Is this a sign to give up road riding?

**cowboyz** · 29th September 2009, 21:10

ok. being a fairly serious now....

I have done fuck knows how many ks on the road. I guess most round here would consider me a fast rider but I dont actually ride as quick as people think I do. I clocked up a few demerit points on and off and been playing around the 60-90 points for a few years now.

So the last little while I have tried being vary caucious on the bike. To the point where I spend more time looking at the speedo than the road. I find a moments lack of concentration and I am back cruising at 120-130. A few corners linked together and 150-160 is no out of order.

So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)

So I am thinking that I just dont have the self control required to ride a sportsbike on public roads. And keeping in mind, my bike is 11 years old. It still has some serious go in it but put it next to a late model R1 or ZX10 and it looks very old.

So time to give it away as a bad idea? Rethink how I ride and what I want to be riding.

Oh.. and in over 20 years of riding I have had 2 accidents.. neither a single bike accident and both deemed to be others fault by insurance companies so its not about a "Im riding too fast and worried about killing myself thread"

My other train of thought.. is this is the first time I have lost my licence. Is this normal thoughts for losing ones licence and will pass after 3 months?

thoughts?

**Thani-B** · 29th September 2009, 21:15

Originally Posted by cowboyz

So now demerits have finally caught up with me and its looking like a summer of walking. (which kinda sucks)

That does suck. I would hold on to the bike and see how you feel at the end of the 3 months. And then decide.

**Danae** · 29th September 2009, 21:17

I reckon you should get a smaller capacity bike. Going fast on a slow bike is more fun than going slow on a fast bike. It'll be harder to start cruising at 120-130 range (you'll notice you are going faster). However get a bike that can still make it up to the faster speeds.

**_STAIN_** · 29th September 2009, 21:25

ah you just need a change of bike for a while, I got a dirty ol XT600 here to keep me knobbled at times. It old tied and sick, good day, tail wind 119kph.

**FJRider** · 29th September 2009, 21:26

Pretty normal actually. A different type of bike ... as suggested ... a smaller capacity bike may be. OR a classic machine that is simply difficut to get to licence losing speeds.

Or spending time and dosh on the current bike, and see how you feel after 3 months walking... or being driven.

Decide then.

**Dafe** · 29th September 2009, 21:27

You need to buy the latest & greatest sport bike you can find.

On my old SV thou, I used to push it because stupidly enough, I felt I had something to prove.
On a GSX-R thou, I actually cruise and let the cars go past me. I just sit 110 on the motorway, I don't feel there's anything to prove on that sort of bike, so I actually enjoy going at my pace.

**Shadows** · 29th September 2009, 21:31

Time to buy a Harley

**cowboyz** · 29th September 2009, 21:32

so general concenus is that its kawasakis fault for building such a fine piece of machinery! (hahaha)

I really think its a headspace thing. I need to find some way of taming the speeds.... Maybe a smaller bike would do it but would I want to do the 4 points or grand challenge on a smaller bike? Maybe a touring bike would be more suitable? comments on how easy the speed gets out of hand on a big tourer?

**cowboyz** · 29th September 2009, 21:37

Originally Posted by Dafe

You need to buy the latest & greatest sport bike you can find.

On my old SV thou, I used to push it because stupidly enough, I felt I had something to prove.
On a GSX-R thou, I actually cruise and let the cars go past me. I just sit 110 on the motorway, I don't feel there's anything to prove on that sort of bike, so I actually enjoy going at my pace.

I hear what your saying... but the problem is "my pace" is about 20-30k faster than the "police pace"

I been doing this a really long time.. I dont feel like I got anything to prove. I ride with the yokels. Some days I let the big boys go. Some days I dont. I prefer to travel in a group cause I tend to stay out of trouble then. its when I on my own I have trouble. I went to rotorua a couple of weeks ago, on my own. Got pulled over twice in one night (and the second time I was REALLY trying not to speed!
It comes down to responisbility and I just dont think I am responisble enough to own a sportsbike.

**R6_kid:Me** · 29th September 2009, 21:37

Originally Posted by Danae

I reckon you should get a smaller capacity bike. Going fast on a slow bike is more fun than going slow on a fast bike. It'll be harder to start cruising at 120-130 range (you'll notice you are going faster). However get a bike that can still make it up to the faster speeds.

Yep. Get an old school naked bike, or just a naked bike. The wind in your face is a natural barrier that'll make you want to go a bit slower.

**86GSXR** · 29th September 2009, 21:42

You're just reacting to the shock. It's normal to have these reflective moments after a major bummer such as this. The answer is simple. Stick to the speed limit on the major roads and try not to tempt fate. There are plenty of brilliant quiet back country roads around to have fun on.

However, that is sometimes easier said than done. Major roads give me the willies. When you get your license back just remember how inconvenient it was without it, that may work.

**ManDownUnder** · 29th September 2009, 21:46

If you ever find yourself in this position a 2nd time ... then hell yes - ask the question.

**FJRider** · 29th September 2009, 21:48

Originally Posted by cowboyz

Comments on how easy the speed gets out of hand on a big tourer?

As a general rule, the tourers are a little higher geared .. so speed can get up there ...but not usually as quickly. How fast to get up to those speeds, depends on the bike you get.