So you think you're an ADVENTURE rider?

**RedKLR650** · 15th June 2009, 21:38

Originally Posted by ducatijim

Sorry 2 hear of Freddys wee accident, but, I tire of telling my fellow rural road 'adventurers'...don't ride it like you own the roads, out here we do.Sorry bout that folks, its just a fact of life in rural NZ.

( 1 of the benefits of being the backbone of the country I guess......)
Period.

I know what you're saying Jim, but I still believe when a motorist is doing the speed limit ( or below in Freds case - he travels everywhere at 80-100kph ) when in their correct lane, on a sealed two lane road, has a right to expect a clear road ahead or are you suggesting we should slow down to 5kph before every corner in case a machine taking up both lanes of the road comes around the corner doing 40kph in the opposite direction ?

But being raised on a farm in the boonies, I also understand your point of view.

Maybe we should give all overseas travellers a handbook explaining this when they arrive ?

Stu

**NordieBoy** · 15th June 2009, 22:16

Or the biker that got taken out on Sat on Seaton Road over Mapua way when he went up the back of a car that was reversing over a brow...

**Woodman** · 15th June 2009, 22:21

If it is a blind corner or a brow, it is your choice how you wanna take it at the end of the day.

**XF650** · 15th June 2009, 22:42

Sorry to read of Freds accident - he's out there doing what most of us can only dream of and I trust he can continue his journey soon.
However it's a timely reminder of the hazards on our country roads. I used to farm & nowdays drive rural districts with work, so I know the hazards. Yet I still regularily have to take evasive action, from either wandering stock, farm vehicles & dogs, contractor machinery or bloody tourists hogging the road. Heck, I'v even helped to put down animals that have been injured by motorists. Note however that I'v also more than once been in "heated discussions" with those that cause these hazards.
Knowing what can be around the next corner or over the next rise might explain one reason why I often ride slower than others on my bike. Fault aside, one still has to drive & ride defensively, although ABS brakes sure can help!!

**ducatijim** · 16th June 2009, 16:34

One thing you can be SURE of, is that the so called 'offending' machine was less than 3.5m wide.
3.5m does not require a pilot in daylite.
SPFH's with a grass front( unlikely at this time of year) are under 3.5m.
SPFH with a maize front( more likely) have a folding Kemper head which folds down to 3.5m.
Combine harvester( most likely) have 36' and bigger heads, which they HAVE to remove and end-tow along behind.
If the operater was exceeding ANY of these dimensions.....the cop would have ROASTED him. Belive me.
Even a 3.5m head not entirely on his side of the road, would leave a wee margine for error if the rider was not TOO commited to his corner line.
Sorry Fred, but folk like me have to WORK on your playground. Watch for us!

**skidMark** · 16th June 2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by Padmei

Agreed. Remember the old TV ads 'country people die on country roads". They were put on for a reason. Gives me the shits coming round a corner seeing a ute or worse in the middle of the road.

yep i had one on a road into a remote town (was tarmac though)

comes around the corner on completely the wrong side of the road.... my left hand and bar hit the roadside reflector stick, my right elbow hit thier mirror.... i dont think he ever saw me until we hit...

went and bought a lotto ticket when i got to the town....

**junkmanjoe** · 16th June 2009, 21:07

is a timely reminder...beaware at all times, and learn to look around corners.....wish...
a few close calls with animals.
i also travel at or just under the speed limit,,, and mostly at back off the pack..i like it back there..
JMJ

**Padmei** · 17th June 2009, 07:49

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

is a timely reminder...beaware at all times, and learn to look around corners.....wish...
a few close calls with animals.
i also travel at or just under the speed limit,,, and mostly at back off the pack..i lke it back there..
JMJ

Then why do you want a KTM950? Not a bike made for going slow really is it?

**awayatc** · 17th June 2009, 08:30

Originally Posted by Padmei

seeing a ute or worse in the middle of the road.

ute or horse you mean....?

Country people use country means to make a country living.......not unusual at all to run into all manner of machinery and livestock to inconvenience sightseers.....

Stopping within half the distance you can see and all comes to mind...

Wouldn't have survived to be 50 myself without such basic selfpreservation techniques......

All the best for Fred's Recovery, and glad to hear damage to man and machine was relatively minor......

**junkmanjoe** · 17th June 2009, 09:25

Originally Posted by Padmei

Then why do you want a KTM950? Not a bike made for going slow really is it?

well i disagree with you.
you could own a CBR1000 capable of doing over 280+ kms
open road..and its easy to ride at 100kms open road, or at 50kms around town.

KTM950, KTM990, yes can go like the clappers, and be first on race day.
or just tootle along at the back.
i dont feel just because the bike has a 950 cc or just under.
dosnt mean you have to ride it full tit all day long,,,,
maybe your bike is to big and powerfull for you,
why do you have so many spills on your bike.
is it the bike, rideing to fast for the conditons, or in experienced rider on an over sized bike.

the reason i would like to own such a bike.
is im experienced on larger road bikes, have good skills of off road rideing.
ive learnt to read the road in my own way, on or off road rideing, and im always searching for hazzards.

started rideing farm bikes at age 7, ( CT90 )
from that i moved in to XR250 then up to XR500 pro link.
my first road bike was a VFR 400.
my last road bike was a CBR600.
ive been rideing bikes for just on 30 years.
im more happy rideing a heaver bike, and sitting higher gives more visabilaty.
It is my goal and will be till one is sitting in my garage.

**Ruralman** · 17th June 2009, 14:53

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

well i disagree with you.
you could own a CBR1000 capable of doing over 280+ kms
open road..and its easy to ride at 100kms open road, or at 50kms around town.

KTM950, KTM990, yes can go like the clappers, and be first on race day.
or just tootle along at the back.
i dont feel just because the bike has a 950 cc or just under.
dosnt mean you have to ride it full tit all day long,,,,
maybe your bike is to big and powerfull for you,
why do you have so many spills on your bike.
is it the bike, rideing to fast for the conditons, or in experienced rider on an over sized bike.

the reason i would like to own such a bike.
is im experienced on larger road bikes, have good skills of off road rideing.
ive learnt to read the road in my own way, on or off road rideing, and im always searching for hazzards.

started rideing farm bikes at age 7, ( CT90 )
from that i moved in to XR250 then up to XR500 pro link.
my first road bike was a VFR 400.
my last road bike was a CBR600.
ive been rideing bikes for just on 30 years.
im more happy rideing a heaver bike, and sitting higher gives more visabilaty.
It is my goal and will be till one is sitting in my garage.

Well said - good luck getting to your goal and I hope the DR gives you a great run until then

**Box'a'bits** · 17th June 2009, 17:49

Ambitions of owning a KTM 950 eh? Welcome to the orange (dark) side.
But, Joe, is that why you've got a picture of a KTM 640a in your signature line???

**Padmei** · 17th June 2009, 18:06

Wow roll down the shirtsleeves joe...

Points are well taken however my question still stands - Why a 950? I don't recall any posts of 950 owners that doesn't mention throttle response & tyre spinning. If you're not planning on going fast on it wouldn't there be a more appropriate bike.

**Woodman** · 17th June 2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

well i disagree with you.
you could own a CBR1000 capable of doing over 280+ kms
open road..and its easy to ride at 100kms open road, or at 50kms around town.

KTM950, KTM990, yes can go like the clappers, and be first on race day.
or just tootle along at the back.
i dont feel just because the bike has a 950 cc or just under.
dosnt mean you have to ride it full tit all day long,,,,
maybe your bike is to big and powerfull for you,
why do you have so many spills on your bike.
is it the bike, rideing to fast for the conditons, or in experienced rider on an over sized bike.

the reason i would like to own such a bike.
is im experienced on larger road bikes, have good skills of off road rideing.
ive learnt to read the road in my own way, on or off road rideing, and im always searching for hazzards.

started rideing farm bikes at age 7, ( CT90 )
from that i moved in to XR250 then up to XR500 pro link.
my first road bike was a VFR 400.
my last road bike was a CBR600.
ive been rideing bikes for just on 30 years.
im more happy rideing a heaver bike, and sitting higher gives more visabilaty.
It is my goal and will be till one is sitting in my garage.

I must admit that when i was following you for a bit on the niis it was very obvious that you look way ahead compared to other riders. A couple of times I was wondering why you crossed into the right track and then way ahead there was a puddle/rock or some such hazard.
I personally would not have a ktm 990 because I like to ride reasonably aggressively off road and come to enough grief with the KLR.