Auckland: Best spot to practice knee down? [Archive]

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erix

6th June 2012, 04:25

Can anyone suggest me a place in Auckland is great for practice riding skills, the knee down in particular?:cool:
Very keen on getting some proper scractches on the knee pad laterly :weird:

Thanks in advance.

Sorry if anyone talked about this before, Searched hours in the forum got no answer.

slofox

6th June 2012, 07:56

Right outside the hospital should do it...

NinjaNanna

6th June 2012, 08:06

Hampton Downs or Pukekohe.

Otherwise if you really must find a decent sized roundabout in an industrial estate after midnight but still don't be surprised if the cops come asking what you are doing.

BoristheBiter

6th June 2012, 08:11

OOO this will be good.:corn::corn:

bogan

6th June 2012, 08:16

In front of your boyfriend?

:corn:

yod

6th June 2012, 08:32

OOO this will be good.:corn::corn:

Indeed.

:corn:

Jantar

6th June 2012, 08:59

.... practice riding skills, the knee down in particular......

Using the word "skills" in the same sentence as "knee down" is an oxymoron. The skill is in smooth, tight cornering without getting the knee down. :rolleyes:

Morcs

6th June 2012, 09:09

Panmure roundabout, middle of a weekend day.

Thats how I used to roll :msn-wink:

unstuck

6th June 2012, 09:15

Auckland domain.:msn-wink:

ducatilover

6th June 2012, 09:19

Any public road should do, my favourites are usually coarse chip seal, knee down around tar bleeds is the shit.:cool: Or around scooters, scare those poofters off the road.
Bogan has a point too.

willytheekid

6th June 2012, 09:23

Just ask Grantman...he was focused on "knee down" as well...and look how quickly he learnt!

...this IS gonna be interesting (Where the hell is Katman?) :jerry:

OP...Seriously, read this thread!! http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/132965-Progression-of-a-total-motorcycle-noob/page4?highlight=grantman

And I mean READ that thread(all of it!), then tell me if the risk is worth it....don't learn the hard way mate...save it for the track!, and just focus on safe and controlled riding on the road...and survival! (its hard enough to keep the other idiots from killing ya without trying to do it yourself!)

Ride safe

Bassmatt

6th June 2012, 09:55

This thread looks like it has potential.:corn:

yod

6th June 2012, 10:13

Using the word "skills" in the same sentence as "knee down" is an oxymoron.

No it's not.

Getting your knee down (on the road) is a skill. Like bashing yourself in the face with a cricket bat is a skill, not a clever or useful one, but a skill nonetheless.

Maha

6th June 2012, 11:09

Thats how I used to roll :msn-wink:

......and then walk for not less than 28 days?...:cool:

erix

6th June 2012, 18:12

wow, thats a lot replies.
As I expected, some useful and some not. anyway, thanks for your input.
I think I should rephase this to "tell me the best spot to practice your skills through bents"

my current fav is Whitford rd and Kawakawa-Orere rd. But Whitford rd have always some "heavy" traffic, and Kawakawa-Orere rd is quiet wet sometime. and I know the coro-loop is quite fun, but sometime I just need few quickies rather than a long ride.

please let me know if you know somewhere like this famous Mulholland drive

http://youtu.be/fPnkDd0cepg

http://youtu.be/nwdqncgBhAM

Subike

6th June 2012, 18:16

If you want to ride like that on public roads, then stay in Auckland
we dont want you down here in the south
dont need to "get the knee down"" when riding properly and within the legal limits
just stay north of those bombay hills.
Sorry to all you riders up there who have yet another hazard to watch out for on your leasurly ride on the corro loop

:nono:

nodrog

6th June 2012, 18:35

pm DMNTD, he has a couple of spots in Auckland that he has used to get his knee down.

onearmedbandit

6th June 2012, 18:40

Jantar

6th June 2012, 18:43

We ride at the legal limits down here??
Of course we do. The legal limit is always 1 kmh faster than we are travelling at any particular time. :devil2:

Kornholio

6th June 2012, 18:45

We ride at the legal limits down here??

Didn't you get the memo?

erix

6th June 2012, 21:10

erix

6th June 2012, 21:15

pm DMNTD, he has a couple of spots in Auckland that he has used to get his knee down.

thanks, will do.

nathanwhite

6th June 2012, 21:44

please let me know if you know somewhere like this famous Mulholland drive

You want a place like Mulholland? its not famous, its infamous.
Have a good look through this youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/rnickeymouse?feature=results_main). This is by far the more common result when people try to get their knee down on roads.

I see no issue with you trying to get your knee down. It's something i'm trying for also. But only on the track. (when I get to go anyway, its a little hard with a half built bike)

As a 500cc GP champ (I forget which one) aptly put it "if I had to face the same obstacles on the track you do on the road, I would be dead"

tigertim20

6th June 2012, 22:36

You want a place like Mulholland? its not famous, its infamous.
Have a good look through this youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/rnickeymouse?feature=results_main). This is by far the more common result when people try to get their knee down on roads.

I see no issue with you trying to get your knee down. It's something i'm trying for also. But only on the track. (when I get to go anyway, its a little hard with a half built bike)

As a 500cc GP champ (I forget which one) aptly put it "if I had to face the same obstacles on the track you do on the road, I would be dead"

If you have a look on youtube there are lots of vids of people getting a knee down at very low speeds, like 30km/hr.
Its a skill of limited use - several of the NZSBK riders dont put a knee down if i recall correctly! - but it is kinda fun to do, and nothing wrong with wanting to learn a new skill on your bike.

My advice is find a bif empty, flat carpark on a weekend or evening and practice there at LOW speeds, and just gently, gradually let the knee go down. You are safer trying it at 30-50 in a carpark than trying to do it at 100+ on the track sometimes.

Just make sure your tyres are good, make sure they are warm (a 20km ride before you go to your car park should suffice, and remember that its wintery now, and the sun can fool you into thinking that there is more grip available than there really is.)

Have fun with it, I remember when i first got a knee down, felt like I was rossi! but its not a skill I use a whole lot anymore to be honest.

Gremlin

7th June 2012, 02:14

but it is kinda fun to do, and nothing wrong with wanting to learn a new skill on your bike.
It has the practical purpose for racing to gauge the lean angle of the bike. ie, they are just touching the tarmac to know how far over the bike is, not grinding away their sliders as fast as possible. In wet racing, they often have a double layer slider, as they won't have the same lean angle as the dry.

As for knee down for the average joe... those that covet it have clearly never done so. Once you've done it, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. Do a trackday and you'll see.

driftn

7th June 2012, 06:31

Knee down on the road is stupid, no need for it and Im pretty sure that if a police officer does see you doing this, you will get done for careless use or some thing similar. I can't see how getting a knee down on the road is a use full skill, care to enlighten me on that?,
Take it to the race track get your "cool" scratches that way. Trust me though, the novelty wears off pretty quickly. Just another expense to add to the long list already.

slofox

7th June 2012, 07:34

I never get me knee down. It involves rotating your hip outwards. If I do that, the whole hip cramps up and I have to stop and walk around to fix it. So there ya go. :whistle:

unstuck

7th June 2012, 07:39

I only get my knee down at church:devil2: Sometimes get my knee down off road, closely followed by the rest of my body.:headbang:

slofox

7th June 2012, 07:41

Sometimes get my knee down off road, closely followed by the rest of my body.:headbang:

Et tu Brute? Only time I got me knee down, it was very quickly followed by everything else.

Tigadee

7th June 2012, 08:19

please let me know if you know somewhere like this famous Mulholland drive

Try Scenic Drive (road to Piha).

nathanwhite

7th June 2012, 10:50

Try Scenic Drive (road to Piha).

Scenic drive is a very fun road, but unlike Mulholland its not smooth SH1 level ashphalt all the way.

I've had a couple of sphincter clenching moments coming around a corner on Scenic drive reasonably fast and suddenly seeing tar snakes or potholes or a puddle etc.

The best place I could think of (asides from the track) is a giant roundabout in an industial area late at night.

Tigadee

7th June 2012, 12:43

The best place I could think of (asides from the track) is a giant roundabout in an industial area late at night.

No giant roundabouts although there are at least a few in the industrial area near the airport (Montgomerie Rd)...

ducatilover

7th June 2012, 13:11

I never get me knee down. It involves rotating your hip outwards. If I do that, the whole hip cramps up and I have to stop and walk around to fix it. So there ya go. :whistle:

Ye poor wee beggar :bleh:

I used to go to round abouts at night, but getting the knee down on a road that continually goes to the right? Beige.

unstuck

7th June 2012, 14:18

Ye poor wee beggar :bleh:

I used to go to round abouts at night, but getting the knee down on a road that continually goes to the right? Beige.

Wimp, go round left next time, make it a little more interesting.:niceone:

ducatilover

7th June 2012, 14:53

Wimp, go round left next time, make it a little more interesting.:niceone:

I'll continue being a wimp :(

Haggis2

7th June 2012, 17:11

ohhhhhhh, ist that cute?:baby: such a law abiding citizen. lets give him a round of applause.:clap:

knee down is now hazzard on road now.....LMAO

Wow, what an egg. Trying to compensate much? :tugger:

malcy25

7th June 2012, 18:04

hmm, guessing.....just got off a 250 and restricted, bought an R6.

1) Go do a ride day who provide some training and stop trying to do stupid shit on the road.
2) Go learn to ride your bike properly first. Worry about trying to look like a magazine tester later.

Having nearly 30 years of mostly track related riding, I see lots of people who are dying to get their knee down in the tragic manner of 14 year old boys wanting to shag a bird. They try so hard they compromise the whole corner, into middle and out, usually pinching it tight on the exit, with massive hang off, getting in the way of others and just looking like a complete arse.

By the way, I've been so badly smoked by guys who's knees are so far from he deck, it makes you wander what laws of physics they are working to.

tigertim20

7th June 2012, 18:31

It has the practical purpose for racing to gauge the lean angle of the bike. ie, they are just touching the tarmac to know how far over the bike is, not grinding away their sliders as fast as possible. In wet racing, they often have a double layer slider, as they won't have the same lean angle as the dry.

As for knee down for the average joe... those that covet it have clearly never done so. Once you've done it, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. Do a trackday and you'll see.
i am aware of the purpose, but as i said, some in NZSBK are on podiums, (or close to) who rarely bother with it at all

Knee down on the road is stupid, no need for it and Im pretty sure that if a police officer does see you doing this, you will get done for careless use or some thing similar. I can't see how getting a knee down on the road is a use full skill, care to enlighten me on that?,
Take it to the race track get your "cool" scratches that way. Trust me though, the novelty wears off pretty quickly. Just another expense to add to the long list already.

no need, maybe, but theres no NEED to ride a bike at all either - we do cos its fun.

Id have to say it is entirely possible to put a knee down on the road without breaking any laws or being dangerous.

sugilite

7th June 2012, 20:47

several of the NZSBK riders dont put a knee down if i recall correctly!
I find that surprising, I usually lost at least a second a lap on the few occasions I had a knee scraper go awol. My mid corner speed suffered as did the exit as I could not push the bike onto the fatter part of the tyre to get maximum drive.

tigertim20

7th June 2012, 21:17

I find that surprising, I usually lost at least a second a lap on the few occasions I had a knee scraper go awol. My mid corner speed suffered as did the exit as I could not push the bike onto the fatter part of the tyre to get maximum drive.

it surprised me a bit too, but there was a thread on here, probably 6 months ago, and a bunch of people were discussing who does and doesnt do it from the NZSBK grid. some of them I think were regular podium hunters. Id go and dig the thread up, but fucked if i remember how it started and I cant be bothered!

erix

8th June 2012, 02:50

If you have a look on youtube there are lots of vids of people getting a knee down at very low speeds, like 30km/hr.
Its a skill of limited use - several of the NZSBK riders dont put a knee down if i recall correctly! - but it is kinda fun to do, and nothing wrong with wanting to learn a new skill on your bike.

My advice is find a bif empty, flat carpark on a weekend or evening and practice there at LOW speeds, and just gently, gradually let the knee go down. You are safer trying it at 30-50 in a carpark than trying to do it at 100+ on the track sometimes.

Just make sure your tyres are good, make sure they are warm (a 20km ride before you go to your car park should suffice, and remember that its wintery now, and the sun can fool you into thinking that there is more grip available than there really is.)

Have fun with it, I remember when i first got a knee down, felt like I was rossi! but its not a skill I use a whole lot anymore to be honest.

Thanks for the supporting words, and you obvious understand my puropose of my question here. Thanks!

Try Scenic Drive (road to Piha).

Scenic drive is a very fun road, but unlike Mulholland its not smooth SH1 level ashphalt all the way.

I've had a couple of sphincter clenching moments coming around a corner on Scenic drive reasonably fast and suddenly seeing tar snakes or potholes or a puddle etc.

The best place I could think of (asides from the track) is a giant roundabout in an industial area late at night.

Had bad experience at Scenic drive when I was on my 250, almost go off road twice, and never go there after that. I recall the road condition is not so good as well. thanks for the suggestion tho, may go back to see if it was my bad riding skills.

No giant roundabouts although there are at least a few in the industrial area near the airport (Montgomerie Rd)...

Thanks. Indeed very good spot, hope the traffic is good during weekend.

hmm, guessing.....just got off a 250 and restricted, bought an R6.

1) Go do a ride day who provide some training and stop trying to do stupid shit on the road.
2) Go learn to ride your bike properly first. Worry about trying to look like a magazine tester later.

Having nearly 30 years of mostly track related riding, I see lots of people who are dying to get their knee down in the tragic manner of 14 year old boys wanting to shag a bird. They try so hard they compromise the whole corner, into middle and out, usually pinching it tight on the exit, with massive hang off, getting in the way of others and just looking like a complete arse.

By the way, I've been so badly smoked by guys who's knees are so far from he deck, it makes you wander what laws of physics they are working to.

Not really. got my full more than 5 years now. and the R6 is the bike before my last last bike?

For those people trying to lecture me about safety and other heavy stuff. I genuinly thank you for your concern but Ill still do it, in a realtive safe and control enviroment, at very least no harm to other road user. Thats why I asked direction for a good place to practice at very begining. and stop bs me about the legal stuff. Ive never had a speeding ticket or anything like that, not claiming that I am good behaving citzen here, but the high price ticket definitly put off the fun(yeah, you are right, im not rich and then irresponsible), thats why i dont do it.

stop judging someone you've never met, and say something relavant to the post, otherwise you can just shut up, the forum can be a much better place if less judging and bs. in the end, i just want to have more fun with the bike without affecting other people.

malcy25

8th June 2012, 08:24

in a realtive safe and control enviroment, at very least no harm to other road user.

Not the road then.

Like all of us, I'm another road user - some of which the roads that are mentioned. Last thing I need is some twat so concentrated on trying to get his knee down that he runs into me.

Get off the road.

Judging, may be yes, may be no. who cares. I do in a sense that you just are not getting it that the road is probably the last place to go and try this stuff.

Don't ask a question you may not like the answer of, will probably stop you feeling offended.

BoristheBiter

8th June 2012, 08:34

stop judging someone you've never met, and say something relavant to the post, otherwise you can just shut up, the forum can be a much better place if less judging and bs. in the end, i just want to have more fun with the bike without affecting other people.

What did you except? love and cuddles? You're on the road numbnuts of course you will effect other people.
You're talking about getting your knee down on the road and that means one of two things, you are going flat out or you're just a try hard that thinks getting your knee down make you go faster.

As malcy25 put it if you don't like the answers don't ask the question.

Kendog

8th June 2012, 09:34

Fast Eddie

8th June 2012, 10:09

Kawakawa-Orere rd is quiet wet sometimes.

try it when its not raining...

Fast Eddie

8th June 2012, 10:11

As a 500cc GP champ (I forget which one) aptly put it "if I had to face the same obstacles on the track you do on the road, I would be dead"

was Mick Doohan wasnt it, he made that advert where they racing on a track but there is like a bus stop or a lamp post or a phone booth in the run off areas and when they crash on the track they end up in the bus stop or lamp post and then he said that quote above

Voltaire

8th June 2012, 10:12

If you seriously want a safe place why are you considering the road, as that's the least safe place to ride a bike.

If you don't want to take your road bike on the track, check out the bucket racing. Almost unlimited knee down practice opportunities available there. Plus the chance to learn a lot of other riding skills as well.

+ 1 on the bucket racing, Mt Welly next weekend, you can borrow one of Johns bikes and get yer knee down.....I tried and was followed by my arse and the bike.
Went on the Whitford/Kaiaua road a couple off weeks back....had a couple of moments with green stuff on the road...and almost brown stuff.....:rolleyes:
I take my old Beemer around Puke and HD but the heads touch before my knee....
Hey Malcy 25....post up your recent knee down pics...:niceone:

malcy25

8th June 2012, 13:27

Hey Malcy 25....post up your recent knee down pics...:niceone:

he blushes....... Funny thing it started WITHOUT my knee on the deck....and after an hour+ with the tyres on warmers.

onearmedbandit

8th June 2012, 17:19

was Mick Doohan wasnt it, he made that advert where they racing on a track but there is like a bus stop or a lamp post or a phone booth in the run off areas and when they crash on the track they end up in the bus stop or lamp post and then he said that quote above

This is the one.

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