharmacies and photographic shops. I have a stockpile of a dozen or so and have one in my jacket pocket with ear plugs as well as my emergency one under the seat.

Once this thread has run its course I'm going to compile all the hints in a list, but a couple more from me:

Don't ride tired. It's easy to want to press on and finish the trip, but that's when your concentration lapses and I have fallen asleep riding - bloody scary. I have learned that if I get tired to the point where I'm not concentrating I find a friendly cafe and pull over for a coffee and maybe a low GI muesli bar - not sugar because sugar makes you peak and crash so 50 ks down the road you're worse off than before. I have also been known to pull over in a rest area for 10 minutes kip.

On a long ride hydrate and snack regularly, especially if it's hot. You still sweat and if all you're drinking is coffee and/or beer you'll get dehydrated, so I stick a bottle of water in my pack with a couple of low GI muesli bars. When I gas up I have a snack and a drink and it keeps me fresh and enjoying the ride for longer.

Treat unfamiliar bikes with caution. Other people's bikes have different brakes, their tyre pressures may be out, the power is different, the steering geometry is different etc, and in an emergency you react instinctively so you may find yourself wondering why the hell the bike isn't doing what it normally does - just before you bin it.



I found myself falling asleep on the bike during one ride, I had to pull over for a sleep, it was an old gas station that was abandoned, once I had a sleep I was fine

[GrayWolf]

Depending on the amount of spaghetti inside, the headlamp casing can be a useful place to stash spare key, money and if lucky spare bulb.

[shrub]

I found myself falling asleep on the bike during one ride, I had to pull over for a sleep, it was an old gas station that was abandoned, once I had a sleep I was fine

I spent the night in a school bus shelter once. It was about 2.00 am and I was over 100 km from my destination and was so fucked i could barely concentrate. I woke just before dawn and had a great ride for the rest of the way.

[The Pastor]

I overtake cops if they're sitting on 100 or just under. Everyone is too scared to pass them but as long as you don't go over the tolerance you should be fine. I've done it to marked and unmarked cars and never been stopped, and i'm on a 250!!

its way harder for a cop to pull you over if they are infront of you.....

[pzkpfw]

Before putting your cordura wet weather pants on, tuck your draggin' jeans into your socks.

(It's a bugger trying to get pulled-up jeans back down.)

[Tigadee]

I overtake cops if they're sitting on 100 or just under.

I've done it to marked and unmarked cars and never been stopped, and i'm on a 250!!

THAT'S why you didn't get pulled over... :rolleyes:

[G4L4XY]

its way harder for a cop to pull you over if they are infront of you.....

lol yeah but I did pass them but just don't go flying past them,

[Murray]

just thought I would redredge this thread for all new members

[Waihou Thumper]

-And last but NOT least...always wave to fellow riders




Bollocks! For the sake of my safety, that sure is something I would not encourage....
How about a nod of the head if you are so inclined....

[Erelyes]

Bollocks! For the sake of my safety, that sure is something I would not encourage....
How about a nod of the head if you are so inclined....

If taking one hand off the handlebars for a second at all compromises your riding in every day situations, you can't fucking ride.

[unstuck]

A leister variable heat gun for stripping paint off your house. Goes up to 600 degrees and is a magic wand when paint stripping. Just do not turn off straight away, let it cool down for a couple of mins or you will crack the ceramic hoodaky inside.:brick:

http://roofmaster.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/774403-triac-40mm-noz.jpg

[Waihou Thumper]

If taking one hand off the handlebars for a second at all compromises your riding in every day situations, you can't fucking ride.


I see you are living your dream! :tugger:

Quote - I only come on here to fuck people off these days.

No, what I meant to say if I saw the likes of you I wouldn't even waste my energy waving or nodding! Dick...:)
Enjoy your slagging mate and just fuck off!

[Murray]

just thought I would redredge this thread for all new members

Thank you madness for red repping me on reviving this post. I thought it was a pretty good one

[Madness]

You're very welcome Murray. I hope to give you another tomorrow.

[Swoop]

A leister variable heat gun for stripping paint off your house. Just do not turn off straight away, let it cool down for a couple of mins or you will crack the ceramic hoodaky inside.:brick:
You actually can turn it off straight away... BUT you have to have the heat outlet pointing upwards so the heat can dissipate evenly while it cools down. This applies to all heatguns (if you want them to last longer) but a bit of cooling air as the first stage certainly helps a bit!

[unstuck]

You actually can turn it off straight away... BUT you have to have the heat outlet pointing upwards so the heat can dissipate evenly while it cools down. This applies to all heatguns (if you want them to last longer) but a bit of cooling air as the first stage certainly helps a bit!

Ahhh, so thats what I did wrong.:rolleyes: Now I just turn it back to zero and leave it until I can touch the tip comfortably before hitting the off switch.
Anyone know the best place to buy roofing membrane? I reckon this heat gun is going to be the bees knees for heating a joining that shit.:headbang::headbang:

[Big Dog]

Alan keys, most bikes require two sizes to check the main fuse, or anything less pedestrian than a lightbulb.
Most toolkits don't come with new and second hand they were likely lost or pillaged.
Add the two you need to your kit. The addition of a motobat means I now need 3 but there have been a few times when the ability to disconnect the battery has been greatly beneficial.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[rocketman1]

Sunblock , If you have a long trip into the setting sun, no fun those melanoma's and basil cells
Nowhere to hide the face. Not many others sports can have your face in full sun for hours on end.

Also a twisted throttle grippy thing that allows you to release your grip, while still not slowing down. Great on long trips.

Ride clear of other vehicles, well in front or behind. Ie dont be hidden. But....... if you are riding Queenstown AREA, SI I would rather be behind a car to protect myself from the loonie tourists on the wrong side of the path.

Always change down a gear when entering tighter corners, not always common sense, but riding in a higher tha suitable gear around corners can be suck, and help you drift wide, dont know why just does.

A van once braked hard in front of me for no apparent reason, I had no option but to swerve around it, braking at the same time. Gave on hell of fright, maybe reason for para 3 above, keep fingers over brakes when following close, IE if you have to follow close.

Practice hard braking, when no one else around, I guess not often done by many, learn to stop fast, PRACTICE IT.

[scumdog]

[QUOTE=rocketman1;1130836232]A van once braked hard in front of me for no apparent reason, I had no option but to swerve around it, braking at the same time. Gave on hell of fright, maybe reason for para 3 above, keep fingers over brakes when following close, IE if you have to follow close.[QUOTE]

Yep,always leave buckets of fresh air between your bike and the car/bike on front, it tend not to hurt you as much as hitting the quickly slowing down mass on front!!!

[scumdog]

I see you are living your dream! :tugger:

Quote - I only come on here to fuck people off these days.

No, what I meant to say if I saw the likes of you I wouldn't even waste my energy waving or nodding! Dick...:)
Enjoy your slagging mate and just fuck off!



Ooh, touchy-touchy-touchy...
:killingme