I'm totally new to road bikes & need help!

[Midget200]

Hi there! Just bought a Yamaha Virago, been a dirt biker for 5 years, don't know what to do to learn more about road biking. Is it better to go out with a group of other people, go out on my own and learn, get a lesson! Where do I go? I live on the North Shore! Is it best to join a club and if so is there one on the Shore? Thanks in advance! All very exciting, but scary. Rode to Kaukapapa for my first ride, didn't go on the motorway, it was good, but would prefer to ride with others.

[FJRider]

Hi there! Just bought a Yamaha Virago, been a dirt biker for 5 years, don't know what to do to learn more about road biking. Is it better to go out with a group of other people, go out on my own and learn, get a lesson! Where do I go? I live on the North Shore! Is it best to join a club and if so is there one on the Shore? Thanks in advance! All very exciting, but scary. Rode to Kaukapapa for my first ride, didn't go on the motorway, it was good, but would prefer to ride with others.

Contact Bosslady ... she lives on the shore and may be able to offer advice.

[leathel]

Skills coarse for sure, I went from dirt bikes (XR600 on the road) to a heavyish cruiser and the counter steer is the thing that made the most difference... push on the inside of the corner (It will lean the bike over) Try it on a strait piece of the road :)

[Tigadee]

Hi there! Just bought a Yamaha Virago, been a dirt biker for 5 years, don't know what to do to learn more about road biking. Is it better to go out with a group of other people, go out on my own and learn, get a lesson! Where do I go? I live on the North Shore! Is it best to join a club and if so is there one on the Shore? Thanks in advance! All very exciting, but scary. Rode to Kaukapapa for my first ride, didn't go on the motorway, it was good, but would prefer to ride with others.

I found this channel very helpful for roadcraft tips:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RoadcraftNottingham (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC062163835B4F220)

You can try NASS:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/77111-North-Auckland-Street-Skills-NASS (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/77111-North-Auckland-Street-Skills-NASS/page138)

[bosslady]

I live on the shore, like FJRider says. I would totally get a lesson from an instructor mate. Car park shit is beyond you now, you already know the basics so get an instructor led lesson out on the road, that would be your best bet, they do all the headphone shit and that, I got my first lessons with www.ridertraining.co.nz (http://www.ridertraining.co.nz) but I have heard on here, that www.riderskills.co.nz (http://www.riderskills.co.nz) is good also, never had any personal experiences with them but. It's nice to go out with other people and it's nice to go out in groups but I tend to think doing this can lead to you learning other peoples bad habits/practices. Be picky who you ride with too, I reckon. Contact someone like Pro Rider http://www.prorider.co.nz/motorcycle-training-courses.php?course=31 they have courses, some of them are still subsidised at the moment too, think there's one coming up in a couple of weeks as well. I don't know how I'd rate my own ability/skill level but if you like I can come out for a pootle around with ya.

[FJRider]

And contact a KB mentor in the Auckland area ....

[Midget200]

Thanks for the advice, have been onto the site and e-mailed them. Bosslady how long have you been riding? Is there a good ride during the day that I could practice, I thought of going to Warkworth?

[bosslady]

Thanks for the advice, have been onto the site and e-mailed them. Bosslady how long have you been riding? Is there a good ride during the day that I could practice, I thought of going to Warkworth? I have been riding about 4.5 months, did a couple lessons at the start because I didn't even know the basics i.e. how to ride a bike! I've done a pro-rider course, been to about a half a dozen track days and clocked up more than 9000k's in that time (got a 1500km or so trip planned in a couple days!). I found the pro rider course invaluable, was great learning stuff like road positioning and honestly things you wouldn't have even realised you weren't doing.. hard to explain... A good ride during the day to practice hmmm.. I may not be the best person to ask on that one, my rides tend to be a min. of 250 km+ one way. When I first started though I did do a trip to Warkworth so yes, that might be a good plan, go there, have some lunch and come back. I'll send you a PM shortly with my dets. p.s. I'm super jealous, I'd love to get to ride a dirt bike!

[Maha]

Hi there! Just bought a Yamaha Virago, been a dirt biker for 5 years, don't know what to do to learn more about road biking. Is it better to go out with a group of other people, go out on my own and learn, get a lesson! Where do I go? I live on the North Shore! Is it best to join a club and if so is there one on the Shore? Thanks in advance! All very exciting, but scary. Rode to Kaukapapa for my first ride, didn't go on the motorway, it was good, but would prefer to ride with others.

Ride with one other or yourself until you get a bit of confidence within, riding with a group first up is never a good idea. If you have already been to Kaukop, next time, keep on going through to Wellsford. From there you can turn around and retrace or go down SH1 back to the shore. Shelly beach is a good ride, the Cafe' there serves hot food/coffee if you so desire?
Mangawhai/Waipu...some great roads north of the shore.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=Shore+Road,+Auckland&daddr=Shelly+Beach,+Auckland&hl=en&sll=-36.742572,174.856537&sspn=3.468387,8.453979&geocode=FeR-zf0dMS5rCinda48PQUgNbTH1ewWEt7HJYQ%3BFa370f0dp8RkC imVvOktUwENbTFgxaJDYe8ABQ&oq=shelly&mra=ls&t=m&z=11

[iYRe]

you could check out MCROD on facebook.. we have a ride on a friday evening in may. Although, it might not be for the fainthearted..

[Crasherfromwayback]

You've got a KDX200 I see, and can obviously ride in the dirt. THat'll make you a better rider than half the road bunnies here already. But do as you are...just ease yourself into it bit by bit. Fuck group rides for now. EVery single person will tell you something different anyway...and group rides are often dangerous. Do as Bosslady said...get some one on one tuition from a pro.

Pete

[bosslady]

THat'll make you a better rider than half the road bunnies here already. Yes and no. She'll undoubtedly have all the shitty basics and nitty gritty bits of how to ride a bike down pat but dirt bikes hardly compare to the dangers of the road I should think... JM2CW

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yes and no. She'll undoubtedly have all the shitty basics and nitty gritty bits of how to ride a bike down pat but dirt bikes hardly compare to the dangers of the road I should think... JM2CW

Yeah well obviously I mean skills wise. But I'm also sure she's driven a car and maybe has a bit of a clue as to road manners and things to look out for. And you'd be surprised...plenty of things you need to be keeping an eye out for off road too. It's not that different.

[cheshirecat]

You've got a KDX200 I see, and can obviously ride in the dirt. THat'll make you a better rider than half the road bunnies here already. But do as you are...just ease yourself into it bit by bit. Fuck group rides for now. EVery single person will tell you something different anyway...and group rides are often dangerous. Do as Bosslady said...get some one on one tuition from a pro.

Pete
As the man says and ASSUME NOTHING even if you think they've seen you or the road is uber familiar

Speaking as an ex DR rider where you don't get paid if you have an accident and you are in traffic 12 hours a day winter and summer

[bosslady]

Yeah well obviously I mean skills wise. But I'm also sure she's driven a car and maybe has a bit of a clue as to road manners and things to look out for. And you'd be surprised...plenty of things you need to be keeping an eye out for off road too. It's not that different.

I drove a car first and found it helpful of course but still very different in terms of road manners, road rules etc. I am way more careful now, for obvious reasons (the lack of metal cage protecting me!). And I'm certain there are things you need to keep an eye out for off road too, but coming from Auckland I doubt those things are hundreds or thousands of cars, trucks and other motorised (or otherwise!) "things" coming out of a multitude of side streets. Similar, but different, just saying.

[G4L4XY]

http://www.rcsom.co.nz/

Check this site out, they have some good lessons you can attend and also offer the defensive driving course if you should look to do that when persuing your license.
I've been and Trish is very good. The lessons are subsidised by the govt (taxpayers) so they're fairly cheap

[tnarg]

Hey Midge. Have seen you since I gave up the dirt for the road. If you ever want someone to ride with give me a bell. I normally ride north of Auckland up SH16 ways.

[sketch]

what a load of bullshit!!!!!! just get a licence (if you havnt already) get a road bike and bang go for it, i got my licence 2 weeks before easter and easter weekend got my bike, havnt got off since

[FJRider]

what a load of bullshit!!!!!! just get a licence (if you havnt already) get a road bike and bang go for it, i got my licence 2 weeks before easter and easter weekend got my bike, havnt got off since

Talk about bullshit ... A (female) GN rider has traveled more km's than you.

Perhaps you need a faster bike ... :shifty:

[jellywrestler]

what a load of bullshit!!!!!! just get a licence (if you havnt already) get a road bike and bang go for it, i got my licence 2 weeks before easter and easter weekend got my bike, havnt got off since

which year?

[pete-blen]

If yer been rideing dirt for 5 years... yer have the skills already.... Far better off than a newby , yer could teach them a thing or two.......
Go ride the dam thing.. roads the easy one , it just has half blind idiots in cars to deal with....
I wouldn't think yer need a skills course , maybe a defensive driving course could help..

[bosslady]

what a load of bullshit!!!!!! just get a licence (if you havnt already) get a road bike and bang go for it, i got my licence 2 weeks before easter and easter weekend got my bike, havnt got off since

Your attitude will get you places for sure. Namely the emergency department at your nearest Hospital. Been riding a couple weeks and thinks he's the shiznit. Lol.

[sketch]

Talk about bullshit ... A (female) GN rider has traveled more km's than you.

Perhaps you need a faster bike ... :shifty:

hahahahaha i new that would stir you lot up

[bogan]

You can ride a roadbike like a dirtbike, but it isn't the best way to do so. Though a lot of the basic skills will transfer over, just be aware that road requires different techniques so start working on a few here and there so you don't get into bad habits.

[The End]

what a load of bullshit!!!!!! just get a licence (if you havnt already) get a road bike and bang go for it, i got my licence 2 weeks before easter and easter weekend got my bike, havnt got off since

The bullshit stage is when a rider on a bike thinks after a month or two of riding they know it all. What happens when they're doing 100km/h on a country road when all of a sudden a cow walks on to the road? In my personal opinion, I do not believe a rider who has done 2 months of riding is adequately equipped for safe riding on the road. So many things can happen in a short space of time and unless you have experience you will feel the wrath of warm, uneven tar seal soon enough.

I've been riding 5 years and there's still the odd "phew" moment - A lot of the time they are out of the rider's control too. I'm sure there are bikers who have ridden for 20 years plus who agree with me here.

NB: Making a generalization here, not targeting anyone specifically.



Midget200,

The one piece of advice I was given that I think is the most valuable any rider can hear is this:

Take your time while learning and ride at your pace, always.

[bosslady]

The bullshit stage is when a rider on a bike thinks after a month or two of riding they know it all. What happens when they're doing 100km/h on a country road when all of a sudden a cow walks on to the road? In my personal opinion, I do not believe a rider who has done 2 months of riding is adequately equipped for safe riding on the road. So many things can happen in a short space of time and unless you have experience you will feel the wrath of warm, uneven tar seal soon enough.

I've been riding 5 years and there's still the odd "phew" moment - A lot of the time they are out of the rider's control too. I'm sure there are bikers who have ridden for 20 years plus who agree with me here.

NB: Making a generalization here, not targeting anyone specifically.



Midget200,

The one piece of advice I was given that I think is the most valuable any rider can hear is this:

Take your time while learning and ride at your pace, always.

more like the warm wrath of runny poos in your pants haha.

Anyway weren't we meant to go for a ride The End? Let's do some drags! I'll waste you!

[Ocean1]

I'm certain there are things you need to keep an eye out for off road too, but coming from Auckland I doubt those things are hundreds or thousands of cars, trucks and other motorised (or otherwise!) "things" coming out of a multitude of side streets.

You've got no idea the number of evel shrubs that fucking leap out from the side of the trail to ambush the best dirt riders!

Mayhem it is, bright, shiney and clean cars 'n shit've got nothing on yer average highly mobile gorse bush!

[The End]

Anyway weren't we meant to go for a ride The End? Let's do some drags! I'll waste you!

I'm waiting for the good weather! Next week is looking choice.

Drags...well you have 25cc on me and an extra gear! I'm not sure if it'll be a fair drag when I win :bleh:

[FJRider]

more like the warm wrath of runny poos in your pants haha.

Ask an experienced rider about "The Pucker Effect" ...


Anyway weren't we meant to go for a ride The End? Let's do some drags! I'll waste you!

Calm ... :nono:


It's still a GN ... :shifty:

[sketch]

i never claimed to be the shiznit, or claimed to no everything, by no means at all

every day i learn things, scare myself a lil and realise just how little i no about riding bikes, BUT!!!!!!

im out there doing it getting better every day,

my point was the best way to get out riding is to get out riding

[bosslady]

i never claimed to be the shiznit, or claimed to no everything, by no means at all

every day i learn things, scare myself a lil and realise just how little i no about riding bikes, BUT!!!!!!

im out there doing it getting better every day,

my point was the best way to get out riding is to get out riding

Of course, I agree, because this is what I did, got out there etc. BUT there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help a long the way. For some, it is invaluable. I can't expect myself to learn everything I need to know on my own with no help or guidance from others. But, who's to say what I've self taught myself is right. Nothing wrong with preparedness.

[carburator]

Ask an experienced rider about "The Pucker Effect" ..

yep when your asshole grows teeth and takes a bite of seat vinyl, you know its been a pucker moment...

[FJRider]

i never claimed to be the shiznit, or claimed to no everything, by no means at all



Crying Bullshit ... makes a mockery of that statement.

Experience is usually something you get .. right after you need it. Training courses, mentor programs, and various organized rides can impart knowledge/skills ... which may save your life. (or some degree of pain)

What you learn in the first few months of riding may save your life, what you don't learn (properly) may kill you.

You may learn plenty out on the road ... but it's reluctant to tell you when you're doing it wrong. When it does ... it bites hard.

[pete-blen]

Training courses, mentor program ...... what you don't learn (properly) may kill you.

:eek:Thats it.... selling the bikes... Had a good run.... 30+ years over due...:(

[FJRider]

:eek:Thats it.... selling the bikes... Had a good run.... 30+ years over due...:(

I'm almost 40 years overdue. I'm still not sure I got it right.

Time will tell ...

[jellywrestler]

:eek:Thats it.... selling the bikes... Had a good run.... 30+ years over due...:(

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

[The End]

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

If you're on a sportsbike the saying goes... "when in doubt power it out!"

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

[FJRider]

If you're on a sportsbike the saying goes... "when in doubt power it out!"

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

And the wise never get into the situation that requires either action.

The stupid however ... can believe what they like.

[pete-blen]

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

And don't try stand up while still doing 20mph on yer back... the resalting summersalts hurt more than the slideing..
my bit advice for the day..

[FJRider]

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

If "Feedback" was a sore bum and oil stained hands and clothes ... maybe.

And emergencies were smaller anyway ...

[Reckless]

Hey Midget,

What a lot of good advice LOL :(

You can ride as I've ridden with you.
The biggest difference between road and dirt is cars LOL :weird:
Na really! learn to anticipate learn their body language or that of the drivers.
Be aware of everything around you, learn to predict and anticipate.
Use your peripheral vision much more than on the trails.
I know you can ride you just have to learn the roadcraft of road riding.
Learn to look at the driver who checking his mirror for a lane change before he jambs on his indicator and swerves.
Cars will generally drift to where they want to go before they actually start going there.
This generally comes from experience, Ride safe is good and Nass for like minded road riders but nothing beats getting out and doing it.
Beware of the over confidence stage! On the dirt you hit a tree and fall off, on the road you get hurt.

Ride ride ride and atgatt (all the gear all the time).
Its a different reward on the road than on the dirt.
My 2c ???

Fatt bikers might be a good option too?

Be safe and enjoy :)

[leathel]

Crying Bullshit ... makes a mockery of that statement.

Experience is usually something you get .. right after you need it. Training courses, mentor programs, and various organized rides can impart knowledge/skills ... which may save your life. (or some degree of pain)

What you learn in the first few months of riding may save your life, what you don't learn (properly) may kill you.

You may learn plenty out on the road ... but it's reluctant to tell you when you're doing it wrong. When it does ... it bites hard.

Love that quote :D

learning without any guidance can be learning bad habits, Lots of outfits so one on one training and can just touch on the things you need to learn, Dirt certainly gets lots of skills handy to road riding but a guidance always helps.... not that I have done any, my guidance has been from people that have been on courses :P

[GrayWolf]

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...


If you're on a sportsbike the saying goes... "when in doubt power it out!"

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

Good call jelly!! The old stuff certainly did give lots of errrr 'feedback' yeh that's it. feedback!!! :msn-wink::apumpin:

The End?
Mate if you really subscribe to that particular theory.. when in doubt, power out.... I would suggest doing a search here on the Kawasaki H1-500 triples, and read, CAREFULLY!!! Or I am sure like myself there are a few 'ex H1 loonies' lurking, reading this thread..... One tester in the UK described that bike as 'Venomous'.

That one bike of probably all the old bikes, that gave 'feedback' :confused: :devil2: :laugh: Was responsible for more 'asshole bites of the vinyl' per ride, than any other bike I would care to think of. Trust me, that bike taught you very quickly 'power out' was NOT your best friend....

In fact i am sure a lot of us ex 'H1-ites' would love to see the current crop of sprotbike 'point n squirt' heroes put aboard an H1, with similar tyres of the day (probably the Nylon carcass Shinko's would be close?) and watch the fun as they tried to ride as they do on today's bikes. By today's standards, it's a low powered bike (60bhp), so nothing to be afraid of, RIGHT? :devil2::devil2::devil2:

Your best friend, is the top few inches of your body, it consumes 20% of your oxygen intake.. for a very good reason!!

[Old Steve]

Midget,

Someone mentioned Govt sponsored training, I think it's done through ACC - they should have a motorcycle co-ordimator, well Tauranga did. I did an ACC sponsored course with (I think) Proride and while it covered a lot of low speed confidence building work it also did very good sessions on emergency braking, road position and cornering technique. Contact them and ask about their next motorbike training course.

I was lucky, I rode for a while with the local branch of the Ulysses Club, and their tail-end-charlie took me under his wing and would come up quietly when we took a break and offer advice on cornering, braking, etc. Was always telling me to lean more, I couldn't understand that at the time but I know now. I'll probably owe my life to the advice given to me by Trevor Rose.

And practice, try the happy biker weave down any untrafficed straight road. And keep thinking your way through corners, especially as you're on a cruiser. Slow down before, if you need to once close to or in the corner then use only your back brake, turn in late, touch the apex well through, and you'll come out flatter and well positioned for the next corner. Be ready for decreasing radius corners, that's a corner that tightens up - tons of them in NZ - be ready to push more on that inner bar.

And watch other traffic, a car's wheels give an indication of where it's going to go. Or you could watch the driver's hands on the steering wheel if you're in lane traffic. Don't ride in a car's blind spot, fall back. And only ride at your pace, it is not a good idea to try to keep up with others, that's when you'll find you're riding above your abilities.

Oh, they all mention the pucker moment - that'd be an STM (sphincter tightening moment)

[The End]

Good call jelly!! The old stuff certainly did give lots of errrr 'feedback' yeh that's it. feedback!!! :msn-wink::apumpin:

The End?
Mate if you really subscribe to that particular theory....


Now I feel bad for making you type so much :doh:. I was only joking around; see my earlier, more "responsible" post :laugh: