Op Mataki 2013 - Akaroa GP Is Alive

[rastuscat]

Toodled back out onto 75 today, from town out as far as Duvauchelles.

Lots of bikes. Like, fecking lots. Largely well behaved, according to my death ray.

Remember, when we operate a death ray we see you well before you see us, so braking makes bugger all difference. So learned 3 today.

We're back out there Citizens, wave as you pass by.

Donuts et al.

[300weatherby]

Toodled back out onto 75 today, from town out as far as Duvauchelles.

Lots of bikes. Like, fecking lots. Largely well behaved, according to my death ray.

Remember, when we operate a death ray we see you well before you see us, so braking makes bugger all difference. So learned 3 today.

We're back out there Citizens, wave as you pass by.

Donuts et al.

Sat hidden behind my Busa in Little River, scoffing your doughnuts as we watched you ride by, good doughnuts they were too, special death ray blocking mix!:shifty:

[rastuscat]

Sat hidden behind my Busa in Little River, scoffing your doughnuts as we watched you ride by, good doughnuts they were too, special death ray blocking mix!:shifty:

Indecision got the better of me. Couldn't decide which cafe to stop at, so ended up not stopping.

Wave me in, always happy to chat bikes.

[AllanB]

Ah the Saturday ride master plan worked! (insert suitable evil laugh).

Must have been the weather today - high of 25.

[gloplg]

Toodled back out onto 75 today, from town out as far as Duvauchelles.

Lots of bikes. Like, fecking lots. Largely well behaved, according to my death ray.

Remember, when we operate a death ray we see you well before you see us, so braking makes bugger all difference. So learned 3 today.

We're back out there Citizens, wave as you pass by.

Donuts et al.

They got you another bike Rastus or did the old one come right with a cut and polish????. Would you post some pics so we can see the results of all the polishing you had to do???

[jim.cox]

Remember, when we operate a death ray we see you well before you see us.

This "death ray" of which you speak - is it laser, or radar?

And am I right in assuming handheld, or do you guys have a zap-on-the-run capability like the cars?

[rastuscat]

This "death ray" of which you speak - is it laser, or radar?

And am I right in assuming handheld, or do you guys have a zap-on-the-run capability like the cars?

Quite funny that you should ask.

I trialled a bike back a few years ago with a Stalker fitted to it. That s a radar device that operates in both mobile and stationary mode. Basically, we could park o=up and operate it in stationary, or use it while on the move.

Thing is, and anyone who hasn't done it properly will not understand this, there are a lot of things to consider while operating a radar in mobile mode. Tracking history, cosine angle, angle of trajectory, yaddy yaddy yaddy. I think we decided in the end that there is too much shit to consider, when riding a bike demands a fairly high level of concentration anyway.

The laser I has was a hand held one, with the battery in the pistol grip. I normally set it up on the exit of corners, that way I just get those exceeding 100 by more than 10 out of a corner. This is because it's a fact (sorry guys, indisputable fact) that the loss of control crashes out on 75 are virtually always on the exit to a corner.

Get used to seeing us on the exit to corners, and sitting chugging donuts.

[HenryDorsetCase]

that the loss of control crashes out on 75 are virtually always on the exit to a corner.

Get used to seeing us on the exit to corners, and sitting chugging donuts.

fascinating.... by loss of control we mean too wide out crossing the centre line, or nailing it spinning it up and highsiding.

also, I learned last week from the cop that stopped me that 3 in ten motorcyclists stopped have no form of motorbike licence.

what the hell, man?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Sat hidden behind my Busa in Little River, scoffing your doughnuts as we watched you ride by, good doughnuts they were too, special death ray blocking mix!:shifty:

fail unless actual death ray.

[haydes55]

Quite funny that you should ask.

I trialled a bike back a few years ago with a Stalker fitted to it. That s a radar device that operates in both mobile and stationary mode. Basically, we could park o=up and operate it in stationary, or use it while on the move.

Thing is, and anyone who hasn't done it properly will not understand this, there are a lot of things to consider while operating a radar in mobile mode. Tracking history, cosine angle, angle of trajectory, yaddy yaddy yaddy. I think we decided in the end that there is too much shit to consider, when riding a bike demands a fairly high level of concentration anyway.

The laser I has was a hand held one, with the battery in the pistol grip. I normally set it up on the exit of corners, that way I just get those exceeding 100 by more than 10 out of a corner. This is because it's a fact (sorry guys, indisputable fact) that the loss of control crashes out on 75 are virtually always on the exit to a corner.

Get used to seeing us on the exit to corners, and sitting chugging donuts.



Most motorists who see a cop will immediately look away from the road and brake. Not a smart idea on a bike. Is it not an ironic/silly idea to be seen on corner exit where your presence is more likely to cause a crash than prevent any?

Corner entry speed being too high will cause a crash at corner exit. Corner exit speed to high shouldn't be an issue, all of the turning should have already happened. As long as throttle is held constant or rolled on through the exit there should be no loss of grip or running wide.

[rastuscat]

Okay. Maybe I will set up on a straight just before the bend. Imagine the carping at THAT plan. I can hear the bitching about being pinged on a perfectly safe, straight piece of road.

[rastuscat]

fascinating.... by loss of control we mean too wide out crossing the centre line, or nailing it spinning it up and highsiding.

also, I learned last week from the cop that stopped me that 3 in ten motorcyclists stopped have no form of motorbike licence.

what the hell, man?

Don't misread what I said. 30% of the riders we stop don't have a licence for the bike they are riding. I didn't say no licence, some have a Harley under them when on a 6L. I'd better go back to my LAMS list to check, but most Harley's aren't LAMS approved.

[rastuscat]

Likely it was me you spoke to. Nice to chat.

[Gremlin]

Most motorists who see a cop will immediately look away from the road and brake. Not a smart idea on a bike. Is it not an ironic/silly idea to be seen on corner exit where your presence is more likely to cause a crash than prevent any?
Like this?
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oBTGgT_V5F8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Corner entry speed being too high will cause a crash at corner exit. Corner exit speed to high shouldn't be an issue, all of the turning should have already happened. As long as throttle is held constant or rolled on through the exit there should be no loss of grip or running wide.
Bear in mind that mis-reading a corner, or trying to go through a corner too quickly is usually what causes the crash (ie, loss of control from lack of grip or wrong line). Now obviously the degree of corner will vary, some tiny bend will be easily taken at a higher speed, rather than a 25kph switch back.

Kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't, but at least he's out there trying to fix the real problem...

[HenryDorsetCase]

Don't misread what I said. 30% of the riders we stop don't have a licence for the bike they are riding. I didn't say no licence, some have a Harley under them when on a 6L. I'd better go back to my LAMS list to check, but most Harley's aren't LAMS approved.

Oh yeah, sorry I misunderstood you. I thought you said 130 in a 50 was fine if I was on the way to the cake shop ;-)

I am not sure any Harley would be LAMS approved. they weigh too much...

actually there's one: the Harley SS350.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/lams.html

pretty cool bike too.

[Muppet]

Oh yeah, sorry I misunderstood you. I thought you said 130 in a 50 was fine if I was on the way to the cake shop ;-)

I am not sure any Harley would be LAMS approved. they weigh too much...

actually there's one: the Harley SS350.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/lams.html

pretty cool bike too.

Surely all Harleys are LAM's since they only have 10 bhp?

[300weatherby]

Two kinds of rider getting into grief riding the Akaroa GP.(mostly)

1: The Harley/Cruiser mob that have no fundamental knowledge of how the laws of physics works in relation to land barges and corners and find themselves over the centreline, some because they are self deluded "Jappa" haters and actually believe they and their land barge is fast and designed to carve, some because they are mid life crisis man (woman too) and lack hard won experience, they will run it wide and start target fixating and/or grabbing at the brakes. Not funny seeing one of them coming toward you, and it is YOU they are looking at!

2: The Sportbike riding Akaroa road worrier (they worry the fuck outa me!) who learns the road backward and rides as fast as they can, based on knowledge of where the corner goes, not on the conditions/circumstances in front of them. The Hilltop road is an outstanding example of nasty suprises available around any given corner. Seeing MR Aka GP specialist coming around the corner toward me, desperately trying to be kneedown to show the other boys in the road train he can do it, is a scary sight indeed!.

Only luck, modern suspension and tyres is keeping the toll on that road down.

I might hate the thought that I might come around one of my favourate bends, quick turn it in late, bang it on it's side, stand it up and fire it out on the fat bit, and giggle, only to discover the death ray pointed at me:shit::Police:

But I know why he does it : the lowest common denominator.

I do not understand why the road toll on the CHCH to Akaroa highway is not a dozen bike riders every riding season.

I expect of course, some anti bling from some in the Akaroa Sport bike GP mob, my answer to that, is of course, come to the track and show me how fast you are, and how much control you have over your own destiny!

Then add: opposing traffic, loose stock on the blind side of the corner, campervan on your side of the road, stock truck draining its effluent tank on the road as he drives, loose gravel from the crap repairs they do, camber and surface changes, retarded cyclists, ect ect, but you gotta go as fast as you were before- now, how much control over your own destiny do you actually have?

[Tazz]

Lived in Akaroa for years and the closest calls I had with bikers were geniuses who would follow the white line around right hand corners without a thought to the fact part of their bike (and all of their head) was over the centerline.

I used to worry about hitting one as I took the corners wide (trailer/big car), but then I though, meh, the gene pool is probably better off without them if that happens :innocent:

Otherwise it is an awesome run and nice to see it is in good use before it fills up with campervans for the summer.


that the loss of control crashes out on 75 are virtually always on the exit to a corner.

Yeah a few of those corners tighten right at the end badly (particularly two) after Little River in the Aka to Chch direction. You tweak the wheel wrong and you're in trouble depending on your car.
Dude I used to board with put his car on his roof just driving normally after some rain around one (he had 3 cars behind him ready to overtake that saw it happen so speed def wasn't a factor XD).

[thepom]

I highly recommend the apex riding course done by Duncan seed, learned a lot about better road positioning and hazard perception, I enjoy Akaroa more as I find it challenging to ride a better line through not just one bend but all 0f them.....its good personnel discipline...

[rastuscat]

I did the Apex course too. Great value back then when ACC subsidised it. It added value to the low speed stuff we do on the courses we do for work.

[insomnia01]

heading down in March 2014 :yes::yes: first time out to Akaroa for me will be staying the night there before carrying on my Sth Isld Tour :yes: seems i will need to keep my wits about me :bash::bash:

[pritch]

I would have thought cops would get people easier at the end of a long straight.

Yeah, like passing lanes f'rinstance? :whistle:

[haydes55]

I would have thought cops would get people easier at the end of a long straight.

I was more saying it's ironic how police create an unnecessarily unsafe situation in order to decrease crashes.

Defeats the purpose of "road safety" in my opinion.

[neels]

Yeah, like passing lanes f'rinstance? :whistle:
If there weren't tossers that drive at 85 until the get to passing lanes then speed up to 110, there wouldn't be people who are quite happy to drive at the speed limit doing 120 to get past them, that particular crime against society justifies summary execution.


I was more saying it's ironic how police create an unnecessarily unsafe situation in order to decrease crashes.

Defeats the purpose of "road safety" in my opinion.
So now you're blaming the police presence for someone who is aware they are exceeding the speed limit grabbing a handful of brake and binning it? Personal responsibility etc etc....


Anyway, I'm not too concerned about a police presence on 75 if rastus keeps up the good work like last time he shadowed me and clears the slow traffic from in front, the way I ride I'm highly unlikely to be exceeding the speed limit exiting a corner anyway :scooter:

[Oakie]

also, I learned last week from the cop that stopped me that 3 in ten motorcyclists stopped have no form of motorbike licence.

Which doesn't mean that 3 out of 10 bikers does not have any (or the correct form of) license. Just that of those whose poor skills brings them to the attention of popo, 3 out of 10 dont have blah blah blah.

[AllanB]

Reckon that guy on the green bike in the video saw the cop and hit the front brake while leaned over - slid out. Given it was in the USA he probably sued the police for a million.

[haydes55]

If there weren't tossers that drive at 85 until the get to passing lanes then speed up to 110, there wouldn't be people who are quite happy to drive at the speed limit doing 120 to get past them, that particular crime against society justifies summary execution.


So now you're blaming the police presence for someone who is aware they are exceeding the speed limit grabbing a handful of brake and binning it? Personal responsibility etc etc....


Anyway, I'm not too concerned about a police presence on 75 if rastus keeps up the good work like last time he shadowed me and clears the slow traffic from in front, the way I ride I'm highly unlikely to be exceeding the speed limit exiting a corner anyway :scooter:


I'm saying 90% of people immediately look at their speedo and/or brake when they see a cop ahead (you'd be an idiot not to without cruise control).

What happens on a motorbike on corner exit when the throttle is abruptly shut off? Especially if the rider is 1 of the 30% stopped without the proper license?

"I want to stop crashes on corner exit by making corner exits dangerous"

"I want to stop rapes by turning out street/park lights on thursday nights in Auckland"

[Kickaha]

"I want to stop crashes on corner exit by making corner exits dangerous"

Nothing is being done to make the exit to the corner more dangerous, they're not spreading gravel or putting down diesel

[Subike]

I'm saying 90% of people immediately look at their speedo and/or brake when they see a cop ahead (you'd be an idiot not to without cruise control).


I'm glad you said 90% and not everyone, some of us know very well just by the sound of our bikes how fast we are going. I dont need to look at my speedo to know that high engine revs in 4th gear means walking if the radar gets me......
The Akaroa road is fun to ride, we all know that well, I just hope I remember to ride it at a safe speed next time I ride it.

[thepom]

I rode my new bike back from the north island and seen seven cop cars between Picton and Christchurch....I overtook two mufti ,s and a cruiser as everyone was aware of the kaikoura food festival hence the large police turn out.....no one overtook me and I never went above 100 kms,,,everyone was well behaved and the cops had no issue with me passing them as I made sure the road was well clear ahead......point being if you obey the law you wont get ticketed.....unlike earlier in the year I was done for 138 in a 100 ,,,,,fair cop guvnor.....

[haydes55]

Nothing is being done to make the exit to the corner more dangerous, they're not spreading gravel or putting down diesel



When you see a cop do you look at your speedo, brake or take your mind off the task at hand to think about your speed? Or do you carry on as you were knowing for certain you are going 99.7km/h as set by your cruise control?

[Tazz]

I rode my new bike back from the north island and seen seven cop cars between Picton and Christchurch....I overtook two mufti ,s and a cruiser as everyone was aware of the kaikoura food festival hence the large police turn out.....no one overtook me and I never went above 100 kms,,,everyone was well behaved and the cops had no issue with me passing them as I made sure the road was well clear ahead......point being if you obey the law you wont get ticketed.....unlike earlier in the year I was done for 138 in a 100 ,,,,,fair cop guvnor.....

Was there one under the sign by the Pedallers Rest turn off just before you hit the coast? Epic spot for them there. They blend right into the white of the sign :lol:

[Oakie]

I dont need to look at my speedo to know that high engine revs in 4th gear means walking if the radar gets me......

I guess you're talking about the Yamaha aren't you ... not the Keeway !