So I took the Whoflung 250R out for a blat yesterday...

[DarkLord]

....out over the Coromandel, with my 2 flatmates, one owns a Yamaha R6 and the other owns a Suzuki Bandit 1200. I haven't been riding long and have only just started learning to lean the bike over around corners. I'd never tried leaning right off the bike as I wasn't sure I was ready.

The start of the ride didn't go well as I was feeling a bit rusty and nearly went straight into the side of a bridge. My flatmates are quite experienced and were correcting me on heaps of different things concerning my riding. Then, one of them told me I should start looking at leaning off the bike for cornering so I thought I'd give it a try.

It's like that was the missing piece of the puzzle and all of a sudden I felt I was able to take corners at twice the speed I could before. My confidence just went through the roof all of a sudden and my mate on the R6 was shocked to see me keeping up with him throughout the twisties on the coromandel. When we pulled over for a break they came over to make sure it was still me riding the bike and not someone else as they couldn't understand how I had improved so much in such a short time!

It just seemed to change everything, I felt that I was able to keep a much better racing line and felt far more in control of the corners when I was leaning right off the bike and my knee was getting closer to the ground. My chicken strips have nearly gone! My legs were pretty sore from sitting up off the seat all the time but that's cool.

Anyway just a little story I thought I'd share. Hope you guys are all doing well and good riding! :)

Cheers.

[paturoa]

woooah boy.

Take it slowly, bike riding is a learned skill (like lots of!)

[HTFU]

woooah boy.

Take it slowly, bike riding is a learned skill (like lots of!)

What he said.

+ Be careful with the leaning off the bike thing. Get your line wrong and with your weight off the bike it will be hard to lean the bike for any corrections.

Funny thing with skill learning is you can feel like you have it nailed one day and the next its all gone. Ask any golfer or cricketer who finds a patch of form only to go out again and try and smash it like the day before and it all goes to shit.

Just make sure on the next ride you ease into it again, don't try and ride as you finished the loop.

Thanks for sharing though.

[DarkLord]

That's true, I've experieced that sort of thing already, where one day I've been brimming with confidence and the next it doesn't exist. So I am aware of that and if I feel like I'm going above and beyond my comfort zone I always start slowing down.

It was good to at least feel that I have the ability to ride like that and that I'm breaking new ground. Still, I imagine that my next ride won't be quite as intense as that, as much of a good experience that it was.

Thanks for the input guys.

[MyGSXF]

I haven't been riding long and have only just started learning to lean the bike over around corners. I'd never tried leaning right off the bike as I wasn't sure I was ready...

.. I was able to keep a much better racing line and felt far more in control of the corners


woooah boy.

Take it slowly, bike riding is a learned skill (like lots of!)

+2 Sorry fella.. but what you have written, tisn't good to hear.. :oi-grr:

As you stated.. you are a learner rider, who has only just started to lean the bike.. but already you are trying to do race lines & get your knee on the ground.. on the road! :slap: sounds to me like you are an accident waiting to happen! :thud: either taking yourself out.. or some other poor innocent! :argh:

If you want to do race lines & get your knee on the ground.. PLEASE go to the TRACK to do it!!!! :doh:

Otherwise go do some rider training courses.. & learn how to ride on the road properly! :yes:

Check out Andrew & Lynne from www.roadsafe.co.nz they go to Ak to do rider training courses & they are bloody fantastic! :first: give them a bell to see when they will be up your way again.. who knows.. you may even stay alive long enough to enjoy riding.. for more than 5 minutes! :whistle:

ps: any idiot can ride fast, in a straight line.. having skill & competence to negotiate corners smoothly & SAFELY is where road riding matters most! :niceone:

pps: shame on the "experienced" riders who are teaching a noobie to ride like this too! :nono:

[Meekey_Mouse]

Sounds like you had a good ride :yes: Awesome to hear you're enjoying the Hyosung, I never got the hang of mine... Felt too weird swapping between that and the RG150.

As every one else has said... It's amazing how one day you're riding mint as and the next you're left wondering where it went. But just take it easy while you're still learning and don't forget... You will always be learning new things no matter how long you've been riding :niceone:

you should seriously try a track day, by the sounds of it you will love it and might even inspire you into racing ;)

[HungusMaximist]

Hey brother don't get put off by the posts telling you to tone down.

If you feel you're control just keep at it and most of the time it's just a matter of mind over matter.

But do be aware that it was just one of those days that everything just seemed to go right and it's going to take plenty of more where that came from before you start getting competent.

Just remember, your skills run out before the bike does!

[CookMySock]

Good on ya man! Yer gettin it now! I'm just past this bit, and now I am doing a month of BEHAVING before I take it ANY further. I combination weightshift and countersteer everywhere in the windy roads.. it's feeling great!

Learn something new - and CONSOLIDATE IT!

Good to hear about a GT250R with no chicken strips!! Awesome!

edit: what tyres on it ?

Good shit.
DB

[jrandom]

It's like that was the missing piece of the puzzle and all of a sudden I felt I was able to take corners at twice the speed I could before.

Woohoo!

Go hard bro.

:2thumbsup

But I can't emphasise strongly enough - get your arse to a trackday (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68828) ASAP!

There's still time to register for a spot in the slow group at the MotoTT day on the 4th of April - you don't have to pay until the end of the month (or even on the day if you don't mind an extra $25).

[ital916]

WOOT! Good on ya mate! I find the slow in fast out mantra very good, I tend to go into the corners nice and easy, allows me to pin the throttle open as soon as I hit the apex. Shifting your weight is great! Listen to jrandom, he speaks the truth..hit a track day. I want to but once I get some track gear.

[RSrider]

I say good on ya bud! But just remember no one is invincible.

Sometimes I think you experienced riders are wayyyyyy to harsh on newbies. I too am a relatively new rider. I got my learners about 5 months ago.

What you guys don't seem to realise, is that for some people, riding a motorbike comes quite naturally, and in my view being OVER condfident would have far more advantages than disadvantages.
Not all learner bikers are unconfident and un-coordinated, I personally feel I am of absolutely no danger to any other road users despite my relative inexperience.

Heck, my cousin hadnt even got on a bike before, he decided to buy a trial bike, and within a year he was a NZ age group trial bike champ.

I realise you guys are probably just promoting sensibility and caution, but remember not all new riders are at the same level.

Anywho, my 2 cents worth :)

[HTFU]

Sometimes I think you experienced riders are wayyyyyy to harsh on newbies.

What you guys don't seem to realise, is that for some people, riding a motorbike comes quite naturally, and in my view being OVER condfident would have far more advantages than disadvantages.

I realise you guys are probably just promoting sensibility and caution, but remember not all new riders are at the same level.



Nothing but good advice so far, and for all abilities, natural or otherwise.

[Cr1MiNaL]

I was showing him a few lines round the loop, just basic stuff ... u know ... standup wheelies, rolling stoppies , then combos too; such as wheeling while giving the bird or wheelie followed by stoppie followed closely by burnout arising from fast spinning rear tyre hitting the ground. Basic stuff like that. Didn't want to overload him with information.

He did real well too considering he's a NUB on a red hobag with shinkos slopped on to a swingarm the Japanese wouldn't strap onto the back of a bullock cart! :killingme

Don't worry Jen, hes in good hands. He's getting the basics really well, and even though he doesnt know it yet he's using counter-steering very effectively. (He calls it 'leaning off' but ofcause that just puts him in a more obvious position where hes pushing on the handlebars as he negotiates the corners, we'll just call it leaning off for now). :mellow:

YR64L.

[EJT]

Well done! I used to keep up with bigger bikes as well through the twisties when I had my Hyosung. Funny thing is I never completely got rid of my chicken strips, even though I really lent the thing over. I thought it was the hard compound on the tyres:innocent:

No such problems on the kwaka though:headbang:

[Mike748]

haha, so long as someone is watching out for him to tell him when to pull his head in.

Be aware of fatique, when your concentrating and wired it get's to you way too quick, and then you'll be likely to F%$# up something easy.

[Cr1MiNaL]

Some pics of the ride, just near the waterfall off the side of the rocks (other side of the road), gosh I love the coromandel. First real set of twistees before the whangamate turnoff.

[DarkLord]

Thanks for all your input guys. Cheers for the photos Raj. Lookin' good. And he's right, I am in good hands. I've learned so much from these guys but at the same time it all seems to be very natural to me. I can honestly say getting the bike was one of the best decisions I ever made.

And not to worry - if I ever do anything really dumb these guys are here to kick my ass. I have to live with them too, so if I do something dumb I'll never hear the end of it!

:2thumbsup

P.S. To the dude who asked what tyres I have - still running the stock Shitkos. That'll be the next thing to do on the bike - decent tyres.

[MyGSXF]

Don't worry Jen, hes in good hands. He's getting the basics really well, and even though he doesnt know it yet he's using counter-steering very effectively. (He calls it 'leaning off' but ofcause that just puts him in a more obvious position where hes pushing on the handlebars as he negotiates the corners, we'll just call it leaning off for now). :mellow:


so long as someone is watching out for him to tell him when to pull his head in

+1.. he's gotta learn the basics for the road Raj.. get him on the track for the other stuff babe!! :niceone:

I stood at Bruce & Daryl's memorial last week.. even though I had not met them personally, as a mum of 2 boys & a biker, it broke my heart being there.. 2 gorgeous guys gone too early.. & the others.. we don't need any more.. :no:

For gods sake guys.. please take it easy out there & look after each other!! :hug:

Mum rant over... :innocent:

Jen :rockon:

[Gubb]

Gnah. Lemme know next time you go out for a ride. Although I think I was in New Plymouth anyway.

Nice pics though.

[DarkLord]

Yeah will do mate. Although I dunno when that will be as my legs are killing me from all that leaning off. But yeah man, for sure.

P.S. How often do you change the oil in your bike? I think I've done about 4000 k's on mine since I've had it, so I'm wondering if it needs an oil change?

[BiK3RChiK]

If you bought it second hand, then I'd get it into the shop for a full service. The manual recommends a service every 4000 km's. It will almost definitely need an oil change.

M

[DarkLord]

Will do, thanks BiK3RChiK. Will probably need to look at getting some new tyres sometime as well, as the Shinkos aren't brilliant.

[HungusMaximist]

When you upgrade the rubbers on your Hyo, it will be a like a different bike, WAY better grip and lean angles.

Still, the shoddy rear shock ruins everything...

[Iain]

Yeah will do mate. Although I dunno when that will be as my legs are killing me from all that leaning off. But yeah man, for sure.

P.S. How often do you change the oil in your bike? I think I've done about 4000 k's on mine since I've had it, so I'm wondering if it needs an oil change?

I have a GT250 service manual that has a servicing checklist and details installation and removal of almost everything on the bike. Its for the Comet 250 not the 250R but everything is the same :P

Tell me if you are interested.

Iain

[sinister^]

Anyone want to organise a day ride for Thursday 20th (tommorrow), say from orewa to warkworth through woodcocks to highway 16 and back to silverdale?

PM me

[TOTO]

Congrats on Raj's bravery to display his licence plate on the pictures :)

[DarkLord]

Congrats on Raj's bravery to display his licence plate on the pictures :)

Meh !

10 chars:beer:

[Gubb]

Meh !

10 chars:beer:
I think you've had enough beer tonight SpewyGazza84.

[DarkLord]

Hmmm, I didn't even make that last post, haha.

And yeah you're right I've had more than enough. :sick:

[EnzoYug]

....out over the Coromandel, with my 2 flatmates, one owns a Yamaha R6 and the other owns a Suzuki Bandit 1200. I haven't been riding long and have only just started learning to lean the bike over around corners. I'd never tried leaning right off the bike as I wasn't sure I was ready.

Glad to see you've got frame-sliders. You'll probably need them.

Considered softer tyres? Tyres and getting your shocks adjusted properly for your weight will help you out alot.

Full insurance will be even better - but potentially un-economical on a Hyosung.

[Radar]

Yeah will do mate. Although I dunno when that will be as my legs are killing me from all that leaning off. But yeah man, for sure.


What does everyone mean by "leaning off"?
Is this like what MX riders do?

I've heard two different things on this topic. Some say that when cornering you should keep in line with your bike, and others say that you should slide so that your body is more upright. Mostly I see guys (who go fast around corners) lean with the bike, and not do anything special with their body.

[DarkLord]

Hey Radar,

From what I understand from talking with my flatmates who are both experienced riders, leaning off is basically that you sit right off the bike and lean your body right over into the direction of the corner you are taking. Your knee should be sticking out and your toes should be on the pegs and if you get the bike leant over far enough your knee should hit the ground, hence the term "knee down". I didn't have my toes on the pegs the other day and my boot scraped the ground before my knee, which is not desirable! :p

From what I gather you are to take the corner more with your body than the bike, you want to keep the bike as upright as possible and let your body weight do most of the work. The bike will always be leant over to a degree of course but it should be your body doing the bulk of the leaning.

Hope this helps and to all the experienced riders out there if I am wrong please feel free to correct me as I'm still learning too and want to soak up as much info as possible.

Cheers!

:rockon:

[Cr1MiNaL]

Hey Radar,

From what I understand from talking with my flatmates who are both experienced riders, leaning off is basically that you sit right off the bike and lean your body right over into the direction of the corner you are taking. Your knee should be sticking out and your toes should be on the pegs and if you get the bike leant over far enough your knee should hit the ground, hence the term "knee down". I didn't have my toes on the pegs the other day and my boot scraped the ground before my knee, which is not desirable! :p

From what I gather you are to take the corner more with your body than the bike, you want to keep the bike as upright as possible and let your body weight do most of the work. The bike will always be leant over to a degree of course but it should be your body doing the bulk of the leaning.

Hope this helps and to all the experienced riders out there if I am wrong please feel free to correct me as I'm still learning too and want to soak up as much info as possible.

Cheers!

:rockon:

The force is strong in this one!:clap:

Radar to add to his post, ur knee does not always need to be sticking out (especially if you don't have sliders). Besides at this level of learning getting ur knee down will be quite a shocking experience and not desirable mid corner. The aim is to be smooth. Brake and shift down gears before the corner, be in your powerband during the corner and accelerate out of the corner. It is a beautiful feeling. Prepare your mind and body for obstacles mid corner (apex) and prepare for gusts of wind from oncomming vehicles. Give yourself enough room for error (because we are humans and make mistakes) and other riders too as some tend to use your lane when they run wide (I've come across a few munters like that).

By sliding ur but (half of it) off the seat and protruding your shoulder towards the corner and looking through the apex (as far as the road meets), what you are doing is effectively positioning your body in a better position to counter-steer your bike( a whole new ball game, use the search function for this there are many good posts on the concept). Besides, as he mentioned earlier your bike leans less through the corner and hence reduces the chance of a lowside. It is a common belief amongst learners that leaning the bike more makes you go faster. I cannot condemn this belief enough. You might not be much faster if you don't lean off but you are safer. And safe is the name of the game.

The only time I don't lean off is when I am trying to scrub new tires in. For this however you need to be very progressive. Progressive leaning is a topic for another time I think. If you need any help with all this jargon flick me a pm and I'll take you all out for a bit of a ride.

Cheers
Raj (YR64L).

[TLMAN]

Congrats on Raj's bravery to display his licence plate on the pictures :)

Why would Raj need to hide his plate??:innocent:

[svr]

Interesting to read all the comments on the young fellas riding.
For my 2 cents of experierience I'd say confident cornering and knowing how fast you and your bike are capable of taking any given corner is the single most important riding skill you can develop. Riders crash bailing on corners and trying to slow down when the bike could be going way faster and still make it - you really dont see many crashing from going too fast/ leaning too far. Hanging off really helps in committing properly to making the corner, and makes the bike handle better as well (also you can keep your head upright which helps speed and depth percerption). Visibility, not grip is the big limiting factor to safe speed on the road, especially on left handers (I'm also a road designer - those `50kph' corners we are proud of taking at 130 often have 50 kph of stopping distance visiblity).
Anyway, learn 100% on the track, ride 50% on the road - smooth, smart, safe.
Enough seriousness. In Sum, `bikes fall over if you too slow' (Fred Gassitt)