Thank You SpankMe

[Leong]

Is motorcycling for me??

A year ago this week, I rode a motorcycle for the first time at John Wright's BHS course. A year ago, I was unsure whether this motorcycling thing was for me and I didn't have any motorcyling friends to consult.

Since then I've experienced numerous highs from getting my first gearchanges correct to getting my lines gearing and timing right thru a set of twisties. :second: I've ridden down our street at 70km/h thinking "man that's fast - how can people go at 100km/h and not get blown off", then done 180km/h on the track and wanted more power to keep up with a mate. :no: I learnt to compensate for the VTR250's lack of power in overtaking, then effortlessly passed a car on a GSX-R600 only to be stopped for excessive speed. :Police: My first time filtering thru traffic was so satisfying that it is now my preferred mode of transport if I need to go into the city.

There have also been lows like my first bin when I ran off the road and luckily bent little more than my pride. And embarassing moments when I parked too close to a hedge then slipped on moss and fell in. :doh:

I remember my first KB group ride when a friend and I met about twenty KB'ers at the Autobarn and went on a Mystery Ride that was to include SH22. We were the only 250cc bikes. I was in awe at the sound of big bikes behind me and being overtaken by them at high speed. :chase: I overtook a car for the first time that day, used my front and rear brakes independently and felt the difference it made in the bikes attitude going into corners. I learnt a lot more that day!

I've experienced the joy of passing my BHS and Learners after not having sat any exam/test of any sort in 20years! Then the pride to receive my full license via CBTA after riding for only 4 months! Six months later I lost this privilege for 28 days when I used the power of my day old GSX-R600 to overtake a car as smartly as possible. Prior to this year I had no demerit points over the last 20 years not even a parking ticket.

There have been trips away on the bike when I've experienced our beautiful countryside and had some quality time by myself away from the family.

I've had the joy of trackdays and was surprised at just how bitterly disappointed I was last week when told I'd have to miss my first trackday on the Gixxer due to a mechanical problem.

It's been a great year and through all of these experiences I've had help from members of this site. I've met many great people on KB and having re-read my threads recently I'd like to thank everyone for the help this newbie has received!!

Thank you SpankMe for setting up this site. My experience would have been totally different if not for KB!!

And after the awesome Coro Loop ride yesterday I'm definitely hooked on this motorcycling thing - And watching some of you guys ride, have a lot to learn yet!!:niceone:

[Goblin]

:niceone: :yes:

[Colapop]

Sentiments echoed whole heartedly here!!

[skelstar]

Well put Leong.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Hell yeah brother!!!!!!!!!

That could almost be the best Post i have ever read!!!!!!!!

[Switch]

Nice post :niceone: I cant wait until im able to do the things you just described :)

[SuperDave]

Aint it great. Good stuff.

[Lil_Byte]

:rockon: :scooter:

[McJim]

Sounds almost as though I'm following in your footsteps!

[Coyote]

You've been riding a year and you're already onto a 600K6?! You lucky sod, I've been riding 3 1/2 years and I'm on a RG150 :p

Excellent post though, very good :niceone:

[Hitcher]

Wipes tear from eye...

[oldguy]

Mate, you only been riding a year, couple of rides Ive been on with you, you would not have known, I agree with you about SpankMe and this site, since I joined I have learnt alot more, Ive been riding since mid 70's, where were you then SpankMe, had to learn the had way:argh:

[beyond]

Well said Leong. Good stuff :)

Bling duly awarded.

[Kendog]

Couldn't agree more.

[duckaddict]

What can I say... :niceone:

[toymachine]

lol @ the hedge incident :D

Well put, theres a fair few of us learners coming through that will be going through all that soon enough (or not soon enough!), great to read your story.

[andrea]

yeah well said man, i cant to get my big bike, and this site is great aye, im thinking of getting one of the kb patches and putting it onto a black hoodie
YEAAAHHHH!!!! lol
hmmm im like you too im hoping to pass my fulls this month or next month and that would have been bout one year since i got my learners. its good to have members like yourself to look up to

[Leong]

Sounds almost as though I'm following in your footsteps!
You'd be following in the illustrious footsteps of Madduck, Keystone19 and Zapf (and me) if you go to a SV650 after the VTR! Great second bike!!



You've been riding a year and you're already onto a 600K6?! You lucky sod, I've been riding 3 1/2 years and I'm on a RG150
I might be older than your Dad so don't think I'm that lucky.



lol @ the hedge incident :D

OTOH, I have been so lucky.... expecting quite a few scratches, there was only one, and not obvious either. The bike was less than a week old at the time!!


Mate, you only been riding a year, couple of rides Ive been on with you, you would not have known, I agree with you about SpankMe and this site, since I joined I have learnt alot more, Ive been riding since mid 70's, where were you then SpankMe, had to learn the had way:argh:
LOL, Spankme might not even have been born when we were in our teens!! I reckon forums like these are one of the greatest and most constructive benefits of the internet

Obviously I'm on quite a high with this motorcycling thing at the moment, but I reckon just about everyone who did the Coro Loop ride yesterday felt the same!! :2thumbsup

[McJim]

You'd be following in the illustrious footsteps of Madduck, Keystone19 and Zapf (and me) if you go to a SV650 after the VTR! Great second bike!!


Ah - well funnily enough that was the idea until I had a converstion with a certain Gixxer thou owner from KB. He has persuaded me that rather than limit myself to SV650/Raptor 650/GT650R I should look at thou's like SV1000/TL1000/VTR1000 and Raptor 1000 coz the prices on them used ain't too different...and I'm a bit bigger than average.

VTR is going quite well though provided I sit on the redline as much as poss.

[Leong]

He has persuaded me that rather than limit myself to SV650/Raptor 650/GT650R I should look at thou's like SV1000/TL1000/VTR1000 and Raptor 1000 coz the prices on them used ain't too different...and I'm a bit bigger than average.


Sometimes it's not a bad idea to limit yourself!! I consider myself to be cautious and responsible, but I'm quite glad I had the SV650 between the VTR and GSXR600, and even now I've limited myself to the 600, when I'd actually put a deposit on a new 750.

I reckon if you have to keep your next bike for some time, then get the thou, otherwise the 650 would be safer. Also if you find your throttle control is not as fine and accurate as you would like, then the 650 would probably get you into less trouble. There's enough power differential ie 2x to keep you happy for some time..... and you're not that big!! (also your size won't alter the difference in power betn the VTR and the next bike)

[gijoe1313]

Hen hao le! Nice post Leong, summation of your progress as a rider and the change in attitude that goes with your growing confidence and aptitude to learn new skills!

Its great to feel your enthusiasm and enjoyment for the fine art of the ride, I think most of us here can remember those defining "moments" with you - and for newbies like me, its an inspiration that there is a pathway to the myriad goals we have for ourselves!

And yes, SpankMe has managed to pull together those fragile bonds together and make it a stronger whole - the power of communication. All the advice, musings and reflections posted by people here have made it a powerful learning tool to master our ride! :yes: :scooter:

Rock on Leong, I'll bide my time and update my ride and skills so I can join you safely around those fast twisties one day! :sunny: :ride: :niceone:

[outlawtorn]

very nice post dude, well done. :rockon:

[heyjoe]

Hey Leong,

Great post and well done man.

[DMNTD]

Obviously I'm on quite a high with this motorcycling thing at the moment, but I reckon just about everyone who did the Coro Loop ride yesterday felt the same!! :2thumbsup
Onya Leong,excellent post and prolly pretty much bang on how most would want to word it too. A high is exactly what I get from motorcycling too. Always good to meet likeminded people from all corners of society that can sit down and have something in common,a passion even.
Mate I was behind you a couple of times through the Coro last saturday and your lines a fine and accurate...as in bloody good sir! Keep it up and most of all enjoy :2thumbsup

[Fishy]

Well said Leong, good to hear stories like this eh.

Look forward to going for a spin with you sometime soon.

[Marmoot]

WTF? WTF? WTF?

Here I was on lunch break looking over the threads and this one got "Thank you SPANKME" so I clicked it hoping and looking for some naked erotic pictures but WHAT DID I GOT???? NOTHING?????



(finger floating over red rep on the thread starter.....) :Pokey:

[ruphus]

Nice Leong, great read. ;)

[Maha]

I reckon if you have to keep your next bike for some time, then get the thou, otherwise the 650 would be safer. Also if you find your throttle control is not as fine and accurate as you would like, then the 650 would probably get you into less trouble. There's enough power differential ie 2x to keep you happy for some time..... and you're not that big!! (also your size won't alter the difference in power betn the VTR and the next bike)


I agree with ya on thou' bit Leong, i got a 600 while i still had my 250, only cos i could and wanted it real bed, but it wasnt long till my thoughs went toward a 1000cc.....so sold the bought me the Triumph then sold the 600. A mate got a SV 650 about a year ago and just traded up to a new VTR 1000..
Nice post at the top of the thread btw.....:2thumbsup

[Leong]

Mate I was behind you a couple of times through the Coro last saturday and your lines a fine and accurate...as in bloody good sir! Keep it up and most of all enjoy :2thumbsup

Thanks. Don't think you'll remember, but north of Whangamata I was stuck behind a bike that was slower thru the corners but faster than me on the straights.... I was SO impressed with the way you and Zed overtook us!! It'd be nice to have that kind of confidence!



Well said Leong, good to hear stories like this eh.

Look forward to going for a spin with you sometime soon.

Mate... haven't seen your new bike yet.... don't think you've seen mine either.... look forward to it!!

[DMNTD]

I was SO impressed with the way you and Zed overtook us!! It'd be nice to have that kind of confidence!
Confidence comes from experience with your bike in different conditions etc. Seems to me that you're well on track bud. No hurry...just happens

[KLOWN]

You've been riding a year and you're already onto a 600K6?! You lucky sod, I've been riding 3 1/2 years and I'm on a RG150 :p

Excellent post though, very good :niceone:

Everyone KNOWS that nothing is faster than an rg150!!

good stuff spank, great site!

[Coyote]

Everyone KNOWS that nothing is faster than an rg150!!

good stuff spank, great site!
There are a few things...

None if them are as flickable though

[Wolf]

Exquisite post, Leong!

A great summary of highs and lows, lessons and reminiscences. Reminds me of the fun I had in the early part of my learning curve.

Cheers for that. Here's to many more years of discovering more reasons why you enjoy riding.

I second the thanks to Spank. I've met so many great people through this site that otherwise would have only been faces in the crowd at the Toy Runs or the Cold Kiwi. This is a great community, and a lot of lives would be impoverished it it were not here.

[scumdog]

Exquisite post, Leong!

A great summary of highs and lows, lessons and reminiscences. Reminds me of the fun I had in the early part of my learning curve.

I second the thanks to Spank. I've met so many great people through this site that otherwise would have only been faces in the crowd This is a great community, and a lot of lives would be impoverished it it were not here.


So, so true, all who I have met on KB have been :2thumbsup , I have yet to meet one that's an :shake: (arehole).

No doubt there are one or two...lurking.

But good write-up and again thanks to Spankme.:niceone:

[sels1]

Good post Leong. I have emailed to a bloke I know who is in his 40s and is looking at getting into bikes for the first time.
And the (deserved) credit goes to Spank Me for setting up this site, it is the contribution of its members that makes it what it is - so Thanks Spank and well done everybody.