Your best advice?

[MystikEagle]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

What was the best bit of advice that you were given when you started riding? And what is the best bit of advice you have now?

Help us newbies learn from your mistakes so that we don't make them ourselves :D

[FJRider]

Don't fall off. It hurts ... :blank:




They were right ... :lol:

[caseye]

Ride your own ride.

[haydes55]

If the road is shiny, the road is slippery. Avoid leaves, cow shit and anything else on the road, again, slippery.

ATGATT!

Have fun :niceone:

[JafaSaffer]

Don't fall off

The bike goes where you look.

Pick your lines well.

Watch out for the :Police:

[MadDuck]

Always wave...

[tigertim20]

Ride your own ride.

that. . . . .. . . . .

[FJRider]

Always wave...

not another waving thread ... :chase:

[mossy1200]

Has anyone fallen off while waving?

[James Deuce]

The round black things are supposed to be on the road.

[haydes55]

The round black things are supposed to be on the road.

My helmet?

[skippa1]

wheelies attract hot girls

[caspernz]

Don't ask serious questions on KiwiBiker after 6pm...:clap::drinknsin

Oh, and for every sound piece of advice you get, there'll often be another that more or less opposes it :brick:

[FJRider]

Don't ask serious questions on KiwiBiker after 6pm...:clap::drinknsin

Oh, and for every sound piece of advice you get, there'll often another that more or less opposes it :brick:

That's wrong ... :devil2: after 7 pm we are more likely to argue.

[FJRider]

wheelies attract hot girls

And chick's dig scars ... :cool:

[zique]

Concentrate and be aware that anything can come outta the blue into your path,so constantly be on the lookout.
And yup dont fall...I just did haha.And it hurts:)

[neels]

Position yourself on the road in the same place as if you were in the drivers seat of a car

Assume everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Don't try and keep up with anybody else, ride at the speed you are comfortable with.

[Hitcher]

Advice? It's really not that clever to start threads that can only end in a troll war. Sir Peter Jackson is the only person who has been able to execute that successfully.

[ducatilover]

wheelies attract hot girls
Fuck yes.
Biggest wheelie I ever did allowed me to meet a gorgeous blonde nurse.
Happy Doug

[mylodon]

'ride to your limits'

that is the best advice i got. speed is not as important as safety, and your limits are the important limits.

(... also if you are safe, then you can increase the speed. :) )

[Tigadee]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

This is what you want and what you NEED:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php/49-Survival-Skills

Especially this:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/52318-50-survival-tips-Read-em-now!

[MystikEagle]

Position yourself on the road in the same place as if you were in the drivers seat of a car

Assume everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Don't try and keep up with anybody else, ride at the speed you are comfortable with.

Very good advice!

Thank you everyone for your comments, I hope that this will help other newbies as much as it will help me :)

[Katman]

'ride to your limits'

that is the best advice i got.

Bummer that you got such bad advice then.

Ride well within your limits is considerably better advice.

[MystikEagle]

This is what you want and what you NEED:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php/49-Survival-Skills

Especially this:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/52318-50-survival-tips-Read-em-now!

Very very good threads! Thanks alot for sharing :yes:

[James Deuce]

Advice? It's really not that clever to start threads that can only end in a troll war. Sir Peter Jackson is the only person who has been able to execute that successfully.
Even then, he stole someone else's ideas.

[yoyo 2wheels]

ride like everyone's out to get ya!!!! and if in doubt lean it out...

[Akzle]

only two, and they're both #1 rules.. apply to car and bike, once you are fluent in both, everything else is secondary.

1-look where you're going
1-do not brake around corners.

easy huh?

[actungbaby]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

What was the best bit of advice that you were given when you started riding? And what is the best bit of advice you have now?

Help us newbies learn from your mistakes so that we don't make them ourselves :D

Dont be in a rush take your time enjoy riding your bike , i think some sort riding training esp if your

Going up a size from the bike your learnt to ride on i didnt and had few crashs that chould been

avoided

Yor never to old to learn no one knows everthing have open mind and your do well

Use all your sences eyes ears etc i esp find the listening good safety measure often can sence car behind you

[_Shrek_]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

What was the best bit of advice that you were given when you started riding? And what is the best bit of advice you have now?

Help us newbies learn from your mistakes so that we don't make them ourselves :D

read what neels & caseye said below & remember it!!! best adviced there is for newbies


Position yourself on the road in the same place as if you were in the drivers seat of a car

Assume everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Don't try and keep up with anybody else, ride at the speed you are comfortable with.


Ride your own ride.



Don't fall off. It hurts ... :blank:

& what FJ said is true :weep:

[James Deuce]

Oh yeah. Never, ever go on group rides.

[caseye]

Oh yeah. Never, ever go on group rides.

Yer an old cynic JD, ol Maha and others I've ridden with have gone out of their way to make a group ride enjoyable and as stress free as possible for the newbies along for their first group ride. Most survive the experience and go back for more, some go their own way and that's as it should be for them.
A bunch of riders I know and have ridden with for a while is a good day out, no drama's Ok if you don't count ol Dodgyiti being sconned by a boat, on the road, on the coro loop, true story.

[James Deuce]

They're insanely dangerous. I'm not being cynical, I'm a realist. You will get bitten and bitten hard if you keep pushing group rides as social events. A couple of mates is no issue. A herd of n00bs is a major risk.

[Bikemad]

always be kind to old people,children and animals

[_Shrek_]

They're insanely dangerous. I'm not being cynical, I'm a realist. You will get bitten and bitten hard if you keep pushing group rides as social events. A couple of mates is no issue. A herd of n00bs is a major risk.

I think saying they are insanely dangerous, is being cynical JD, I use to do a nana ride for the newbies for a while, & yes they can be dangerous if there aren't some strict ground rules layed out from the start

I do avoid group rides as a rule but every now & then you end up in one, & you ride to the conditions that are there

[James Deuce]

It's all fun and games until you're apologising to people for wrecked property, ringing ambulances, trying to convince the Police not to prosecute people en route to hospital in a helicopter and making multiple trips to drop broken bikes off.

They are insane. It's a hazard other road users shouldn't be exposed to.

[caseye]

They're insanely dangerous. I'm not being cynical, I'm a realist. You will get bitten and bitten hard if you keep pushing group rides as social events. A couple of mates is no issue. A herd of n00bs is a major risk.

Personally I don't do social group rides unless I feel the need to contribute and mingle with the great unwashed bike riding mongrels out there who also do the majors.
West PAC Rescue Chopper ride. They saved my mum and dad from certain death about 15 yrs ago.
BRONZ kids ride. Who wouldn't ride for them?
The Tron's kids ride from Cambridge to the city square.
The Blue Sept ride.
The Pink Ribbon ride.
The Sallys Ride here in Dorkland.
And yes all of the above are dangerous considering the number of first time riders involved but hey, same as always, eyes an ears open, following distances opened up, protect the rear, treat em all as potential knocker offers same as for cars.
Any other time it's just me, the wife on her stead and one or two others, occasionally we travel down to the Tron and go for a spin with our friends from the LOR.
Course there's also the BFTP, another bunch of reprobates who ride together "sometimes".Not forgetting the other mongrels I ride with the Fatt Bikkers MC! best bunch of charity riders I've ever had the privilage of riding with.
Shit JD, you've made me all scardy cat about going and throwing a leg over now, NOT!

[neels]

It's all fun and games until you're apologising to people for wrecked property, ringing ambulances, trying to convince the Police not to prosecute people en route to hospital in a helicopter and making multiple trips to drop broken bikes off.
You need to make better choices about who you go group riding with then. I don't ride in close formation except with people I know very well and trust their riding....

[Maha]

You need to make better choices about who you go group riding with then. I don't ride in close formation except with people I know very well and trust their riding....

The ''group rides'' of which JD speaks, are nothing more than fragmented free for all go hard or go home soon as the flag drops....no rules apply attitude.
Finding the right formula for a group ride wasn't that hard...with over 40 rides hehind me now, and not one loss, I take exception that he collates the bad with the not...its incorrect.
Now, groups of sheep?...totally different story.

[tbs]

Read this thread start to finish.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/132965-Progression-of-a-total-motorcycle-noob

[DEATH_INC.]

This isn't a thread about group rides....

My best advice is to take your time and learn to control things properly, if you want to go fast it will come naturally as you learn.

[MystikEagle]

This isn't a thread about group rides....

My best advice is to take your time and learn to control things properly, if you want to go fast it will come naturally as you learn.

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides :nono:

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

[DEATH_INC.]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides :nono:

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway
Work on the basics, once they are comfortable then you work your way on up. Keith code's twist of the wrist talks about it. It's a good read/vid.

Don't be afraid to look like a noob, when you are ;)

[Maha]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides :nono:

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

Did you end up having a look at /buying that cruiser?

[awayatc]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides :nono:

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway


my advise?.....get any sort of bike you can afford to drop and play a bit in the dirt.......
That will give you a good feel for the bike, and how it/you act/react when things start slipping and sliding.
Thats could make the difference between an "off" or staying on when things go pearshaped on the road (rain/oil/gravel etc)
And trust me.....Things will get hairy one day!

[MystikEagle]

Did you end up having a look at /buying that cruiser?

Nah, still looking around aye. Still saving the pennies too, had a few big bills come in :(

[Maha]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

What was the best bit of advice that you were given when you started riding? And what is the best bit of advice you have now?

Help us newbies learn from your mistakes so that we don't make them ourselves :D

A few words I remember being said by the an instructor at the time of my BHS was...loosen up! whats with the death grip? don't be so tense, relax those shoulders!

Being comfortable on your bike can be the difference between enjoyin it, and, it being an issue.

[bluninja]

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

Car parks are dangerous.....everyone seems to want to practise in them :rolleyes: but practicing bike control before you add in all the extra hazards of traffic sounds a good approach. In other parts of the world you have to do comuplsory training in a car park (well off public roads) before you get let loose.
There used to be some training run in the car park under AMCC club rooms.....I'm sure other organisation have training available in safe areas.

Top tip from me. Get some good instruction and training at the start.

[george formby]

Don't ride faster than you can think or to put it another way. You must always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear.

[mossy1200]

Get a partner who wont ask you to give up motorbikes ever!!!!!!!!!

[george formby]

Get a partner who wont ask you to give up motorbikes ever!!!!!!!!!

That's good. Even more better, get a partner who can or wants to ride too. Ours of entertainment at home watching Mooto GP, Extreme Enduro, Superbikes, gymkhana vids etc without feeling dirty.

[Drew]

'ride to your limits'

that is the best advice i got. speed is not as important as safety, and your limits are the important limits.

(... also if you are safe, then you can increase the speed. :) )


Bummer that you got such bad advice then.

Ride well within your limits is considerably better advice.How does one learn their limits?


The ''group rides'' of which JD speaks, are nothing more than fragmented free for all go hard or go home soon as the flag drops....no rules apply attitude.
Finding the right formula for a group ride wasn't that hard...with over 40 rides hehind me now, and not one loss, I take exception that he collates the bad with the not...its incorrect.
Now, groups of sheep?...totally different story.Not one loss? So no one has crashed, or you call a loss a death? I'll assume the latter for the time being.

So you blame organisers of other rides, for "losses" that might have happened?

Would you expect jail time if there was a loss on one of your rides?

[Madness]

Pay attention to your tyre pressures, dress appropriately for the conditions and avoid Pheasants.

[mossy1200]

Pay attention to your tyre pressures, dress appropriately for the conditions and avoid Pheasants.

I want the bouncy boobs back again for a while Madness.

[Drew]

I want the bouncy boobs back again for a while Madness.
I second the motion.

[Fast Eddie]

avoid Peasants.

f*ckn peasants, I had a family of poor people asking me for change when I was waiting at a red light the other day. Definitely avoid them at all costs

[mylodon]

How does one learn their limits?

When control is lost.

I should have said, *within* the limits not *to* the limits, since perpetually being on the verge of losing control is a bad idea, if thrilling.

[Gareth123]

Be humble. Don't go round acting like an ass hat when you think you know what your doing. If your humble people will offer tips and advice. If your an ass hat, people will watch you suffer through whatever it is your doing.

[AD345]

Stay away from the internet

[Muppet]

I have a few......

Don't worry about other people.

Trust no one.

Don't believe anything the media tell you.

It's what you don't know that counts.

All professional cyclists are drug cheats.

All politicians are liars.

Never back down.

An attack is the best form of defence.

Judges are failed lawyers.

[MystikEagle]

Pay attention to your tyre pressures, dress appropriately for the conditions and avoid Pheasants.

Avoid pheasants? Sounds like there is an interesting story there :)

As far as tyre pressures are concerned, is the reccomended pressure on the tyres as with car tyres and does it vary with the kind of riding you intend to do? (Highway riding as opposed to going to town for some milk and bread?)

[george formby]

Rule of thumb is to use the tire manufacturers recommended pressures. To far either way will cause problems. Maintaining your tire pressures is critical, they are the only thing touching the road. Check them cold & always use the same gauge, garage gauges can tell lies & the pressure increases when the tire is hot.

[Drew]

Tyre pressures aren't written on the tyre. Max load pressures are, but that isn't the optimal.

Ask the distributors what they recommend.

[Akzle]

always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear.
*half the distance.

another one, which is just advice, pre-ride checks, if you have a new snazzy bike, possibly not so much an issue, if not, check lights haven't been knocked off, that they work, chain is oiled, seat is latched down, steering head isn't loose or binding, that you haven't left tools on top of the crank case etc.

[george formby]

*half the distance.

another one, which is just advice, pre-ride checks, if you have a new snazzy bike, possibly not so much an issue, if not, check lights haven't been knocked off, that they work, chain is oiled, seat is latched down, steering head isn't loose or binding, that you haven't left tools on top of the crank case etc.

:whistle:Have you been listening in on pre ride conversations with my G/F?

[Maha]

Not one loss? So no one has crashed, or you call a loss a death? I'll assume the latter for the time being.

So you blame organisers of other rides, for "losses" that might have happened?

Would you expect jail time if there was a loss on one of your rides?

The written word is not always read as intended.


No blame should be appointed to any ride organiser for the misguided action/s of others.
I have said it before and will say again...that I would take it personally should something happen on one of my group rides (no injuries to date)
I would not feel (or be held) responsible should the unthinkable happen.

Jail time?...pull ya head in...wheres the criminal intent?..you are no longer my hero...:clap:

[Drew]

The written word is not always read as intended.


No blame should be appointed to any ride organiser for the misguided action/s of others.
I have said it before and will say again...that I would take it personally should something happen on one of my group rides (no injuries to date)
I would not feel (or be held) responsible should the unthinkable happen.

Jail time?...pull ya head in...wheres the criminal intent?..you are no longer my hero...:clap:

Pull my head in? For asking questions? What the..?

Tough crowd today.

[caseye]

Unheroed? just like that? the scary thing is that given the unthinkable happening anyone who puts themselves forward as "the organiser" will be seriously looked at by OSH and or ACC with a view to taking an action , simply in order to get a court ruling so they either can or can't prosecute all that follow.
Scaring us with this sort of thuggery should not be allowed to happen, but who is out there saying, "hey, come on, we're trying to do some good and we get shafted"
It comes under the heading of continuing to make sure that their jobs are not only safe and secure but guaranteed for life if they can secure ongoing prosecution rights in civil un job related cases. they're doing it everywhere.
Those poor buggers who go and throw things at ACC offices have a valid point. Not enough, soon enough and persecution at every turn.

[FJRider]

Jail time?...pull ya head in...wheres the criminal intent?..you are no longer my hero...:clap:

It's not criminal intent that gets you in bother with the law. It's criminal negligence that's the kicker ...

Not knowing the things you dont know you need to know ... untill the shit has hit the fan.

After an incident on an organised ride ... the organiser will always be asked to "help with their inquiries" ...

[FJRider]

Pull my head in?

I don't know what he's on about ... you've got no neck now .... :whistle:

[actungbaby]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides :nono:

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

Good idea yes i did this myself as my bike wasint up to wof as still getting there fixing it

Am 49 and riding around the car park helped my get feel for my bike

[caspernz]

Only ride with guys/gals who respect your space on the road...and don't feel the need to turn each leg of a trip into a time trial :tugger:

[swtfa]

Some good advice on this thread :) Being a newbie myself, I find KB helpful - most times. Intimidating other times. Best advice I have had so far - "look to where you are going because that is where you will end up" Thanks yungatart. Learnt that one the hard way :shit:

[caspernz]

Some good advice on this thread :) Being a newbie myself, I find KB helpful - most times. Intimidating other times. Best advice I have had so far - "look to where you are going because that is where you will in up" Thanks yungatart. Learnt that one the hard way :shit:

Last one for today - Professional rider training is good value for money :2thumbsup

[swtfa]

Last one for today - Professional rider training is good value for money :2thumbsup

Nothing like that here in Hawkes Bay - sad. I will just have to pester the local Mentor...

[HenryDorsetCase]

Unheroed? just like that? the scary thing is that given the unthinkable happening anyone who puts themselves forward as "the organiser" will be seriously looked at by OSH and or ACC with a view to taking an action , simply in order to get a court ruling so they either can or can't prosecute all that follow.
Scaring us with this sort of thuggery should not be allowed to happen, but who is out there saying, "hey, come on, we're trying to do some good and we get shafted"
It comes under the heading of continuing to make sure that their jobs are not only safe and secure but guaranteed for life if they can secure ongoing prosecution rights in civil un job related cases. they're doing it everywhere.
Those poor buggers who go and throw things at ACC offices have a valid point. Not enough, soon enough and persecution at every turn.

Nah, bullshit. Think about it: they're only interested in workplace accidents. Maybe the po po would think about but I very much doubt they'd be interested.

Also, how would you prove (thot the criminal standard) causation?.

Nope your paranoia is getting the better of you.

[onelittlenurse]

And chick's dig scars ... :cool:

Yes its true about girls digging scars.... and tattooosss nom nom

Best advice I got when I was riding was
Slow in Fast Out

and

knees in , elbows in, eyes up

and recently, I learnt, and if you ride home from work after a nightshift with the choke out, you will probably run out of gas :Oops:

[Drew]

and recently, I learnt, and if you ride home from work after a nightshift with the choke out, you will probably run out of gas :Oops:Erm, you should have the bike tuned. It shouldn't idle or run very nicely at all, once it is at operating temp, with the choke out.

[DEATH_INC.]

As far as tyre pressures are concerned, is the reccomended pressure on the tyres as with car tyres
I certainly hope you don't set your car tyres to the maximum recommended pressures on the sidewall. Look inside the drivers door or fuel flap and you'll find the pressure the CAR manufacturer recommends. For the time being do the same with your bike, either from the manual or some have a sticker attached somewhere....

[ducatilover]

Erm, you should have the bike tuned. It shouldn't idle or run very nicely at all, once it is at operating temp, with the choke out.
Mine will sit at around 5000rpm under load with the choke out and no throttle, nearly enough to cruise at 100 with my stupid short gearing. The GN will chug itself along at 45km/h with the choke out and no throttle :lol:

[MystikEagle]

I certainly hope you don't set your car tyres to the maximum recommended pressures on the sidewall. Look inside the drivers door or fuel flap and you'll find the pressure the CAR manufacturer recommends. For the time being do the same with your bike, either from the manual or some have a sticker attached somewhere....

Nah, around 30 for the car, more if I'm doing a road trip. I know a bit about cars (dad's a mechanic) just never really had alot to do with bikes

[MystikEagle]

Yes its true about girls digging scars.... and tattooosss nom nom

Best advice I got when I was riding was
Slow in Fast Out

and

knees in , elbows in, eyes up

and recently, I learnt, and if you ride home from work after a nightshift with the choke out, you will probably run out of gas :Oops:

Lol, I have tattoos of my own to dig :)

Bummer about running out of fuel! My farm bike dies if you leave the choke out once it's warm, runs rough as guts...

[f2dz]

Some great ones here already been said:

Ride your own ride
Look where you want to go

My biggest hazard when I started riding was the wet road:

Watch out for paint lines and manhole covers
Careful braking down hills; it takes longer to slow down and there's a higher potential to lock your rear

[Drew]

Some great ones here already been said:

Ride your own ride
Look where you want to go

My biggest hazard when I started riding was the wet road:

Watch out for paint lines and manhole covers
Careful braking down hills; it takes longer to slow down and there's a higher potential to lock your rear

Here's a new piece of advice to bake your noodle. Hoon about for a bit without using your back brake at all when it's dry.

I'm not telling you to give up on the rear brake completely and forever, just to put most of your faith in the front.

[Fast Eddie]

I know a bit about cars (dad's a mechanic)

haha... it shows..

[Akzle]

:whistle:Have you been listening in on pre ride conversations with my G/F?

:buggerd: :spanking:
. .

[jellywrestler]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

What was the best bit of advice that you were given when you started riding? And what is the best bit of advice you have now?

Help us newbies learn from your mistakes so that we don't make them ourselves :D

whatever you ride get someone who actually knows something about motorcycles to adjust the controls to suit you and your riding gear.

[MystikEagle]

whatever you ride get someone who actually knows something about motorcycles to adjust the controls to suit you and your riding gear.

Thanks for that! I'm hoping to get a few lessons once I buy my bike, just to get me started on the right foot :)

[nathanwhite]

on the right foot :)

Nah I find it's better to put the left foot down. You can use the rear brake that way 'doncha know!

[MystikEagle]

Nah I find it's better to put the left foot down. You can use the rear brake that way 'doncha know!

Fair call :)

[ducatilover]

Here's a new piece of advice to bake your noodle. Hoon about for a bit without using your back brake at all when it's dry.

I'm not telling you to give up on the rear brake completely and forever, just to put most of your faith in the front.
But it looks awesome when you back it in (which is all that happens on the rear brake on the stupid Kawasaki)

[jellywrestler]

Nah I find it's better to put the left foot down. You can use the rear brake that way 'doncha know!

mate; in wellington you need both feet on the ground so the wind dont catch ya!

[Metal Doctor]

Hey everyone, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where all you well seasoned riders could give us newbies some tips and pointers. I know there is already a similar thread, but I had a couple of specific questions...

What was the best bit of advice that you were given when you started riding? And what is the best bit of advice you have now?

Help us newbies learn from your mistakes so that we don't make them ourselves :D

Ride deffensively! everything is out there trying to kill you! (quote from my dad when i frist started road riding)

Have fun! thats what we do it for, if your not smiling whats the point!

[nathanwhite]

mate; in wellington you need both feet on the ground so the wind dont catch ya!

Not this again. I got in trouble with #1 over the difference in wind between Dorkland and wellington a little while back :lol:

[Tigadee]

Not this again. I got in trouble with #1 over the difference in wind between Dorkland and wellington a little while back

No worries, we had Wellington winds up here last Saturday, so we're even (with Welly) now... :laugh:

[sootie]

Thinking back, and thinking about what still works, I would like to suggest the following:

* Ride on your own sometimes & as you feel like it, but

* Find a few guys (girls?) you like riding with & have fun riding together

* Read a bit & talk a lot about what works, what doesn't, what is safe & what is not

* learning is best if you enjoy it at your own pace, but do a riding course also if you feel you want to

* always be open to new ideas, but expect them to be demonstrated & proven before you adopt

:) :) :)

[skippa1]

* Ride on your own sometimes & as you feel like it, but

* Find a few guys (girls?) you like riding & have fun riding together



Are giving advice on riding a motorcycle, or swinging?:killingme

[MystikEagle]

Thinking back, and thinking about what still works, I would like to suggest the following:

* Ride on your own sometimes & as you feel like it, but

* Find a few guys (girls?) you like riding with & have fun riding together

* Read a bit & talk a lot about what works, what doesn't, what is safe & what is not

* learning is best if you enjoy it at your own pace, but do a riding course also if you feel you want to

* always be open to new ideas, but expect them to be demonstrated & proven before you adopt

:) :) :)

Thanks for that, all sounds like very good advice to me :)

[george formby]

:buggerd: :spanking:
. .


After the normal checks... "Ow's yer tires? Do the brakes work? Yer lights & indicators & horn all go?" etc we get to that mysterious question "has it got oil in it?" the bike is 2t...... so we always have a brief spanner moment to check the wee tank behind the side panel & the window of mystery in the gearbox.

And the bestest one, "fuel turned on?" usually asked 1.7 km from home as the wee DT is getting the $#!t kicked out of it at the road side.

[Coolz]

Something that I've just relearnt after changing back to chain from several years on a shaftdrive bike

is, don't over oil your chain. Use too much and it gets flicked all over the back wheel!

[george formby]

Something that I've just relearnt after changing back to chain from several years on a shaftdrive bike

is, don't over oil your chain. Use too much and it gets flicked all over the back wheel!

Yus, t'is so. I wipe off the excess spooge with a plastic bag. It distributes the lube over the chain & the wrinkles catch the excess.

[sootie]

Something that I've just re-learnt after changing back to chain from several years on a shaftdrive bike

is, don't over oil your chain. Use too much and it gets flicked all over the back wheel!

A few drips of heavy oil along either edge while turning the wheel, and frequently has always worked well for me. (takes 3 minutes each time)
I use some of the longer lasting lubricants when I take the bike away on a few days trip.

I also water blast clean my chains every so often to get rid of the grit build up (see my earlier thread).
Quickest & most effective clean I have ever found. (Relubricate & ride the bike soon afterwards of course.)

[Maha]

Not this again. I got in trouble with #1 over the difference in wind between Dorkland and wellington a little while back :lol:

Number One knows about hot air...not wind...:dodge:

She doesn't log on much anymore...... eh? :scratch:

[ducatilover]

A few drips of heavy oil along either edge while turning the wheel, and frequently has always worked well for me. (takes 3 minutes each time)
I use some of the longer lasting lubricants when I take the bike away on a few days trip.

I also water blast clean my chains every so often to get rid of the grit build up (see my earlier thread).
Quickest & most effective clean I have ever found. (Relubricate & ride the bike soon afterwards of course.)
Bogan on here has mentioned to me that you can get some sort of awesome dry chain lube. I'm going to give it a go, I have chrome rims on one bike and polished rims on the other and I f**king hate chain lube.
Gets all up the swing arm too.

[george formby]

Bogan on here has mentioned to me that you can get some sort of awesome dry chain lube. I'm going to give it a go, I have chrome rims on one bike and polished rims on the other and I f**king hate chain lube.
Gets all up the swing arm too.

I have heard good things about THIS (http://www.visordown.com/reviews/kit/chain-lube/wurth-high-performance-dry-chain-lube/5725.html). Never tried it myself, though.

[ducatilover]

I have heard good things about THIS (http://www.visordown.com/reviews/kit/chain-lube/wurth-high-performance-dry-chain-lube/5725.html). Never tried it myself, though.
Could be worth trying (pun, I know)

[george formby]

Could be worth trying (pun, I know)

That's the spirit, stoop to conquer.:2thumbsup

[MystikEagle]

Yus, t'is so. I wipe off the excess spooge with a plastic bag. It distributes the lube over the chain & the wrinkles catch the excess.

Great idea! Thanks :)

[onelittlenurse]

The day after I got my Learners, I towed my bike to Hamilton and did a riding course with RoadSafe,
it was FANTASTIC, definately worthwhile doing,
we practised lots of emergency stops, high speed slalom, it was heaps of fun and the experience was so valuable.
In the classroom we watched videos of riders crashing and talked about what made them crash, what they could of done differently
to avoid the crash..
I would recommend doing a similar course to all new riders..
There were heaps of mentors from Ulysses there to help and give tips..

[MystikEagle]

The day after I got my Learners, I towed my bike to Hamilton and did a riding course with RoadSafe,
it was FANTASTIC, definately worthwhile doing,
we practised lots of emergency stops, high speed slalom, it was heaps of fun and the experience was so valuable.
In the classroom we watched videos of riders crashing and talked about what made them crash, what they could of done differently
to avoid the crash..
I would recommend doing a similar course to all new riders..
There were heaps of mentors from Ulysses there to help and give tips..

Thanks for that. I am looking into doing something similar, I think it is a brilliant idea, especially for someone like me that has limited confidence

[ducatilover]

:2thumbsup I can teach you how to crash, spectacularly too.

[MystikEagle]

:2thumbsup I can teach you how to crash, spectacularly too.

You can teach me how to crash huh? Just cause nobody wants to learn how to avoid those situations...

[ducatilover]

Most bins wins.
Honest

[MystikEagle]

Most bins wins.
Honest

Mostest or bestest ;)

[ducatilover]

Mostest bestest binses winz?

[MystikEagle]

Mostest bestest binses winz?

Well, you win instantly! Just cause I have no bikes compared to your, how many is it now?

[ducatilover]

Well, you win instantly! Just cause I have no bikes compared to your, how many is it now?
Two and a bit? :2thumbsup For now, I need more.

[MystikEagle]

Two and a bit? :2thumbsup For now, I need more.

Lol. You wanna lend me one for a bit???:shifty:

[ducatilover]

If the GN was up and running, sure
Only I'm allowed on the ZX6 (because that worked out well), only one other person had taken that for a ride, because I figure if he binned it, I'd nick off with his bike :D

[MystikEagle]

If the GN was up and running, sure
Only I'm allowed on the ZX6 (because that worked out well), only one other person had taken that for a ride, because I figure if he binned it, I'd nick off with his bike :D

Lol, all good man, wouldn't really want to ride anyone elses bike anyway. Knowing my luck, I would just end up binning it!

[ducatilover]

Lol, all good man, wouldn't really want to ride anyone elses bike anyway. Knowing my luck, I would just end up binning it!
With my fantastic mentoring, you will most certainly bin it :wacko:

[MystikEagle]

With my fantastic mentoring, you will most certainly bin it :wacko:

Right... This convo is going downhill fast, and way :Offtopic: !!!
Must be time for bed ... :sleep:

[Akzle]

is, don't over oil your chain. Use too much and it gets flicked all over the back wheel!
i don't understand the problem...

(evry 2thou km.)



Bogan on here has mentioned to me that you can get some sort of awesome dry chain lube.
brand: rocol, product, (funny enough): dry chain lube, also available in food grade..to keep the wifey happy as we work on the bike on the kitchen table...

:2thumbsup I can teach you how to crash, spectacularlyit's true you know.. why do you think he spends so much time on here...

Right... This convo is going downhill fast, and way :Offtopic: !!!
...you say that like you expected something else?