Let the fun begin...

[caseye]

Hey there Genie, glad you've got things going good.
I'm a rider who likes as few distractions as possible and that also includes music.You;ve said you ride with or without it thats a good thing, but please, listen to the old riders Ha, I'm gunna get flamed for that, they know what they're talking about.
With experience comes complacency, music and any other sort of distraction stops you seeing and hearing whats happening around you.
Don't be fooled by that big ol helmet, it does not stop the sound of screeching brakes, music does, it's that simple.
Go ride those hills and ride those busy ( in Nelson? Yeah Right!) roads and when in lots of trafic you may come to understand the wisdom of not blocking out one of your best life preservers, Ears.

[Genie]

I've don't ride with music going, after all what's the point of a big noisy twin if you can't hear it.

My bike screams....I need something more throaty, I was going to get a new pipe for it but have decided I'll leave it for now as I may just desire a more powerful beast in the future.

I can still hear my bike over the music, I'm not blasting my ears in oblivion.

[Grubber]

Hey Chook.
I have to say i agree about the music.
If your listening to that then your mind isn't in the right place to be safe really.
Car is fine as they tend to drive themselves to certain extent, but the bike needs 100% all the time.
One little distraction can be the beginning of the end.
If your not mentally tired by the end of a ride you aint doin it right.
Not sure if i'm one of those old buggers he was talking about but i am sure about the music.

[Bikemad]

love the sounds when riding...........can still hear the bike no worries at all.......

[Grubber]

love the sounds when riding...........can still hear the bike no worries at all.......

Maybe a little depends on whether your sounds are coming from speakers in helmet, as some do, or from the earplugs. I know if it's earplugs then you can't hear external sounds anywhere near as well as you would if they were speakers in helmet, somewhat like a car stereo as such.
I have a big intolerance of people who wear the ipod ear pieces and pretty much ignore you when you try to speak to them (my daughters are one example)

[Grubber]

love the sounds when riding...........can still hear the bike no worries at all.......

Maybe a little depends on whether your sounds are coming from speakers in helmet, as some do, or from the earplugs. I know if it's earplugs then you can't hear external sounds anywhere near as well as you would if they were speakers in helmet, somewhat like a car stereo as such.
I have a big intolerance of people who wear the ipod ear pieces and pretty much ignore you when you try to speak to them (my daughters are one example)

Could be the start of an interesting thread actually.

[scumdog]

Hey Chook.
I have to say i agree about the music.
If your listening to that then your mind isn't in the right place to be safe really.

True, you may lapse into thinking/dreaming about the last time you heard that song and what a god time you were having etc - instead of keeping your mind on 'situation awareness'

But then I'm an old fart.....

[Bikemad]

yeah i use the earpiece speakers with a volume control on the cord so i can turn it down when fueling up or whatever.........can still hear my machine ok......tend to think riding/driving is a more visual experience and dont seem to notice noise behind you when your doin 100-120 ks anyway............unless its a hog.........you got me thinkin now.........wonder how many deaf riders/drivers are out there.......

[Genie]

yeah i use the earpiece speakers with a volume control on the cord so i can turn it down when fueling up or whatever.........can still hear my machine ok......tend to think riding/driving is a more visual experience and dont seem to notice noise behind you when your doin 100-120 ks anyway............unless its a hog.........you got me thinkin now.........wonder how many deaf riders/drivers are out there.......

Interesting....I would be interested in how other s view this...might just start a thread and see...now to learn a poll thing....

[Genie]

I went to Inangahua today, I'd planned on Westport but due to work I didn't escape until 1.3pm ... went as far as I could and I loved every one of those 355 kilometres that I did.


Phew, it was amazing.

I'm still on such a buzz from what my life has given me on this day. I am blessed for I have an insect riddled visor. Seriously, at least 30 insects were splatted upon my visor, one poor bee at about 140k. Nice!

OMG, I need to do the rest of the Buller Gorge, what a delicious piece of road. I so wanted to go the whole way, but being Mother bought be home.

I'd great plans to escape and perfect my riding technique for the day. I have acheived. My curvature has moved to a new level. Today I found a new smoothness...sitting behind Mr Policeman at 100k's is a way to learn great throttle control. Think I sat on his arse for nigh on 50k's, then the kindly gentleman got the fuck out of my way so I could travel at a comfortable speed, he even gave me a nice cheery wave on the way past. How pleasant, can't say the same for the scarey Harley Riding Gentlemen from the Lone Legion and Highway Forty-five. Fair shit myself I did, some passed in a gentlemanly manner whereas a couple were rather agressive and fucken stupid, but who am I to judge how another rides??? Had one couple pass me three times, was amusing by the third pass we were great friends...they were amusing and when I'd turned around to passed them again they waved!!!!
Harley riders can wave.

Super enjoyed my day and this goes into the preparation basket, preparing for my glorious North Island Jaunt to be completed in early 2011.
I'm planning and I know I can easliy manage 500k a day.....and I wont' have to return home at that end of the day.
That's a buggar, I would so love to be anywhere than here right now.

Time I was abed, I have work tomorrow and I must also remove all those insects from my bike.
My delicious bike, I'm buying it a present. Nice shiny new Two Brothers Noise Maker.

Banks of the Upper Buller....


What a funky bridge.....


Loving the speedo...how cool is that...home time.

[Genie]

Genie needs to get down the garage and attach a new left-hand clutch handle thing....but instead she's typing.

I love my bike, it's black, it's shiny, it's wiggly and it's all mine.

[Will the ninja]

I'd tap that

[neels]

Genie needs to get down the garage and attach a new left-hand clutch handle thing....but instead she's typing.

I love my bike, it's black, it's shiny, it's wiggly and it's all mine.

Yes you do, get yourself to the garage and fix your little black shiny new improved noisier bike, clutch handle things just aren't right with the knobby bits missing off the end.

Mind you, instead of typing I need to get off to the garage and put the rattly back together, so who am I to talk.

[Genie]

Yes you do, get yourself to the garage and fix your little black shiny new improved noisier bike, clutch handle things just aren't right with the knobby bits missing off the end.

Mind you, instead of typing I need to get off to the garage and put the rattly back together, so who am I to talk.

Yet, I didn't, I washed the floors instead. Maybe today I may get a chance to do so. How is your rattly doing? That was sadish news.

did you know it is also very dangerous (as well as ugly), not to have the knobby bit on the end for if one has a crash the end of the handle could cause stabbing damage, that would not be pleasant.

[Genie]

wow, it's been ages since I came to this page...has the fun then stopped?

No, but it has gone rather quiet of late.

I've had some amazing rides, the most memorable of late would be 31 December, 2010. Took a couple of lovely Welshmen for a ride to the base of the Takaka Hill, we took the 'long' route. Once at the base I said go for it...and off we went. Brilliant ride for me that day. I was riding in a style I'd not seen before. Straight over the top of this wonderous hill and down into the valley and out to the beach for the yummiest lunch. The scenery, wow, Golden Bay sure has it. I can still picture the blue of the sea and the gold of the sand and I feel this feeling of bliss overcome me.

Well, that was last year, this year has been slow so far. Couple of wee rides around the Moutere block, no time to really play the roads soooooooo, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

Tomorrow is anniversary day in my garage. Me and Black Beast have been in love for a whole year. We've had a couple of minor mis-understandings that were entirely my fault and I have apoligised profusely and replaced the broken clutch lever and indicators. I've also just had it down the shop for the 12k service and the 'Two Bros' tuneup.....oh dear Lord it sounds so sweet. I couldn't beleive the difference in sound....smoothly, deeper, raw. I love it.

And tomorrow me and Beasty are off to Picton for lunch. I'll be having a delicious Black Russian to celebrate and well the Beast just got the tastiest oil.

So I'm wishing me and Beasty a very happy anniversary.