Big Red's progression April 07 to June 07

[BigRed2007]

This thread like Crashe told me will hold all my progression of my learning and it will continue until i get that noobie label off my bike lol.

To everyone that reads this post especially if your a leaner like me, take it easy and take your time.

Practise makes perfect :scooter:

Big Red :rockon:

[BigRed2007]

Today Crashe came over and gave me a long long lesson about learning how to ride my bike correctly.

I started out with hill starts, man it was a mission especially because my area is a mission to ride around but it went well especially with crashe showing me the way. She told me about using the throttle and balancing that with the clutch.
I practised that like 100 times? lol no about 10 times, and I will continue to practise these a lot more. I had trouble with the amount of throttle I gave and letting go of the clutch at the right time.

Then we went on to practise stop starts, and turning the bike. Unfortunately the first time around I literally just did a u-turn on the bike, which got me told off by Crashe :shit: but i learnt my lesson. She then showed me that i needed to stop, reverse and adjust my bike so that I could see both sides and then when everything is clear throttle off smoothly. I did this about another 100 times :zzzz: but it was good practise. ( Note i did indicate at all times)

Then we worked on emergency braking, my first time :sick: lol but Crashe advised me, to start slowly and progress to faster emergency stops. I did that and improved vastly as Crashe told me :yes: .

We then went for a drive to West gate and what a beautiful drive, apparently though on the way there, someone was tailing me but i didnt notice because my rear view mirrors were not adjusted properly but Crashe dealt to him :dodge:

Having got to Westgate we then stoped for a quick chit chat, then we realised I need to get a lock for my bike especially if I intended to go to the city and leave my bike. So i got myself a nice disk lock and chain from Wild West Honda in New Lynn and big ups to the sales guy who gave me a hand. If you go in there especially from Kiwi bikers make sure you tell them. Lets give them a hand also as they are a new shop too. :innocent:

Then finally we reached my house and thats end of the journey. It started at about 10.30 ish and ended at 3ish. It was a huge journey and huge learning curve.

This is what I need to work on:

Hill starts
Stop starts
Emergency braking
Learning to stop with my feet on the ground last
Roundabouts
Stopping at stop signs
Changing gears more smoothly


Thank you Crashe, very much. :love:

Words cant express how thankfull I am :) and the kind words of encouragement

[BigRed2007]

This is after Crashe's thread but I would also like to thank James for spending time on the Sunday morning to assist me learn all the basics of bike handling.

It was a freezing Sunday morning at about 7 am. I was out warming up my bike, and then i give James a txt, where are you mate lol little did I know he was still getting up. That was fine I just spent 30 mins riding around my block. The funny thing was after I came back my hands were literally like ice blocks... i couldnt even grab the damn mobile phone to check the txt messages... It was a scary feeling.

Well James arrived and we took off to the Bp Petrol station and I filled up my first take. It was nerve racking because I was scared I might over fill it, but i filled about 10 litres and James showed me how to fill up to the correct level.

We then headed off down blockhouse bay road, down to rose bank and to a carpark to practise.

Over there we practised, hill starts, walking with the bike ( i.e. in first gear at walking speed), emergency braking on the gravel, walking the bike slowly up a slope, James helped me adjust my rear brake as it was too high, he also helped me change my springs and also advised about what I should have as my tool kit in my garage. Basically everything that you get in your emergency kit but get the proper version and dont get the cheap stuff. :angry:

I also learnt how to pump up my tires, anyone know what is the correct pressure for gz250's ? Front and back??? Well we filled it 30 in the front and 32 at the back, and it helped increase my ability to steer tremendously.

We then headed back and James escorted me to Lyn Mall and we then parted ways.


Things I learnt.

Hill starts
Filling up the Gas
Filling the tires with air
Walking the bike


Big Thanks to James, Twinkle Toes,

Appreciated the assistance

Big Red :rockon:

[tri boy]

Nice write ups BigRed.:yes:
Sounds like the Akld crew have taken you under their wing.
Keep us informed.

[BigRed2007]

Cheers mate, and yes they have

[Stirts]

BigRed U legend!....you have no idea how helpful this is!

bling to you! KEEP IT UP!

[Terminated]

It has been said:

That Christopher Columbus didn't know where he was going before he left.
He didn't know where he was when he got there.
And, he didn't know where he'd been when he got home.

For me as a complete and utter raw newbie last year I felt a bit like CC above, but then I discovered the New World of motorcycle riding.

Well done Bigred, keep up the practice and to Crashe and James you two deserve a beer.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[HenryDorsetCase]

This thread like Crashe told me will hold all my progression of my learning and it will continue until i get that noobie label off my bike lol.

To everyone that reads this post especially if your a leaner like me, take it easy and take your time.

Practise makes perfect :scooter:

Big Red :rockon:

dude, we're all leaners....one way or the other.

[BigRed2007]

Cheers guys :) i will keep you guys posted on how my learning is going :)

If ya have any questions you wanna ask me add me on msn :)

[gijoe1313]

Most triumphant and heartfelt salutations! A great post and excellent reflections on the art of riding, sounds like your mentor is doing a crash hot job giving you the learn! :msn-wink:

Keep up this excellent approach - Buckbuck giving you the heads up means you are definitely heading down the right path!

Now, don't forget to learn the fine art of maintaining your ride! And find some excellent reading material (e.g. Proficient Motorcycling by Hough) to always keep riding safely :yes:

As you were! :scooter:

[BigRed2007]

if ya give me a link i wil follow it :$

[Terminated]

Bigred here are two links Crashe asked me to put in your thread:

Here is the original Newbie Training Update:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30010


Here is the link to the Newbie Update Blogg. The blogg starts with the original Newbie Training Update and is now perpetual with weekly updates from ‘Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?’

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=1728

Regards
Heads Up and Enjoy

[dasser]

Hi BigRed,
Correct tire pressures for the GZ250.
There should be a label on the swing arm, left side.
but if you are missing the label here you are.

Solo Riding
front 175 kPa = 25 psi
rear 200 kPa = 29 psi

Dual Riding
front 175 kPa = 25 psi
rear 225 kPa = 33 psi.

Do you have a copy of the Manual ?
Flick me an PM with your email address an I try and send you a copy in pdf format.

It's great to hear about a fellow GZ250 rider.
Head up, stay vertical, enjoy.

later
dasser

[BigRed2007]

Hey dazzer lol james and myself filled the front till 30 and back till about 32 lol but then again i am bigger than the average person so its fine.

It handles much better now, thanks dasser :)

[BigRed2007]

Thanks buck

I hope others are having a read through my learning experiences and pick up a few things:)

Wednesday 20 June- No riding.... too raining/ too windy/ too dangerous for a noobie like me

[Stirts]

Thanks buck

I hope others are having a read through my learning experiences and pick up a few things:)

Wednesday 20 June- No riding.... too raining/ too windy/ too dangerous for a noobie like me

Ahhhhhhhhhhh...............I share your pain. Too dodgy for me too

Keep this up m8, meesa learning from this......BIG FANKS TO BIGRED

[BigRed2007]

Sunday 24 June

Finally got in some riding today, did about 2 hours from 10 - 12,

I just went driving around and around my block and then started getting more confident then I ventured out further and further. Went up to dominion road/ sandringham road. I went through the traffic I kept my eyes searching for stupid cages.

Like crashe said, always think that they are out to kill you, and you make sure they dont.

I practised my stop starting at the lights, make sure I took a deep breath each time I came to the lights before I took off. I didnt give a toss about the car behind me, just took my time and then took off.

I then went to the back of les mills new lynn and practise my stop starting, my clutch/throttle timing, my figure 8, counter steering/ emergency braking/ riding in a straight line.

It was amazing, I didnt even realise how much time had gone by till my ass started hurting lol.

Big ups to the people who are reading this, and I hope that this helps:)

Anyone who wants to practise with me just give me a pm, or add me on red123nz@hotmail.com for my msn.

Keep safe guys

Peace

Big Red

[ZeroIndex]

Hey dude, sounds like you're really coming along nicely... Once you get your confindence and skills up, you'll have to join up with GIJoe1313 on one of his pootles down the Waikato region :)

Have fun until then, and keep the learning up :first:

[crashe]

Well done BigRed.....

Keep on practising..... you are doing so well.

practise practise practise.:yes: :scooter:

[BigRed2007]

Ty guys for the words of encouragement, yes practise practise practise for sure

Where and who in waikato :O

Furtherest i have ever been is Tauranga :(

[Scorpygirl]

Awesome thread BigRed. Keep up the learning. Give me a PM sometime as I need to relearn all this stuff again to get my confidence back.

[BigRed2007]

pmed

no practising yet but i intend to spend a good few hours in the weekend:)

[0arbreaka]

Watch out for busses, particularly stagecoach. They ARE out to kill you, its their natural born instinct.

[BigRed2007]

lol I ride in stage coach buses.. .tell me about it bro...

who was the genious to put busess and motorbikes in the same lane lol..
STill no practise... bloody rain

[carbacca]

rain?? weather was perfect for riding today mate....

[BigRed2007]

looking forward to this weekend being fine for some more practise :)

[gijoe1313]

Mate, you are going great guns! :niceone: Good to see you are practicing all the good habits of a safe rider and reflecting on all your experiences (positive and negative!)

If you ever want to go out for some longer rides one day (Tauranga is pretty good!) I'm always keen for a "pootle" to the back and beyonds! :yes:

Keep up the good work! :scooter:

[BigRed2007]

Sunday 8 June

Went for a huge huge huge ride,

From new Lynn Less mills all the way to Mt Albert road. Now to seasoned riders, it may not seem much but for a noobie like me it was tremendous.

I have been practising a lot, i spent about 2 hours on the bike doing pretty much everything I could think. Already done like .5k of a k on the bike WOW lol i know i am getting there.

Sunday was awesome and Sunny

[BigRed2007]

Friday 13 July,

Took the Bike for the first time to work. Wow what an experience, cold morning and frozen hands lol what a mix. I got to the city pretty easy, no problems from cars and I am learning to watch ahead to see if any cars are giving way to right turning cars especially if I am in the bus lane.


On the way back, smooth ride except at a zebra crossing where i didnt change down and kind screwed up the gear changing but i finally got it right.

It was an awesome practise, next task is for me to get my ass to westgate.


Ps: anyone that wants to practise with me, or any of my mates wanna come practise with me on the weekends send me a pm.

Especially if your in West Auckland.

[BigRed2007]

Went for a big ride with Oscar, the day started allright. We went to a massive car park. We just practised riding around, hill starts/ riding in a straight line/ emergency stoping/ counter steering.

Ending kinda crap with the clutch plates screwing up and having to be towed home....Because, i tried to go up the Motormail (main shop) hill they have for the carpark in second gear... very bad mistake.

What did I learn?

Dont ride the clutch too much, dont go up a hill on second gear.....

[ZeroIndex]

Went for a big ride with Oscar, the day started allright. We went to a massive car park. We just practised riding around, hill starts/ riding in a straight line/ emergency stoping/ counter steering.

Ending kinda crap with the clutch plates screwing up and having to be towed home....Because, i tried to go up the Motormail (main shop) hill they have for the carpark in second gear... very bad mistake.

What did I learn?

Dont ride the clutch too much, dont go up a hill on second gear.....
Sorry to interject, but what is wrong with going up a hill in second gear? What gear do you normally do that? Isn't your bike still newish? Why are the clutch plates already screwed?

And finally: I wish I had a big carpark to mess around in...

Well done on the progress, keep it up dude!

[BigRed2007]

Sorry to interject, but what is wrong with going up a hill in second gear? What gear do you normally do that? Isn't your bike still newish? Why are the clutch plates already screwed?

And finally: I wish I had a big carpark to mess around in...

Well done on the progress, keep it up dude!

Hi :)

Um it was a very very very very steep hill, and it wasnt really a hill. It was more like a drive way, but i described it as a hill lol. I think as it was going up the hill, the clutch slipped completely and then basically I was left with pretty much nothing... I was screwed so I rode from town to mt albert road with no clutch-- just on gas... lol and then got towed from there. I wonder does Kb have a "Help list" ???

After getting twinkle to look at it, the clutch plates were a bit worn but still were ok. So I didnt need to replace them, just had to readjust the cables.

Lol yeah big carparks:P love them especially when they are empty.

Once this weather clears up, I will start going around and practising again. I have to get new tires before I take on the rain.

Big Red

[ZeroIndex]

Hi :)

Um it was a very very very very steep hill, and it wasnt really a hill. It was more like a drive way, but i described it as a hill lol. I think as it was going up the hill, the clutch slipped completely and then basically I was left with pretty much nothing... I was screwed so I rode from town to mt albert road with no clutch-- just on gas... lol and then got towed from there. I wonder does Kb have a "Help list" ???

After getting twinkle to look at it, the clutch plates were a bit worn but still were ok. So I didnt need to replace them, just had to readjust the cables.

Lol yeah big carparks:P love them especially when they are empty.

Once this weather clears up, I will start going around and practising again. I have to get new tires before I take on the rain.

Big Red
Ok, re-adjusting clutch cables makes a bit more sense than burning out a clutch from going up a hill in too high a gear... normally a bike would just stall - end of story...

[BigRed2007]

yup, sorry I am still a noob, and from the sound and smell of the high reving I thought I had grinded the clutch plates to nothing :(

But its all good now, just got to find me a good rescue service to join just in case!! of anything!

[Biff]

I wonder does Kb have a "Help list" ???


:yes:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/customlist.php?do=shownotes

[ZeroIndex]

:yes:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/customlist.php?do=shownotes
that only works once you become a senior member though...

[BigRed2007]

Cant really see the notes which is kinda stink...

Monday 23 July 2007

Took the Bike to uni man it was an awesome ride. No problems I was a little scared with the clutch having failed once my before but yeah i was allright once i started riding.

I have been practising getting my lines right into and out of the corners.

Stopping and starting at the lights has become much easier using crashe's technique of breathing in and out to relax myself.

Its been a challenge getting around the city with the lunatic cages but most have been good so far. I hope my luck continues.

One thing thats pissing me off:

I make sure I nod/ wave to fellow motorbikers- but some dont respond which makes me kinda pissed off that I took the trouble to wave/ nod but they dont.

If your one of them that dont respond have the courtesy of responding if waved/ nodded at.

[BigRed2007]

Btw can anyone help get a hold of Frosty for me? Since he is out west ???

I tried to pm him but he didnt respond, so yeah dont know if he has been on the forums or not.

Cheers :)

[crashe]

Don't worry if some riders don't wave/nod back at you.... they are just snobs....:rofl:

Good to see that you are getting out and about on the bike.... and got the clutch issue all sorted out...

Keep up the practise......

[ZeroIndex]

Cant really see the notes which is kinda stink...

Monday 23 July 2007

Took the Bike to uni man it was an awesome ride. No problems I was a little scared with the clutch having failed once my before but yeah i was allright once i started riding.

I have been practising getting my lines right into and out of the corners.

Stopping and starting at the lights has become much easier using crashe's technique of breathing in and out to relax myself.

Its been a challenge getting around the city with the lunatic cages but most have been good so far. I hope my luck continues.

One thing thats pissing me off:

I make sure I nod/ wave to fellow motorbikers- but some dont respond which makes me kinda pissed off that I took the trouble to wave/ nod but they dont.

If your one of them that dont respond have the courtesy of responding if waved/ nodded at.


Don't worry if some riders don't wave/nod back at you.... they are just snobs....:rofl:

Good to see that you are getting out and about on the bike.... and got the clutch issue all sorted out...

Keep up the practise......
Ah F**K!!!! Not this again... dude... it's all well and good waving/nodding at other bikes, but sometimes we either don't see you, or are busy looking around for hazards, looking through a corner, or just can't be f**ked...

[BigRed2007]

yeah i know :P just a rant geez

arent i allowed that :P

thanks crashe and zero :P for your comments

[BigRed2007]

Wednessday 25 July 2007


Took my bike to uni again,

8 am: freaking cold but it was good getting out there and experiencing the cold in the morning. It was a bit tricky going in and out of the bus lane and main lanes.

One thing I think all noobie riders and normal riders have to be really careful is in the bus lanes having cages giving way to right turning traffic into the side streets. I always try to slow down when approaching a side street on the main road. Other than that, i made sure I went down to 1st gear when i stopped on the hill and started up.

1 pm: return ride from the city. Well big red's first time being riding in the rain. It was really annoying with the beautiful sun out one minute and almost drenched the next lol. Ah wel cold legs, face, lol thats about it. I made sure I slowed down to about 40-45 and drove very very very carefully. It was annoying with the glasses fogging up, so what I did was drop the visor half way so the rain got caught in the visor and then just wiped off the water. Very effective tbh but thats all i could do. Got home safely thank God:)

Big Red out

[Cr1MiNaL]

Good to hear ur commin along nicely buddy. once u can ride a bit further drag ur arse to the wednesday night mentor night pm disco dan or bigdog. Will help u.
Ride Safe. and if u feel u cant do it just get out there n try, n if u bin so what.. its ur first bike, atleast ul no how it feels and can learn from it. chin up.

[BigRed2007]

Yeah I am planning to do that soon, I am going with James today to go to the shell west gate again and get used to the motorway eh... and I will get there :P soon!!!

Got to get the tyres and WOF done on Saturday.

[BigRed2007]

Bike Back in action

Had the following done

Wof- $35
Tyres - front $ 199 ( AVON) and back $ (Kenda)
Packrack put on!
New Number palte ( old one was crusty)
L plate properly fitted


Big thanks to Suzuki Colemans- great service but dam they aren't cheap. I guess you get what you pay for, high price for great service:P

I will be looking to wear in the tyres soon ,but I am looking forward to the sunday Ride!!!! Just have to wait for the info from Maverick

[BigRed2007]

On Hold --- till i get another bike