So many bloody hills....

[Lteejay]

Cant stop grinning or maybe my face looks more like :shit:

Second time on road today, but really the first time I have gone further than around my small block. Man, Auckland has heaps of hills. Lots of stops signs which are great, but not when they are at the top of each hill. Many stalls on hill starts, but practise practise practise. If you saw a red honda hornet cruising around ponsonby today (well I would like to think I was cruising - more like puttering) then that was me. Overreving and stalling, but lots of great moments too - heaps of fun. Lots more practise needed.
By next week, I might even be OK to ride to the end of the western motorway for the newbie ride. :shutup: :yes:

[Nasty]

Crikey this sounds like my first rides ... lotsa stalls and lotsa fun ... sounds like you are enjoying it ... good on you .. keep it up and get over for the newbie ride .. they are meant to be great!!!:rockon:

[Maha]

Theres a few of 'your sort' around (and im not being mean)...i think its almost time for a few of (should i say 'us mature') type riders to assist on an organised ride for the like of yourself. A real noobie ride, not the 250 one?, but one that any noob can ride comfortably on. Get ya out there a ride with a few bigger bikes at a legal pace. No bullshit, just an open road cruise and leave the bullshit till the end of the ride....talking is great.....:done:

[Str8 Jacket]

lol, you should try learning to ride in Wgtn!

But seriously, keep at it! I found as I learnt how to master the "basics" such as hillstarts, stopping and starting smoothly etc my riding started to improve. Its all about confidence. Relax and enjoy!

[Lteejay]

Theres a few of 'your sort' around (and im not being mean)...i think its almost time for a few of (should i say 'us mature') type riders to assist on an organised ride for the like of yourself. A real noobie ride, not the 250 one?, but one that any noob can ride comfortably on. Get ya out there a ride with a few bigger bikes at a legal pace. No bullshit, just an open road cruise and leave the bullshit till the end of the ride....talking is great.....:done:


No offence taken - love to hook up with other noob's for a ride. Although have to say 45 km/hr today seemed pretty fast - sad I know, but I think I have to work up to getting on the open road.

[Scorpygirl]

Cant stop grinning or maybe my face looks more like :shit:

Second time on road today, but really the first time I have gone further than around my small block. Man, Auckland has heaps of hills. Lots of stops signs which are great, but not when they are at the top of each hill. Many stalls on hill starts, but practise practise practise. If you saw a red honda hornet cruising around ponsonby today (well I would like to think I was cruising - more like puttering) then that was me. Overreving and stalling, but lots of great moments too - heaps of fun. Lots more practise needed.
By next week, I might even be OK to ride to the end of the western motorway for the newbie ride. :shutup: :yes:

I know exactly what you mean LteeJay. I am in the same situation, as a real noobie rider. However learning to relax is a big part of getting smoother. Good on ya!!! Go girl!! :yes: :scooter:

[Lteejay]

lol, you should try learning to ride in Wgtn!

But seriously, keep at it! I found as I learnt how to master the "basics" such as hillstarts, stopping and starting smoothly etc my riding started to improve. Its all about confidence. Relax and enjoy!

Thanks for the support. Christ, learning in Wellington - all those hills, skinny arse roads and with the wind added in - no thanks. I will think a bit more lovinly about auckland now. :love:

[gijoe1313]

On ya! Good to hear you are getting out and about and coming to grips with your ride - sounds like you had fun and reflecting about the things you are doing ... I know it feels like a ton of things you are trying to think or keep track of, but the best thing to do is relax! ( I know, I know it sounds hard! )

Heck, I remember all the times I was stalling, over-revving, under-revving, trying to indicate and then remembering to switch it off, left foot or right foot down, where the heck is neutral, eek - there's traffic on the road trying to squish me, etc. etc. etc. ... :sick: :msn-wink:

Keep at it, ride a bit each day, practise your skills and keep us posted! :woohoo: :yes:

[Lteejay]

Heck, I remember all the times I was stalling, over-revving, under-revving, trying to indicate and then remembering to switch it off, left foot or right foot down, where the heck is neutral, eek - there's traffic on the road trying to squish me, etc. etc. etc. ... :sick: :msn-wink:


LOL - you must have been spying on me. Nearly exactly my thoughts - te he he :yes:

[SilentDtH]

Gooo the Hornet!! It can be a bit touchy on the throttle and therefore easier to stall at lights. I have stalled twice, I wanted to just push the bike to the side of the road but instead I got to grips with myself, started her up and kept on going. Embarrassing but honest!!

My trick now ( seems to work every time ) is to give it constant gas, say 3-4k revs, then ease the clutch out ( riding the clutch? ) works a treat. However this can be quite hard while holding the front break at the same time... at the top of newton road just merging into ponsonby I tried holding down the foot break instead so I had complete control over the throttle and clutch with my hands. It worked, but i'm not sure if this is the correct way of doing things - experienced riders fill in gaps please :)

Hope to see you out there at some stage!

[Rhino]

My trick now ( seems to work every time ) is to give it constant gas, say 3-4k revs, then ease the clutch out ( riding the clutch? ) works a treat. However this can be quite hard while holding the front break at the same time... at the top of newton road just merging into ponsonby I tried holding down the foot break instead so I had complete control over the throttle and clutch with my hands. It worked, but i'm not sure if this is the correct way of doing things - experienced riders fill in gaps please :)
The only correct way to use the brakes to hold on a slope is THE WAY THAT WORKS FOR YOU. Some find it easier to use the rear brake, others (myself included) use the front brake and release it as you roll on the throttle.

The main thing is that any action you take on the bike should feel comfortable for you the rider. After a while hill starts will become automatic, just another part of enjoying two wheels.

[Lteejay]

Gooo the Hornet!! It can be a bit touchy on the throttle and therefore easier to stall at lights. I have stalled twice, I wanted to just push the bike to the side of the road but instead I got to grips with myself, started her up and kept on going. Embarrassing but honest!!

My trick now ( seems to work every time ) is to give it constant gas, say 3-4k revs, then ease the clutch out ( riding the clutch? ) works a treat. However this can be quite hard while holding the front break at the same time... at the top of newton road just merging into ponsonby I tried holding down the foot break instead so I had complete control over the throttle and clutch with my hands. It worked, but i'm not sure if this is the correct way of doing things - experienced riders fill in gaps please :)

Hope to see you out there at some stage!

Went out again today and did a couple of hill starts -much easier. I Have been using the foot brake as it seems easier, but I think I will play around with both and see how they feel. Thats a bit of a hill on newton, not done it myself yet.
Got my first on the road compliment on my bike today, thought my face would be permanently frozen into a HUGE GRIN. 1.5 hrs went by in a snap of the fingers - oh my god, I am hooked for life.

[SilentDtH]

Went out again today and did a couple of hill starts -much easier. I Have been using the foot brake as it seems easier, but I think I will play around with both and see how they feel. Thats a bit of a hill on newton, not done it myself yet.
Got my first on the road compliment on my bike today, thought my face would be permanently frozen into a HUGE GRIN. 1.5 hrs went by in a snap of the fingers - oh my god, I am hooked for life.

Excellent! Glad to hear you're getting the swing of things. Hehe compliments are always welcome, I can count a few ;)

[Ixion]

I use either hand or foot brake for hill starts, whichever is more convenient. Some folk pontificate pompously about one or other being wrong, ignore them.

The main factor that makes me decide to use one or other, is if I am willing to remain in gear with the clutch withdrawn whilst waiting. If you have to put the bike into gear, as well as use the rear brake to hold it on the hill, you rather run out of legs to hold the bike up.

[Lteejay]

If you have to put the bike into gear, as well as use the rear brake to hold it on the hill, you rather run out of legs to hold the bike up.

Ha ha, noticed that myself on my first hill start. Hence, acquainting myself with the foot brake.

[gijoe1313]

w00ters! Glad to hear you loving it - yeah, the good ol'Hornet always attracts its fair share of compliments, and it always seems to fool a lot of people into thinking its bigger than it is (the little ol'twofiddy one that is!)

And yeah, the 4k mark is the magic number for taking off - other riders wonder why I rev the nuts off so high (me being a heavy plonker for my poor Hornet means it needs a touch more go gas!)

Looks like I'll have to pootle around Ponsnobby one day to see if I can spot or hear the distinctive Hornet sound - oh wait, I'd be dazzled by the gleam reflecting off your grin! :msn-wink:

[Lteejay]

w00ters! Glad to hear you loving it - yeah, the good ol'Hornet always attracts its fair share of compliments, and it always seems to fool a lot of people into thinking its bigger than it is (the little ol'twofiddy one that is!)

And yeah, the 4k mark is the magic number for taking off - other riders wonder why I rev the nuts off so high (me being a heavy plonker for my poor Hornet means it needs a touch more go gas!)

Looks like I'll have to pootle around Ponsnobby one day to see if I can spot or hear the distinctive Hornet sound - oh wait, I'd be dazzled by the gleam reflecting off your grin! :msn-wink:

Now that I have her on the road , you should pootle on over and we can go for a cruise. A Nanna cruise that is. My baby is going into the shop tomorrow for a service and to check the fluid leaking near the brake lever :gob: - not good - but she should be back on the road this weekend.

[kevfromcoro]

ok hill starts...use your foot brake..u are going to need your right hand for the thottle..hard to do when u have your right hand on the front brake lever...use yr foot brake..stick the bike in 1st gear..dial up a few revs...not to many....otherwise your front wheel will come off the ground.......let your clucth out slowly ..till u feal the power ..ease off the brake...and away u go....dont dial up to many revs...on a steep hill..especially if u are on a powerfull bike......have a practice.....iam sure u will get it right..if u dont,,go back and do it again.....peice of cake...just anonther thing..learn how to stop it..real fast....there are a few dangers out there for us bikers,,,ride safe KEV

[Lteejay]

ok hill starts...use your foot brake..u are going to need your right hand for the thottle..hard to do when u have your right hand on the front brake lever...use yr foot brake..stick the bike in 1st gear..dial up a few revs...not to many....otherwise your front wheel will come off the ground.......let your clucth out slowly ..till u feal the power ..ease off the brake...and away u go....dont dial up to many revs...on a steep hill..especially if u are on a powerfull bike......have a practice.....iam sure u will get it right..if u dont,,go back and do it again.....peice of cake...just anonther thing..learn how to stop it..real fast....there are a few dangers out there for us bikers,,,ride safe KEV

Cheers Kev - been practising and yesterday I did a couple without stalling :woohoo: . Not so bad once ya get the hang of it, but I didn't know the front wheel can come off the ground if you rev too much - not something I want to experience :shit:

[Ixion]

It is possible to lift the front wheel, and even flip a bike over backwards by over enthusiastic hill starts. But you are unlikely to have a problem with a 250cc 4 stroke road bike. Still, it is always a good idea to lean your weight forward on take off. This actually applies to all starting off, the more so if you are using a fair bit of throttle, but, obviously doubly so on hills.

There is a certain class of motorcyclist who derive some form of excitement from attempting to ride on one wheel, but sensible riders will recognise the unwisdom of a practice seriously detrimental to good machine control. Should evasive action or emergency braking be required in such circumstances, major problems are likely.

[Lteejay]

There is a certain class of motorcyclist who derive some form of excitement from attempting to ride on one wheel, but sensible riders will recognise the unwisdom of a practice seriously detrimental to good machine control. Should evasive action or emergency braking be required in such circumstances, major problems are likely.

Well, it defininetely looks good, but as mentioned not something I would like to attempt. I can't imagine trying to text, accelerate, and keep the bike up on one wheel :gob:

Cheers Ixion

[kevfromcoro]

good on ya..sounds like u are getting the hang of it..remeber to keep your right foot on the brake..firmly...motorbikes dont like going backwards..especially down hill.dont dump the clutch. just take it easy and take control...someone just said lean over the front..good idea..put your weight forward.if u lift the front wheel ..its a bit frieghtening...just been out on my beema.....cruising the the coromandell......what a blast...freedom.....might go for a ride now.....ride safe ..KEV

[Lteejay]

what a blast...freedom.....might go for a ride now.....ride safe ..KEV

Cheers dude - you to

[Drum]

.......The main factor that makes me decide to use one or other, is if I am willing to remain in gear with the clutch withdrawn whilst waiting. If you have to put the bike into gear, as well as use the rear brake to hold it on the hill, you rather run out of legs to hold the bike up.

Yep, what the old fella said.

Oh the lament of living in a hilly city. My aching clutch hand!

[crashe]

I meet up with Lteejay this arvo......
We talked for a bit about what she knows and what she can do....
I showed her a few wee tips......


Then I said ok show me what you know........ and I will stop you, if I feel you need to stop to point out things.

Off we get all the bike gear back on...... standing in a carpark in the sun isnt good. Flaming trees were nearby !

I got Lteejay to show me where she has been riding.
Well did I get a surprise...... I'm thinking huh ! Are you sure, this is only your third day on the bike out on the roads.!!!!

Yep this lady can ride......
Just got a few things to really practise on....... one is the revving.... but she is going to contact another 'Hornet' rider re info on these bikes.

At each set of lights or intersections I was able to give brief instructions..
And then I got her to refuel up and we headed out of her wee area that she is comfortable with.
So from the city we headed throu Pt Chev throu New Lynn up throu Kelston, Glendene throu Henderson main drag...... all the way up Don Buck's Rd to Westgate...

We get off the bikes and she has this cheesey grin from ear to ear....
"WOHOOOOOO those twisties were great....." (Don Buck Rd hill)

So we have a drink (Ta for the drink) and chat about how she was and gave her a few more tips.

Along comes Oldguy returning from his trip up north.....
We (all three) all head along the nor-western motorway doing 80km..... yep she admitted that she got even higher...... but only for a brief moment.

Back to her place and we chatted again.
Going over stuff for her to practise.

So LteeJay, anytime you want to go for another wee blat gizz a yell and we will venture out a bit more.

You did really well out there on the roads..... keep up the practise...