sticking together. [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

FROSTY

17th June 2004, 21:55

Antallica

17th June 2004, 22:14

Too right man, I totally agree with you.

But some things never change, fortunately some things do.

MadDuck

17th June 2004, 22:17

How about waving to a gal on a bike :spudwave:

Redstar

17th June 2004, 22:18

Oh all right then. I'll wave at HOG'S Their gonna think I've gone mad :wacko: but then I have to Kiss my Mother in law at Christmas so it won't be impossible to adapt :wacko:

Hey all

What we need is a great big melting pot,Big enough big enough to take in all the bikes we got. and turn out cafe racing cruisers by the score....da da da da da da da da da ah :beer:

Bandito

17th June 2004, 22:40

I think things are changing with regard to the united front thing, but there seems to be no common focus for bikers to present a united front on key issues. Sure there is BRONZ but they seem to me to be an almost exclusively Auckland group. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I personally think we need a stronger national representation for bikers rights than we currently have in order to survive in the future.

On secoud thoughts we probably feature in governments future plans as an ongoing source of revenue-either way we need a united front.

Antallica

17th June 2004, 22:44

How about waving to a gal on a bike :spudwave:
I usually can't tell, apart from that chick riding around on that sexy Yellow Daytona with her long ass ponytail out the back of the lid.

FROSTY

17th June 2004, 22:52

[
On second thoughts we probably feature in governments future plans as an ongoing source of revenue-either way we need a united front.[/QUOTE]

Dude we dont feature -and that really is my point--we are so small a community and as long as we fight amongst ouselves we will have no clout at all

rettun

17th June 2004, 23:14

I beleive theres alot of people out there who ride bikes that dont know this site exists, I wonder if theres any cheep way to advertise? everyone has a small sticker on bike somewhere?

Antallica

17th June 2004, 23:18

Newspaper ad might do the trick, in the Herald or something.... also NZ Kiwirider might be happy to do an advert in their mag.

Zed

17th June 2004, 23:36

I've been thinking about this whole being a biker thing a lot lately.
It seems to me we are a pretty small -and ever shrinking community. less and less young guys are getting into bikes in Godzone.
We seem to be fighting amongst ourselves instead of showing a common front.
How many harly riders sneer at "rice rockets" and how many sports bike riders put down the harley guys.
I think maybee we need to look at ourselves and realise we're all in the same boat We have a goverment who rates us as second class
How about summat simple like waving to a guy on a custom bike or just saying gidday if ya see him.
OMG im sounding like a bloody preacher
Preach it man, preach it! :mega:

One thing that has cultivated unity for the NZ biker community would have to be KB. I for one have a far more positive attitude about riding/riders now that I have spent a few months chatting/debating with you lot - my impression of kiwi motorcyclists in general has somewhat improved.

Mr Frosty, as far as less and less young guys getting into bikes, fighting amongst ourselves, sneering at eachother, the government rating us as 2nd class, etc etc...whatever factors have lead you to having this opinion have not influenced me in the same way.

Zed

FROSTY

17th June 2004, 23:50

RiderInBlack

18th June 2004, 07:30

I usually can't tell, apart from that chick riding around on that sexy Yellow Daytona with her long ass ponytail out the back of the lid.You sure it was a girl:Pokey: Kasper in Tuaranga has a long as ponytail:eek5: (oh and a tail & a helmit with ears:rolleyes: ).

RiderInBlack

18th June 2004, 07:54

I'm seeing it not doing it if ya know what i mean
well for example -to quote one of the most reputable KB members -I had a honda so I cried-then I saw a harley and I laughed.
The person concerned is a bloody good guy but ya see my point.
or the attitude to trike riders. As far as the ltsa and the owners of them are concerned they are bikes with an extra wheel
by adopting an eletist attitude we are ultimately helping in our own demise.People all have different tastes in bikes, Frosty, as long as they will all ride together it's OK (a little dig or shit stir is alright). It's the ones that won't talk to you or ride with you because you ride a vehicle they don't like, then that's a problem.
There are members here that give Honda riders shit (same goes for any type of bike), but I bet most of them would ride with me and have a beer with me. The bike clubs I have belonged to are all like this. HD's, Goldwings, Racers, Crusiers, Tourers, Trikes, Jappers, BEAR's, Big and Small. All on the same ride. All partying together afterwards.
The one's that need to get their act together are:
BEAR's only types that won't talk to you because you ride a Japper,
Want-A-Be Racers that snare at HD and Crusiers and don't wecome them on rides,
Beemer Riders who get all snobby about other bikes that are not up to their "class".
Fortunately they are in the miniority. Unfortunately humans tend to see, hear and remember all the bad shit better than the good.

curious george

18th June 2004, 08:55

I usually can't tell, apart from that chick riding around on that sexy Yellow Daytona with her long ass ponytail out the back of the lid.

Urm... did you mean, "sexy chick on that daytona with a great pony ass", or some "yellow chick with a sexy bike"?

Which was better looking?? Or sexier? got any pix? :Pokey:

Motoracer

18th June 2004, 09:05

Yep, I wave to anyone. I'd fly, ride, drive anything if I got the chance to, so a mear difference of machines within the two wheeled community is nothing to think about for me.

Some people are snobs and they look down on me because of my ride but hey, thats their problem. My bit is to go out there and wave at everyone.

Antallica

18th June 2004, 09:10

Urm... did you mean, "sexy chick on that daytona with a great pony ass", or some "yellow chick with a sexy bike"?

Which was better looking?? Or sexier? got any pix? :Pokey:
You edited that sir!.... long ass ponytail I said!

No I don't think she was hot shit at all.

KATWYN

18th June 2004, 09:15

:wavey: I waved to a couple of Harley riders (riding together) on the
weekend ....but alas...no wavey back :rolleyes:

But I shall keep doing it.....

Posh Tourer :P

18th June 2004, 10:12

Preach it man, preach it! :mega:

One thing that has cultivated unity for the NZ biker community would have to be KB. I for one have a far more positive attitude about riding/riders now that I have spent a few months chatting/debating with you lot - my impression of kiwi motorcyclists in general has somewhat improved.

Mr Frosty, as far as less and less young guys getting into bikes, fighting amongst ourselves, sneering at eachother, the government rating us as 2nd class, etc etc...whatever factors have lead you to having this opinion have not influenced me in the same way.

Zed

Unity for the NZ biker community in KB? yes ok, but it is still dominated by sportsbikers and racers. With some exceptions, there are very few BMW Harley Trike and Scooter riders on here.
Perhaps the scooter riders are absent because it is mainly a convenient means of transport rather than a fun activity that they would seek out like minded people for. The best bets for creating unity are probably things like the Wanganui street races and events such as the Westpac Heli run.
Still, I will promote the site as much as I can.....There has been, as far as I can see, a turnaround in the attitudes of many sportbike riders on here towards harleys, in most riders towards scooters. The fun comments are more taking the piss rather than comments truly believed. What hasnt really happened yet is a turnaround in attatude towards beemer riders or trike riders. The stereotypes probably have some basis, but oh well....

I think the main issue for the biking community now is that the young guys are not being let into the biker community, parents who rode in the 70s have horror stories of "I knew someone who was badly mutilated on a bike", and wont let their kids ride. This is changing slowly, as parents lose control of their kids at age 20 or so, but bikes are still not seen as a means of transport. They are toys, and expensive ones at that, to buy new.
Because there are very few bikes on the road being used as commuters, they arent an option many people would consider. They are considered dangerous, perhaps because of the high number of deaths in the 70s? and this attitude has persisted.

Having said that, the more young guys there are out there commuting to Uni, getting free parking and beating congestion, the better. I have convinced one of my friends to start riding as a commuter, because it is that much more convenient and possibly also cheaper, and at least another couple are interested. Keep encouraging young people to ride, and get some momentum going. The more bikes on the road, the more of an option they seem to present to the rest of the general public, and as a side benefit, the safer they get as people learn to look out for them!! (grr blind cagers)

Jackrat

18th June 2004, 10:25

I've been thinking about this whole being a biker thing a lot lately.
It seems to me we are a pretty small -and ever shrinking community. less and less young guys are getting into bikes in Godzone.
We seem to be fighting amongst ourselves instead of showing a common front.
How many harly riders sneer at "rice rockets" and how many sports bike riders put down the harley guys.
I think maybee we need to look at ourselves and realise we're all in the same boat We have a goverment who rates us as second class
How about summat simple like waving to a guy on a custom bike or just saying gidday if ya see him.
OMG im sounding like a bloody preacher

It's not going to happen.
BRONZ tryed for years to get bikers to act in a combined front and were undermined by the very people they were trying to help.
NZs bikers had a damn good opertunity and all they could do was piss in their own nest.The club I belong to today is made up of mainly ex BRONZ members like myself who came to belive NZ bikers did not deserve our time and efforts in the first place.We worked bloody hard on behalf of bikers and got nothing but back stabbing and bitching in return.Today the organisation is a shadow of it's former self.Thank you bikers of NZ,you did it to yourselfs.

FROSTY

18th June 2004, 11:06

Yep i hear ya jack. Lots of stupid politicling and so fourth.
All Im suggesting is we take the first step. Say gidday to a triker. Wave to a custom rider-or a BM rider.
If they dont wave back first time so what.

Joni

18th June 2004, 11:37

the other day I was in my car, a really nice bike came past, not sure the exact model, I hooted at him in confirmtion as I moved aside in the traffic, he thought I was being aggresive,pulled a fingerat me! Damn. :bye:

jrandom

18th June 2004, 11:45

I hooted at him in confirmtion as I moved aside in the traffic, he thought I was being aggresive

Yeah. Don't hoot, wave. Or just nod if you don't want to take your hands away from important motorcycular controlification duties.

Joni

18th June 2004, 11:56

Yeah. Don't hoot, wave. Or just nod if you don't want to take your hands away from important motorcycular controlification duties.

I hear you, thanks....I thought Iwas being friendly, lol.

Gixxer 4 ever

18th June 2004, 12:01

[COLOR=Blue]Yes I am new here. So if I muck this up such is life. I can not get with this idea that we have a problem. What boat are we in? :whocares: if some of the other riders do not wave? I would not spend time with some people by choice and they would not want to spend time with me so if they have a different attitude to life than mine why should I wave to them? I always stop and help any type of bike or rider that needs help. I do not see that we have a problem. Yes ACC etc etc but there is to much living to do to get bogged down in the politics. Just ride as often as we can. [QUOTE=XJ/FROSTY]
I think maybee we need to look at ourselves and realise we're all in the same boat

jimbo600

18th June 2004, 12:12

I've been thinking about this whole being a biker thing a lot lately.
It seems to me we are a pretty small -and ever shrinking community. less and less young guys are getting into bikes in Godzone.
We seem to be fighting amongst ourselves instead of showing a common front.
How many harly riders sneer at "rice rockets" and how many sports bike riders put down the harley guys.
I think maybee we need to look at ourselves and realise we're all in the same boat We have a goverment who rates us as second class
How about summat simple like waving to a guy on a custom bike or just saying gidday if ya see him.
OMG im sounding like a bloody preacher

A united front is indeed what we need. In the UK a few years back the eurocrats were really clamping down on bikes. Leg protecters, 100bhp limit. Things were looking pretty grim. MAG (motorcycle action group) are the UK equivilent of BRONZ. MAG was mainly made up of HD riders and the like until the political pressure was applied to bikes. After that there was all sorts of bikes on the MAG runs. Gixxers, HD's, 250's, the whole gamut. Slowly things began to change, and as history shows, no leg protectors or 100bhp limits were ever introduced. In fact the fat German who was the champion of all these crap anti bike ideas lost his job.

Personally I don't give a f**k what anybody rides. Every one on two wheels is alright by me.............until they pass me, then it's all on.

dhunt

18th June 2004, 12:21

I've been thinking about this whole being a biker thing a lot lately.
It seems to me we are a pretty small -and ever shrinking community. less and less young guys are getting into bikes in Godzone.

This is true. But for me a couple of my mates had a ride on the back of my bike and liked it sooo much they decided to get bikes of there own.

I think bikes do need to be promoted more. But there is always the other side of the coin, you are more likely to bin a bike than a car and get hurt a lot worse. This creates bad press, bikes get labled as dangerous beasts.

Well that's my 2cents, got to get back studying :(

David

Cajun

18th June 2004, 12:31

Okay i have always loved bikes always will, i do not like cars full stop, owned one car, i have decided i never own a car again.

Alot of young people, see getting in to motorcycles as expensive it bloody well is, you look at much for a cbr250 $4500 + $1500 gear, so $6000 you go see what car you can get for $6000, a hell of alot of car for that money. Also the baby boomer mothers, don't want they little babys getting hurt on the big bad motorcycles, my parents did not want me riding a motorcycle, since my uncle died on one, they knew they couldn't stop me, but they also did not help me.
And then there is the motorcycle law, you have to do a basic skill handling test before you can get your learners licience, so in turn you need to know how to ride a motorcycle before you can get basic skill handing test, do they have to that with a car no, just go scrach a few boxes, and what ya know, they have a licence, and can get in there daddys v8 holden, wrx and drive.
Due to this, there is not a great deal of people around my age that in to motorcycles, to have friends with espically in tauranga.

The one thing that gets on my goat, is when people call motorcycles tempoary citizens. Its a load of bollocks, which in turn makes bikes sound dangous

I have ride all sorts bikes, father in law has bmw i ride often(needs a run), he use to have a vn1500 cruiser, i use to ride that alot, sister in law a vn1500 meanstreak, and ride that from time to time. So i ride everything from cruisers, sports touring(bmw, bandit 600, vtr1000f), to my gsxr600.

I find most types of people only wave out to bikes in same types, alot of guys on gsxr1000, r1 would not wave out to me on my gsxr1100, looked more like a sports tourer, but now those sames guys wave out to me on the gsxr600. and so on and so on.

Personally i wave out to pretty much every bike i see riding, either they riding the other direction, or i go flying past them or they past me. Either they harleys, gang members on harleys/triumphs, or just average job bloggs. Its only really 5/10 people wave back. But that doesn't stop me i still be friendly.

hmmmm i think i have rambled on enough for me i still could still babble about more, but thats enough to pounder about now

phil_elvey

18th June 2004, 12:34

Personally I don't give a f**k what anybody rides. Every one on two wheels is alright by me.............until they pass me, then it's all on.

So true :cool:
As for the actuall debate, yeah I think the parents are a big problem. I talk to heaps of parents who won't let their kids ride, and by the time they get to 20 and leave home they've got themselves hooked on boy racers instead and they think that's where it's at - they don't realise what they're missing in bikes.

Also, I've always thought the best way to get NZers on two wheels en mass is to do a big biking drive in Auckland. I hear so much whinging about the traffic in Auckland (which is fair enough, I'm not saying its not bad or the whinging is unjustified), but imagine if half of the commuting public of Auckland got into bikes, the traffic problem would be instantly reprieved.

They don't have to be racey sports bikes either, thinking like someone has no history of bikes and wants to commute on a bike, one of those 650cc scooters would be quite appealing I think - good in the traffic, easy to ride and plenty of juice.

Wenier

18th June 2004, 12:56

Personally I don't give a f**k what anybody rides. Every one on two wheels is alright by me.............until they pass me, then it's all on.

That must b alot of ppl then jimbo ahahahha.

Wenier

18th June 2004, 12:59

The fun comments are more taking the piss rather than comments truly believed.

Having said that, the more young guys there are out there commuting to Uni, getting free parking and beating congestion, the better.

That is completely true most of us here are jus tryin to take the piss out of each other because of brand and whatnot but in the end we will ride together and then talk alot shit at the end of any ride.

And the uni one is a good one as i have found that quite a few ppl were getting into it for that reason of free parking and commuting, and in vic uni at wellington they have even started a club as a group of us were always going for rides whenever we could.

jimbo600

18th June 2004, 13:01

So true :cool:
As for the actuall debate, yeah I think the parents are a big problem. I talk to heaps of parents who won't let their kids ride, and by the time they get to 20 and leave home they've got themselves hooked on boy racers instead and they think that's where it's at - they don't realise what they're missing in bikes.

Also, I've always thought the best way to get NZers on two wheels en mass is to do a big biking drive in Auckland. I hear so much whinging about the traffic in Auckland (which is fair enough, I'm not saying its not bad or the whinging is unjustified), but imagine if half of the commuting public of Auckland got into bikes, the traffic problem would be instantly reprieved.

They don't have to be racey sports bikes either, thinking like someone has no history of bikes and wants to commute on a bike, one of those 650cc scooters would be quite appealing I think - good in the traffic, easy to ride and plenty of juice.

I don't know why bikes aren't promoted at every opportunity. Ease congestion, more economical, less wear and tear on the roads etc. I say the government should abolish the ACC levy on bikes and introduce a separate higher speed limit for us. Get people out of their cars, which are all 1up in rush hour, and on to bikes.

In fact, I think I'll start my own political party. The gixxer party. Any voters?

Gixxer 4 ever

18th June 2004, 13:06

A united front is indeed what we need. In the UK a few years back the eurocrats were really clamping down on bikes. Leg protecters, 100bhp limit.

Personally I don't give a f**k what anybody rides. Every one on two wheels is alright by me.............until they pass me, then it's all on.

That interesting. Thanks for the info. Are we under attack like this in New Zealand? I remember a group going to the government about ACC and things. Who were they?
As far as I am concerned anyone that rides is good enough for me to wave to but when you get a group of bikes and riders spread out all over the road with an attitude I will give it back. If it is a good attitude I give a good response but if it is a sh*t one I will reflect that in my response. I have no time for the groups that ride on the wrong side of the road push cars and other bikes off the road just because they think they can. Power in number but I will still stand my ground and I really do not want to be friendly to people that do the "pack mentality" sh*t on the road. Been there a few months ago but some of the riding was just dum. If you pass on blind corners and every one else takes evasive action to save your skin you are a nutter and these are the people that I do not want to represent. So maybe the powers to be have a case. Look I ride and enjoy the bike hence the fines but there is a limit. Yes we all make mistakes but this type of riding is deliberate.......

jimbo600

18th June 2004, 13:06

That must b alot of ppl then jimbo ahahahha.

Aye! steady! It's not that many.

Wenier

18th June 2004, 13:22

Aye! steady! It's not that many.

If any :laugh:

shit control myself :Offtopic:

its a pity i no longer live in welly, i cant ride wit you guys and take the piss outta ya no more :(

NordieBoy

18th June 2004, 15:35

How many harly riders sneer at "rice rockets" and how many sports bike riders put down the harley guys.

I have a balanced view - I sneer at both of you :rolleyes:

You're all tasselled freaks and tupperware riders.

Motards are the one true bike.

Other than the Britten of course.

The CRF450 is pretty tasty as well.

Oh and Pepsi Suzuki replicas...

Where was I?

:Oops:

Gixxer 4 ever

18th June 2004, 16:08

I say the government should abolish the ACC levy on bikes and introduce a separate higher speed limit for us. Get people out of their cars, which are all 1up in rush hour, and on to bikes.

In fact, I think I'll start my own political party. The gixxer party. Any voters?
I am happy to pay some ACC. It is expensive to fix the broken bits on people. :kick:
I agree on the speed thing. We should be left to make a judgment call as we ride. :bash:
Gixxer power in town is no fun. As for the political party well count me in. :brick:

Marmoot

18th June 2004, 18:05

I'm still waiting for the "special speed endorsement" on Full license motorbike enforced with strict riding examination (read: legal license to speed)

If a car can tow a trailer, why can't a sportbike speed? <_<

toads

18th June 2004, 19:19

I think anyone on a road bike regardless of make or model, have the same thing in common,( love the feeling of riding) I don't see someone with different taste in bikes any better or worse than myself, I have the kind of bike I do because I like it and it didn't cost the earth, some harleys look absolutely gorgeous, to my way of thinking, as do some sports bikes, I think that some people need to have half a dozen kids to help adjust their opinions and priorities, it's just plain immature to make judgements about other people based upon such a shallow rationale as personal taste in anything, and I quite agree we do need to stick togther, there are very few of us out there on the roads and we need to see more bikers on the road and more lobby/support networks out there to get our needs addressed., we are definately discriminated against that's for sure.

marty

18th June 2004, 21:59

I have ride all sorts bikes, father in law has bmw i ride often(needs a run), he use to have a vn1500 cruiser, i use to ride that alot, sister in law a vn1500 meanstreak, and ride that from time to time. So i ride everything from cruisers, sports touring(bmw, bandit 600, vtr1000f), to my gsxr600.

hey what's the mean streak like?

jimbo600

19th June 2004, 08:56

hey what's the mean streak like?

I've had a burlah on a meanstreak. Bloody good ride I reckon. I had myself a right laugh on one.

White trash

19th June 2004, 08:59

You've got a burlah of a mean streak! Remember Aelxandra...... ;)

Ms Piggy

19th June 2004, 09:12

I think it's just bad press really, like any other minority group you generally only hear asbout us when something bad happens. And I've had a lot of people makes the comment: "Be careful!" or "Why would you wanna ride one of those death machines" or "Oooo, I've seen some nasty bike accidents." etc, etc. I'm not quite sure how we can cause the general public to have a greater respect for us...I try to ride respectfully & rave about riding whenever I can to non-riders.

A united front would be great but, as Jackrat said too much bullshit whinging and back stabbing and not enough getting on with the job!

But we could try & get a referendum going to lower bike registration for a start! Only need 10% of the voting population to sign the petition! Go Jimbo750! That could be your first act as our mighty leader :cool:

Gixxer 4 ever

19th June 2004, 10:56

I think it's just bad press really,
"Be careful!" or "Why would you wanna ride one of those death machines"
A united front would be great but, as Jackrat said too much bullshit whinging and back stabbing and not enough getting on with the job!

But we could try & get a referendum going to lower bike registration for a start! Only need 10% of the voting population to sign the petition! Go Jimbo750! That could be your first act as our mighty leader :cool:

I do not see all the bad press that you talk about. Maybe we are not getting the reporting here in the Bay but I have not heard or read any press that is outside the norm for the traffic on the roads. Besides who cares what other cage drivers think? :crazy:

The " be careful" is normal. People that do not ride do not understand how it all works. Mary ( wifey) use to worry about me when I got my first bike because she had never been on the road before. After she came out a few times she realised it was harder to stay home and worry than to come along. So she has had a few years of 2 up and doesn't think twice when she wakes up in the morn to find a note saying "gone to Taupo for a feed be back sometime this year" :love:

I would like to see all bike rides work together and be friends but just the nature of people that ride will never allow this to happen. We have to accept that fact. I want to go out and ride and enjoy the company I go with and if I meet other rides that want to chat great but if they do not want to chat so be it. Some times I just want a feed and a drink and want to move on. For me it can be about the ride that gets rid of the weeks stress and that makes me a better person. Some times I just do not want to chat. Some times I do. In short rides are by their nature a bit independent. At times. :rolleyes:

I remember some one tried to partition the Government about the ACC stuff but have no idea what happened. Who was it and what was achieved? :confused:

Ms Piggy

19th June 2004, 13:40

I do not see all the bad press that you talk about. Maybe we are not getting the reporting here in the Bay but I have not heard or read any press that is outside the norm for the traffic on the roads. Besides who cares what other cage drivers think? :crazy:

Yeah sorry, when I say 'press' I guess I was kinda thinking reputation - bad choice of phrase. Yes who does care what cagers think...apart from when they don't think you are traffic & pull out anyway! :sneaky2:

FROSTY

19th June 2004, 14:58

I as a rule do care what cage drivers think.Ya know it might save ya life one day just giving a reasonable impression most of the time

Zed

19th June 2004, 15:36

I as a rule do care what cage drivers think.Ya know it might save ya life one day just giving a reasonable impression most of the time
That would be logical since most of us are cage drivers on the side! :msn-wink:

Gixxer 4 ever

19th June 2004, 16:33

I as a rule do care what cage drivers think.Ya know it might save ya life one day just giving a reasonable impression most of the time
Ok you are correct and I do try and behave most of the time. No good up-setting people all the time.Fair comment. But some people will hate bikes no matter what because they see us picking our way through the traffic and they hate that. :Playnice:

phil_elvey

19th June 2004, 17:34

In fact, I think I'll start my own political party. The gixxer party. Any voters?

I'm thinking about getting into politics, I'll keep you posted. ;)

Another thing that needs to be revamped and reconstructed in NZ is the racing scene.

How many Commodores or Falcons have you seen driving round lately? I know 'round these parts anyway there has been a great increase in these cars lately, which can be almost soley attributed to the increase in popularity of the V8 Supercars, which in turn has had a boost with the V8's coming to Pukekohe. The square (in Palmy) on a Friday night used to be full of typical jappers, now it half resembles the car park of a Bathurst 1000 meeting.

jimbo600

19th June 2004, 21:25

I'm thinking about getting into politics, I'll keep you posted. ;)

Another thing that needs to be revamped and reconstructed in NZ is the racing scene.

How many Commodores or Falcons have you seen driving round lately? I know 'round these parts anyway there has been a great increase in these cars lately, which can be almost soley attributed to the increase in popularity of the V8 Supercars, which in turn has had a boost with the V8's coming to Pukekohe. The square (in Palmy) on a Friday night used to be full of typical jappers, now it half resembles the car park of a Bathurst 1000 meeting.

Hell yes. Bike racing in NZ needs a whole heap of promotion. There's some bloody good racing to be had here but alas really poor crowds. Not sure how to go about raising it's profile though.

jimbo600

19th June 2004, 21:26

You've got a burlah of a mean streak! Remember Aelxandra...... ;)

Yeah I remember. Thankfully I haven't seen any photographs on the net yet.

Might be a mean streek2 at the KB BBQ on the 3rd eh?

FROSTY

20th June 2004, 09:22

the racing scene is a whole other ball game.
Ive got so many ideas on that front
A drag strip somewhere near auckland,
The motor clubs all getting together to organise building a purpose built complex that could be used my several motor racing types--road/drag/speedway/bucket/gocarts
Desighning an industrial estate that is built to be converted easily into a race track for one day events.

phil_elvey

20th June 2004, 16:53

Yeah that grass roots level of racing should be promoted, but also the top level racing needs much more press. I believe one of the big factors that makes any sport popular with the general public is the personalities of the competitors, or rather, the expression (?) of the personalities in the media. For example I love watching the V8s becuase I love the guys who race. I feel like I kinda know them cause of the interviews they give on TV etc., and a lot of them are real characters - a bloody hard case. I love to see these guys that I "know" and this fuels my love of the sport.

So for motorcycling, not only does the racing need to be promoted, but we need to promote the actual riders - get interviews and press time. As we all know the latter, in our rugby mad country (I do love rugby too) is very hard to come by. Until we can figure out a way to change this, there is not much hope (IMHO).