What will it take to slow you down?

[R6_kid]

First up, this is not a gripe or a rant... just something thats been on my mind lately that I can't really find an answer to it for myself.

What would it take to slow you down?

A mate dying? Seeing another rider in a serious accident? Being in one yourself? A disability caused by other reasons?

When I crashed my R6, which was my first real crash, i had a slight knock in my confidence. I still rode at a pace that most people consider 'fast', but it took me a while to get back to a point where crashing wasnt on my mind.

Then next thing that knocked me back was seeing Two Smoker hit the wall at Puke at around 180kmh. I was the first marshall to respond, and the whole thing was pretty overwhelming. Not to mention seeing someone you respect as a rider lying there making screwed up noises and knowing that they were far from ok. That day after racing i took the R6 on the track and something stopped me from going over 200kmh, in my head something said WTF, even though it was the safest place to do high speed (on the back straight).

On the road many of us strive to ride fast (sprotsbike riders anyway), and this is enhanced by tracktime. We get away with a lot of things at speeds that could maim or kill us, the adrenalin rush, the buzz im guessing is what keeps you out there. And the pursuit to be a little better than the next guy. A guy might come to grief, we'll pick him/her up, brush them off and take care of them and their bike. Yet the 'sensibility' brought about by such an event is short lived.

So what do you think would need to happen in your life to slow you down?

[onearmedbandit]

And you could also get killed/maimed riding at the speed limit everywhere you go, observing all the road laws, etc etc etc. I ride 'fast' as well, but I try to limit as much as possible the risks involved. I am fully aware that there are some factors I have no control over, but that's life full stop.

And I speak from good experience. Riding at a 'fast' pace made me the 'onearmedbandit', but I've learnt my lesson. I'm faster now.

[Sketchy_Racer]

people go slow and die.

people go fast and die.

I go stupid fast at a track.

I only go fun fast on the road.

Unless the race leathers are on, it being sensible.

I do that so my mind can flick between two different mind sets.

Mind set 1 Race : go as hard as you can. WIN WIN WIN.

Mind set 2 Road : Have fun. keep within 40% of my riding limits at all times.

works for me

[toymachine]

This is something that's really been nagging me lately, and it's a bloody serious question in my opinion.

Now, i'm not a fast rider by general standards, but this doesn't mean i don't go fast enough to kill me... however.

It's been nagging at me lately, because i'm at a rather dangerous stage in my riding career - i.e i'm confident (i suppose cocky could fit in here) enough to push the bike fast enough to kill myself (or god forbid someone else) yet not experienced enough to realistically be able to handle it.

The problem is, that's all well and good here and now, but when you're out there riding and theres a beautiful corner coming up... or you getting a little bit of wanting to 'show off' or anything... just silly little things... or searching for a buzz, and those sane thoughts arn't in your head... you just lean in an open the throttle...

To be honest I'm not sure what it'll take, i'm hoping it's nothing too serious when I find it.

[Big Dave]

None of those options G.

The potential for losing my licence and not being able to ride has done it however.
I sold my sports bike and bought the tractor and am actually enjoying riding even more.

[Clivoris]

All of the above.

[98tls]

With the bandit here....you dont have to ride fast to die....have a few good offs over the years...the worst one i cant remember as i spent 6 days sleeping after it and am glad as it was pretty nasty.....my old man used to say that the best riders are oldriders..no pun intended john....if you survive a few offs and learn something then i believe you will carry on riding till age tells you you cant.....have seen the results of bad offs but hasnt deterred me just made me wiser.In saying that theres always the one you dont see coming...

[Karma]

The only things that really slow me down are corners, and all the pies I have to carry around.

[R6_kid]

I suppose toymachine is on a similar wavelength to me.

You could also think of it as "What is fast enough?"

I enjoy the riding im doing, both road and track. And solong as no copper catches me doing what im doing on the road then im sure i'll keep doing it with a smile on my face.

I remember as a 'n00b' rider i was always smart enough to think "i cant go as fast as that guy" and let them get off in front, and i gradually learnt to handle my bike, and to ride that little bit faster. I then got on my 600 being told i was 'fast' on my 250 and thinking i knew it all i kept riding that way. Was under two months before i was in the bushes on the coromandel looking my bike upside down in a bush thinking "what just happened".

I never have the 'i'm gonna die' thought in my head when im riding, and i dont think any of us do until we are in a moment when your face goes :gob: :shutup: :shit: and your pants go a yellowy brown. But have thought on many occasion lately that if i didnt take it down a notch that i'd come to grief. Having the experience of not listening to that thought and coming to grief has saved me from being a in a situation that i'd rather not be in, but i seem to get the impression that many a new rider doesn't ride with that thought in their mind.

[cowboyz]

same as big dave. the thought of losing my licence (being on 90 points doesnt help) slows me down alot. Especially on main roads. I dont ride really fast anyway. Well not compared to some. To be honest. I don't know what "ride fast" means.

[Colapop]

Yeah you can get seriously hurt crossing the street, riding your bike, or in a Columbine style shootout - but the reality is that you don't go out looking to get killed. If that's what you wanted badly enough (god knows enough kids have) then you'd commit suicide.

Yes, there are some very experienced riders out there, who know how to ride and ride well. But that's not everybody. Not everybody races either. For me I haven't learned enough to go fast (did enough of that at 17, 18 etc) now I know that I have limits and gaps in my knowledge, that's what stops me from 'going fast'

[R6_kid]

funny you say that dave. Thats my reply to people that ask if i'm scared when i go 'that fast' - "i'm more scared of losing my licence or copping a big fine than i am of crashing"

[bladez]

i find you learn from your mistakes :yes: and cars and bikes dont mix.
had some big offs involving cars and spent 4 months a bed with lots of surgry :angry: still trying to keep my leg but still got the other one so bonus:yes:
but i would say not seeing ya kids grow up to ride bikes is a big factor.

[gamgee]

i never ride super fast, i mean the quickest i've ever gone on a bike is 149.99999, didn't wanna lose my licence, and that was before they changed it to 140 and that was only once, next quickest is around 120, normally I cruise at 110, so it's mainly tickets, but it's also the fact I just don't like the amount your chances of avoiding shit are reduced by at those speeds, to many idiots running wide on corners, not looking around, going to the conditions etc, I'd rather just cruise and enjoy the scenery a bit more

[bladez]

oh and not riding fast to start with or never being able to ride fast is a factor :yes: to

[Leong]

same as big dave. the thought of losing my licence (being on 90 points doesnt help) slows me down alot. Especially on main roads. I dont ride really fast anyway. Well not compared to some. To be honest. I don't know what "ride fast" means.


funny you say that dave. Thats my reply to people that ask if i'm scared when i go 'that fast' - "i'm more scared of losing my licence or copping a big fine than i am of crashing"

Yep that did it for me too... on 70 points!!

[Fub@r]

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm
that should be enough for most people

[Hitcher]

This poll seems to presume that "speed" is evil. And that must be true, given the squillions of taxpayers' dollars that are spent on social marketing campaigns to amend our behaviour...

In reality speed, like most things in life, is a relative thing. Riding too fast for the conditions and the capabilities of bike and rider may end in tears, but does not always do so. Like dogs who thrust their dreamy-eyed heads from the windows of moving cars, speed excites us. It always has. We're hard-wired for its pursuit. We're also hard-wired to take risks. And who amongst us hasn't savoured the serotonin rush that a burst of speed elicits? Do you think Valentino Rossi does what he does just for the money?

Maybe the question should have been "What would it take to make you take more responsibility for your own actions?"

[R6_kid]

well said hitcher.

[SwanTiger]

Seeing Trev's bike down that bank on that particular corner knowing that I nearly fucked up that corner earlier in the night and it could of just as easily been me down there made me change my mind on what sort of bike I wanted next.

Instead of a sports bike I got a naked bike and I enjoy riding at 110 - 120 more than I would at any other speed. I like the wind and the feeling.

That doesn't reduce my chances of dying or anything, it just enhances my riding (kinda like dave mentioned) enjoyment and means I'm not going to exceed 140 and loose my license (unless its in a fucken 80 zone).

[WINJA]

Wheres The Dieing Option In That Poll

[Big Dave]

If I could take responsibility for my own actions I would ride faster than I am currently allowed to. Universally.

[R6_kid]

Wheres The Dieing Option In That Poll

good point.

[98tls]

Remember doing 240 something clicks down conrod straight (over the coast) thinking fuck this is boring...speed needs to be taken in context...doing 100kms around a twisty road is much more fun than warp speed down a straight...any muppet can do that.

[TonyB]

With age comes wisdom... or is that fear? I definitely ride slower these days, and late last summer when I was riding along a good, but cop infested road and getting pissed off because I felt the ride was being ruined, I realised: If you can't have fun without breaking the law and potentially loosing your licence (or worse), maybe its time to try a different type of riding. ie off road/ dual purpose/ racing.

Then on the road from Q'town to Glenorchy for the Glenorchy Rally I was riding quickish, and taking note of the black/grey lines left on the road by riders going hard out. Some of the lines they were taking clearly lead to the wrong side of the road on blind corners. Whoever they were, they were going hard out and using the whole road, with no way of knowing what was coming the other way. All of us are judged guilty by association with retards like these guys.

[Lil_Byte]

Have attended a heap of accidents in years gone by and seen some horrific deaths. Some of them have been bikers, cage drivers, pedestrians christ even people falling off buildings.

The bottom line is "Shit Happens" so I am going to have some fun until I go.

I would not want to die in my sleep like my grandfather - more like kicking and screaming like his passengers:scooter:

[gijoe1313]

How about the option - I choose to ride a little more cautiously anyway? I'm not knocking the need for speed, I enjoy a good blat as the next person but I ride for a myriad of reasons. I want to enjoy my ride and get better at mastering the skills needed to ride safely.

I like meeting my family and friends on my bike and I can't believe how good it is when you pull off a side of a road and pull the lid off and savour the view - even better then when I used to do it in a cage.

I love meeting new people from all walks of life that have the passion for biking, talking about the little minutae of details and experiences that we file away for future reference.

I love the feeling when I complete a set of twisties and I realise that I've managed to do a little bit more better then the last time I rode through them.

But above all, I want to continue riding for as long as Im humanly able to - way, way into old, old age so I can keep putting rubber on the road.

Slow down? Of course when I need to! Speed around? That too when I think its safe enough! I love reading all the stuff you fellow bikers post up, it makes me think about my riding and keeps me on my toes (so I don't grow too overconfident, but not so fearful that I don't keep extending my skills that little more!)

Cheers KBers! :yes: :rockon:

[dhunt]

I don't know what "ride fast" means.
Well you know when you have exceeded it when you don't make it round a corner. :Oops:


I'll have to admit binning my bike last year has slowed me down quite a lot. Maybe has something to do with the fact that I don't remember crashing at all so a bit hard to learn from my mistakes. Also I notice I ride slower if I haven't been on any decent rides for a while or have met the local IRD officers recently.

[Terry]

For me a combination of a bit older, and finally owning a bike thats not a shitter. I would be real pissed if I dropped that puppy.

[Mr. Peanut]

If I ever have a kid, I'm not riding fast. Lost my dad, won't do it to my son/daughter.

[beyond]

Well, I think this is a very serious question and one we all need to look at closely.

As you know, I saw a very good mate come to grief on Saturday's Coro loop and he is a top rider and knows his stuff. If I had been in front, it would more than likely have been me.

I have been thinking the same as R6_kid. I have seen four of my mates go down this year and three didn't get off lightly. I've been offroad twice this year, once becuase for no reason my rear decided to overtake the front on a corner at speed (140) and the second time a brief lapse of concentration, too busy looking at the scenery and got a closer look than I wanted. (170)

The good think about a naked bike, you have no fairings to total so all the damage was superficial, except the last one took me a while to walk properly after clouting the road with my knee.
When I was young, I was a hoon on bikes. I love speed and always have. But I also love twisties and go as hard as my bike will allow.

After 25 years of not riding, I bought my 1400 last year January as I figured that seeing I'm knocking on 50, I will have settled down, so a sports cruiser would do the trick and my missus would be comfortable as we tootle of to Whangamata for lunch. But guess what, one month after owning the bike I'm up to my od tricks. Bitten by the bug again and just can't help myself go hard or speed.

Often I think, what will it take. Before I head out on a ride I think, this time take it easy, enjoy the scenery. That lasts about five minutes. Also, I don't just ride hard in a group or with others either. When on my own I really push the envelope hard for the sheer thrill.

You actually become immune to adrenaline surges when facing close calls and many times I have brought the bike out of a loss of control situation and you think, you egg, pull back some and then 10kms later away you go again.

Biking is addictive. I can't help myself. I could not stand to see a friend or fellow biker die in front of me. I know others who it has happened to and they have never ridden again.

It would be great if normal sensible riding gace you the rush you get from balsting along, but it doesn't. As a day out progresses, you push harder and go faster.

So what to do?? Lets all book in for counselling classes and speed addiction therapy. :)

proble is, all the people I ride with regularly, have gone down this year and for all of us, if we ride hard and fast, it's a mater of time isn't it? :(

None of us are invincible and none of us have a ticket to say we are guaranteed to live to 70 or 80 whatever happens.

I like to think I will and make it in one peice but we sure are pushing the odds against it. Comes down to our own human mortality.

[Edbear]

All of the above.



Wot he said. And surviving to my age now, and realising just how tenuous our hold on life is. Still have fun, but tempered by the desire to live long enough to be a problem to the children...

[Lou Girardin]

Nothing the cops can do.
Not seeing a mate die driving at the speed limit after a lifetime of hooning.
Not seeing more dead people than most of you have.
Not seeing more accidents than most of you have.
No amount of stupid adverts.
I will continue driving in a manner and at a speed I feel safe at.

[BarBender]

Therapy might do it for me.

[McJim]

Mmmmm - can't answer this - I haven't got fast yet.

[scumdog]

None of those options G.

The potential for losing my licence and not being able to ride has done it however.
I sold my sports bike and bought the tractor and am actually enjoying riding even more.

Me too, the T-Sport 'probably' only will do 180-190kmh but as I cruise rather than fang it I'm not worried about tickets/binning, I just enjoy the ride.:yes:

[merv]

With age I'm finding its my eyes that are slowing me down - as it is I've had to take to wearing glasses but that whole control, depth perception, cornering thing just aint what it used to be for me so I'm already not as fast as I used to be I am sure. So far not much else matters so I voted "Other".

[Ixion]

Where is the option for "I already ride slower than Nana's nana, and any slower would be dangerous, due to the risk of being sucked off the bike by the slipstream from overtaking snails" ?

But I have never gotten any sort of "buzz" from speed, as speed. The satisfaction of elegance, recognising the harmony of the machine and the forces acting on it, yes, like a dancer, the feeling of balance, the intellectual satisfaction of assessing those forces, yes. But speed itself has never done anything for me. I like a good STEADY speed , where the road just unwinds and slips past and man, road and machine become a gestalt whole . That requires a certain minimum speed , which varies with road and machine, for below that speed the effect does not occur.

[Maha]

If i slow down anymore, then i would lose any respect i have, from crashe.....:yes:

Hypathetically, if that wanker yesterday on SH16 had come to grief, that would not have an effect on what speed i ride at. If he had been cleaned out by a car/truck whatever, would have totally been his fault, and the irony is, in a bikers eyes, it would have been the car/truck drivers fault, cos the dumbass cager never saw him, so seeing a dead dude wont change the way i ride.... i will click 'other'....i had an incident with my car 10 years ago, some of you may have noticed the scar....well that slowed me down in more ways that one....:done:

[BarBender]

But I have never gotten any sort of "buzz" from speed, as speed. The satisfaction of elegance, recognising the harmony of the machine and the forces acting on it, yes, like a dancer, the feeling of balance, the intellectual satisfaction of assessing those forces, yes. But speed itself has never done anything for me. I like a good STEADY speed , where the road just unwinds and slips past and man, road and machine become a gestalt whole . That requires a certain minimum speed , which varies with road and machine, for below that speed the effect does not occur.

Dude - Arent you the one that went past me at about 120k's up a hill and around a cnr just before Mangawai on a 250 ride back in April?
Or was Petal in a bad mood with you for making her stay at the back for the first half of the ride?

[R6_kid]

Where is the option for "I already ride slower than Nana's nana, and any slower would be dangerous, due to the risk of being sucked off the bike by the slipstream from overtaking snails" ?

But I have never gotten any sort of "buzz" from speed, as speed. The satisfaction of elegance, recognising the harmony of the machine and the forces acting on it, yes, like a dancer, the feeling of balance, the intellectual satisfaction of assessing those forces, yes. But speed itself has never done anything for me. I like a good STEADY speed , where the road just unwinds and slips past and man, road and machine become a gestalt whole . That requires a certain minimum speed , which varies with road and machine, for below that speed the effect does not occur.

get off the drugs, this is a discussion, not a poetry group :dodge:

[Ixion]

Dude - Arent you the one that went past me at about 120k's up a hill and around a cnr just before Mangawai on a 250 ride back in April?
Or was Petal in a bad mood with you for making her stay at the back for the first half of the ride?

That wasn't Petal. That was Little Ratty. Petal doesn't do corners. But it wasn't fast, only 120kph

[car]

So what do you think would need to happen in your life to slow you down?

I was tired, with a new baby in the house. My paternity leave was almost up, I was going to have to get back on the daily commute. I made a very, very, very silly mistake while prepping my bike, and my hand got dragged into the back sprocket.

Lost the end of my right thumb. Didn't hurt a bit, until a few days later, then it hurt like a bastard for a couple of weeks. But more than the pain was the constant visual reminder, "There, you've gone and done something really irreversible now, you can wear it like a badge. Happy now? Is this what you wanted?"

Not really. I was miserable for the three weeks my hand was in bandages, and every day I considered selling the bike. Every day I wondered what it was that I was trying to achieve by risking my life, riding like a fool, taking stupid chances.

My friends convinced me not to sell on a snap decision, and they were right.

A few weeks later I was back on the bike, but not so much, and I don't think I've ridden quite as stupidly as I did before. I'm happier to keep it sane when I know I'm not up to the job. No silly overtakes. I sometimes get a bit quick, but the conditions have to be right and I have to be in the mood.

Maybe I'm just getting old.

[SARGE]

What would it take to slow you down?




i think 25 more pounds would do it quite nicely...

[crashe]

If i slow down anymore, then i would lose any respect i have, from crashe.....:yes:

awwwww my little 'pace setter' :whistle::love: :innocent: :yes:
:scooter: :scooter:

[quickbuck]

Remember doing 240 something clicks down conrod straight (over the coast) thinking fuck this is boring...speed needs to be taken in context...doing 100kms around a twisty road is much more fun than warp speed down a straight...any muppet can do that.

Amen to that.

What would slow me down?
Loosing a cylinder will do it. I tend to ride well within my limits on the road in any case.

The race track is the place to find the limits. Even then I keep it tame, as I have to ride home again.

[GIXser]

Well, I think this is a very serious question and one we all need to look at closely.

I like to think I will and make it in one peice but we sure are pushing the odds against it. Comes down to our own human mortality.

Hmmmm, you almost took the words out of my mouth, after my last serious bin, i kept waking up in the middle of the night, asking myself if i was alive, this lasted for about a week, towards the end of the week, i seriously questioned me getting another bike, (as we just had another baby") i had feelings of selffishness, irresponsible etc, however after another week, i felt the urge to get on a bike, and was missing the adrelinen buzz, and couldnt wait to go for a ride, im insured up to the hilt, should (touch wood) something occur, i do every now and again get flashes in my mind, of what could happen? and like beyond said , it might slow me down a tad, for a few kms, but then that buzz sets in again, the chase, pushing the limits,
but like mentioned" its only a matter of time for anyone ridin a bike,??
then the question is, how lucky am i when i do come off??, will i hurt myself, will i be unfortunate, or walk away with a few bruises?
time will tell for anyone!!!!!!

[slowpoke]

Well, I think this is a very serious question and one we all need to look at closely.

As you know, I saw a very good mate come to grief on Saturday's Coro loop and he is a top rider and knows his stuff. If I had been in front, it would more than likely have been me.

I have been thinking the same as R6_kid. I have seen four of my mates go down this year and three didn't get off lightly. I've been offroad twice this year, once becuase for no reason my rear decided to overtake the front on a corner at speed (140) and the second time a brief lapse of concentration, too busy looking at the scenery and got a closer look than I wanted. (170)

The good think about a naked bike, you have no fairings to total so all the damage was superficial, except the last one took me a while to walk properly after clouting the road with my knee.
When I was young, I was a hoon on bikes. I love speed and always have. But I also love twisties and go as hard as my bike will allow.

After 25 years of not riding, I bought my 1400 last year January as I figured that seeing I'm knocking on 50, I will have settled down, so a sports cruiser would do the trick and my missus would be comfortable as we tootle of to Whangamata for lunch. But guess what, one month after owning the bike I'm up to my od tricks. Bitten by the bug again and just can't help myself go hard or speed.

Often I think, what will it take. Before I head out on a ride I think, this time take it easy, enjoy the scenery. That lasts about five minutes. Also, I don't just ride hard in a group or with others either. When on my own I really push the envelope hard for the sheer thrill.

You actually become immune to adrenaline surges when facing close calls and many times I have brought the bike out of a loss of control situation and you think, you egg, pull back some and then 10kms later away you go again.

Biking is addictive. I can't help myself. I could not stand to see a friend or fellow biker die in front of me. I know others who it has happened to and they have never ridden again.

It would be great if normal sensible riding gace you the rush you get from balsting along, but it doesn't. As a day out progresses, you push harder and go faster.

So what to do?? Lets all book in for counselling classes and speed addiction therapy. :)

proble is, all the people I ride with regularly, have gone down this year and for all of us, if we ride hard and fast, it's a mater of time isn't it? :(

None of us are invincible and none of us have a ticket to say we are guaranteed to live to 70 or 80 whatever happens.

I like to think I will and make it in one peice but we sure are pushing the odds against it. Comes down to our own human mortality.

Bro', you gotta go and read the thread from that guy with the shortened Aprilia RS250 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=35773).

There are some disturbing similarities, like "for no reason my rear decided to overtake the front". What's with that? You think the arse end has got a set of handle bars and a brain and decided to take an alternative route? Get real. You've returned to biking after many years away and now you are going through the same learning curve as any other new biker. The short, sharp, shock that makes you reassess is just around the corner you've just gotta hope you live through it. Sorry, not meant as a personal attack, just concern from someone who doesn't want to read another RIP Kiwibiker.

I'm not preaching here, it's just common sense. I don't mean to sound all holier than thou either, 'cos we've all done things that that we shouldn't and we've just got to recognise those situations and learn from them. What's that old saying: a fool is not a person who makes mistakes, it's someone who repeats them.

Back to the thread, finally. I've found that I'm my most relaxed riding is just after a track day. After blasting around a track for a day nothing compares on the road so I'm just in cruise mode for a week or so. There's a lesson in that for the authorities: provide alternative avenues for people to safely get their "fix" and they'll be less inclined to take it out on the streets. Think "methadone program" for speed addicts.

[The Pastor]

The option "am already slow" isnt on the list.

[ManDownUnder]

Growing up slowed me down.

I'm quick enough when I want to be... I used to be too fast all the time.

Big difference.

[Motu]

Obviously the wrong options on the poll,''other'' is well ahead.The missing category is probably age - with age comes experiance,and with experiance the need to test yourself against others diminishes....but not entirely.

What do you get out of riding your bike - fun or thrills? If it's thrills a wake up call is coming your way,a bigger thrill than you want.I've never been a speed freak,going fast has never interested me...just the shear enjoyment of being on a bike is enough.I still push a bike pretty hard,getting several scares per ride,the oops factor....but the roads I ride mean the speed is low,traffic non existant,and although I may get caught out,I'm expecting it and I hope well prepard.

I woke up to my own stupidity many years ago - whatever steps I took back then must of worked.

[ajturbo]

what will slow me down??

if (when) i fuck up a corner.. and make it around, i slow and think, fuck that was lucky... then the pace gets back up...

or more likely... i go to put it on to reserve... to find that it already is:gob:

[Kjell]

I ride to the conditions, bike, me, and road. In context I ride at the imposed limits, to most I will be slow, to others impaitent, some fast.

Only ever been on the track once, on a mates 600 (ridden before) and leathers. Not sure if it was the leathers that were tight, or the cornering and accerlation onto the straight, and hitting top range of six that made me pucker up.

On the Road, I actually stay around the limit, slip past cars probably a bit close by their reackoning, but what I consider safe, my current bike is only good to about 140kms (going uphill quicker), but has enough to past most moving obstacles.

Had a few close calls, taken a couple of wing mirrors off cars due to evasive action. No serious bins, have managed to keep the rubber side down.

Have lost a few close mates, a couple associates, some I know have just given up riding altogether after having/seeing an accident or the aftermath, or having a kid.

I ride for me, and like riding with others, you don't have to be fast or slow, you just need to look out for each other.

[The_Dover]

Friction.

It's a bitch.

[DMNTD]

If i slow down anymore, then i would lose any respect i have, from crashe...
No...you'd fall over :dodge:
I agree with everything Beyond posted earlier...it's a bug,an addiction even.
I have no intention at THIS stage of slowing down as I feel that I ride within my bike's and my limits. I do back off when I'm uncomfitable as I know what it's like bouncing down the road....not nice at all.
For me Life's too short not to enjoys one's passions

[Paul in NZ]

Not wanting to loose my license and becoming a burdend to others slows me down a little but... realising I'm actually not that great a rider slows me down a lot.

We all like to think we could have been a contender but... The sad fact is, most of us are pretty average and only make ourselves appear fast by taking stupid risks and once you are locked into that pattern the odds shorten with every ride...

I've ridden with very good riders and yet these guys are distinctly second tier when it comes to serious competition, some not even that. Without fail, these guys could kick my arse any way, any time, any place any bike... Yet I'm not a bad rider myself, better than some I've ridden with here some of whom think they are pretty hot...

So I ride real....

[dawnrazor]

we all say we have the ability to make life or death decisions in the blink of an eye....the truth is humans are nortoriously bad decisions makers or make decisions based on all the wrong reasons. Our personal history is littered with dubious decisions.

Add to this the over inflated sense of security that modern riding clothing affords you, and you damn near think your invincible - further clouding your decision making abilities.

Its a wonder more of us aren't killed everyday...and thats probably down to dumb luck, good fortune and a smidge of skill applied at just the right time.

So often I see folks here recounting a tale of woe and then not take responsibility for it.

Heres the thing, if you ride down a road at 70K and a car pulls out in front of you...its your fault, regardless of the posted speed limits.

If you take ownership for your behaviour and actions, then chances are you might respect the decisions you make instead of blaming someone else when it all goes pear-shaped.

Just like that guy who wrote off his RS250 the other day (with no insurance) at no point did he even consider that he was to blame, take that step and you might stop crashing.

Everytime I get on the bike, consious of it or not, I put my life in danger - I don't mean this in some safety nazi kinda way either - thats life in general.

Just because you've slipped on a $1500 set of leathers and assorted other riding gear, doesn't mean you won't be split in two if you hit a tree at 150KPH.

[petesmeats]

In my mind the pursuit of becoming a better rider involves starting off slow and learning cornering lines and how a bike handles in the wet and how gravel at 80k feels....
BUT
I think that once you have a feel for the bike in all conditions it is natural to want to stretch yourself and an important part of growing as a rider... I am yet to have my first track day (summer fingers crossed) but i know that if i don't get out there soon i will probably crash on the bumpy as s*** summit road up the port hills. This is because i now think i have some degree of 'control' of my bike and i need to push it.... to become a better rider.

And i agree with people on here who reckon that there is no substitute for experience. (This does apply to me having only 4 years of riding under my belt...) How else does one learn what the hell your meant to do if you are carrying too much speed at the apex of a corner, or if you are in wet and start to slide.... You can read all the posts on here until you go blind but until you actually experience it you really don't know how to react or how you will react.

I will let you guys in on a little secret... LIFE IS DANGEROUS...
Yup i know it shocks you guys but it is. And there is often not a hell of a lot that we can do about the dangerous situations. There are things that will minimise some of the risk but not all of it... I only ride fast where it warrants it... and never around heavy traffic. but i still ride fast.... and whos to know that there isn't a huge cow/sheep s*** right in my line on the blind corner???
But i will not slow down and wait around to die... I like to have my fun and understand the risks... what is the point of living in fear of the D-WORD???

Why else do i snowboard off cliffs, stand on a skateboard and go fast enough to cause me damage, ride motorbikes, play rugby against boys that are twice my size??? It makes life fun...

[Karma]

Friction.

It's a bitch.

Mate, you got any idea how much fun friction can be?

Just a small amount applied in a certain area works a treat.

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[nudemetalz]

Not meaning to gripe but this poll assumes that we all need to slow down.
I've had all of my go-fast-on-public-roads days. I ride to enjoy and survive not risk and barely survive.

Interesting though.

[Pwalo]

I just want to see my boys grow up so that I can give tell them 'I told you so' when they have their own kids.

I'm sorry but I think the original question is illogical. I slow down when I need to. I don't ride faster than I need or am able to do. FFS if you're riding on the road you can't control your surroundings.

If you want to go fast try a few track days.

[buellbabe]

On my way to Taumaranui one day I came around a corner to behold a sight of absolute carnage. Real bad car accident and the emergency services hadn't got there yet. There were a couple of bodies on the road and other members of the public had stopped and were doing what they could.
I continued riding to my mates place but my speed was decidedly slower, Why? Well I couldn't see cos my eyes keep filling with tears... It really was THAT horrific.

[Big Dave]

Friction.

It's a bitch.

Tried KY all over your leathers?

[The_Dover]

Tried KY all over your leathers?

Have you been spying on me again Dave?

[Motoracer]

I went on a ride with my old buddies who are well known all around to be the fastest of the fast on the road, on Sunday and that was a lot of fun! I must say I ride very differently to how I used to ride a few years back however...

Back when I was about 17,18,19,20 I used to ride very differently to now. Back then, I had to prove myself to other people I was riding with. When I used to ride my ZXR400 with GSXR1000, R1s etc, I would push way beyond my abilities just to show that I was a "good" rider. Only problem being was that I was riding at 110% of my abilities and I was stepping out of my comfort zone quite often. Sure I did used to get respected for the pace but I also had way too many close calls and actual crashes. Luckily, I only managed to have financial losses and I didn't really injure myself or anyone else in those instances (thank god for that and touch wood!).

Back to Sunday... Even though that was one of the fastest road rides I have ever been on, it felt nothing like it used to back in the days. Back in the days I used to feel exactly what you felt, Gareth. That constant worry of "I'm gunna crash, I'm gunna crash". To tell you the truth, I belive that if you don't get that out of your head, you can easily get into the very same situation you don't want to be in because you are worried about it all the time.

These days, I feel totally relaxed and even though I am pushing the bike much harder than what I used to, I am only going at about 80% of my ability on the road, if that. That's what I call "road pace". I leave the extra 20% only for the track which I call "race pace".

This is because:

A) The road is used by everyone and it is every bit of their teritory as it is yours. Respect their space and safety and allow room for error.
B) Even if it's a piece of road you know, it is still the road and you have to know that the conditions are unpredictable.
C) It's not a race.

On Sunday, we stopped at a crash site of a mate of ours who passed away during that accident and I saw the skid marks and paint marks left by the police on the road. I saw fragments of his, once upon a time "shiney new bike", still laying on the grass by the road side. The wind that was roaring past the trees added to the chilling and eery feeling we got at the site. This guy who I've been on pleanty of road rides with and had good battles at the track with, ended his existance on that spot. After months later, the marks on the road and the plastic bits of his bike were like a timeless reminders of that unfortunate day. A day when we lost our mate, A day when he left his young kids behind, a day when the on coming car's driver and occupants life would have changed forever.

After having a quiet walk back to our bikes, we set off and were riding at the same pace we were previously riding at. Which would be pretty quick in anyones standard, for "road pace".

I've had countless near death experiences in the past and I have lost a few mates and others I know to bike accidents... At the ended of the day, I don't know when I will slow down really... I can tell you one thing though. I am riding a lot safer these days than what I used to. I don't ever take chances when passing vehicles, I don't push harder than what I'm comfertable with, because it's simply not worth risking my life for. The same cliche applies here that you'll hear most bikers say. "You could get hit by a bus the next day so why not just do what you love doing". Just keep one thing in your mind though. Even though you are having fun, you should still take care of yourself and others around you. Ride your own ride. Wear all your protective gear. Ride bikes, safely, forever...

[Big Dave]

Have you been spying on me again Dave?

Call it intuition.

[SPman]

For a while it was the thought of hitting a Roo.............but that quickly passed. Speeds crept back up to normal - just the concentration intensified a little more.
Intensified Police presence has helped - if you see a police car on the road, who doesn't slow, even a little .......following a police car at 110k on the Toodyay road is boooooooring!
Dirt roads slow me down - or rather, they intensify the desire to get a chook chaser and do a Motu - most of the interesting roads out here are dirt and the thought of meandering down some of the local back roads through the bush is most appealing......

[Ixion]

..
Dirt roads slow me down - or rather, they intensify the desire to get a chook chaser and do a Motu - most of the interesting roads out here are dirt and the thought of meandering down some of the local back roads through the bush is most appealing......

Garggh! You'll get eaten by a snake. Don't say I didn't warn you!

[MSTRS]

I look on it per the saying that "Life is a sexually transmitted condition, and it is always fatal". When you encounter your own personal "D-day" is (generally) up to you. Pushing the/your limits is something that most of us do, but pushing past those limits is never a good idea.

[Bonez]

Hmmm the only major accidents I've had involving injuries have had nothing to do with speed. In fact they where in the city limits, under 50 kmh. Oh yeah and the only time I broke any bones was within these limits and I was wearing a one peice leather riding suite that had the same colour scheme as the bike :gob:

I will continue to speed when and where I think it is necessary.

Going a godzillion kmh doesn't interest me, nether does trying to keep up with others the want to travel faster. Go at your own pace is all I can contribute.

Oh and most of the snakes live on the main roads and within the city limits. :innocent:

[phantom]

My recent little tumble was my first for umpteen years and it was at only about 20 - 30 kmh I guess. It certainly has knocked my confidence but has nothing to do with speed just not paying attention

[Street Gerbil]

I am a greedy person. I enjoy a really inexpensive insurance rate after years of ticket-free driving. I am willing to sacrifice a lot, including riding/driving significantly above speed limit to keep it this way.
On the other hand always being on lookout for cops teaches one to be aware of the surroundings, which is a good thing.

[Macktheknife]

The real answer for me is several of the options, I have seen mates die, I have been in an accident and I have said hi to the reaper as I went past him at silly speed.
And I have also decided to change the way I ride, and be a bit more restrained about it.
As soon as the surgeon gives me the ok I will be back on the bike and enjoying what I love, I know that I may one day join my friends and family on the next plane of existance and I am ok with that, I just want to make sure I don't push that date forward too much! lol

[Maha]

No...you'd fall over :dodge:




I'll have you know that i have fallen over.....twice, and i was stationary at the time........:mellow:
How to feel like a cock.....Maha style.....:rockon:
ps: i've got my followers mate......:blip: :killingme

[Brett]

Getting tyre punctures often slows me down...

But so does the thought of dieing or having to buy a new bike because of writing the one i am riding off.

Also, knowing where your limits are helps to ascertain how far you can push.

[KLOWN]

same as big dave. the thought of losing my licence (being on 90 points doesnt help) slows me down alot. Especially on main roads. I dont ride really fast anyway. Well not compared to some. To be honest. I don't know what "ride fast" means.

shit, your fast compared with me and i've managed to loose my license twice but that hasn't slowed me down neither has being caught twice riding/driving without a license. Neither has coming to grief in the manawatu gorge for that mater, I guess i'm too thick for my own good but nothing real bad has happened yet and I hope nothing ever does.

edit: I should say though that I have slowed down shit loads from when I was 17 / 18 I don't think I ever went any where at the posted speed limit 80 in a 50 was probably my minimum. Also I am not a fast rider, I go as fast as I can go and still feel safe but since i've been riding less than a year it ain't too fast. But I am definatley addicted to speed, on my third day of riding (ever, havent even ridden a scooter before) I got my little rg to 170 on a straight, which it seems is its top speed, and i loved it. Had so many good times giving my cars shit and i have never done it to impress anyone I just LOVE it no other feeling like it then taking your vehicle to the max!!

[Goblin]

Well, I think this is a very serious question and one we all need to look at closely.

When I was young, I was a hoon on bikes. I love speed and always have. But I also love twisties and go as hard as my bike will allow.

After 25 years of not riding, I bought my 1400 last year January as I figured that seeing I'm knocking on 50, I will have settled down, so a sports cruiser would do the trick and my missus would be comfortable as we tootle of to Whangamata for lunch. But guess what, one month after owning the bike I'm up to my od tricks. Bitten by the bug again and just can't help myself go hard or speed.

Often I think, what will it take. Before I head out on a ride I think, this time take it easy, enjoy the scenery. That lasts about five minutes. Also, I don't just ride hard in a group or with others either. When on my own I really push the envelope hard for the sheer thrill.

You actually become immune to adrenaline surges when facing close calls and many times I have brought the bike out of a loss of control situation and you think, you egg, pull back some and then 10kms later away you go again.

Biking is addictive. I can't help myself. I could not stand to see a friend or fellow biker die in front of me. I know others who it has happened to and they have never ridden again.

It would be great if normal sensible riding gace you the rush you get from balsting along, but it doesn't. As a day out progresses, you push harder and go faster.

So what to do?? Lets all book in for counselling classes and speed addiction therapy. :)

None of us are invincible and none of us have a ticket to say we are guaranteed to live to 70 or 80 whatever happens.

I like to think I will and make it in one peice but we sure are pushing the odds against it. Comes down to our own human mortality.
I can relate to that! :yes: Come and do some trackdays!! You'll love it!

After 20+ years on the road(less 16 months when I didnt have a bike) I still find myself pushing it so got myself onto Taupo track and cant wait to do it again!! It is SO MUCH FUN:yes: and so addictive! There are plenty of trackdays available so get yourself onto one of the Taupo trackdays. I highly recomend Taupo track to get all the hooning out of your system so you can enjoy the public roads for what they are....public roads with lots of loonies out to get ya!
I still havn't been on the road since my trackday so am hanging out to see if it has improved anything on the road.

Trackdays are the best speed addiction therapy EVER!!:rockon:

[Magua]

I'm allready slow, but a number of things on that list would make me step back and have a good think.

[trumpy]

Hell, if I go any slower I'll probably fall over from lack of inertia................:mellow:

[Bren_chch]

hmmm i cant think of anything, and that in itself could be a worry! :shit:

[slowpoke]

shit, your fast compared with me and i've managed to loose my license twice but that hasn't slowed me down neither has being caught twice riding/driving without a license. Neither has coming to grief in the manawatu gorge for that mater, I guess i'm too thick for my own good but nothing real bad has happened yet and I hope nothing ever does.

edit: I should say though that I have slowed down shit loads from when I was 17 / 18 I don't think I ever went any where at the posted speed limit 80 in a 50 was probably my minimum. Also I am not a fast rider, I go as fast as I can go and still feel safe but since i've been riding less than a year it ain't too fast. But I am definatley addicted to speed, on my third day of riding (ever, havent even ridden a scooter before) I got my little rg to 170 on a straight, which it seems is its top speed, and i loved it. Had so many good times giving my cars shit and i have never done it to impress anyone I just LOVE it no other feeling like it then taking your vehicle to the max!!

Hurry up and buy a gsxr/cbr/zxr or something or other "R", 'cos the anticipation is killin' me.............

[KLOWN]

Hurry up and buy a gsxr/cbr/zxr or something or other "R", 'cos the anticipation is killin' me.............

I'm looking at buying steved's zxr400sp. But i think i'll be too scared to take that real fast untill i'm ready. (should only be a day or two :Pokey: )

[The_Dover]

i think 25 more pounds would do it quite nicely...

Another 5%? That's gonna do fuck all!:spanking:

[crusa]

Down to 20 demerit points and the wallet is lighter:shit: ,Not complaining, done the crime will do the time.

[Pixie]

None of the above.
But the road / traffic conditions will

[Big Dave]

Down to 20 demerit points and the wallet is lighter:shit: ,Not complaining, done the crime will do the time.


ditto....but 25pts.

[R1madness]

Death will slow me down. Not that i want to meet him any time soon.