Building the Biker following in NZ

[R6_kid]

Had a quick chat to a 'boy racer' type bloke today at the wreckers that was really keen to get out and promote bikes to the public. However it was in more of a 'boy racer' way by having a club of bikes that go around thrashing people in cars... either way the base idea was there of just getting out and being on bikes on the weekend etc.

You shoulda seen his face when i mentioned KB!

Anyway, what i was thinking on the way home is what can we do to raise awareness about biking in NZ? Sure we get out most weekends on big rides but is there any way that we can directly help to build the biking community in NZ.

This isnt only for 'bikers' in the sense of being on the road - i was also thinking of Racing as a sport etc too as it has been mentioned before that bike racing in NZ doesnt get much publicity.

So........ What do you/we need to do to help promote biking as a positive and rewarding past-time/lifestyle?

[XTC]

I think riding around and trashing cars with machine guns like in thar dumb as dumbarse movie fast and furious will get us all the publicity we need. please don't encourage boy racer types to take up bikes...

[Motu]

Polite motorcyclists helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars - good old 50s values...that'd be a stunner in this day and age.

[Sniper]

That is the silliest idea of promoting bikes I have ever heard of!! Using them to bloody race each other! Here we are forking out HUGE ACC levies on our regos because motorbike are "unsafe" and some scum sucking, anus dwelling but monkey suggests that its great to race cars to improve biker awareness. That will go down well with ACC

Where is this twat so I can "educate" him correctly.

[Sniper]

Polite motorcyclists helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars - good old 50s values...that'd be a stunner in this day and age.

Somehow, I can't imagine you doing that :rofl:

[R6_kid]

lol, not really promoting 'boy racers' to get into bikes, but this guy did seem generally interested in bikes.

A lot of people have been saying that the biker reputation has been taking a beating and i was wondering (there probably isnt) a way to try and reverse this. Obviously things like being curteous do help but only if everyone is doing it. I know for a fact that i try to be curteous but do often find myself being more focussed on my own piorities than worrying about if there is someone waiting.

It is kind of a double jeopardy... we either do something about it and lose some of the enjoyment from riding or do nothing and continue to be looked at as 'temporary citizens'.

[R6_kid]

That is the silliest idea of promoting bikes I have ever heard of!! Using them to bloody race each other! Here we are forking out HUGE ACC levies on our regos because motorbike are "unsafe" and some scum sucking, anus dwelling but monkey suggests that its great to race cars to improve biker awareness. That will go down well with ACC

Where is this twat so I can "educate" him correctly.

that wasnt the point. He wasnt saying anything that doing that shit was going to make bikers look better in the eye of new zealanders... thats how he was enjoying his bike. It's just the thing that got me thinking. I suggested he joined and came out on some rides to see how to really enjoy his bike, if he wants to go to the drags (or anyone else for that matter) its at their own peril.

Unfortunately most media sources are quick to throw cliche'd lines around and run motorcyclists down as being dangerous etc - i was thinking along the lines of how to counteract these, if there is a way at all... as i cant really think of any myself.

Suppose I should just shutup and get back to what i was doing.

[Cibby]

lol, not really promoting 'boy racers' to get into bikes, but this guy did seem generally interested in bikes.

It is kind of a double jeopardy... we either do something about it and lose some of the enjoyment from riding or do nothing and continue to be looked at as 'temporary citizens'.

I understand what you mean, when i told a couple of my girl mates about that ride on sunday, their automatic assumption was that the other riders were harley riding, half helmet wearing, dodgy old guys... The actual awareness of bikes is pretty low.. However that could be a good thing..

Cause in the last year or so the whole boy racer thing has totally been blown apart, the cops hound the boy racers, take their cars off them.. Honestly, if the cops had any idea the "pace" of our rides.. well not me cause i stick to 70kms.. :whistle: but.. they would be all ove rus..

maybe having a low profile, baking cakes and helping old ladies is the way to go.. means we can keep having "fun" :devil2: :ride:

[Sniper]

A lot of people have been saying that the biker reputation has been taking a beating and i was wondering (there probably isnt) a way to try and reverse this. Obviously things like being curteous do help but only if everyone is doing it. I know for a fact that i try to be curteous but do often find myself being more focussed on my own piorities than worrying about if there is someone waiting.



Yea I understand what you mean, but bloody well racing cars to change peoples attitudes to bikes??? WTF? Anyway, there will always be a beating handed to the bikers reputation and the main reason is... People disagree with things we do.

For example, we pass someone because we know there are twisties up ahead that we want to play with. All great but the cager thinks, "I wonder what his problem was?" or "He is going to kill himself". Or it may just be the fact that they are subconciously jelous that we can filter through traffic alot better and be home before them. Its human nature mate, I know a nurse who promised me that she would never allow me on a bike. Look where I am today and I have proved Im responsible but she still tries to tell me off.

As beauty queens say, "I wish for World Peace!". Wouldn't that be great. No, I reckon it would suck!. Conflicts build character and so does riding a bike.

Thats my 2c

[R6_kid]

I understand what you mean, when i told a couple of my girl mates about that ride on sunday, their automatic assumption was that the other riders were harley riding, half helmet wearing, dodgy old guys... The actual awareness of bikes is pretty low.. However that could be a good thing..

cheers, thats more what i was thinking. A lot of people think that biking is all old dudes on cruisers... so why do they make all the plastic rice racers? Oh thats right they are just for the track.

[Smorg]

If people are interested in bikes they will get "into" them why push it?
The less converted cage drivers on bikes the better, more so if they are x boy racers, i couldnt think of anything worse :hitcher: :hitcher:

[R6_kid]

For example, we pass someone because we know there are twisties up ahead that we want to play with. All great but the cager thinks, "I wonder what his problem was?" or "He is going to kill himself".

Yeh, at the end of the day i suppose we cant really explain to them why we do that stuff. Only think i can think of is exposing more people to riding... perhaps taking a pillion that has no clue about biking to help them understand?


As beauty queens say, "I wish for World Peace!". Wouldn't that be great. No, I reckon it would suck!. Conflicts build character and so does riding a bike.
Aint that The truth mate! At the end of the days shes a hot bitch that couldnt change the world if she had gone to university instead ... im not hot, but im a biker and i cant do much for the image that society portrays on me.

[Pixie]

Unfortunately most media sources are quick to throw cliche'd lines around and run motorcyclists down as being dangerous etc .
Don't hold your breath for the media to ever change their tired old prejudices.

Bob Jones was on the box this morning.One of his hobbies is slagging the media.
He mentioned how they always introduce him as a property developer,but he has never developed property in his life,being solely an investor.

[Cibby]

cheers, thats more what i was thinking. A lot of people think that biking is all old dudes on cruisers... so why do they make all the plastic rice racers? Oh thats right they are just for the track.

Na.. they make them cause they look SO DAMN SEXY!!!! :devil2:

[R6_kid]

Na.. they make them cause they look SO DAMN SEXY!!!! :devil2:

Go get yourself that 636 and stop complaining!

[zjet]

I,m a boyracer and a bikea .

so am i or am i not the idiot you all seem to think boyracers are.

No boy racer wants to hurt anyone or their car so the good ones (eg not the bad eggs) are well orgianized.

What i find intersting is the people here seem to think its ok to go fast on a bike but not in a car ??

[Lou Girardin]

If you want to increase bike awarness, ban cheap Jap imports, raise taxes on cars, increase the price of gas.
It worked well until the 80's.
Beware what you wish for though, the increase in bike deaths will bring unwelcome attention.

[R6_kid]

I,m a boyracer and a bikea .

so am i or am i not the idiot you all seem to think boyracers are.

No boy racer wants to hurt anyone or their car so the good ones (eg not the bad eggs) are well orgianized.

What i find intersting is the people here seem to think its ok to go fast on a bike but not in a car ??

that is true...

the way we speed tho isnt through populated areas or simply for showing off which is what many (bad egg) boy racers do it for. As someone said to me they got into bikes because there is far to much wank factor in cars these days (chromes, body kit, sounds and the list goes on)

sure we do some crazy shit but 99% of the time its out on country roads, and we're going out of our way to keep ourselves and other road users as safe as possible, and at the same time being curteous to said other road users.

[The Stranger]

Suppose I should just shutup and get back to what i was doing.

No don't do that.

One thing that really pissed me off yesterday was those that were rubishing the young, smiley's or not.
Ok I realise that is not the case here but bare with the old guy while he jumps threads a bit.

I have only been on 3 rides with KB but want to say never have I met such a great bunch of keen, sane and inteligent young guys and girls.
So keep it coming Gareth you have much to contribute.

[R6_kid]

If you want to increase bike awarness, ban cheap Jap imports, raise taxes on cars, increase the price of gas.
It worked well until the 80's.
Beware what you wish for though, the increase in bike deaths will bring unwelcome attention.

hence the double jeopardy of the sitution!

[R6_kid]

No don't do that.

One thing that really pissed me off yesterday was those that were rubishing the young, smiley's or not.
Ok I realise that is not the case here but bare with the old guy while he jumps threads a bit.

I have only been on 3 rides with KB but want to say never have I met such a great bunch of keen, sane and inteligent young guys and girls.
So keep it coming Gareth you have much to contribute.

cheers, i must look a real forum whore atm... i really need to get a job/study for that test 2mro :rofl:

[TwoSeven]

There isnt anywhere here to turn up and show your bike off, have a cup of coffee/beer and read a paper/gossip. It has to be somewhere in the center of town and high profile so everyone can easily get there.

Some bike shops are starting to warm to the idea of also running a coffee shop (I mean bookshops figured it out ages ago), and a few shops often run club related stuff in association with the shop (eric wood demo days/bbq etc). But there is nowhere for riders to just go and hang out on a saturday/sunday/weekday. Even a local central pub/bar/bistro is a good place.

Many pubs/bistro's have taxi stands outside them and the cabbies dont mind them being parked in by bikers during the day - so long as they are left empty during busy times - you just need to get permission from the right folks.


Not everyone is a poor biker with no money. I think thats what the boy racer was getting at. Some people put some serious bling into their machines (I'm a fan of custom jap bikes - or good graphics mods), and there is simply no place for them to put their bikes on show. In london there were heaps of clubs, one famous one was the 59 rockers club where brit bike enthusiasts used to hang. I know there was a jap bike club and the RC30 (NC/NV/RC) owners club etc. All these separate clubs would often hang out together instead of being seperatist.

Havn't seen any of that here - only the race scene which at the end of the day, not many people are interested in. Although I do notice that the scooter folks in christchurch are starting to mob together, so there may be hope yet. :)

[MacD]

I understand what you mean, when i told a couple of my girl mates about that ride on sunday, their automatic assumption was that the other riders were harley riding, half helmet wearing, dodgy old guys...
When in reality they are a bunch of Suzuki-riding, full-face-helmet wearing, dodgy old guys... ;)



Honestly, if the cops had any idea the "pace" of our rides.. well not me cause i stick to 70kms.. :whistle: but.. they would be all ove rus..

I'm sure the cops are well aware of the pace of most sprots-bike rides... :scooter:

[Sniper]

Yeh, at the end of the day i suppose we cant really explain to them why we do that stuff. Only think i can think of is exposing more people to riding... perhaps taking a pillion that has no clue about biking to help them understand?




Thats an idea

[eliot-ness]

Polite motorcyclists helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars - good old 50s values...that'd be a stunner in this day and age.


Done most of that in the 50s. it's amazing how a handful of throttle and a blast on the horn can help cure a little old lady's arthritis. Always gave me a cheery wave with their walking sticks. Cleaned up quite a few cars too but that was an easy job on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Drew the line at baking cakes. not my forte. :devil2:
Seriously, a lot of bikers do charity work, toy or charity runs etc. Does it make the headlines.?? No chance. a brief note in the local rag and it's forgotten. Bad news is good. No-one wants to hear about samaritans. Evil bastards on big bikes get more readers. The rest of us get tarred with the same brush.

[Motu]

Road Knights - been done before...imagine...a couple has a flat tyre on a lonely country road,he has a broken leg and unable to help his wife change the wheel - then they hear the sound of a lone motorcycle coming towards them,a sharp intake of breath and the wife glances at her husband...

''Oh John! Listen,that sounds like a motorcycle,he'll help us,they always do!'' 'You're right Mary,nothing is too much for those guys,always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need'.

A handsome leather clad motorcyclist pulls up behind the disabled car,gets off and walks up to the couple - ''Looks like you need a hand,don't worry,I'll sort it out for you.Take a seat in the car and have a coffee from my handy Thermos while I change the wheel'' Off he goes and from his pack takes a handy reflective sign and several cones to mark out a hazzard,placing cones several meters around the corner to warn other motorcyclist of a danger.The wheel is changed in no time and our gallant motorcyclist dismantles his emergency road works warning kit and departs forthwith.

''Oh John,wasn't that nice of that young man,isn't there something we can do to repay him,he wouldn't take our money...''

'Don't worry Honey,I've meet these guys before,they are just happy to help us car drivers in trouble....but I know we can send a donation to SpankMe at KiwiBiker,it's the least we can do....'

[Lou Girardin]

Road Knights - been done before...imagine...a couple has a flat tyre on a lonely country road,he has a broken leg and unable to help his wife change the wheel - then they hear the sound of a lone motorcycle coming towards them,a sharp intake of breath and the wife glances at her husband...

''Oh John! Listen,that sounds like a motorcycle,he'll help us,they always do!'' 'You're right Mary,nothing is too much for those guys,always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need'.

A handsome leather clad motorcyclist pulls up behind the disabled car,gets off and walks up to the couple - ''Looks like you need a hand,don't worry,I'll sort it out for you.Take a seat in the car and have a coffee from my handy Thermos while I change the wheel'' Off he goes and from his pack takes a handy reflective sign and several cones to mark out a hazzard,placing cones several meters around the corner to warn other motorcyclist of a danger.The wheel is changed in no time and our gallant motorcyclist dismantles his emergency road works warning kit and departs forthwith.

''Oh John,wasn't that nice of that young man,isn't there something we can do to repay him,he wouldn't take our money...''

'Don't worry Honey,I've meet these guys before,they are just happy to help us car drivers in trouble....but I know we can send a donation to SpankMe at KiwiBiker,it's the least we can do....'


Where do I sign up?
Wait, I'll need snow white leathers first. :woohoo:

[Cibby]

When in reality they are a bunch of Suzuki-riding, full-face-helmet wearing, dodgy old guys... ;)


I'm sure the cops are well aware of the pace of most sprots-bike rides... :scooter:

hahaha.. shhhhh i'm still young enough to think i'm invincable!!! :apumpin: and blonde enough to think that i can smile sweetly enough that the nice police man will let me off... :blip:

[Sniper]

hahaha.. shhhhh i'm still young enough to think i'm invincable!!! :apumpin: and blonde enough to think that i can smile sweetly enough that the nice police man will let me off... :blip:

Thats where girls go wrong. The old smile and flash some leg doesn't work anymore. You actually need to flash them boobs and give them a peck on the cheek. :rofl:

[White trash]

.

I have only been on 3 rides with KB but want to say never have I met such a great bunch of keen, sane and inteligent young guys and girls.

Ummmm, don't think we've met yet............

[Cibby]

Thats where girls go wrong. The old smile and flash some leg doesn't work anymore. You actually need to flash them boobs and give them a peck on the cheek. :rofl:

geeze sniper.. i was trying to keep the conversation above the gutter..

So far... and i say so far.. i have managed to get off 3 speeding fines and one rego fine by smiling sweetly and playing innocent.. Actually one time.. this one time, the officier had accused me of running a red light, after much laughing, it was established that I had actually gone through a give way sigh, i blatently accused him of hitting on me and he left, rather red faced.. poor guy.. he was kinda hot to.. *sigh*

[Ixion]

Road Knights - been done before...imagine...a couple has a flat tyre on a lonely country road,he has a broken leg and unable to help his wife change the wheel - then they hear the sound of a lone motorcycle coming towards them,a sharp intake of breath and the wife glances at her husband...

''Oh John! Listen,that sounds like a motorcycle,he'll help us,they always do!'' 'You're right Mary,nothing is too much for those guys,always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need'.

A handsome leather clad motorcyclist pulls up behind the disabled car,gets off and walks up to the couple - ''Looks like you need a hand,don't worry,I'll sort it out for you.Take a seat in the car and have a coffee from my handy Thermos while I change the wheel'' Off he goes and from his pack takes a handy reflective sign and several cones to mark out a hazzard,placing cones several meters around the corner to warn other motorcyclist of a danger.The wheel is changed in no time and our gallant motorcyclist dismantles his emergency road works warning kit and departs forthwith.

''Oh John,wasn't that nice of that young man,isn't there something we can do to repay him,he wouldn't take our money...''

'Don't worry Honey,I've meet these guys before,they are just happy to help us car drivers in trouble....but I know we can send a donation to SpankMe at KiwiBiker,it's the least we can do....'

Thermos? Check
Warning sign? Check ?
Darn, I don't have any cones stowed away on the Whale. Knew there was something missing.

[Sniper]

geeze sniper.. i was trying to keep the conversation above the gutter..

So far... and i say so far.. i have managed to get off 3 speeding fines and one rego fine by smiling sweetly and playing innocent.. Actually one time.. this one time, the officier had accused me of running a red light, after much laughing, it was established that I had actually gone through a give way sigh, i blatently accused him of hitting on me and he left, rather red faced.. poor guy.. he was kinda hot to.. *sigh*

Ahh, the joys of being attached. You know, I have all these women just dying to be with me because of my bike. They bring me gifts, offer me their bodies and promise to love and cherish me. Then I wake up and realise I have all I need asleep with me.

Then she pulls the covers off and I wish some dreams were real life situations :oi-grr:

[The Stranger]

Well your location is listed as "North of WGTN"
Hmm, I wonder why we haven't met, because I am north of WGTN too.

[Cibby]

Ahh, the joys of being attached. You know, I have all these women just dying to be with me because of my bike. They bring me gifts, offer me their bodies and promise to love and cherish me. Then I wake up and realise I have all I need asleep with me.

Then she pulls the covers off and I wish some dreams were real life situations :oi-grr:
I know.. what is up with having a hot bike that increased your worth as a human being...

Although i can understand their feelings.. hot bike :Punk:

[R6_kid]

Ahh, the joys of being attached. You know, I have all these women just dying to be with me because of my bike. They bring me gifts, offer me their bodies and promise to love and cherish me. Then I wake up and realise I have all I need asleep with me.


i dont even get that in my dream, tho i did have two girls like that at a party... maybe i need to seek professional help :pinch:

[Damon]

There isnt anywhere here to turn up and show your bike off, have a cup of coffee/beer and read a paper/gossip. It has to be somewhere in the center of town and high profile so everyone can easily get there.

Sorry to pull everyone back on track but i think TwoSeven's idea is great, something like the Ace Cafe London (http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/) would be awesome here, i'd love to
head into town after a long day, sit back with a bevie and laugh at the cagers going by, it'd be a good place to show off your pride and joy and would help heaps to boosting our image just by the act that they can see how many of us there are and all our different age's, creed's and styles, hell of an idea in my book, now who has the cash to but this puppy into action?

[R6_kid]

i've suggested that we meet up for at either mission bay or browns bay just to get right out in the public eye. That is for saturday week (not this one but next)

[Gremlin]

Righto, bring the topic back to some sort of point...

I don't think we need to raise our profile much, or the cost of raising our profile outweighs the benefits.

We stand out amongst the population because we carry helmets, wear huge amounts of gear etc.

Look at ?esspro? who just joined. Saw me in classes, carrying helmet etc, obviously concluded that I'm not driving a car and asked me straight up and I divulged as much information as I could...

Let the curious come to us :devil2:

[mstriumph]

............ helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars ......

simultaneously? :ride:

[mstriumph]

Thats where girls go wrong. The old smile and flash some leg doesn't work anymore. You actually need to flash them boobs and give them a peck on the cheek. :rofl:

crying? begging??

[Cibby]

simultaneously? :ride:


shhhh... let the poor boy have his dreams... :violin:

[Motu]

Where do I sign up?
Wait, I'll need snow white leathers first. :woohoo:

I was thinking more along the lines of tall black leather boots,jodpers,a smart jacket with epaulets and a rakish peaked cap....bit of a bugger that our young recruits with have to do a rapid headgear change,but I think the cap gives a certain air of authority.A well trimmed mustache is mandatory....but optional for the girls,some are unable to grow a good mo,and they should'nt be made to feel embarassed about it.....

[Big Dave]

Polite motorcyclists helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars - good old 50s values...that'd be a stunner in this day and age.

I've helped 3 different little old ladies cross Remuera Rd in the last 2 weeks (true) - even carried one old dear's groceries back to her car. Was the most rewarding thing i did all day.
Giving way to cars?.........nah.

[Brains]

lol, not really promoting 'boy racers' to get into bikes, but this guy did seem generally interested in bikes.

A lot of people have been saying that the biker reputation has been taking a beating and i was wondering (there probably isnt) a way to try and reverse this. Obviously things like being curteous do help but only if everyone is doing it. I know for a fact that i try to be curteous but do often find myself being more focussed on my own piorities than worrying about if there is someone waiting.

It is kind of a double jeopardy... we either do something about it and lose some of the enjoyment from riding or do nothing and continue to be looked at as 'temporary citizens'.


Find all the low life patched up riders, take them out into a paddock, give them a great big hug and they will reform their wayward ways.

It all starts when the breast feeding ends too early.

[pyrocam]

im kinda happy the way things are.


procrastination: aint been changing stuff since 1886