Fantastic first ride today...

[dblancer]

Having just acquired a beautiful 87 Kawasaki GPX I went for a first ride around the back streets of the sunny suburbs here in Dunedin today. Road were mostly quiet where i went so had a lot of space to practice and just enjoy.
I know thats a bit naughty, but I just wanted to see if I could ride it at all and ended up having a blast. I picked up the basics pretty quick even on my own.

After a very cautious and careful first ten minutes making all the beginner mistakes I finally got a bit more experience and got a good grip on the gears, turning and braking. Everything I had read and watched about biking come in very handy. Practice will be the key for sure.

I am fully booking for my learners and getting the handling cert asap!

Big comment would be GPX/Ninja is an excellent starting bike. I thought it seemed too big and heavy until I rode it and its just gold on the road. So addicted to its excellent acceleration, surprisingly easy to ride even for an absolute green horn like me.

Anyway a quick question? Insurance! what is a good option, I heard theft insurance can be costly, is third party worth it? Im with AMI and looking to get some sort of protection here as I plan to ride alot.

So many bikes on the road here Dunedin today, good to see! Hope to meet some of you guys

[Pedrostt500]

Good to hear you have taken the bull by the horns and taken your first ride, I suggest you hook up with a KB mentor, also join in some of the local KB rides.

[Pascal]

Anyway a quick question? Insurance! what is a good option, I heard theft insurance can be costly, is third party worth it? Im with AMI and looking to get some sort of protection here as I plan to ride alot.

It's awesome eh? I just went for my first ride today as well ... checks clock ... yesterday actually. And I'm still struggling to get the grin off my face.

As to insurance, there is an advertisement link off Kiwibiker to a group called "Kiwibike", over here (http://www.kiwibike.co.nz/). I got comprehensive from them for $240 a year, which seemed very reasonable. Of course, it will depend on age, number of previous at fault accidents, etc. but it might be worth talking to them and seeing what options you have.

[fatzx10r]

So many bikes on the road here Dunedin today, good to see! Hope to meet some of you guys

good to hear you had fun there a good wee bike the gpx, and good luck with your licence to. the toy run was on yesterday, that's why you would of seen alot of bike's on the road

[dblancer]

It's awesome eh? I just went for my first ride today as well ... checks clock ... yesterday actually. And I'm still struggling to get the grin off my face.

As to insurance, there is an advertisement link off Kiwibiker to a group called "Kiwibike", over here (http://www.kiwibike.co.nz/). I got comprehensive from them for $240 a year, which seemed very reasonable. Of course, it will depend on age, number of previous at fault accidents, etc. but it might be worth talking to them and seeing what options you have.

Very much the same feeling here! i was positively glowing at work after the days fun. Why didnt I get into this earlier?! ;)

I sent them an email with the all the relevant details. Have religiously had insurance for my car since day one, so got to try keep that mold.

Would love to get involved with the local KB community, I'm sure I could learn a whole heap from the guys round here.. ill check out that mentor programme

[twistemotion]

Congrats on the GPX! I'm enjoying mine as well, and agree that it's a good learners bike. Enough power to keep you interested, but a forgiving power curve too. I've toured a bit on mine, and had no issues, and the big bikes had to nail it to keep up in the twisties. Now I need new tyres after just 6000k's! :eek:
Be careful of drops at stand still or very low speed - it happens easily, ask me.. :Oops:

[hayd3n]

awesome stuff when you get your licence sorted check out dunedin 250 rides and the dunedin rides pages!!

[Slyer]

3rd party is always worth it! I'm paying 70-something with AMI.
My bike isn't worth paying the full thing. :bleh:
Love the ninja though!

[Fatt Max]

Well done on getting out there.

I did the same when I started, just taking it easy and getting the feel of the bike and the road. I had a few novice moments (locking the back wheel, stalling, crap gear changes) but now it's going well. Still have the odd 'moment' just to keep me on my toes.

Enjoy the freedom mate, summer is on the way and there is a shit load of road to travel.

Good on ya.....:niceone:

[Creeping Death]

Good stuff dude!Great to see another join the two wheeled ranks.I'd recommend full comp,maybe you might be able to roll your car insurance premiums in with your bike insurance from the same place you have your car insured with?May add an extra $8-$10 per week to your payments(assuming it's a weekly payment scheme)but worth a looksie!

Ride safe dude:2thumbsup

[dblancer]

I called up AMI and got full cover for 3K for merely 19.50 more a month ( my car costs me $20 ) the magic of being 25. Im happy with that, there is nothing worse than not being insured on the road.
Still i want to look into good locks or something. Maybe a good bullet lock.

Anyway! Got my handling certificate AND my learners license today! Which is a bit of a fluke as I just meant to book in... but they snuck me in last thing on a Friday.
Interesting point as the handling cert guy was amazed at how cheap my bike was, as he was selling a real tidy GN125 for 2K.... (hmmm nice bike, but alot smaller than mine.)

Weather permitting I WILL be on the road this weekend
Happy Legal and in a very SAFE frame of mind. Hope to see more people out there.

:2thumbsup woohoo!

Oh quick question, where is a good place in Dunedin for recovering a seat? mine has a few cracks which compromise its water proof nature.

[Insanity_rules]

Great work, you've now discovered the secret of the universe.... There are two types of people, bikers and the rest.

Go hard, rubber side down and enjoy your new transport. Welcome to the family.

[hayd3n]

I called up AMI and got full cover for 3K for merely 19.50 more a month ( my car costs me $20 ) the magic of being 25. Im happy with that, there is nothing worse than not being insured on the road.
Still i want to look into good locks or something. Maybe a good bullet lock.

Anyway! Got my handling certificate AND my learners license today! Which is a bit of a fluke as I just meant to book in... but they snuck me in last thing on a Friday.
Interesting point as the handling cert guy was amazed at how cheap my bike was, as he was selling a real tidy GN125 for 2K.... (hmmm nice bike, but alot smaller than mine.)

Weather permitting I WILL be on the road this weekend
Happy Legal and in a very SAFE frame of mind. Hope to see more people out there.

:2thumbsup woohoo!

Oh quick question, where is a good place in Dunedin for recovering a seat? mine has a few cracks which compromise its water proof nature.

last time i recovered a seat it cost me 10 bucks and a heavy duty stapler,
vynal 10 bucks a metre at spotlight, then i remover old cover and cut a new one to shape,( make it a tad bigger )
staple one side to the plastic seat , and with help pull it over too the other side do the same for front and back
i did this and had no folds whatsoever and it still looks mint 3 years later