LEARNER: Open to any advice (Bishop)

[Bishop]

Hi there everyone,

I've just gone out and brought myself my first road bike (much to the disapproval of my dear old Dad). I've been riding it now for just over a month and I'm starting to get a bit more confident. Growing up with three brothers I was always out in the paddock on the bikes with them, but riding in a paddock on a dirt bike and riding on the road are two completely different disciplines.
Reading through these forums has helped alot, plenty of tips and ideas from experienced riders is just what a learner needs.

So keep up the threads, I'll be around to join in.

Cheers.

[onearmedbandit]

Welcome to the site and congratulations on getting a bike. There are plenty of good riders up your way who will be more than happy to give you some pointers. Take care on the roads, assume no-one has seen you. Spend as much time as you can in the saddle, it's the best way to improve your confidence.

[SwanTiger]

Welcome to Kiwi Biker,

I have a similar biking background to you, most of my riding was on the farm or country gravel roads. Getting my first real road bike was a big change.

Send me a Private Message if you are keen on a ride, I know most of the good local roads north of Auckland.

You should of brought a Hyosung, but you are forgiven.

[ZeroIndex]

Welcome to KiwiBiker,
you've chosen a great place to learn stuff, and as your first post topic (open to any advice),
sounds like you've come with the right attitude :)

[kickingzebra]

Open to any advice??? My advice is don't take the advice... these guys will have you doing all sorts of strange things with various animals in no time...
It's a madhouse out here!!

My piece for the day?! Stoppies are a valuable resource to hone your braking skills. Oh, and ride within your limitations!!

Welcome!

[Zed]

Welcome Bishop, I hope u enjoy your stay! :yes:


Some random thoughts on Learner advice from me that may be a help to your road riding adventure:

Wear good comprehensive protection.

Master your cornering technique early.

When you're confident enough, go riding with other more experienced riders and observe & learn from their skills.

Check your tyre pressures regularly.

Change your oil and filter at the appropriate times for your model bike.

Keep your chain lubricated.

Look at the road surface with eagle eyes when riding, be careful when riding through patches of gravel or dirt, avoid the white lines and shiney road surfaces in the wet, all especially when braking.

Don't get caught out at night with only your tinted visor.

Buy an emergency puncture repair kit.

Treat other motorists with respect, but assume that they are all potentially dangerous to your health and can't see you in their blindspot, so have your wits about you.

Don't forget to always put your sidestand down.

Once you have your skills honed and confidence level high, if you enjoy riding fast and want to know your and your bikes limitations, go and do a track day.

Keep the rubber side down, and the shiney side up! :ride:

[NSR-Dan]

welcome to the site, come in the chats rooms too, lots of great discusions about motorcycling, you might even have a chance to talk to the website celebrity markauckland.

if you need parts for your bike or any saftey gear check my thread out, has a link, i also sell leathers gloves boots etc from the brands of alpinestars, ICON, AGV and Joe Rocket
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=686251#post686251


You should of brought a Hyosung, but you are forgiven.

swanny, how can he be forgiven when alot of people havent forgivin you for buying one. lol

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Welcome to the site. Best advice ? Treat all other road users as out to get you.....as most of them are blind !:gob:

[Matt Bleck]

welcome, come in and pull up a pew....

[Drum]

Welcome to the site Bishop.

Ride within your abilities and keep the rubber side down.

[kiwifruit]

Welcome to the site :)
The most important thing about road riding is the fact that you are invisable.
Its not a matter of "that car might pull out in front of me", its GOING to pull out in front of you, its just good luck if it doesn't.....
Its all about thinking defensively.
If you are into a bit of reading, twist of the wrist is a great book all about controling a road bike. Ive got it in pdf form if you want it lettuce know ;)

[Quasievil]

Welcome to the site :)
The most important thing about road riding is the fact that you are invisable.
Its not a matter of "that car might pull out in front of me", its GOING to pull out in front of you, its just good luck if it doesn't.....
Its all about thinking defensively.
If you are into a bit of reading, twist of the wrist is a great book all about controling a road bike. Ive got it in pdf form if you want it lettuce know ;)

Mate I would be keen for a copy of that if okay:blip:
msu@xtra.co.nz

[Crisis management]

Mate I would be keen for a copy of that if okay:blip:
msu@xtra.co.nz
Read Twist of the wrist 2, the first one is not as comprehensive..

[kiwifruit]

yeah, its twist of the wrist 2, sorry :D

[TerminalAddict]

I'd be into a copy of that too ... linkage?

[ZeroIndex]

I'd be into a copy of that too ... linkage?
yes please, me too

[Bishop]

Welcome to the site :)
The most important thing about road riding is the fact that you are invisable.
Its not a matter of "that car might pull out in front of me", its GOING to pull out in front of you, its just good luck if it doesn't.....
Its all about thinking defensively.
If you are into a bit of reading, twist of the wrist is a great book all about controling a road bike. Ive got it in pdf form if you want it lettuce know ;)
Yeah I'd like a copy if you don't mind.
Thanks very much.

[Hawkeye]

It sounds like this book is a best seller on KB.
Any chance of putting it somewhere to enable download? :blip:

[fozz rock]

Get insurance BEFORE you crash or drop your bike

Welcome

[TerminalAddict]

warning 4.4 mb
http://terminaladdict.com/Twist.pdf
(right click save link as)

[andrea]

hi bishop welcome to the site, its pretty cool here

[McJim]

You've come to the right place for advice - I trawled the forums here for months before I actually got a bike. I would have made some real dumbarse decisions if I hadn't. Enjoy your two wheels.

[dnos]

hey man nice bike.
just take it easy through the early stages, you should get the hang of things real quick.
enjoy the bike

[InDeSkyz]

Take a look at the planned rides. There might be some slow 250 ones around that are great to ride on.

And good to see you've finally joined the site ;) hey :)

[Macktheknife]

Welcome to the madhouse, enjoy your riding and I look forward to catching up some time.

[Zapf]

Hello,
Nice Hornet... one of the better bikes to learn on :)

Advice? Join one of the more sedate KB rides on the weekend, they'll take you along some of the better motorcycling roads and also there is bound to be someone who would be happy to tow the line for you to ride and follow their lines.

I learnt biking from turning up at a KB ride with only 50km on the clock on my new VTR250

Which part of Auckland are you based?