Not so experienced after all (avimistry)

[avimistry]

Hi guys,

I've been a kb member for a few weeks now and thought I'd wait till I get my ride before I introduced myself but I had an experiencec which I have to share.

So a quicky about me. Was a motorcycle junky, custom sports bike, rode for 3 years, had a couple kisses with the asphalt, and a little track riding. Now after being off for 6 years I can't wait to get back on. I hadn't gotten my license as back in South Africa the police never bothered bikers much. Its a different story in NZ, so I got to start at the bottom. Which brings me to my post.

So yesterday I took a BHS course, one for those with riding experience. And boy oh boy i never expected what happened. After riding for 3 years (which I thought was a decent amount), and I was a bit of a hoon, I thought the course would be easy peasy, no fuss. So I got onto the little 125 and BHAM!!!... No i didnt fall, but i could barely ride. I mean my balance was ok and I didnt stall but apart from that it was like I'd never ridden before. I think the other guy who'd only been riding for a week was doing better than me. Anyway, as time passed I got better and managed to pass the test :first:

Yeah so that's it. But it's still a bit of a shocker. Seems like I've got a long way to go before I can even think of hooning around again but I can't wait.

So anyone with a similar experience, returning after a while and feeling like a newbie, please share. I'm sure I can't be the only one.

Cheers.

[Maha]

Accident Statistics do not really favour returning riders, but it's more like 20+ years, not two or three.
You would probably find that most experience riders would have trouble with a GN125 at first. When I went for my full, I had been riding a 600 sports bike for a good few months and getting onto and a GN250 felt like shit, and it showed for the first 10 minutes or so I guess. I passed though which was the objective at the time.

[ducatilover]

Maybe you're a squid

[george formby]

:clap: Yup, had a similar experience over the last couple of years getting my G/F rolling. Been riding since I was a young un but never had proper training. When it came to basic handling skills on my big bike I was rubbish. Open road no dramas. The training & learning experience has been a great leveler & I'm over the moon with my increased abilities & knowledge.
Good post & honest, lots of riders think they are the shiz but in reality.......?

[caspernz]

Low speed handling requires practice, so you're not on your own there. And really a 125 is like a skateboard after a real bike anyway :rolleyes:

I did a course in Welly which had low speed handling course, in the second month with my new Busa...now that was interesting :eek5:

[mossy1200]

I fixed up a gn250. What a strange bike to ride. Might be the fact im 6'4 and used to big bikes. Felt like I was sitting over the rear wheel and the front end felt so light that I began to wonder if it had any traction.

[ducatilover]

I fixed up a gn250. What a strange bike to ride. Might be the fact im 6'4 and used to big bikes. Felt like I was sitting over the rear wheel and the front end felt so light that I began to wonder if it had any traction.
They're very odd. And the front washes out pretty easy DAMHIK

[avimistry]

That's a relief.. knowing I'm not the only one. But on a more serious note, the instructor did say that low speed handling is more challenging and if you can master that then the rest comes easier. That's why I plan on doing a low speed handling course once I build some confidence.

The GNs do give you somewhat of a less engaging experience. You never really feel like youre in control. I guess for a complete newbie it wouldn't matter, but coming from a sports bike with sharper handling and response the feeling is more amplified.

Thanks for sharing.

[avimistry]

Low speed handling requires practice, so you're not on your own there. And really a 125 is like a skateboard after a real bike anyway :rolleyes:

I did a course in Welly which had low speed handling course, in the second month with my new Busa...now that was interesting :eek5:

Lol, I can only imagine what would have happened had I been on a bigger sports bike, let alone a busa.

[ducatilover]

I think they're hilarious to ride. Grind pegs like a boss.
Go do a heap of tight slow turns in a car park

[EJK]

It's a GN thing. Still gives me the shiver riding that horrid thing.

[Erelyes]

I'm 6'3", hopped on a Ginny and felt like I should join the circus. They seemed to me like an odd mix between naked and cruiser, with almost scooter ergos.

Scorpio 225 much better :headbang:

Can't help you otherwise (I started in my late 20s having never ridden a bike before and haven't looked back since). But welcome, please feed the trolls, have some rep, etc.

[george formby]

In my opinion low speed handling success has more to do with the type of bike than the rider with trail/adventure bikes being better at handling than big road bikes/cruisers.

Nah, the techniques apply the same. Little bikes give you more confidence to start with, though. And Goldwings can't actually fall over.

http://youtu.be/a6IbEywbxvY


http://youtu.be/H1MlK5VPZ84

[ducatilover]

Yes I have seen low speed highly skilled big bike handlers too but being good at doing that where there is little chance of major injury or death is a lot different to real road riding situations. You will note he did knock over a road cone and I bet if he had been on a trail/adventure bike it would not have happened which does support my view plus I do own both types of bike so my opinion is based on experience.

Go away.

Cheers

[Madness]

I've heard those IAMS dudes are masters at low-speed handling, even on the bigger bikes.

[Daffyd]

My low speed handling skills have certainly jumped up a notch or two since I moved to the Philippines.

[Maha]

In my opinion low speed handling success has more to do with the type of bike than the rider with trail/adventure bikes being better at handling than big road bikes/cruisers.

Head straight and looking forward & using the rear brake only.. done.

[george formby]

Head straight and looking forward & using the rear brake only.. done.

:laugh: Yup. All bikes do it but it's the head, right hand and right foot which makes it happen. Breaking bad habits is another kettle of fish.:facepalm:

[avimistry]

In my opinion low speed handling success has more to do with the type of bike than the rider with trail/adventure bikes being better at handling than big road bikes/cruisers.

I think type of bike plays a small part, but it's largely rider skill/experience. But irrespective which side of the fence you sit on i think all riders should master, or atleast build on their, low speed handling. It makes for better and safer riders.

[caseye]

" have seen low speed highly skilled big bike handlers too but being good at doing that where there is little chance of major injury or death is a lot different to real road riding situations. You will note he did knock over a road cone and I bet if he had been on a trail/adventure bike it would not have happened which does support my view plus I do own both types of bike so my opinion is based on experience."

Your experience isn't necessarily that of others.Like Ducat i said, "go away"
By the way hooning on any bike IS going to get you into situations that your'e probably not yet experienced enough to get out of, learn to ride on the road without falling off before attempting to do anything mildly taxing and please, don't do it around other bike riders.

[avimistry]

By the way hooning on any bike IS going to get you into situations that your'e probably not yet experienced enough to get out of, learn to ride on the road without falling off before attempting to do anything mildly taxing and please, don't do it around other bike riders.

Can't agree more. I remember back in my hooning days when I first started getting the front end up, gave it too much throttle and landed flat on my face. Also messed up the bike pretty badly. If i had known then that a tap of the rear brake would bring the nose down it would have saved me alot of hassle and money. But most importantly and luckily it was a quiet suburban road and I was the only one on it, especially no kids out playing. Learnt my lesson then and there, and I'd giveup my license (well when I get it) before I attempt that again.

[george formby]

I think type of bike plays a small part, but it's largely rider skill/experience. But irrespective which side of the fence you sit on i think all riders should master, or atleast build on their, low speed handling. It makes for better and safer riders.

Yup.
A world class stunt rider said that what works at 20kmh works at 120kmh. I bang on repeatedly about this but good slow speed handling skills translate to the road perfectly. Learning & practicing the techniques on a lighter bike allows you to get away with mistakes by sticking a foot out. Once you have got your head around it the bike is pretty much irrelevant.
I'm addicted to hitting the lock stops in car parks. U turns on a fully loaded touring bike have shit me for years, not anymore. I love it.
The risks of learning are minimal, the rewards are immense.

[avimistry]

The risks of learning are minimal, the rewards are immense.

Couldn't have put it better..

[avimistry]

Not all of us get into bike riding to become hoons though.

I agree. I got into it and am returning for the pure love of the machines and the open road (and closed circuits). But when you're young your immaturity tends to get the better of you, not deliberately but for lack of thinking ahead. I believe a bike has a soul and if not treated with the utmost respect it will throw you to the kerb faster than you can say 'hoon'.