Warning- for when you up the pace.

[beyond]

Let the naysayers butt out here and now.......
I don't care who you are or how long you have been riding or how much you tell people you do not speed.... if you are a motorcyclist you are going to push the boundaries at some time and at some place.

That is a cold hard fact!

This is a warning so you know what to expect when you do up the pace. You may be riding along nice and carefully and someone shoots past and you feel like a play and twist the throttle and tuck in behind.

You might be on a group ride with a lot of experienced riders and all of a sudden you get caught along with a more rapidly paced ride.

You might be having an awesome ride all on your own and everything comes together beautifully... like being right in "the zone" (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d.php?t=102234)
and you start going faster and quicker than before.

When you up the pace, your bike starts to behave differently and you need to be aware of what is taking place:

1. Centrifugal forces start to come into play at far greater levels the faster you go. This means you need to "muscle" the bike more and counter steer harder to drop it into corners. The faster you go the more likely you are to swing wide which means on a right hander you might end up doing some unwanted gardening, or on a left hander you become a bonnet badge on someones oncoming vehicle.
On some bikes, at speeds above a certain level, this extra muscling required can cause head shake which if you are not aware at what level this creeps in, you can lose control. It is important you do not tense up but steer the bike into the corner with a light grip on the bars so the bike can have it;s way.
The moment you tense up you will end up exacerbating any issues.

2. The faster you go the more time will be compressed which means things happen very quickly. You need to be fully alert and continually scanning the road ahead as far as you can see while keeping an eye on the road surface and things happening in close proximity In short... you better have bloody good reflexes which means no drugs, drink or lack of sleep induced weariness. If you aren't in the right frame of mind do not twist that throttle.

3. You need to be able to brake faster, harder and with more control and smoothness than ever before because when things go wrong they go wrong very quickly at speed. You really need to have rehearsed in your mind what you would do if any number of things were to happen. Have in mind an escape route, do not panic, do not let the adrenaline rush allow you to do anything stupid. Control the rush, keep an even state of mind, look where you want to go, aim for the gap, if you know you won't stop in time, then plan a safer exit point. Prempt another drivers directions and plan to move a different way if they change their minds.

4. Your bike needs to be top notch. Brakes and pads up to scratch, tyre pressures correct and suspension sorted for your weight and height.

5. This isn't a licence to speed but before you push the boundaries you need to know the boundaries of your own mental state and your bike before you decide to twist that throttle and give it a go. I don't care what anyone has to say but you are going to twist that throttle at some time and you better be ready for it. Practice on quiet roads in areas where you will not end up paying for John Keys lunch.

You will learn a hell of a lot about how your bike handles and reacts when pushed because I can assure you right now the harder you ride the more different your bike will handle and for some that aren't aware, it WILL scare the shit out of you.

Be warned and be prepared.

[Katman]

I don't care who you are or how long you have been riding or how much you tell people you do not speed.... if you are a motorcyclist you are going to push the boundaries at some time and at some place.

A lot of us don't come on here and wank on about it though.

[CookMySock]

I think that type of skill should be developed in a safe environment before being put into use on the road.

While that is interesting to read, and I don't disagree with you technically, but I think it's dangerous and innappropriate to suggest to non-racers that they can just abide by your five simple instructions and they are in the ball-park. I don't think they will be anywhere near the ballpark.

This is the reason why ACC should sponsor trackdays - so people so inclined can have a burst on the track and develop some skills safely.

Perhaps once they have said skills, it might be forgivable to operate on public roads with them, but not to experiment and develop them.


Steve

[2wheeldrifter]

If you didn't all ready know that....................

You shouldn't be riding bikes!

[beyond]

True but if I can come on here and NOT wank about it and perhaps prepare a few for what might happen, there might be a lot less casualties.

Why oh why do you always have to put down a post that may have positive repercussions for some?

[beyond]

If you didn't all ready know that....................

You shouldn't be riding bikes!

A lot of people don't know this when they first start to push their bikes which is why we have so many accidents.

[Katman]

True but if I can come on here and NOT wank about it

Let us know when you do.

[beyond]

Let us know when you do.

Just did if you were reading.

[Katman]

Just did if you were reading.

Quite frankly Paul, the likes of you wanking on about pushing your boundries and finding 'the zone' is what causes a large percentage of Motorcycling's accidents.

[YellowDog]

Personally I do think this is a good post as it is addressing something quite wrong that happens on a regular basis. The results of which are ofen tragic.

Yes ACC should sponsor track days. It is the only safe place to practice new skills and needs to be accessible to all..

[beyond]

I think that type of skill should be developed in a safe environment before being put into use on the road.

While that is interesting to read, and I don't disagree with you technically, but I think it's dangerous and innappropriate to suggest to non-racers that they can just abide by your five simple instructions and they are in the ball-park. I don't think they will be anywhere near the ballpark.

This is the reason why ACC should sponsor trackdays - so people so inclined can have a burst on the track and develop some skills safely.

Perhaps once they have said skills, it might be forgivable to operate on public roads with them, but not to experiment and develop them.


Steve

Trouble is Steve, most people will not go on the track and most people will at some point in their life speed and push the pace when riding. Many accidents result from riders on their own just going straight off corners and this is why.

[MadDuck]

Quite frankly Paul, the likes of you wanking on about pushing your boundries and finding 'the zone' is what causes a large percentage of Motorcycling's accidents.

Can you present some numbers to substantiate this claim? I would be intrigued to see them.

[Katman]

Trouble is Steve, most people will not go on the track

Is that because you might be shown up to be only average?

[CookMySock]

Trouble is Steve, most people will not go on the track and most people will at some point in their life speed and push the pace when riding. Many accidents result from riders on their own just going straight off corners and this is why.

Well I agree with you bro. I actually did exactly what you warn about.

Maybe you are right. You make valid points. But I stand by my statement - get on the track and do the development, then put it in practice on the road.

A trackday is only a hundred bucks. Do it.


Steve

[beyond]

Quite frankly Paul, the likes of you wanking on about pushing your boundries and finding 'the zone' is what causes a large percentage of Motorcycling's accidents.

You on your own again tonight mate? Wanking seems to be at the forefront of your vocabulary but FYI I'm happily married so don't have to wank.

I say again... anyone who owns a motorbike is going to up the pace and you saying they won't unless they read about it is pure and simple bullshit. If they know what to expect then they are less likely to be one of those ACC stats where a lone rider has decided to go bush.

Instead of shoving tips back down the throats of people that give them... why don't you just get with the program or start you own site on tips on how to wank.