Advice and help for new & learner riders

[Mental Trousers]

We now have the Kiwibiker Mentor programme up and running so if you want or need some help with your riding you can request to be put in contact with a Mentor, all of whom have many years of experience and knowledge to share. They're not Motorcycle Riding Trainers, just riders that have been there and done that and are happy to help people try and avoid making the same mistakes.

Check them out in the Mentoring forum (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=99).

[del-solider]

Wow thats really handy, im sure thatll help heaps of people. Well done KB :niceone:

[mia_wallace]

its great that people are willing to give us newbees a hand - cheers guys =):third:

[bikee chick]

Hello
I am in need of a mentor in the chch area..anyone interested.

Thanks
T

[Mental Trousers]

.... which reminds me, I must upgrade the Mentor mod to work with vbulletin 4 sometime soon :(

[Guzzi Gurl]

Hi ya, myself and a girlfriend have decided that we want to get our bike license (a bit later in life - but better late than never we hope). Anyone been to a weekend learners course that they could recommend? We live central Auckland. Any other chicks out that wanna join us? Might get a group discount??? Both us have been happy pillion's, but looking to try up front. Thanks

[Antonio]

Hi ya, myself and a girlfriend have decided that we want to get our bike license (a bit later in life - but better late than never we hope). Anyone been to a weekend learners course that they could recommend? We live central Auckland. Any other chicks out that wanna join us? Might get a group discount??? Both us have been happy pillion's, but looking to try up front. Thanks

Hi, try Philip, he is good.
http://www.riderskills.co.nz/

[dymatrixnz]

Awesome! im on an RGV150s and Ive been looking for somthing like this. Not so much for handeling though more for maintenance of 2 strokes and 4 strokes and what to look out for etc.

I wanna keep the skin on my body... I have full quasimoto gear but would rather learn how to not have the engine sieze up on me round a corner :shit:

[The Lone Rider]

Hello
I am in need of a mentor in the chch area..anyone interested.

Thanks
T

I am available to help out. My fiancée (late 20s) is learning and has a similar bike to you.

[craignzcd]

have booked in the rider skills for next weekend...am doing my basic skills course with them in takanini,south auckland....looking forward to it...am new to the riding side but have been taking pics of them for a little while....hope to look at a hyosung bike later in the year as i am 6'2 and 120kg so most of the other 250 bikes would be like circus bikes to me....went into motomail today and had a look at some of the things i might need later on ie: helmets,jackets etc....is there any rough idea on what you should spend on your first helmet or is it like other things...save up and get the best equipment you can afford?...cheers craig

[Mental Trousers]

Spend as much as you can on a helmet. You've only got one head and you can't fix it if it's broken. And get a back protector before anything else for the same reason.

[varminter]

Actually, get a helmet that fits comfortably, they all have to conform to a standard and I'm not convinced that any brand offers more protection than another. Some may have better sound insulation, any problems there can be fixed with ear plugs.

[Mental Trousers]

Just because something meets a standard doesn't mean that it provides the best protection. There's plenty of cheap helmets that meet the standards but transmit close to the maximum permissible impact to the head. The lower the impact transmitted to the head the better.

Generally the more expensive helmets soak up the most and transmit the least. They're mostly fibreglass too because plastic doesn't soak up impacts as well.

[Ocean1]

mostly fibreglass too because plastic doesn't soak up impacts as well.

:yes: Frangible. Lovely word.

But those some of those cheap helmets test better than the more expensive ones. And you can throw a couple of percent over the feild. Most important is it fits.

[Mental Trousers]

Which ones though?

[GrayWolf]

Just because something meets a standard doesn't mean that it provides the best protection.
Generally the more expensive helmets soak up the most and transmit the least. They're mostly fibreglass too because plastic doesn't soak up impacts as well.

Agree bout the fibreglass shell construction, Mental. I am curious though, have any figures or empirical evidence been given for the real world performance of the carbon fibre shell construction yet?

[Mental Trousers]

Probably but I don't know where.

[Ocean1]

Which ones though?

Ya got me. I remember the general report conclusions but not specific brands. I really only retained that snippet because the link between price and performance was so tenuous.

You're right about the general suitability of reinforced resin shells, the structure absorbs energy as it collapses. That SHOULD apply to CF shells, but I suspect the purpose of the material selection is to reduce weight and damaged thin CF structures are like a sack of razors.

[R-Soul]

Agree bout the fibreglass shell construction, Mental. I am curious though, have any figures or empirical evidence been given for the real world performance of the carbon fibre shell construction yet?

I would think that when you are taking a big bang to your head, the lightness of its construction can make a major difference to whether it wrenches your neck enough to paralyse you, or not. Increased lightness decreases rider fatigue as well, meaning that it might help you avoid a crash too.

I would say that weight should come a close second to fit.

[craignzcd]

hyave been looking online at all the different helmets out there....had a try on of a shoei qwest helmet...felt very comfortable....were about 799...anyone have any opinions on other brand of helmets ie: AGV K4 gecko, airoh, arai, hjc etc.....how do you test the road noise with them ie: stereo shops have a sound chamber you can listern to the quality of the eqipment....any of the bike shops have anything sort like that to test out road noise?.....cheers craig


www.hardout.co.nz

[steve_t]

hyave been looking online at all the different helmets out there....had a try on of a shoei qwest helmet...felt very comfortable....were about 799...anyone have any opinions on other brand of helmets ie: AGV K4 gecko, airoh, arai, hjc etc.....how do you test the road noise with them ie: stereo shops have a sound chamber you can listern to the quality of the eqipment....any of the bike shops have anything sort like that to test out road noise?.....cheers craig


www.hardout.co.nz

I'm sure Scott from Mr Motorcycles, Pukekohe would be able to do a bit better than $799 for a Qwest ;) Drop him a line.
As far as noise goes, I don't think you'll do much better than a Qwest but you'll probably want earplugs for open road riding anyway

[brnstr]

Guys this is awesome how do i get on board?:woohoo:

[craignzcd]

noticed that cycle treads are having a 3 day sale as of friday....got my basic skills course sat so might have to get some bit after that....time to dig out credit card.....

[thehovel]

You can always get FREE mentoring at NASS (North Auckland Street Skills for north&west) and SASS(South Auckland Street Skills for south&east) Look them up in Meetings and events Both are on Wednesday night. Go to page one to see the format and the last page to see what is the latest info. AND WHEN YOU GO THERE MAKE YOUR SELF KNOWN. Regards Richard:love:

[Maha]

Five very good points post by Cowboys..
I have taken the liberty to post them in here, I am sure he wont mind

1.. Stack up the ks when your feeling good. Rest when your not. Dont get set on... I have to make X place by X time. Its your trip.. you can stop anytime you want.
2. keep your speed down. Riding fast is tiring. Ride at a speed that you are comfortable with. One you can maintain without being on the edge of your seat
3. Making good time is more about just being on the bike than getting anywhere quickly. If your comfortable, enjoying yourself and keep moving.. you will be surprised how quickly the ks disappear behind you.
4. DRINK AND EAT! Its surprising how many forget the basics.
5. Enjoy it! Dont stress! Dont worry!

[bc.worldlive]

i'd like to find someone who can mentor me, but when i went to private message 'the stranger' it said my site envolvemnt is not enough that i can use the pm? any other way around this?

[mossy1200]

Im happy to show new riders some basic home maintence.Chain lube and adjustment,Brake pad change,oil levels and fluids etc.
Wellington city PM me

[Skul1Candy]

Is there somewhere where I can just ask some basic questions about taking care of my motorcycle?
Im very new to riding, and its harder than I realised not knowing anyone else that has a bike!

Cheers

[iranana]

Is there somewhere where I can just ask some basic questions about taking care of my motorcycle?
Im very new to riding, and its harder than I realised not knowing anyone else that has a bike!

Cheers

Pick up a workshop manual for yer bike, or a similar bike even. They usually have general maintenance sections that outline fairly universal principals. Or, call up your local dealer and have a chat to them about your particular bike.

[Stevee2]

Are you in Auckland? There are always people around who would be willing to show you basic maintenance. Most importantly tire pressure and cleaning/ oiling the chain.

[Hans250]

Hello, I’m a new rider and am looking for an experienced rider to help mentor me in bike maintenance, I have a Suzuki gn250 and live in West Auckland. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[Aaronkeller]

Good Work :Police: