Are you experienced?

**Pogo2** · 10th October 2009, 14:09

Surely has to be a mix of both experiences and attitude combined to provide longevity.

**MarkH** · 10th October 2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by Maki

So, are you experienced, and what do you think makes an "experienced biker"?

Am I experienced? Yes & No - It's all relative innit! I am very experienced compared with a cager with a desire to ride that has never actually been on a bike. But compared to someone that has been riding for many years and has clocked up many hundreds of thousands of kms then no, not at all.

It's like sex - to a virgin someone that has had sex a dozen times is an experienced lover, to Hugh Hefner someone that has had sex a few hundred times is an inexperienced novice.

**98tls** · 10th October 2009, 20:55

Originally Posted by MarkH

Am I experienced? Yes & No - It's all relative innit! I am very experienced compared with a cager with a desire to ride that has never actually been on a bike. But compared to someone that has been riding for many years and has clocked up many hundreds of thousands of kms then no, not at all.

It's like sex - to a virgin someone that has had sex a dozen times is an experienced lover, to Hugh Hefner someone that has had sex a few hundred times is an inexperienced novice.

For many years Hugh Hefners ridden nothing but GN250s powered by avgas or similar,hard

ly
an experiance worth noting.

**ManDownUnder** · 10th October 2009, 21:02

Yes - I've seen over 300,000kms in the saddle, seen guys fall off, done it myself. Known people that have died, seen some amasing successes on the track, and some pitiful failures hit the road.

But... the thing that makes qualifies me to say it... I have nothing to prove. I leave my ego at the door.

**Flip** · 10th October 2009, 22:13

I am not experienced I am a leather clad tinker bell.

**Cr1MiNaL** · 10th October 2009, 23:39

I'm the shit around these parts.

**James Deuce** · 11th October 2009, 05:57

**crazyhorse** · 11th October 2009, 06:00

Originally Posted by James Deuce

......

OMG!!! that is not a good picture................. hope all is ok with the rider, as the tree looks ok

**Owl** · 11th October 2009, 06:03

Who put that god damn mother fucken tree in the middle of the god damn mother fucken grass?

**StoneY** · 11th October 2009, 06:05

$0.02
I would say i was experienced, yes

But that experience is what tells me I cannot take that corner as fast as (foe example only) ScuzemE or KGB who easily beat me up the taka's with no effort spent (or needed)

Despite over 200 thou at the handlebars, im only JUST experienced enough to have discovered MY limits, and to realize both my rides have far more ability than the current owner has when riding them

**Ms Piggy** · 11th October 2009, 12:38

Originally Posted by Maki

So, are you experienced, and what do you think makes an "experienced biker"?

As someone else has said: how long is a piece of string. I don't consider myself an experienced rider even though I've ridden a few thousand km's in the 6 years I've been riding and that's included a couple of trips to the South Island and daily commuting on and off (on at the moment).

For me I'll always be learning. I know I am definitely a much better rider now that I was the 1st time I slung my leg over but I also recognise my limitations...it really like the song that never ends.

I remember a friend of mine who I consider a very experienced rider saying to me 1 day that if you're not a little nervous when you're riding over somewhere like the Rimutaka's then you're taking riding for granted - basically he was saying that even with all his years of riding he never took for granted that being an experienced rider made him less vulnerable. That makes sense to me!

**mansell** · 11th October 2009, 19:56

Been riding over thirty years, seen more of this country from a saddle than most and still don't consider myself an experienced rider. I have too many (some would say way too many) bad habits that too many years and too many miles have ingrained into my soul. Mind you I was in Otago yeaterday and theres an intersting training day coming up in Dunedin.

None of us can answer a question about how experienced we are.

Keep on riding