Caught The Bug

[jumma]

A fifteen minute pillion ride on my flatmates CBR600 was all it took to infect me with the bike bug. Best thing about it was he took two other mates for a ride in the same weekend and we all felt the same - we needed bikes too. So two weeks later the three of us were lining up in a Petone carpark getting taught the basics of motorcycle handling. Cheers to Andrew @ Roadsafe for a great day, an extremely patient and understanding man.

A few months have passed since then and the learners is now in hand. Next on the agenda is getting some cash together for a bike. One of the mentioned mates got his bike (GSX 250) a week and a half ago so the jealousy is really setting in. Took it for a ride on Saturday and had a blast, spent about 30 minutes cruising around J'Ville and Newlands. Much more fun than 2nd gear carpark stuff!

So, money first, then some gear, then a bike and I'll be a happy man. Have already been overwhelmed by the support shown for us newbies on these pages and on the street (got a few nods from fellow bikers on Saturday) so can definitely say I'm in for the long haul. Cheers.

[Jantar]

Good on you Jumma, Motorcycling is the best fun you can have with your pants on. Welcome to the crowd. :scooter:

[boomer]

nice work.. good luck and be safe :scooter:

[wysper]

Welcome Jumma

Good order of purchase too.. money - gear - then bike.
almost too responsible LOL

[gijoe1313]

Hey Jumma, know exactly how you feel! Sounds like you're really into it and doing it correctly! I couldn't pick my bike up last weekend (the weather has been sucking something awful) and I've got an itchy twitch that only a saddle and two wheels can cure! But then I guess I don't have to tell you that! :yes:

Keep us informed on your progress! :rockon:

[jumma]

Yeah. Mate with the GSX 250 was borrowing gear until Saturday - went for a week without any. Already got me a helmet for riding pillion, just need the rest.

[jumma]

Hey Jumma, know exactly how you feel! Sounds like you're really into it and doing it correctly! I couldn't pick my bike up last weekend (the weather has been sucking something awful) and I've got an itchy twitch that only a saddle and two wheels can cure! But then I guess I don't have to tell you that! :yes:

Keep us informed on your progress! :rockon:

Will do. Cheers.

[skelstar]

Awesome, its cool when you realise eh? Take the learning process easy...plenty to time to go fast and be an idiot AFTER you learn to ride.

[jumma]

Not in a hurry. Great thing is I've got two other mates at the same stage as me so I don't have to try and keep up with my idiot flatmates on their 600's. Yet.

[skelstar]

Good 'tude to have. Get some miles under your belt and get out on one of the 'newbie' rides here in welly. Keep eye out on 'Meetings and Events' section.

[jumma]

Sounds good. Will drag the others out too.

[James Deuce]

You must be an exceptional individual if Andrew didn't shout at you. ;)

[jumma]

Not once. He gave someone an earful though for going exceptionally close to his van. Just glad it wasn't me.

[Kendog]

Hi there mate. Do you live in the J'ville area?
If so, when you fellas get your bikes and wanna go on rides we'd be happy to ride in convoy with you if you want, you know, safety in numbers. Or come down to 'the carpark' with us and practice some slow riding stuff and braking.
Definately go on the newbe rides, they are great fun, good way to meet other like minded people and learn some good tips from the more experienced (and less too!).
Mrs KD.

[jumma]

Hi KD. Nah, I live on the edge of town but Nick (GSX) had soccer in J'Ville on Saturday so I nicked his bike while he was playing. However, it's never too far to travel for some tips so once I've sorted a bike out i'll be in touch. Thanks for the offer! How regular are the newbie rides?

[skelstar]

Not that reg in winter...distance will become irrelevant soon, youll be heading over to Martinborough every weekend during summer.

[jumma]

Yeah, we've already talked about doing ice cream runs to Kia Ora diary, looking forward to that aspect of biking a lot. At the moment I do a lot of motorsport photography and travel out Wairarapa way quite often, will be much more fun on a bike.

[skelstar]

Next weekend its nice, post a thread saying you and your mates are heading to the 'rapa and see if anyone wants to tag along. Caltex Rimutaka (Rimutex) is a favoured depart point, usually people/vagrants milling around on the top of the takas hill from 10am onwards.

[Kendog]

Geeze, us give others tips(that's a bit of a laugh), maybe on modifying a hornet or how best to drop your bike in the garage!! LOL. You'd be best to get hold of a mentor from the list to give you some sessions, it's well worth it!!
When are you thinking you'll have your steed?

[Drum]

Welcome to the site Jumma, and welcome to your new way of life.
Things are never the same after you take up biking.

Rubber side down mate.

[Terminated]

Gidday Jumma, welcome and enjoy your new found freedom.
Take it Easy
Heads Up and Enjoy

[dnos]

dude - awesome to hear about your enthusiasm. And having a couple mates to learn with will be choice, just don't egg each other on too much eh.
Enjoy and good luck with finding some wheels.

[mazz1972]

Welcome Jumma!

If you are looking for bike gear, and advice, I can highly recommend TSS Motorcycles in Cuba St, Alicetown. They have a good range of gear, very helpful and friendly and will get stuff in for you if they dont have the right size. Will generally beat other prices too.

Good luck with the bike hunting and getting the learner licence!! If you don't have the licence already, here is a good website (http://www.drivinginstructor.co.nz/main_frame.php?goto_page=courses/test_menu.php&_title=Courses&sub_menu=common/sub_courses.php)for learning most of the questions from the road code.

[jumma]

Cheers Mazz. Haven't made it out to TSS yet, but looking at getting gear in the next week so will give em a try. Problem is getting there as I work every second Saturday and none of the bike shops are open on Sundays.

Got the learners but there's a few more mates who need convincing to get theirs, so will pass the website on. Ta.

[jtzzr]

Good on you Jumma, Motorcycling is the best fun you can have with your pants on. Welcome to the crowd. :scooter:

it stays with you a while,Pants are optional though ,but to be responsible best buy some good quality gear , you pay more but its worth it. Good luck finding a bike too, everyone here will tell you what bike to get , get one that suits you and your budget.C U
Jumma not Junnar , So sorry

[apteryx_haasti]

Good on you Jumma, Motorcycling is the best fun you can have with your pants on. Welcome to the crowd. :scooter:

You're meant to wear PANTS? Shoot, I thought all those waves were just people being friendly...:nya:



EDIT: Oh, and welcome - I got bit by the bug in April and haven't looked back since! Looking forward to some nicer weather to ride in - hopefully meet you at one of the newbie rides later in the year. Good luck with the bike huntin'

[Dadpole]

Yeah, we've already talked about doing ice cream runs to Kia Ora diary

The ice creams at the Signal Box dairy on the Mbro road are better.
Welcome to the world of two wheeled fun. It is like Malaria; when it is in your blood, it is there forever.

Now for some unsoliticed advice from an old codger:
Ride to the level and speed You feel comfortable with. Wish I knew that when I started. Within my first year I picked up leg and neck injury that limit what I can do now. Caused by being dumb and trying to run before I could walk.
End of unsoliticed advice from an old codger!

[Drum]

...........Problem is getting there as I work every second Saturday and none of the bike shops are open on Sundays..........

If you had a shop full of bikes at your disposal, would you work sundays? ;)

[Hawkeye]

Welcome to the site Jumma.

Good that you have mates at the same level. Just don't make it a challenge between you. Go at your pace and enjoy. I agree with your order. Gear and then bike.

I got my restricted yesterday after sitting on the learners for 6 months. Use the 6 months to 'learn' and don't learn the hard way. Join in the newbie rides and talk to the more experienced guys on here. You can learn a lot.

Once you get your bike, it's amazing how nipping down to the dairy for a loaf of bread can take anywhere between 1 - 2 hours depending on the weather :blip:

[Indiana_Jones]

mmmmmm the bug has bitten again on my recently :D

-Indy

[jumma]

If you had a shop full of bikes at your disposal, would you work sundays? ;)

Hell NO. I don't blame them one bit. I work in retail and thankfully we are closed on Sunday's too. Sure it'd be convenient for some if we were open but i'm thinking of myself first on Sunday's, as should bike shop staff. I'd go insane without some R&R.

And to the others, thanks for the encouragement and advice. Will definitely be going at my own pace and no one elses.

[_intense_]

Welcome dude, yeah, having a blast as a pillion is a good way to ctch the bug, i caught mine on the back of a firestorm on one wheel.... :headbang: just a matter of doing your apprenticeship then onday you to will be a fulltime bikenutter! freedom is what it is, a special club, i luve the nod, makes you feel all warm n fuzzy. should go for a blat.