Just started riding after a 16 year break (Apriliaboy)

**Apriliaboy** · 12th August 2009, 12:47

Many years ago my first bike was a brand new Honda GB250 followed pretty soon after by a Yamaha RZ350L, a distant memory. 16 years later did quite a bit of research and just took delivery of a 2006 Aprilia RSV1000R.

Leathered up and went for my first ride in 16 years, was a tad apprehensive to say the least. After a few dozen wobbly slow speed city corners, roundabouts (still have not mastered these) it started to mostly come back, only stalled it once. Probably not the best bike to learn on but I must say only took about 5 hours of continuous riding over the weekend and now I'm starting to have some fun and a big fat grin on my face. Jeeze this is a fantastic bike, can thoroughly recommend to anyone.

Is anyone aware of any rider training track days coming up in the Canterbury area anytime soon?

**StoneY** · 12th August 2009, 12:50

Hey, welcome back to riding, I'm four or five months into my return after similar time not having bikes

You chose the right place, there are threads here that link to mentors and training courses, just site search man.

Nice ride to get back in with too, take care till ya tame that beast bro!

**Insanity_rules** · 12th August 2009, 14:17

Welcome back and welcome to KB! Good on yer for riding italian too. Now remember please keep your hands on the vehicle at all times, rubber side down and don't feed the KBers as they'll start to expect it.

**OutForADuck** · 12th August 2009, 14:28

Bloody brilliant mate.. welcome back!!

**fire eyes** · 14th August 2009, 09:09

welcome back dude

**Markw336** · 23rd August 2009, 11:44

welcome back to Riding have fun on your aprilla just dont speed too much lol

**YellowDog** · 23rd August 2009, 11:54

Originally Posted by Apriliaboy

Many years ago my first bike was a brand new Honda GB250 followed pretty soon after by a Yamaha RZ350L, a distant memory. 16 years later did quite a bit of research and just took delivery of a 2006 Aprilia RSV1000R.

Leathered up and went for my first ride in 16 years, was a tad apprehensive to say the least. After a few dozen wobbly slow speed city corners, roundabouts (still have not mastered these) it started to mostly come back, only stalled it once. Probably not the best bike to learn on but I must say only took about 5 hours of continuous riding over the weekend and now I'm starting to have some fun and a big fat grin on my face. Jeeze this is a fantastic bike, can thoroughly recommend to anyone.

Is anyone aware of any rider training track days coming up in the Canterbury area anytime soon?

I am very pleased for you. Well done and you clearly have a great attitude regarding training.

Bikes have evolved a great deal over the past 16 years and there are a lot of age group stats that you really do want to avoid contributing to.

I remember my Morini 250 that I could barely hang onto when I first got it in the in the 1980s. Then I had an RD400 - Great bike.

But these were nothing like what I now ride (apart from having two wheels).

After riding scooters to et from A- B for a few years, I thought it was time to get back into real bikes again, re-starting off with a 650cc 7 years ago.

Have fun and take care out there.

**Mainland Mike** · 23rd August 2009, 12:02

Hi. Check out this site. http://www.driveschool.co.nz/motorcycles. I'm one of the instructors there. We do training for beginners, road courses and advanced track training to improve your open road skills, and a more advanced one beyond that for ones wanting to lift their skills for have a go days or road racing. Feel free to call for details. By the way you've got a good bike, I used to have one.

**Bren** · 23rd August 2009, 13:42

Welcome back to the wonderful world of widing!

**Okey Dokey** · 23rd August 2009, 13:52

Hello and welcome. Kb has lots of info at your fingertips. Good idea to do a course, someone will be bound to point you in the right direction. Stay upright!

**Metalor** · 24th August 2009, 19:41

Welcome mate!

Be bloody careful on that Aprillia, it's a powerful piece of machinery and (not saying this is what you're like) those 'older' riders who get back into biking after a long break contribute to the motorcycle fatality numbers the most... Good to see you're planning to get a bit of training.