Temporary Kiwi?

[Zuki Bandit]

Hi KB'ers

I don't mean to bitch, but when I share my passion of motorcycles with various people throughout my working day, the majority of them say "another temporary kiwi ay". The first couple of times it did'nt seem to bother me much, but it seems to happen so often it;s like their just tryin to piss me off (and its working!!!).

What pisses me off more is that I am a family man, and I love my two kids and better half, so when these idiots give me the "temporary kiwi" shit, it's like saying I dont give a shit about the people I am close to.
Maybe I'll learn to switch off, I havn't been riding long at all so how do those of you who have been riding for a while deal with these kinds of comments.

Better stop throwing my toy's out the cot now!:angry:

Cheers

[onearmedbandit]

If someone makes that comment I usually; a) ignore them combined with a "you're an ignorant fuckwit" look; b) reply with "Really, so you're immortal?"; c) or "Fuck, I thought we were all temporary mate".

[McJim]

Personally I want to live before I die.

that means riding a bike.

tough call eh?

[James Deuce]

Discretion in all things grasshopper.

Nobody likes an evangelist

[98tls]

Problem is mate some people find other things exciting........:gob: jesus some get wet over collecting stamps.........others a rush from knitting.........ignore it and do what you enjoy...........

[skidMark]

don't take it to heart it's one of those things they think is funny but youve heard a million times before

[Motu]

Someone says things to you? Wow,what I'd give for someone to acknowledge my existance....even with abuse.Damn you are lucky!

[McJim]

Someone says things to you? Wow,what I'd give for someone to acknowledge my existance....even with abuse.Damn you are lucky!

Hey - you're that fella that was hanging upside down in that dungeon in The Life of Brian aren't you? :rofl:

[doc]

Problem is mate some people find other things exciting........:gob: jesus some get wet over collecting stamps.........others a rush from knitting.........ignore it and do what you enjoy...........
Exactly they envy you. Motu on the other hand is "Sleeping with the Hogs" or is that "Squeeling like a hog" I saw the movie "Deliverance" filmed live in Huntly.

[Wingnut]

Do you really give a shit what these people think! They're just trying to put you down to account for their own insecurities!!! People like that genarally dont wanna see anyone have any fun as their sad existance sux poos!

[98tls]

Exactly they envy you. Motu on the other hand is "Sleeping with the Hogs" or is that "Squeeling like a hog" I saw the movie "Deliverance" filmed live in Huntly. :gob: shit i thought that was made in Waimate................

[Sniper]

Look them dead in the eye and ask them, "Wow, think of that all by yourself?"

Either that, or I did find an effective way of doing it, just crack up laughing when they say it. I mean really go all out with pretend tears and everything. They just say thanks for the laugh and walk away. Amused me.

[Krayy]

My standard answer goes:

"Nah, the most dangerous part of riding a motorcycle is asking the wife to go on a weekend ride"

[Virago]

My standard response:

"You don't ride because you think you'll stay alive. I ride so that I can feel alive."

[Mr. Peanut]

The last time someone said that to me.

- "Temporary kiwi ay?"

"I suppose you've got a horror story for me"

- "Yep, I'm lucky to be alive, crashed a 500cc dirt bike"

"Were you wearing gear?"

- "er no"

"And you were pissed right?"

- "Yeah I was fucked, didn't feel anything"

"How fast were you going?"

- "About 160"

"So you were blind drunk, riding a 500cc dirt bike, on the road, with no gear, at night, and doing over 150km/h. And that's your horror story? You're a fucking moron."

- "..."

[Kendog]

Have a look in the service station thread, you will find this:

the guy was still in his car while swearing at me for passing him (and 5 other cars) at 150ish km/h on a nice righthand double-yellow-line sweeper...

Is it any wonder we get called temporary kiwis. Like most things, a group of people are labeled based on the lowest common denominator.

[bert_is_evil]

Mamma cass choked to death on a ham sandwich.
It's a dangerous world out there.
Beware the sandwich of the cloven hooved beast.

[beyond]

Kinda remember being told life is terminal anyway???
Born to die and all that sort of stuff.

Ask him where he managed to get an exemption.

[TerminalAddict]

Kinda remember being told life is terminal anyway???


some one call me?

goes with the name.

try blowing smoke in their face ..

[ZeroIndex]

"I want to live until I die, not a second more, and not a second less" - Eddie Izzard

[ZeroIndex]

Have a look in the service station thread, you will find this:


Is it any wonder we get called temporary kiwis. Like most things, a group of people are labeled based on the lowest common denominator.

Considering that corner comes up a lot on the Hamilton Wednesday Night Rides at those sort of speeds, doing it in the daylight seemed more responsible than normal, and dude, I'm sure that if you were on that corner with those cars going that slow, you woulda done the same thing...

[Patch]

"I want to live until I die, not a second more, and not a second less" - Eddie Izzard


Maybe, but the longer you live the more you learn - well some of us anyway, littl' fizz pot :scooter:

[ZeroIndex]

some one call me?

goes with the name.

try blowing smoke in their face ..

haha, one time someone did the whole "Cigarettes can kill", I blew smoke in their face, looked really strangely at them, and said "It's not f**king working..." and walked off. :innocent:

[Kendog]

I'm sure that if you were on that corner with those cars going that slow, you woulda done the same thing...

Think again. I value my license and my life.

[ZeroIndex]

Think again. I value my license and my life.

So you've never done over 100km on a nice road? :killingme

[ZeroIndex]

"I want to live until I die, not a second more, and not a second less" - Eddie Izzard


Maybe, but the longer you live the more you learn - well some of us anyway, littl' fizz pot :scooter:

Translation the way I see it:
I want to live as long as possible, but I'm not gonna be a pussy... I'm gonna have fun... when it's your time, it's your time

[ManDownUnder]

We will be temporary kiwis if we choose to be... just as any car driver will - or pedestrian for that matter.

It's a challenge from them to you to stay safe. Treat it that way and you'll be fine. I am... and will be for a long time to come. Note me tempting fate? BRING IT ON!

Temporary kiwi my arse.

[Mr. Peanut]

Think again. I value my license and my life.
I don't know the piece of road we're talking about but. Doesn't sound that dangerous to me. Have to watch out for unmarked HP though.

As long as you can see the road ahead and give yourself plenty of space.

[Insanity_rules]

I used to hate that comment, until I learnt to say "You'll be a f$%ken temporary kiwi if you say that again!"

Trust me it works!!!!!

[86GSXR]

Yep, that old potboiler. I haven't had it for awhile, I think most people envy my riding bikes these days - even my mum lol. (she still worries tho)

[chanceyy]

Guess I am lucky - never heard it .. most ppl that talk to me about it are envious .. just following the dream & getting it done





mind you my brother knows I am riding & since he is a petrol head & gave me my very first ride on a bike he undertands .. mum & dad have no idea (well they may have an inkling ... but the less they know the less they will worry

[Jinx3d]

Lol!

I work with a nurse, who never fails to inform me of all the horror stories she knows.

Its tiresome isnt it. I tried telling her the story about the frogs that live in bromeliads in the amazon equatorial jungle (presumably) they never know they live in a pond made from a flower 200 ft up in a tree. If only they climbed to top and looked out, what they might see.

she said (and I qoute) "errrr, what?"

[Jinx3d]

.... I sometimes a go for a wander in the Intensive care Unit just to remind myself that its as well not to get on a bike if you are not commited to riding your best.

[bell]

Considering that corner comes up a lot on the Hamilton Wednesday Night Rides at those sort of speeds, doing it in the daylight seemed more responsible than normal, and dude, I'm sure that if you were on that corner with those cars going that slow, you woulda done the same thing...


So you've never done over 100km on a nice road?

Despite what you may think, some of us here would draw a distinction between 120 km/h when say, overtaking, and 150 km/h on what might or might not be a "nice" double-yellow corner.

[bell]

.... I sometimes a go for a wander in the Intensive care Unit just to remind myself that its as well not to get on a bike if you are not commited to riding your best.

Too right. My personal attitudes to risk and risk-taking have been shaped in no small way by the years I've spent working with people with spinal cord injuries and brain injuries.

And yes, it needs to be stated before someone does the obvious thing and points it out: not all of them were the result of motor vehicle related incidents.

[BarBender]

I havn't been riding long at all so how do those of you who have been riding for a while deal with these kinds of comments.


I learnt to focus less on the effect of what people were saying and challenge them as to why they were saying it.

Responses were usually unconsidered and unfounded. Make them realise that..then precede to put your bike in first and run the farkers over.

[ZeroIndex]

Despite what you may think, some of us here would draw a distinction between 120 km/h when say, overtaking, and 150 km/h on what might or might not be a "nice" double-yellow corner.

next time I'm over that way in daylight, I'll take a picture of the corner 'in question' and post it on here...

[botb]

Lmao mmmm i reckon it's a jealousy thing with most they're just too damn scared to live!!!! best thing to do is have a smart comment such as "Really??" then just stare at them it becomes very uncomfortable for commenting person when they ask you to stop staring at them with which you reply "Well seeing you are such an expert on my mortality i was trying to read your mind to see just exactly when it is that i am going to be signing out of here......." lol i dunno just ignore it or laugh at them..... most have never ridden before so have no idea what the hell they're on about anyway

[K6K]

It pisses me off too. I've been going through bike withdrawals for the since the 9th of March like a fookin crack junkie. The first 6 or so weeks weren't too bad 'cause I couldn't walk...but lately it has sucked.
Almost everyone (other than bike riders) says "you aren't going to ride again are you?" or similar. My response is usually to say that my wrist is now back to full throttle movement (was broken) so not only yes, but fuck yes. Then the 'look' comes out (woman, especially nurses do it best) inferring I am a stupid idiot with a death wish.
I know I have a good grasp of the risks involved in road and track riding which I don't think are excessive. Because of that, I resent anyone offering their uninformed opinion that I am crazy, stupid or just an idiot for even considering getting back on a bike. That being the general non rider position it is not really practical to tell them they are all arseholes. It is one option of course, but I would much rather have a short explanation of why I ride so they would get it. I sort of made my boss understand the other day. He is a mad skiier, so comparing the risk of broken bones between things we love doing made some sense. It doesn't really work for people who like knitting though.
Well, my bike is finally back from the shop on Friday. After a bit of convincing I have the following Friday off to do the Kiwi Track Day at Taupo. That generosity on the bosses part was not really about understanding why I ride, but more about the risk of me spending a day pissed off, not at the track browsing job classifieds!

[Big Dog]

"I wanna live forever, I wanna learn how to ride"

[Cr1MiNaL]

My standard answer goes:

"Nah, the most dangerous part of riding a motorcycle is asking the wife to go on a weekend ride"

Gee mate Id have to second that... my girfriend tries to steer the bike in general direction she wants to go.... for instance if she wants to turn right into the side lane for a manicure she will just lean the bike in that direction or if she thinks the bike will not make it back home n I insist it will she will try n steer it when we pass the next gas station.... ive scolded her explaining it was v dangerous but apparently she does this subconsciously. now ive taken off the pillon foot pegs n told her they broke ! joke ! :bye:

[skidMark]

yeah the last time i was in hospital after my motorway splitting off,..... had a broken ankle in two places......

that was interesting....

all the female nurses couldnt believei would get on a bike again....

my reply each time was something to the effect of, it's what i enjoy doing

this is my 8th crash and i'm still riding....

it's like i dunno i spose they see it alot etc,

but to echo others in this thread...i want to live, before i die

you only live once

so why not enjoy it.

and live it the way you want.

take care all but go hard!

Cheers: SM

[Cache Wraith]

First and only time I heard that line from someone was when I got my learners about 4 years ago. The guy worked 8 - 5 sitting behind a desk, worked for the government, was an accountant, played cricket on Saturday and didn't want to get a promotion because he didn't want the stress. About sums it up really. I think I lived more on one recent ride, from Auckland to Wellington and back, than he does in 6 months. Sums it up really. I figure an hour on a bike is equal to about six to everyone elses. Don't buy into anyones lines about being a temp kiwi etc etc. Get focused everytime you get on your machine before you pull out of the driveway. Visualise your ride, ie. having fun, being alert, riding safely and arriving at your destination with a grin on your face. Don't get pissed off with these people, that's just buying into it. What you resist persists.

[Big Dog]

About sums it up really. I think I lived more on one recent ride, from Auckland to Wellington and back, than he does in 6 months. Sums it up really. I figure an hour on a bike is equal to about six to everyone elses.

True that, I am only 33 but feel I have lived.
I know lots of people who say these things and none of them have a life I would live.

[Disco Dan]

dunno about you lot, but I plan to live forever...

[Big Dog]

dunno about you lot, but I plan to live forever...


"I wanna live forever, I wanna learn how to ride"

So learn how to ride.

[Disco Dan]

So learn how to ride.

oooooooo! ~burn~ hahaha! you got your funny undies on today!

[smoky]

All good - I don't mind people pointing it out, all ways good to remember our time here is limited.
I guess it’s selfish to ride a bike when you have a family that’s depending on you (I have 2 kids), you are more likely to die riding a motor bike – it’s a fact isn’t it?

Worst case scenario is being injured and sentancing them to caring for you for the rest of your life – it happens, I know a guy who T boned a car that pulled out of a side road in front of him. He’s now in a wheel chair, he just sits there dribbling out the side of his mouth, everyone has to care for him, change his nappies and everything. That’s worse than death.
But most people are selfish in some way, and I’d rather get out and ride than stay at home and feel resentful?

Bikes are an addiction; riding has a chemical effect on your body that increases the endorphins – or somin. Similar to a mild drug or having sex (chocolate for some woman).

[Big Dog]

But most people are selfish in some way, and I’d rather get out and ride than stay at home and feel resentful?

True that, I spent most of the six years I was without a bike wanting to go postal.

Having a bike or being a serial killer?

I reckon if the govt can't supply me a bike as a mental health benefit they could at least make them tax deductible.

[Mom]

I have been a temporary citizen since 1976..........(actually I am not even a citizen come to think of it) I have had my moments of :shit: :shit: :shit: as most of us have, but I would not swap being out and about on 2 wheels for anything!! Take care, be aware!! you will be sweet!

[Arthur]

:gob: shit i thought that was made in Waimate................

I always thought it was Hobart. I stand corrected...

[skidMark]

arthur.... r u stalking me? lol:dodge:

[cowpoos]

as their sad existance sux poos!

thou shall not use my name in vain!!!

[BiK3RChiK]

I've got this term thrown at me from a dearly loved uncle who used to ride years ago. He still got on my bike though!!

Also, the headmaster at the kids high school called both hubby and I temporary citizens.... I just thought at the time 'Pbhhht! Like he has some magic pill!'

It pisses me off to hear it, too... Good comments here though.

M

[toebug]

You can be temporary if you are a fool! and sometimes it is bad luck. But you cant hide from everythng that might kill you! Just be aware thats all!

[Big Dog]

All life is temporary.
Make the most of the one you have while you still have it.
Personally, I would rather die on my bike today than know I was never going to ride again.

[paturoa]

At my age I'd be more likely to die of cancer than riding my bike.

Now I don't know of anyone dieing of cancer while riding their bike ....

....so riding my bike is lilkey to lengthen my life.

[Steam]

Now I don't know of anyone dieing of cancer while riding their bike ....
....so riding my bike is lilkey to lengthen my life.

And the best way to avoid getting blown up in a terrorist bomb on a plane is to take your own bomb with you, because how likely is it that two different people have bombs on the same plane?!

[Capinure]

"You don't ride because you think you'll stay alive. I ride so that I can feel alive."

dam tht woulda been a dam good responce

[90s]

Someone says things to you? Wow,what I'd give for someone to acknowledge my existance....even with abuse.

Who said that?

[90s]

1980 - motorcyclists killed (91; 15% road toll) & injured (3222, 20%)
2006 - motorcyclists killed (38; 10% road toll) & injured (1017, 10%)

Well we seem to be getting less temporary all the time.
The truth is always a total defence against defamation


Source: Ministry of Transport 2008, motorcycle accidents 1980-2006

[R6_kid]

If anyone calls you a temporary citizen/kiwi/whatever then tell them to change their undies and hope they dont get hit by a bus.

[Radar]

1980 - motorcyclists killed (91; 15% road toll) & injured (3222, 20%)
2006 - motorcyclists killed (38; 10% road toll) & injured (1017, 10%)

Well we seem to be getting less temporary all the time.
The truth is always a total defence against defamation


Source: Ministry of Transport 2008, motorcycle accidents 1980-2006

The news media often quotes MOT statistics like this, mainly for car accidents.
All seems good until these are taken into consideration:

1. Roads are safer as compared to 1980. Big improvements such as better pavement, camber, warning signs, intersections, etc.

2. Medical ER advances. Fewer people die. OK, injuries are in fact less but I wonder how many bikers are on the road now compared to 1980 (compared to cars and general population); I've heard that motorcycling has been steadily declining.

3. Safety gear. 1980: Open face helmets and maybe leather jackets.

4. Bikes now have improved tyres, suspension, lighting, etc. Cars and trucks also have better brakes, etc.

5. Better licensing. Correct me if I am wrong here - in 1980 did it take 6 + 12 months for under 25's to get their full, and were there two on road exams as well as the basic skills exam?

6. Fewer alcohol related accidents. I could be wrong here but now theres a lot more anti-DUI adverts, policing and general awareness of alcohol and driving/riding.

[elpigaro]

Hey Man, I understand the frustration here in Ireland there are a number of ways you can approach the problem,
A : scream your MO Fo head off
B: Laugh your ass off they are normally cagers who dont have the skill or the stones to ride a bike.
C; Practice your sign language
End of the day if the red mist clouds your vision you will end up dead, chill out and enjoy the ride
Elpigaro:wari:

[90s]

The news media often quotes MOT statistics like this, mainly for car accidents.
All seems good until these are taken into consideration:

1. Roads are safer as compared to 1980. Big improvements such as better pavement, camber, warning signs, intersections, etc.

2. Medical ER advances. Fewer people die. OK, injuries are in fact less but I wonder how many bikers are on the road now compared to 1980 (compared to cars and general population); I've heard that motorcycling has been steadily declining.

3. Safety gear. 1980: Open face helmets and maybe leather jackets.

4. Bikes now have improved tyres, suspension, lighting, etc. Cars and trucks also have better brakes, etc.

5. Better licensing. Correct me if I am wrong here - in 1980 did it take 6 + 12 months for under 25's to get their full, and were there two on road exams as well as the basic skills exam?

6. Fewer alcohol related accidents. I could be wrong here but now theres a lot more anti-DUI adverts, policing and general awareness of alcohol and driving/riding.

Per mile driven are more motorcyclists having accidents than before? Answer no. The number of motorcyclists is up, but not as a percentage of drivers (hence the 'decline' argument). You could just say car growth has outstripped bike growth. This makes the overall reduction in accidents and deaths more interesting. It doesn't matter what the factors are, they result overall that the term "temporary kiwi" is less true than it used to be.
In other threads where I have discussed stats in more details the interesting stuff in the data is about who is crashing, rather than the overall numbers. But I'm not reposting all that stuff here.

When points out I am likely to crash, I point out that as I have crashed therfore my quota is filled. Have they had their big car smash yet?

[madandy]

"Temporary Kiwi aye?"
"Yeah I've been thinking of leaving for *insert nation here* for some time now" ;)

[Radar]

When points out I am likely to crash, I point out that as I have crashed therfore my quota is filled.

:niceone: I like it, even though statistically it does not hold, I still like it as a great come back to cagers who do the temp kiwi thing. :laugh:

[90s]

:niceone: I like it, even though statistically it does not hold, I still like it as a great come back to cagers who do the temp kiwi thing. :laugh:

I doesn't? :shit:

I've been riding as though I was bullet proof because I thought we were allocated 1 off each. Right, I'm off to write to StatsNZ & Helen Clarke to sort it out :Oi: