The best years of riding – are they gone? [Archive]

MotoGirl

27th March 2009, 19:46

I had an interesting conversation today and it made me think about how motorcycling has changed since I got my licence back in ’98.

We used to cruise everywhere around the 140kph mark (two-up on a ZZR250) and sighting a Police car was a non-occurrence. If I remember correctly, I don’t think the Highway Patrols even existed yet. It was easy to ride at a reasonable speed without the constant risk of being caught, or even worse, losing your licence.

Now jump forward to 2009 where the roads are infested with Highway Patrols and the rules have gone Victoria-style. The Police are getting smarter and using more undercover cars, in models we don’t expect, and losing your licence is just getting too easy.

I’m told a few things are in the pipelines that will affect bikers:

Losing your licence at a measly 30km over the speed limit
Getting nailed for pipes that exceed the noise limit restrictions – I’m led to believe that no aftermarket pipes would come in under this limit. Some bikes are louder than this stock :no:

I ride a bike because I enjoy it, not necessarily because I want to speed everywhere and make a loud noise doing it. In saying that, I do speed and I do enjoy it and I love the sound of my bike. My version of “speeding” isn’t fast compared to other riders.

What makes me think that the best years of riding are gone is the way that everything’s geared towards slowing traffic down – just look at the double yellow lines that have been put on straight roads and where passing lanes have been removed. Isn’t the point of this to slow the traffic down to the speed of the front/slowest vehicle?

Yes, riding a bike gives us the ability to go around the traffic but it also comes with a huge chance of being caught speeding, and therefore, finding ourselves having to walk home. I don’t know about you guys but I’m finding it harder to enjoy myself when riding on the road.

Boob Johnson

27th March 2009, 19:56

Get a radar detector & or save it for the B roads :niceone:

yod

27th March 2009, 19:57

i take it you live in or around auckland?

MVnut

27th March 2009, 20:04

You'll just have to buy yourself a mountain somewhere.........I have shares in Banks Peninsula hehehe :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

Maha

27th March 2009, 20:15

I dunno Hurly....getting pinged (in most cases) is just plain ole' bad luck. Alot depends on where you are riding I guess and choosing your moments. I for one enjoy riding in smaller groups (if a group ride is on that is) and by small I mean 2-3-4? even just with Anne and myself was just the best today. Saw one cop on our 440 kms today, and that was in a normal area around Ruakaka/Waipu, where one knows not to speed. I was on an overtaking lane and doing about 120+ when I noticed him. He didnt do anything (good luck in this case) On the noise thing? ... Bikers need it at times, I spoke about hearing your machine earlier this week. I have organised about 14-15 group rides since being on here, never a problem with any of them. But now, I think I will give it a miss and be happy with smaller groups, I have alot of riding years ahead, so I intend to make the most of it and get be pleased with myself at days end.

AllanB

27th March 2009, 20:25

smoky

27th March 2009, 20:30

I had an interesting conversation today and it made me think about how motorcycling has changed since I got my licence back in ’98.......If I remember correctly, I don’t think the Highway Patrols even existed yet.

Highway patrols have been around way before that?

Now jump forward to 2009 .....
I’m told a few things are in the pipelines that will affect bikers:

Losing your licence at a measly 30km over the speed limit
Getting nailed for pipes that exceed the noise limit restrictions – I’m led to believe that no aftermarket pipes would come in under this limit. Some bikes are louder than this stock :no:

I've been hearing these things ever since I've been riding (about 30 years now)

Yes it was different back then - but you learn to adapt, find a way of enjoying it, nothing ever stays the same, rather than lament..... adapt

Molly

27th March 2009, 20:33

As bad as you feel it may have become, for those of us shifting here from the UK it's paradise!

Plenty of riding planned for this weekend. C'mon!!!

merv

27th March 2009, 20:35

I'd say try adventuring, but then even that is not as easy as it used to be, more roads are sealed and there are more locked gates etc.

As humans we seem to be strangling each others enjoyment. Mrs merv is into genealogy and she talks of how our ancestors left oppression in Pomgolia and other places and came here to start a better life. Problem is now where the hell can you go to get away from it all - the world has become a very small place in that sense.

Supertwin Don

27th March 2009, 20:37

Guys,
Just be grateful that you still live in a low population density country!
Some of us go back to the days of "mile a minute" (60mph/100kph) - made it nice and easy to work out how long it would take to get somewhere.
Even on a dual carriageway (Auckland Motorway like) 130kph with cars and trucks only metres away can be a bit disconcerting.
Also, roads in NZ are more "flowing" than here in UK - not so many villages to duck in and out of! and if you like the M1, I pity you!:beer:

AllanB

27th March 2009, 20:37

rather than lament..... adapt

No piss-take intended, but I think this may be one of the big attractions of the cruiser - bikes designed to 'cruise' along at close to the legal limit. Enjoying the journey as much as the ride.

Sheezzzz I must be getting old...........

MotoGirl

27th March 2009, 20:52

Yeh I hear you. Ironic really - I'm now on the best bike I've ever owned in the past 28 years of riding and have the least chance to actually put it through it's paces!
Yes! I feel like my bike is wasted on the road so I've finally bitten the bullet and decided to take it to the track. I may not ride to the bike's potential on the day, but hell, at least I'll go faster than the old bat doing 70kph in her Nissan Micra.

MotoGirl

27th March 2009, 20:59

I dunno Hurly....getting pinged (in most cases) is just plain ole' bad luck. Alot depends on where you are riding I guess and choosing your moments.

The Police in our area are heading out in groups of four (so a cop told us today). We were specifically told that if you see one cop another three will be in the same region. There's a good change you'd miss all four cops but there's also a chance that you'll head in the same direction.

MotoGirl

27th March 2009, 21:04

Highway patrols have been around way before that?

I believe they came out around 2000/2001ish. Someone in the know should be able to confirm this.

Bonez

27th March 2009, 21:11

Thank goodness our lot(riders that is) are are only a few kms away from decent riding roads.

Howsie

27th March 2009, 21:17

Edbear

27th March 2009, 21:19

Yeh I hear you. Ironic really - I'm now on the best bike I've ever owned in the past 28 years of riding and have the least chance to actually put it through it's paces!

Early morning rides are best .......before the donut shops open :clap:

I remember the 80km speed limit.

And carrying a jerry can of petrol on the back as often in the weekends rural stations were closed.

And really shit brakes.

And frames with hinges in the middle.

You didn't ride a T500 too, did you...?

And remember when petrol hit $1.00 a gallon!!??

No piss-take intended, but I think this may be one of the big attractions of the cruiser - bikes designed to 'cruise' along at close to the legal limit. Enjoying the journey as much as the ride.

Sheezzzz I must be getting old...........

Mmmm! Funny I was about to suggest a cruiser...

I believe they came out around 2000/2001ish. Someone in the know should be able to confirm this.

They used to be two completely separate departments but were combined some years ago, then the HP was sort of re-established to focus on traffic. Others may be able to put dates on this but my Alzheimers prevents me from... And who are you and what are you doing in my living room...?:confused:

Motu

27th March 2009, 21:21

Where are you riding to see so many cops? I don't see cops where I ride.

Stay away from SH anything.No cops,and the roads are better too.

On second thoughts - stay where you are.The cops seem to like you....that means there will be less where ever I am.

MidnightMike

27th March 2009, 21:23

I had an interesting conversation today and it made me think about how motorcycling has changed since I got my licence back in ’98......

Now jump forward to 2009 where the roads are infested with Highway Patrols and the rules have gone Victoria-style
Ooo, I wouldnt say they are that bad.

They have hidden cameras in merging areas so if you speed up to merge safely, you get nabbed!!!!

I ride a bike because I enjoy it, not necessarily because I want to speed everywhere and make a loud noise doing it

Ahhh, thats what I would like to be able to do. But never would in real life.

The noise is half of the experience for me. Roaring around is awesome.

What makes me think that the best years of riding are gone is the way that everything’s geared towards slowing traffic down – just look at the double yellow lines that have been put on straight roads and where passing lanes have been removed.

Tauranga > Waihi is insanely frustrating in that respect.

Yes, riding a bike gives us the ability to go around the traffic but it also comes with a huge chance of being caught speeding, and therefore, finding ourselves having to walk home. I don’t know about you guys but I’m finding it harder to enjoy myself when riding on the road.

I find myself bored out of my brain quite often, and when I do get a chance to let loose a bit I find myself worrying about getting caught, or having something come out in front of me (another story in itself) so the good times are always short-lived.

But thats what the tracks for, Ive only done one trackday but it was huge fun (and that was on my GSX, doing it on my 650 would be awesome, but I want pants with sliders first.) - But they are expensive, in terms of going down there (eg. taupo) So thats a couple of tanks of gas to get there and back, say another tank for the trackday not to mention tyre wear etc....

Both of those reasons are why Im tending to spend more time with my camera in my hand than a helmet on my head,

The money / enjoyment ratio isnt stacking up.

MidnightMike

27th March 2009, 21:32

I recently did a 6.5hr trip back from Napier towing a cart and managed to hold up very few people and even let the bikers through, envying them at every pass. If you cannot pass Nana in her Micra doing 70 on your bike, shame on you :p...

Double yellows in stupid places Im guessing.

Mmmm! Funny I was about to suggest a cruiser...

Except Rocket III's, I was overtaken by one of them, looked at my speedo, then back at the RIII, thinking what the, how the, holy shit! :shit:

awayatc

27th March 2009, 21:34

http://www.interislander.co.nz/?gclid=CO3ftMPmwpkCFRFMagoduSShtQ

MotoGirl

27th March 2009, 21:37

They used to be two completely separate departments but were combined some years ago, then the HP was sort of re-established to focus on traffic. Others may be able to put dates on this but my Alzheimers prevents me from... And who are you and what are you doing in my living room...?:confused:
Yes, I remember the days of the MoT (or whatever it was called). I'm thinking of the year when it was reinvented.

Where are you riding to see so many cops? I don't see cops where I ride.I love the Kaimai Ranges and they're always riddled with cops, hence why I've dropped about 30kph off the speed I used to do up there!

I find myself bored out of my brain quite often, and when I do get a chance to let loose a bit I find myself worrying about getting caught, or having something come out in front of me (another story in itself) so the good times are always short-lived.

That's precisely it. It's easy to sit in traffic and obey the speed limit (if you're having a good day and people are actually doing the limit). I don't need to hoon everywhere but I also don't expect to lose my licence for overtaking a car and trying to get back onto my own side of the road. I've still not forgotten the example they had on the news awhile ago saying to pass a truck (doing 90kph) and not exceed the speed limit would mean being on the wrong side of the road for 12 seconds.

But thats what the tracks for, Ive only done one trackday but it was huge fun (and that was on my GSX, doing it on my 650 would be awesome, but I want pants with sliders first.) - But they are expensive, in terms of going down there (eg. taupo) So thats a couple of tanks of gas to get there and back, say another tank for the trackday not to mention tyre wear etc....

Both of those reasons are why Im tending to spend more time with my camera in my hand than a helmet on my head,

You're completely right. Track riding is expensive by the time you calculate the fees, travel, fuel, tyres etc etc. The one we're doing next week has already cost us $500 and it's not until next week!

We're certainly finding time for other hobbies because track days are too far apart (we're selective in which ones we do) and road riding is too boring.

zzzbang

27th March 2009, 21:41

Highway patrols have been around way before that?

I've been hearing these things ever since I've been riding (about 30 years now)

Yes it was different back then - but you learn to adapt, find a way of enjoying it, nothing ever stays the same, rather than lament..... adapt

Sure, sometimes adapting is the best option.. but when youre getting pushed down by some stupid laws and getting fined by police trying to make their quota.. thats not a good thing to adapt to.

Goblin

28th March 2009, 06:48

.

I love the Kaimai Ranges and they're always riddled with cops, hence why I've dropped about 30kph off the speed I used to do up there!So that was you holding my mum up in her nissan micra up the Kaimais.:whistle:

Trudes

28th March 2009, 07:03

More cops with bigger quotas, we've probably all grown up and got older and wiser about doing stupid shit too... and then there's KB. If you get spotted doing anything whether your bike is involved or not, it'll be posted all over an internet forum before you even get home for a bunch of strangers to comment on. Cool!!!:pinch:

Maha

28th March 2009, 07:16

You can look back at 98 and say they "were the best riding years", then look back at 88 when things were even lazier. Fewer annoying drivers, roads were twistier and the bikes still went as fast. (Mind you i was only three in that year!)

The World is always changing so we must change with it or reminisce of the "good ol' days". Sure it is getting harder with more Mr Plod on the roads and subjective laws, there is always the track... see you on the 4th?

I recently did a 6.5hr trip back from Napier towing a cart and managed to hold up very few people and even let the bikers through, envying them at every pass. If you cannot pass Nana in her Micra doing 70 on your bike, shame on you :p

In another 20years the entire stretch of SH1 will be 2 lanes, just you watch...

Enjoyed your post Howsie...and its very true.

Some on here will post about the 'good ole' days' on KB....its evolved and changed sure, but its just over six years old!!!

To answer this thread though.....
Things do change, you just have to get wiser in your approach, choose your roads etc, if you are going to stay on SH1 then things will probably not be to you liking for very long.

Bonez

28th March 2009, 07:37

and road riding is too boring.Bit of a generalisation there. All depends on where you are, roads in your area, the type of road ,the bike you ride, who you're with and attitude. For example you don't have to do 140kms plus everywhere to enjoy riding in our neck of the woods. HP generally stay on the roads with easy pickings.

Hell you can buy something gutless (like my GB for instance, which bought to keep my speed down), well any unfaired bike really, thrash the ring off it and still have ball. Have the option of doing a bit of unsealed road exploration with it as well. Bucket racing is another option.

FROSTY

28th March 2009, 07:46

I WAS thinking gosh she's got a bloody good point there. Things have got tougher over the years. Then I thought back and realise they haven't really. The penalties for getting caught did a fair ol leap a few years back but other than that nothings really changed.
What has changed for me is the pesonal awareness that hey if I do this stuff I could get hurt coupled to the fact I can't be without a licence.

MSTRS

28th March 2009, 08:21

... Things have got tougher over the years. Then I thought back and realise they haven't really. The penalties for getting caught did a fair ol leap a few years back but other than that nothings really changed.
...

True, for the most part. It's all relative. Best 'ping' (other than the odd warning) was back in 1975. I gave the old T500 it's head and saw 110Mph on the clock. Unbeknownst to me, a Hutt City snake was on the job in his 1600 Cortina. Never knew he was there so when he eventually caught up with me, he 'had a chat' and handed me a ticket for 'estimated 65mph' and if I remember right, the fine was $10. Cool! Won't get that today.

smoky

28th March 2009, 08:35

I remember the 80km speed limit.

And carrying a jerry can of petrol on the back as often in the weekends rural stations were closed.

And really shit brakes.

And frames with hinges in the middle.

Ha - the good ol days
crap suspension, worse road conditions with massive potholes, the riding gear and helmets that you could buy were very basic (if you could afford them)

Bonez

28th March 2009, 08:40

MarkH

28th March 2009, 08:49

I had an interesting conversation today and it made me think about how motorcycling has changed since I got my licence back in ’98.

So young - you have no idea.

I got my license back in '83 and back then there was the MoT and they had radar - BUT:
- No Hawk/K/Ka - they had no mobile radar at all, they had to park to use their radar.
- No demerit points - back then it was before the demerit point system was introduced, you got a ticket and you paid a fine, but you didn't accumulate points which would lead to losing your license (thank god!).
- No speed cameras - if you were cruising along 15kph above the limit and the cop couldn't be bothered turning around and pulling you over then you didn't get a fine, now it's *click* and a bill in the mail at 11kph over.

smoky

28th March 2009, 08:56

In the 80's in Huntly; the cops had a bit of a war (crackdown) on us hoons on our bikes, I collected $1400 in fines in one year
Lost my license once that year as well

I have just come back from a 4500 klm ride with a mate - we weren't hanging around at normal speed limits very much. Yes there is a lot more traffic - but better roads and better bikes means we can cut thru the traffic with ease
Yes we did see a bunch of cops - but between our radar detector and some common sense we managed to avoid being 'pinged'.

Interestingly I haven't had a ticket on my bike for years, but get at lest one a year in my car?
I think when I ride I am way more alert and paying attention, in the car I'm a bit more relaxed and often don't notice the police until it's too late.:Oops:

smoky

28th March 2009, 08:59

Yes, I remember the days of the MoT (or whatever it was called).

I can remember the black and whites with their little single red light bulb on the roof, and the police had a grey colored car with a single blue light on top

trumpy

28th March 2009, 09:05

True, for the most part. It's all relative. Best 'ping' (other than the odd warning) was back in 1975. I gave the old T500 it's head and saw 110Mph on the clock. Unbeknownst to me, a Hutt City snake was on the job in his 1600 Cortina. Never knew he was there so when he eventually caught up with me, he 'had a chat' and handed me a ticket for 'estimated 65mph' and if I remember right, the fine was $10. Cool! Won't get that today.

Yep, had the odd experience like that back then as well. Got stopped on the Aucks southern motorway in the mid 70's (yes it's been there that long - well some of it anyway) but the cop was so exited about his new bike and showing it to me he never got around to giving me a ticket. Just an "oh by the way, slow down" .
Good things can still happen with these guys though....last sunday I was about a third of the way through my favourite twisty road and came upon an HP going same direction as me "Bugger" I thought. But not so. HP (who is driving very smoothly and quicker than you would expect) sees me and starts to speed up. Entrapment? me thinks and then "oh what the hell".He picks things up to a very good somewhat less than legal pace (as fast as I wanted to go anyway) and just holds it there. We get to the end of the road, I go left and he gives me a wave and heads off to the right. Thank you sir you made my day.

smoky

28th March 2009, 09:07

I believe they came out around 2000/2001ish. Someone in the know should be able to confirm this.

Depends on what you call a 'highway patrol'?

There has been traffic police patrolling the highways from before I could remember, black, then black and whites.
Then they were combined with the Police, that didn't work so well so they decided to separate then back out into highway patrol but retain them in the police uniform and cars
One has a blue and yellow colour, the other has blue and orange - I think.

FROSTY

28th March 2009, 09:14

I got my license back in '83 and back then there was the MoT and they had radar - BUT:
-- No demerit points - back then it was before the demerit point system was introduced, you got a ticket and you paid a fine, but you didn't accumulate points which would lead to losing your license (thank god!).
.
Your memorys going OLD son :whistle:
We used to get points on our licence but it took a shit load longer to get to hand it in stage. I think we only got ten points for a big speeding ticket

tri boy

28th March 2009, 09:26

It's all Patrick's and Scumdog's fault.
Ban them!

macmotortrimmer

28th March 2009, 09:45

So young - you have no idea.

I got my license back in '83 and back then there was the MoT and they had radar - BUT:
- No Hawk/K/Ka - they had no mobile radar at all, they had to park to use their radar.
- No demerit points - back then it was before the demerit point system was introduced, you got a ticket and you paid a fine, but you didn't accumulate points which would lead to losing your license (thank god!).
- No speed cameras - if you were cruising along 15kph above the limit and the cop couldn't be bothered turning around and pulling you over then you didn't get a fine, now it's *click* and a bill in the mail at 11kph over.

This is precisely the point of this thread, I believe. Technology has made it easier for us to get stung when doing very little wrong. Back in the "old days" the cops had to expend some effort to catch the traffic offenders. Nowadays it's like three good tickets and your licence is gone through demerits.

jrandom

28th March 2009, 11:01

Stay away from SH anything. No cops,and the roads are better too.

What he said.

And never forget the awesome utility of a well-timed runner.

McJim

28th March 2009, 11:48

What he said.

And never forget the awesome utility of a well-timed runner.

I'm trying to picture you doing a runner on your Trek treadlie :rofl:

jrandom

28th March 2009, 12:07

I'm trying to picture you doing a runner on your Trek treadlie

I've only ever been pulled over on the pushbike by a motorcycle cop. And we all know the futility of trying to get away from those guys.

Viscount Montgomery

28th March 2009, 12:34

In the 80's you just jumped on your GS1000, CB900, GSX, Z1R, whatever, and cruised at 120-140kph pretty much everywhere you went. Traffic was light, you'd have the whole road to yourself most times, long boring straights you sat on the ton, no-one gave a fuck. You'd see maybe one black&white on a whole days travel.

The country didn't have half a million slit-eyes and various immigrants choking up the population back then, Speed limit got to 80kph and you carried gas at weekends but that didn't matter a hoot. A warrant cost 5 bucks and the fine for not havin' one was 20 bucks, etc... etc...

Fast forward to today, it's all become a can of stinking worms, eg quota chasing highway arseholes, greasy bureaucrats, LTSA, mealy mouthed PC wankers like knackstead and co, armed to the teeth with doctored bullshit statistics and digits on paper, all desperately standing on tip-toes trying to ram their sticky festering penises up all motorcyclists' rectums in general.

Stay the hell away from highways and lurk the backroads instead is all you can do now. Mind you, 100-110 kph is a comfortable enough cruise on a naked, multi-coloured modern yups in one piece leathers tucked arse-up in slippery plastic faired rockets don't get no sympathy from me anyhow

MSTRS

28th March 2009, 13:06

The country didn't have half a million slit-eyes and various immigrants choking up the population back then, Speed limit got to 80kph and you carried gas at weekends but that didn't matter a hoot. A warrant cost 5 bucks and the fine for not havin' one was 20 bucks, etc... etc...

And something like 800+pa road deaths. So it wasn't ALL good....

NZsarge

28th March 2009, 13:13

Thank goodness our lot(riders that is) are are only a few kms away from decent riding roads.

Amen to that brother!

Edbear

28th March 2009, 14:14

True, for the most part. It's all relative. Best 'ping' (other than the odd warning) was back in 1975. I gave the old T500 it's head and saw 110Mph on the clock. Unbeknownst to me, a Hutt City snake was on the job in his 1600 Cortina. Never knew he was there so when he eventually caught up with me, he 'had a chat' and handed me a ticket for 'estimated 65mph' and if I remember right, the fine was $10. Cool! Won't get that today.

If I ran Champion L78's I could run out to 112mph indicated but they would oil up around town, so I used to swap between L82Y's for low-speed riding and put the L78's in before going anywhere out of town. If I left the L82Y's in it would start detonating at 105mph... Figured I didn't want to burn holes in pistons...

Only real tank-slapper I ever had was on that T500, but I loved that bike! Never had a cop pull me up in those days despite the usual 100mph averages...

Ha - the good ol days
crap suspension, worse road conditions with massive potholes, the riding gear and helmets that you could buy were very basic (if you could afford them)

Riding gear? Open face helmet with leather face mask and goggles. Army Greatcoat and my forestry boots. Shame I haven't got a pic!

Howsie

28th March 2009, 18:18

Enjoyed your post Howsie...and its very true.

Some on here will post about the 'good ole' days' on KB....its evolved and changed sure, but its just over six years old!!!

To answer this thread though.....
Things do change, you just have to get wiser in your approach, choose your roads etc, if you are going to stay on SH1 then things will probably not be to you liking for very long.

Sounds like im an old fart aye?? haha and iv only been riding for a few months :D and loving every km that i do

I have already seen posts about exactly that "the good ol' days" on KB!

I agree, there are plenty of other roads to take eg when i travel to Napier from Auckland i usually go to Ngaruwhahia then take SH39 to Te Awamutu then through Mangakino (fantastic roads and scenery through there!!) to Taupo and on to Napier. Something a bit different and more exciting than SH1.

doc

28th March 2009, 18:24

I ride a bike because I enjoy it, not necessarily because I want to speed everywhere and make a loud noise doing it. In saying that, I do speed and I do enjoy it and I love the sound of my bike. My version of “speeding” isn’t fast compared to other riders.

Sounds like your'e ready for a Hog :cool:. Mind you they get criticized for exactly that attitude.

DEATH_INC.

28th March 2009, 18:41

Na, things HAVE changed orright, I've done plenty of stoopid shit you'd never get away with now, been from my mates place just norf of the bridge to my home in whangarei in under an hour the day after I brought my first roadbike, driven an XA falcon at 125+ mph all the way down the southern motorway (on a weekday), been from waihi to mt roskill in a shade over an hour in my V8 mk4 cortina etc etc.... no way you could do that shit now....
I also remember getting busted on a KX125....no reg $40, no wof $25 no licence $25 ..... The cop in the V8 falcon had a good giggle at my trying to outrun him on the road....ah, getting all misty eyed now....things have changed...

Ixion

28th March 2009, 19:59

It's easy to look back with rose coloured spectacles, but the reality is that the good old days had their draw backs.

Sure, when I started riding, cops weren't such a problem. They didn't much go outside the towns, and the only radar they had they had to put it on the roof of the Zephyr, and it was as big as a small refridgerator.

But, as against that, almost all roads outside towns were gravel, or the dreaded pumice. And often bad gravel. Many bikes didn't have rear suspension (at all); some didn't have front brakes (at all) .

Very few (as in very very few) cars could reach 90mph (about 150kph), let alone sustain it for more than a few minutes. Not many bikes could genuinely crack the ton , either, though a bit bigger proportion than cars. And bikes could usually run rings round the wallowing , overturning cars of the period in the twisty stuff.So the cops turning a blind eye to 140kph was rather irrelevant (actually they wouldn't have had much choice, top speed of the Zephyrs was about 135).

Wasn't anything like as much traffic on the roads, cos Mabel didn't drive at all, and the top speed of Cyril's Ford 10 was about 40 mph (seriously) so most people never went far outside the towns. But against that, as noted the roads were almost all gravel, bridges usually one lane and wood paved (very slippery), tyres were shit by todays standards, brakes non existent, and headlamps a mere flicker in the darkness. And when you broke down (which was inevitable) there were no cell phoens ot call for help , and damn few phones of any sort. No air ambulances either.

And while the MoT were on the whole pretty reasonable the local cops in the small towns could be the biggest bastards ever whelped. Back then cities and boroughs could run their own traffic cop department, MoT dealt with the ones that didn't want to and the in between towns stuff. Auckland City cops were OKish but the small towns, if you were an outsider they'd rip you to shreds, cos the township got the fine money amd it was a significant part of their revenue.

Only real good thing was there were no demerits. No tickets either actually, you got a summons.

The reason it's all changed is that now Mabel and Cyril have cages that can do 200kph. Back then cops assumed if you had a car or bike capable of 100mph you probably knew how to handle it. And such vehicles were so rare that they didn't much worry about them . Now, any plonkwit can jump in a 100mph++ car , and 90% of them haven't a clue. And the roads now being so good they all belt along out of town. The cops have to clamp down on it.

The "carry a jerrycan for fuel" thing was a bit of a short lived abberation . around the car-less days era. Earlier on, most general stores had a primitive petrol pump and usually opened weekends. Fuel consumption on most bikes was incredibly better than nowadays (100mpg was considered averagish) so ranges were much longer , maybe 600 , 700 km.

Maybe there was a short golden age when the roads were good, bikes were fast and reliable and had brakes, and the cops were still easy going and Mabel and Cyril hadn't invaded the highways. But if there was, it was only ever going to be a short lived thing.

Forest

28th March 2009, 20:12

Things are better now then they have ever been.

Bikes handle better, stop better, and have more power then ever. Manufacturing quality has improved massively and maintenance requirements have been reduced. They're also remained affordable relative to NZ wages.

Petrol is cheap for what it gives you. It's available almost everywhere. Fuel quality is (for the most part) consistently good and it can now be purchased at 24 hour stations and on Sundays.

Roads are better designed. Road signage is good and and road surfaces are better then they ever were. Yes there is more traffic around, but once you get out of the cities that extra traffic tends to stay on the main state highways.

Coppers are better organised and there's more of them. However the flipside of this is that they're better able to respond to road accidents and road emergencies.

Ixion

28th March 2009, 20:18

Good point about the cost of fuel. Back in the day, petrol was only 3/4 a gallon. That's about 7 cents a litre. BUT -- a wage of $20 a week was damn good money. So to fill y' tank with , say 20 litres took about 7% of your weekly income. Equivalent to over $70 nowadays. Or, in other terms , compared to wages , petrol cost about $3.50 a litre. Which is one reason why motorbikes were so popular for transport.

MotoGirl

28th March 2009, 20:22

munterk6

28th March 2009, 20:26

ok, so the gummint have upped the ante with new technology to "catch" us BAD BAD bikers for going faster than their prescribed speed limit, we also need to get with the times and beat'em at their own game.
I saw an experimental device that can put out a pulse of radio frequency waves powerful enough to cook the on coming police car's ECU...wow.:drool:
Result is the tax collector/gummint agent/highway patrol officer's car is last seen in your rearview mirror pulling over to the side of the road and incapable of issuing any more infringement notices to unsuspecting bikers.
ya gotta be quick on the trigger tho, coz they will have the same device as well!

geoffm

29th March 2009, 18:02

Been riding since 1987. THings have got worse - yese bikes might be better - but how many people can use their bikes ability to the max anyway, and there are still some pretty dire pieces of cost accountancy in the showrooms.

More to the point - there is more traffic on the roads, and more trucks.
The roads are worse by far - sure they may be better than the gravel tracks of 1963, but I don't recall the melted tar and tar snakes in my yoof. This is relatively recent - maybe the last few years where it has become so commonplace.

Geoff

Motu

29th March 2009, 21:05

but I don't recall the melted tar and tar snakes in my yoof. This is relatively recent - maybe the last few years where it has become so commonplace.
Geoff

No,it's been around even longer than ancients like me.I remember my father moaning about melted tar on his beloved Hillman Minx in the 1950's.They used to lay sand on the melted tar on the roads in my area - I used to enjoy sliding on the sand in the corners.But bikes,riders and tyres of the day were up to the task.I ride a bike from the '80's,with tyres from the '60's....don't no measly surface conditions catch me out.

pritch

29th March 2009, 22:24

This year it will be fifty years since I learned to ride. My first bike was only good for 74mph. Another one would keep vibrating your feet off the pegs if you tried to sustain 80mph.

It'd probably be possible to buy bikes like that today if you looked hard but no thanks.

We couldn't have even dreamed up the bikes that are available now back then. They were completely beyond our comprehension. 2009 looks like being the best year ever for motorcycling, possibly only to be surpassed by 2010. And so on, until the oil starts to run out. It may eventually become socially unacceptable to use oil on such frivolous pursuits as recreation...

This thread reminds me of a fishing book I read years ago. There was a passage that went something like,
"The rivers today are all polluted, and where once you had the stream to yourself the bank is now crowded with other fishermen. Recent improvements in equipment though, more than make up for the disadvantages."

The Practical Angler by W C Stewart, was written in 1853...