Morons on Grays Road, Pauatahanui yesterday

[Beemer]

I think Beemer you and your husband have just gained a small bit of understanding of what it is to be in the boots of a police officer when you see something driving dangerously, stop and speak to them, and tell them they are to be prosecuted.

All of a sudden you are mistaken and it is all someones elses fault.

Yeah, sorry, you've lost me too! Are you saying that every police officer who pulls over a motorcyclist for what he/she perceives to be dangerous riding behaviour is in the wrong? Or are you obtusely trying to say that every motorcyclist who ever gets pulled over (the KB law) is wrongly targeted by people who wouldn't know amazingly skillful riding if it jumped up and bit them on the arse?

'... something driving dangerously' - um, things don't drive dangerously, people do.

Or is this a dig at us for something you think we've personally done to you (whoever you are)?

[Fatjim]

It was a windy road as in twisty - but it was also quite windy as in blowing a gale (blowing a Gail is something you may do personally...).

We were in a sports car, so not quite the laid-back family saloon, and it was occupied by two motorcyclists, one (my husband) with more than 30 years' riding experience. Trust me, if he thought they were riding like total tossers, then it's a pretty safe bet they were. Overtaking on double yellow lines in the path of oncoming cars, doing WAY more than the speed limit for that road AND nearly losing it is dumb behaviour in my view. And he was right on top of us when he overtook, not 30 feet away.

I have driven and ridden that road regularly for about 23 years and while I don't think the road is inherently dangerous, it has very little margin for error. The sea/inlet on one side and mostly a bank on the other. Visibility is not that great, which is probably why it has yellow lines for most of it. The limit of 80kph is about right - there are few parts where 100kms would be safe.

Unless your blokes 'vette a modern one it is not a sports car, it is touring car, and having said that, not a very good one. Thay also place the driver low, much lowe than a motorcyclist, and this often means hundreds of meters less in visability. There's many places on Greys road I wouldn't consider ovetaking in a car, regardless of the power, because I can't see round corners that I would in a bike, even a GN250, because I can see round corners.

In fact, I when i drive that road I rarely get to 80k, the posted speed limit. But on a bike, I often get to 180k, but not where it will kill me.

PS, having more than 30 years of riding experience alone does not qualify him to make that judgement. Unless you ride aggressively, you are unlikely to be in a postition to judge. I know its a bit of a quandry, but thats life. I kow many riders with many more k's under the belt than I (Most of them are old and decrepid), yet we ride completely differently. I know many riders with far less k's under the belt than me who are safer than me at high speeds, because they ride that way.

[Beemer]

Unless your blokes 'vette a modern one it is not a sports car, it is touring car, and having said that, not a very good one. Thay also place the driver low, much lowe than a motorcyclist, and this often means hundreds of meters less in visability. There's many places on Greys road I wouldn't consider ovetaking in a car, regardless of the power, because I can't see round corners that I would in a bike, even a GN250, because I can see round corners.

In fact, I when i drive that road I rarely get to 80k, the posted speed limit. But on a bike, I often get to 180k, but not where it will kill me.

PS, having more than 30 years of riding experience alone does not qualify him to make that judgement. Unless you ride aggressively, you are unlikely to be in a postition to judge. I know its a bit of a quandry, but thats life. I kow many riders with many more k's under the belt than I (Most of them are old and decrepid), yet we ride completely differently. I know many riders with far less k's under the belt than me who are safer than me at high speeds, because they ride that way.

For a start, it's not my 'bloke's 'vette' it's actually mine. We may have been lower down than the rider but I don't need to be on a bike to be unimpressed at him overtaking on double yellow lines at a far greater speed than the posted speed limit, at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon with HEAPS of traffic heading in both directions AND watching his back tyre wobble all over the road EVERY time he powered on.

My husband is a bloody experienced rider, on and off road, and the majority of people who meet him (and he'll hate me saying this) are impressed with his riding ability. But then he doesn't ride like a tosser or boast about the speeds he travels so I suppose as far as you're concerned he's a loser.

If you're riding at 180kph around Grays Road then sorry, you're a dickhead and one day you will come to grief. Being a good rider is NOT just about speed.

I don't come on here moaning about every bike that overtakes me at speed - hell, I've done it myself at times. What I do moan about - and feel I am justified in doing so - is seeing dangerous behaviour from TWO motorcyclists who didn't seem to give a flying fuck about anyone else on THEIR road. Sorry if that upsets you. Trust me, if I'd got his rego properly, I wouldn't bother posting on here, I'd report him.

[mangell6]

From the description of what occured it is merely another rider trying to keep up with his mate and pushing the envelope, instead of waiting for a better passing opportunity, happens all the time on the Rimas and elsewhere. I just shake my head and believe in Darwinian Theory. It is a pity that sometimes when riding the gene pool that others are affected.

Greys road is not dangerous, people need to learn to DRIVE and TURN the steering wheel and JUDGE SPEED and DISTANCES.

[Beemer]

I totally agree. The front rider wasn't exactly riding within the law, but he appeared to be able to handle it, whereas the second rider was close to his limits and we fully expected him to come off. And what would the headlines have read? "Dangerous road claims another victim" or "Motorcyclist loses life in high speed crash" - instead of the truth "Karma pays back diot trying to catch up with his mate".

That road is pretty busy even when it isn't a holiday (it was New Year's Day) and overtaking everything in sight was fairly stupid. On a wide road with good visibility and an escape route, not a problem, but on a narrow winding road with nowhere to go on either side if anything goes wrong, it's crazy.

[Fatjim]

Beemer, to me you come accross as a moaning nana, and name calling ain't helping much.

[pritch]

Shit oh dear! Some of the replies to this thread seemed rather startling... But then I remembered we're pretty close to the full moon - again.
10/10 to the respondent that mentioned that #24 was likely playing catch up and was out of his depth.

[Ratti]

Im with Beemer on this one. the road is not inherently dangerous. Its a tricky ride if one is not too experienced. I have had occasion to wonder if me and my venerable Kwaka would end up in the drink. ONly the idea of acute embarrassment at having to admit to same saved me.
a fishtail wiggle would indicate one of two things, either the rider is outside his/her experience level or the bike is not set up properly. either way, its just plain lunacy to overtake on double yellow lines. there are bugger all parts of that road that are ok to overtake on. I was travelling that road on New Years day and it was really busy. A constant stream of traffic combined with a nutcase is asking for trouble. Just as well the riders angels can fly as fast as s/he was riding...

[Fatjim]

either way, its just plain lunacy to overtake on double yellow lines. there are bugger all parts of that road that are ok to overtake on. .

Mate, that is just plain bullshit. I count 7/8 straights before the hill that are pefectly acceptable to overtake, even on a low powered bike. Add to that the many corners that you might, with the advantage of greater visability, with some speed on quite happily overtake.

As for wobble, yeah, it sounds suss. Could also be the guy doesn't move around smoothly, or he's a lard ass like me.

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Mate, that is just plain bullshit. I count 7/8 straights before the hill that are pefectly acceptable to overtake, even on a low powered bike. Add to that the many corners that you might, with the advantage of greater visability, with some speed on quite happily overtake.

As for wobble, yeah, it sounds suss. Could also be the guy doesn't move around smoothly, or he's a lard ass like me.

Not being funny but you are posting from your own experience level and your own bike power. As the bike in question has not been identified and the biker was obviously riding outside of his/ her ability level how can you deem to comment that the issue is bull?

From what I have read the second rider is trying to keep up with a more experienced friend - who is a cock by the sounds of it as he was egging the second rider onto dangerous speeds (for his/ her skill level).

If the owner of xxx24 is reading this - I would seriously consider finding different people to go riding with.

[huff3r]

Mate, that is just plain bullshit. I count 7/8 straights before the hill that are pefectly acceptable to overtake, even on a low powered bike. Add to that the many corners that you might, with the advantage of greater visability, with some speed on quite happily overtake.

As for wobble, yeah, it sounds suss. Could also be the guy doesn't move around smoothly, or he's a lard ass like me.

I'd say thats bullshit personally. I know of two places i could pass on that road. No more, and even those two its only when there is absolutely nothing coming at the start of each stretch. Sure a quick bike could do better, but it is still inhherently dangerous to attempt, particularly if the vehicle in question is travelling at the speed limit. Not only is it dangerous, but rather un-necessary, what gives them the right to travel at speeds such in excess of the limit, potentially putting themselves and others in danger?

I find i am quite happy to sit behind a car doing the speed limit, and they seem to be happy following me at the limit too, so i dont get this whole "I must be in front!" attitude so many people have...

[sinfull]

That road is pretty busy even when it isn't a holiday (it was New Year's Day) and overtaking everything in sight was fairly stupid. On a wide road with good visibility and an escape route, not a problem, but on a narrow winding road with nowhere to go on either side if anything goes wrong, it's crazy.

What colour is ya Vette Beemer ? I don't remember passing ya lol Nah kidding
You guys weren't in town about a week before were ya's , passed one headin north along the passing lanes between paekok and pram and couldn't help but hesitate when i came up beside . A quick thumbs up and carried on , Love to have one of the old vettes in my garage one of these days !

[Ratti]

At the end of the day, we have to share the road with other people. In the event that good manners fail, we have road rules. These twonks were not riding within the rules and not using manners. While I fully support anyones right to risk their own life, I get a bit ratty when same person risks others lives. Who the heck has that right? How many of us have had mates killed by someone elses stupid risktaking? Thats what they were doing.

[CookMySock]

Not being funny but you are posting from your own experience level and your own bike power. As the bike in question has not been identified and the biker was obviously riding outside of his/ her ability level how can you deem to comment that the issue is bull?

On the same logic, your judgment of obviously riding outside of his/ her ability level carries no weight either, unless one of you knows something the other does not.

The bottom line is, the road is for use by everyone, not just the elitely experienced. Skilled riders are going to spook others, and slowbies are going to irritate the experienced.

Steve

[Beemer]

Mate, that is just plain bullshit. I count 7/8 straights before the hill that are pefectly acceptable to overtake, even on a low powered bike. Add to that the many corners that you might, with the advantage of greater visability, with some speed on quite happily overtake.

As for wobble, yeah, it sounds suss. Could also be the guy doesn't move around smoothly, or he's a lard ass like me.

Firstly, being passed in the passing lane on Hayward's Hill was fine - it was being passed on DOUBLE YELLOW LINES IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING VEHICLES on the road around the inlet that I feel was ill advised. Even before they double-yellowed most of it, there are certainly very few places around Grays Road where I believe it's safe to pass. Even on a high powered bike being ridden by someone who can handle it. In this instance, the guy riding could NOT handle it. How the hell he managed to stay on while the bike was wobbling all over the place is beyond me. And yes, he was a bit of a lard arse, which made me wonder at first if it was actually you, until I read you were "stoopid, not dangerous" - yeah, right.

Sinfull, it's red, but there is one of similar age that belongs to friends in Paraparaumu so it's likely that's the one you would see along there. Ours is the Stingray shape.