Welly KB Ride this Sunday (7 May) - Flyin Memorial

[Madness]

Meeting at Caltex Rimutaka Sunday 07/05 10.45 Departing 11.00.

Head over the Taka's out to Martinborough for lunch @ The Fish.

Continue up to Gladstone.

Previously discussed in an unidentifiable indiscriminatly described post here...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=28808&highlight=memorial

[Lord Derosso]

Where is the Caltex??

[Madness]

Where is the Caltex??

Please join us.
Travel up S.H.2 through Upper Hutt (River Road) at the northern end it rises up to a plateau, where there is a set of traffic lights before a pub on the left, and a Caltex. It's before Te Marua.

Weather looks better for Sunday. Let's make this a big, safe ride.

[Kendog]

We will be there.

[Madness]

Phew, I just got back from a squirt up to the Manawatu Gorge with rfc85, a good day out & pretty much dry as a bone.

See you guys in the morning! My new tyres are officially scrubbed up.

[phoenixgtr]

I'll come along. Looking forward to it

[rfc85]

weather looks good as well

[Jase W]

Damn, i just had to pick up an extra shift tomorrow morning didnt I?

Have a good ride guys...

[poorbastard]

Bikes still in bits will have to give it a miss. Have a good ride guys

[Lord Derosso]

as far as the petrol station as I want to get out for a quick blast but I havent been over the rimutakas for some years and want to check them out myself before getting in a group ride, I may as well try and get to the meeting point and meet some of you guys and gals. Its been so long since I have been out that way I cant remember any petrol station at all. How much further pass the Haywoods Hill turnoff is it please ???. If I dont make it tomorrow... enjoy the ride.

[Darkman]

as far as the petrol station as I want to get out for a quick blast but I havent been over the rimutakas for some years and want to check them out myself before getting in a group ride, I may as well try and get to the meeting point and meet some of you guys and gals. Its been so long since I have been out that way I cant remember any petrol station at all. How much further pass the Haywoods Hill turnoff is it please ???. If I dont make it tomorrow... enjoy the ride.

maybe about 6kms..could be wrong..once you gone through the Haywads lights..just keep going. You will come up to another set of lights,go through them too and then another set, not long after that. Once you gone through them, you will find the servo on your left about 500meters or so from them.Can't miss it..Will most probably catch up with you guys somewhere during the day.

You should do the Takkas man..just stay behind the group and go at your own pace.not a race..youll enjoy it.

[jimbo600]

as far as the petrol station as I want to get out for a quick blast but I havent been over the rimutakas for some years and want to check them out myself before getting in a group ride, I may as well try and get to the meeting point and meet some of you guys and gals. Its been so long since I have been out that way I cant remember any petrol station at all. How much further pass the Haywoods Hill turnoff is it please ???. If I dont make it tomorrow... enjoy the ride.

Its about 20km past Haywards hill turn off. You can't miss it just keep heading north until you come across it. If you hit Napier you have gone too far. Seriously though its piss easy to find.

[Hawkeye]

Damm, another one I can't make :crybaby:
Enjoy the ride :yes:

[Lord Derosso]

Weather looks like shit at this stage. Checked out the Saturn forecast and theres a HUGE high over the whole of central area but then the space view showings forecast of cloud and rain??? Its 8am and its pissing down to the east but has started to clear up here in Wellington. Whats the situation in Upper Hutt anyone? Getting more keen now. I think it should blow over by the time of the ride. If its clear I might go to Martinborough. Just not keen to test brand new speed demons in the wet for the first time on the rimatukus.

[Madness]

I'm looking at the Saturn Weather thingy right now too. The rain radar shows absolutely sweet FA rain - it must just be above my house & your house.

I'm going regardless. I think a group ride would be okay if you hadn't done the Taka's in the wet before. That way you can go at a moderadely slow speed with others without having to worry about holding up the cages.

Murphy's Law, Section 12827645; If it's raining on one side of the Taka's it's usually dry on the other.

Off to the MET Service site.........

[Lord Derosso]

By the time I hit the shower, uncover the bike, do a checkover... it should be clearing up hopefully. Rain has never stopped me before and I dont have any leggings yet but I just wear several pairs on pants in lieu. Getting keen.
What you reckon? 20 minutes to the caltex from Wn Central?

[Slides]

By the time I hit the shower, uncover the bike, do a checkover... it should be clearing up hopefully. Rain has never stopped me before and I dont have any leggings yet but I just wear several pairs on pants in lieu. Getting keen.
What you reckon? 20 minutes to the caltex from Wn Central?

25 - 30 minutes easy (depending on traffic).

[Madness]

That's the spirit. if not 20 minutes, not much more than that. I'm in Alicetown and the sun is breaking throught the cloud behind me right now to the north..... I think it'll be okay.

[Lord Derosso]

Ta.... what is wrong with our stupid weather !! Fineing up 30 minutes ago now its beginning to rain down here in Newtown. Oh well might blow over next hour.

[Lord Derosso]

Stuff the southernly... the bike is checked and warmed up ready to go. Just wear warm gear people.

[Madness]

Excellent. I just have to scrape yesterday's bugs off my visor & go wake Her Indoors up so the dogs don't eat any more of her Uni papers (Bugger).

[Wasp]

the bandit just aint gonna fire in this humidity and theres no point in comming on 3, have a good ride guys, wish i could be out there :bye:

[rfc85]

weather looks ok here in the hutt,but i might go to taihape instead,just for something to do,have a good one people

[Lord Derosso]

How did the ride go guys? I had quite iced on the way back from the summit but there was some sun in parts. Worse part coming back around the harbour as it was wet and windy but been there done that heaps of times . Nice to meet some of you at last.

[madboy]

It was pretty queer weather. One minute persisting down and slipping and sliding everywhere, next minute dry roads and almost sunshine. After we left you at the summit we shot out to Martinborough, talked some shit at the fish, shot out to the dreadful corner, cruised back to Martinborough where i left the ride and headed back with Skelstar and Maximus in tow. Not a bad run up the takas, but scary scary coming down the hutt side, too much water, too much melted tar. I conceded defeat at that point and cruised.

Good to meet a few new faces too.

[rfc85]

sorry i missed the ride,weather was great up to taihape and back down hwy 1 ,a bit of rain @piecock, lots of bikes out today ,mainly crusierz that waved back

[Slides]

It was pretty queer weather. One minute persisting down and slipping and sliding everywhere, next minute dry roads and almost sunshine. After we left you at the summit we shot out to Martinborough, talked some shit at the fish, shot out to the dreadful corner, cruised back to Martinborough where i left the ride and headed back with Skelstar and Maximus in tow. Not a bad run up the takas, but scary scary coming down the hutt side, too much water, too much melted tar. I conceded defeat at that point and cruised.

Good to meet a few new faces too.

Yeah, that weather was weird... After leaving you guys at the 'corner' I had a pretty good run back (I was even getting a bit brave up the Taka's, or at least a bit less nana-ish!), and then I hit a wall of water half way down the Hutt side.
It only lasted a few minutes, but it was damn nasty!

Good to meet you all again/for the first time!!

[skelstar]

Had a good time riding in the rain today to be honest. Followed P-GTR for much of it. Longest passing manouvre in history dude ;). Thought you were going to run out of Wairarapa.
Hill dry on 'rapa side both times, wet and sketchy on Welly-side, aight.

[phoenixgtr]

Followed P-GTR for much of it. Longest passing manouvre in history dude ;). Thought you were going to run out of Wairarapa.


Well you know it takes a long time to wind up the rubber band on the little bike. That guy was going reasonably fast on the straights (to FXR standards) but was slow on the corners so I knew my only chance was coming out of a corner.

I like to think I'm pushing that little bike at least close to its limits these days.

I had a fun time coming back over the Takas. Going up the Rapa side up was great. Even had a bit of fishtail action on one or two of the corners, but I never like coming down the Hutt side. A good ride, despite the freak 2-minute showers we kept encountering.

[Madness]

Even had a bit of fishtail action on one or two of the corners, but I never like coming down the Hutt side. A good ride, despite the freak 2-minute showers we kept encountering.

That slippery stuff is nasty. I had a moment coming out of Martinborough, I'm glad I stopped at the loo before heading home. Cheers for coming out guys, a fun ride without incident.

[skelstar]

MAX = yeah noticed that. Wonder what was going on...thought you had found some oil or diesel or something. Assume the foot off was the warning, not the reaction. :)

PGTR - I knew the car was around your limit. Thought he was a bit unsympathetic maintaining YOUR top speed during your epic passing. Considered pulling up beside you and giving you a friendly push but the raod was rapidly running out. You sure are nutting along these days though.

[Lord Derosso]

I took it reasonably slow going up to the summit on a wet road and I agree you really need to watch your speed coming back down the Hutt side. The only action I had was actually on the motorway on the way back before the LHT turnoff when I run over one of those ' tar snakes ' in the middle of the lane. The bloody bike slide sidewises and it gave me a hell of a fright since I was blatting along and wasnt expecting it whilst cruising. Learn something every day. Watch out for those snakes in the wet. I reckon though that I would have had a hell of a lot more fun on the little 600 if the road was dry. She handles hills with ease even in top. I am still getting the hang of her and finding out the rev ranges etc and of course the Pirellis arent quite broken in yet. Great to meet some of you.

[Madness]

Assume the foot off was the warning, not the reaction.

Nah, sorry bud. That was the dirtbike instinct kicking in. I take it the passing manouvere above was the Saab? They looked a bit "serious" I thought - probably live in Karori.

[Slides]

*Slightly off topic*

Who was it (on the ride) that said they knew the previous owner of my bike? (The guys's name was Boyle or something, I can NEVER remember...)

The reason I'm asking is that I found the bike fairly 'skittish' during this ride (made worse by the wet) and the only thing I had changed is putting the recommended 36psi in the tyres... so... I'm trying to sort out the suspension settings. I've found the damping and spring rates are all set a fair bit harder than factory standard, and I'm guessing that the previous owner was either;
a. A lot bigger than me (I'm just over 100kgs)
b. Rode 2 up fairly often.
or
c. I'm a big girls blouse and should be riding something like a Goldwing...

Does anyone know?

[Madness]

*Slightly off topic*

Who was it (on the ride) that said they knew the previous owner of my bike? (The guys's name was Boyle or something, I can NEVER remember...)

The reason I'm asking is that I found the bike fairly 'skittish' during this ride (made worse by the wet) and the only thing I had changed is putting the recommended 36psi in the tyres... so... I'm trying to sort out the suspension settings. I've found the damping and spring rates are all set a fair bit harder than factory standard, and I'm guessing that the previous owner was either;
a. A lot bigger than me (I'm just over 100kgs)
b. Rode 2 up fairly often.
or
c. I'm a big girls blouse and should be riding something like a Goldwing...

Does anyone know?

I think that would be "Mr. B". i don't know him personally, I think he works at Shelly BMW in town. I'll just have a squiz at the member list........

[Lord Derosso]

The conditions werent the best and you guys werent going slow ,but I was wondering about that psi. Shouldnt it be closer to 40 in the rear and 36 in the front? Shes a lot heavier than my little lady and thats roughly my settings. Must admit I really like the style of your bike. Looks real cool. Did you hit some of the fuel on the road or was she bottoming out a bit?? I have found setting the front fork suspension to Hard makes my braking so much better to handle but not so keen to start mucking around with the monoshock though its still in its preset 'middle' setting. Seems to fine for now.
Really need to take on the gorge one dry day and let loose a bit and see how she handles then. Cheers

[Slides]

The conditions werent the best and you guys werent going slow ,but I was wondering about that psi. Shouldnt it be closer to 40 in the rear and 36 in the front? Shes a lot heavier than my little lady and thats roughly my settings. Must admit I really like the style of your bike. Looks real cool. Did you hit some of the fuel on the road or was she bottoming out a bit?? I have found setting the front fork suspension to Hard makes my braking so much better to handle but not so keen to start mucking around with the monoshock though its still in its preset 'middle' setting. Seems to fine for now.
Really need to take on the gorge one dry day and let loose a bit and see how she handles then. Cheers

Thanks for that! She's not a bad machine, but I still reckon the '80's retro' look is either a like it or hate it deal... of course I love it!

As for the pressures etc, I'm just going off the figures in the manual (have to start somewhere!), but my main problem was that the rear end kept 'bouncing' sideways in corners.
I'm going to play with the settings and see what works best for me, but I was just wondering if there was any particular reason the previous owner was using the current settings.

Cheers

[phoenixgtr]

I take it the passing manouvere above was the Saab? They looked a bit "serious" I thought - probably live in Karori.

Yeah, it was the Saab. He didn't want to let me past. Speaking of people in Karori. I was up there yesterday after going through Makara and I had 3 cars pull out in front of me in different places along the way. Come to think of it, most of "car not see bike" incidents I've had have been in Karori. Is there something wrong with those people. They seem to all be asleep, good thing I'm awake.

[Jase W]

Karori is the worst for idiot drivers. Its all the rich suits in their bmws, mercs & range rovers. Grrrrrr. I have to deal with these irritating people every day, on the streets and at work.

Makara is always good for a blast, its nice and handy to my place (i live a bit further up from the makara turnoff) so whenever I feel like a decent blat, I just pop down the road to makara hehe.

[madboy]

I had a couple of good slides on the ride, which were largely either expected or worse self-inflicted, but no bouncing (except under hard braking on the dry takas). Perhaps your beast is set up for 2-up riding? I know so little about suspension settings that I'll leave my comments at that :)

[Slides]

I had a couple of good slides on the ride, which were largely either expected or worse self-inflicted, but no bouncing (except under hard braking on the dry takas). Perhaps your beast is set up for 2-up riding? I know so little about suspension settings that I'll leave my comments at that :)

Yeah, I'm no expert either, but that's what I was thinking too...
Cheers!

[Lord Derosso]

Another thought.. how long have you had that beau for? Have you had new rubber on in the time? perhaps you might want to check out getting the wheels balanced. When I got my new Pirellis on several weeks ago TSS told me they were pretty spot on and how much differance it makes to tight cornering....

[Slides]

Another thought.. how long have you had that beau for? Have you had new rubber on in the time? perhaps you might want to check out getting the wheels balanced. When I got my new Pirellis on several weeks ago TSS told me they were pretty spot on and how much differance it makes to tight cornering....

Good thought, I'll check that out too. Thanks!