Touch qeustion but I would like your opinion guys

[RPM91]

About 2 months ago I crashed my ZXR 250C, it is going to be finally ready to go next week and as I planned to ride to westport before i crashed I never got the chance to. Now it is nearing the start of winter and I am still really keen to go over, but I am abit worried about what the road would be like and some tips from you guys to keep safe and not crash agian, I will be going to westport via the Lewis pass and im really worried if there will be ice on the pass because from what ive heard, it is very dangerous. Please give me some feedback guys

[sAsLEX]

umm if you aint too experenced might pay to give it a miss if ice is likely

[LB]

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My suggestion would be to follow the weather forecast, and if there's any suggestion of snow, or frost, then don't go. Not sure how long you're going for, if you're away for a few days it may be that you get over there okay but have an unpredicted southerly come through before you go......

Lewis Pass is something like 900m ASL (above sea level) if I recall. That's quite high.

If you do go, don't leave too early in the morning, or ride too late in the afternoon.

Watch out for shady (damp/frosty) patches. Also watch out for pea gravel/grit put down for ice.

Good luck - take care - and let us know what you do!!

Bear in mind that I am a North Islander, so some of the South Island guys may well have better advice than me.

Just remember: bikes and ice don't mix well.
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[LB]

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Also, please make sure you wear adequate warm clothing (like layers of thermal (preferably natural fibre such as merino or possum down) underwear. And good (pref nat fibre as before) socks. And good bike gear and gloves.

Never underestimate how cold you can get riding with the wind chill factor coming into play.

Cold = lose concentration = not safe

(There's a thread about warm clothing somewhere, not sure where it is - if I get time this AM I'll do a search and post it)
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[LB]

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Here's a couple of threads to have a look at re keeping warm:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11473

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=4264

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[dangerous]

I plan to ride to westport

It will be bloody cold and possible wet, but then it is the coast. You should be ok this early into winter but I wouldent leave it any longer..... other wise I'd weight till summer.

Its a long haul if you havent ridden such a road before but one of the best rides about. So if you go give your self pleanty of time and dress warm, its not an easy ride at the best of times, injoy should you go.

[Brains]

Seems like if your asking for advice, maybe you just shouldn't go, wait for summer instead. I ride the Napier Taupo road alot, but made the mistake of doing it in winter , never again, ice, snow , rain, and thats a road I know (well I know it as well as someone who rides it every few months anyway). Maybe just pick a different ride, be a real shame to throw your bike away on some black ice.

Best of luck, any how.

B.

[g34l]

it is quite cold and wet these days! i did crash some time after you, but in auckland. however, i think ride slowly is the solution, but i am afraid i have no feith on those super-wet roads and i don't think i can handle ice good enough. also i would think you should give it a miss

[thehollowmen]

frost and sheet ice, and black ice can hide in the shadow of curves for days after a frost.
Be careful there ok?

[250learna]

"look out for unfenced wegetation" - defencive driving instructor

but seriously, i was riding the blue mountains road in upper hutt bout a week ago and this bloody dog jumped out of the bushes, barking and going for my front, lucky i wasnt going fast at the time and had time to slowdown and go around the basterd

[Flyingpony]

About 2 months ago I crashed my ZXR 250C, it is going to be finally ready to go next week and as I planned to ride to westport before i crashed I never got the chance to. Now it is nearing the start of winter and I am still really keen to go over, but I am abit worried about what the road would be like and some tips from you guys to keep safe and not crash agian, I will be going to westport via the Lewis pass and im really worried if there will be ice on the pass because from what ive heard, it is very dangerous. Please give me some feedback guys

Looks like you've been off your bike for 2 months.

Think best to wait till Summer and do some test runs around Chch this winter. Westport is about 375km away and winter is nearly upon the passes. If you do go, now is your last chance till spring. Be dressed very warm, keep dry, and don't forget to tell people your travel plans.

The road to Westport has two large mountain passes, with Lewis (the first one) being the most dangerous. Aim to arrive at Lewis between 12-2pm so the sun will be at it's warmest. The Lewis road section might be wet. Unless TV starts warning of snow on the moutain passes or down to 600m, I don't think there will be any or much ice grit around.

[ajturbo]

i have done that run a few times...

in summer/winter with the whole road white .... must..... keep...... warm!!!

don't use the breaks.. just use a lower gear, take your time, and when you cannot feel your fingers/ hands/ toes... stop and run around for a while, you will look silly, but you will warm up again!

i wouldn't be riding after 3pm or before 10am..... watch the cars coming towards you for signs of fresh dirt in their grills... a sure sign that the road ahead has ice. .... i whish i had taken notice of that one a few years ago......

but above all ..HAVE FUN!!!!! if you are at all worried about it leave it till later, or go on a rainy day..(no ice)
stop at the hot pools along the way... stay the night

[bugsonteeth]

It sounds to me as though you aren't really sure what caused you to crash in the first place, and that's put a dent in your self confidence. It happens, don't feel bad, BUT don't let it happen again. Ice and vegetation and gravel and cold weather are all part of the equasion, but the main thing to remember is your "contact patch". That is the area of your tire that is actually touching the ground as you fly down the road or cut through turns, and it's about the size of the palm of your hand!
There are a lot of other things going on when riding a bike, and I hope you guys are doing better in NZ than over here in America, where the roads are littered with guys on big Harleys that are just "winging it", usually with the results you might expect from such a venture!
If you can get it in NZ, there is one book that is head and shoulders above the rest and chock full of very helpful and enlightening information, guaranteed to make you a better rider and give your damaged confidence a little boost.
It's called "Proficient Motorcycling", written by David L. Hough.
It explains about the contact patch, how to lay down your lines, how to deal with such things as rain, ice and wet leaves, countersteering and drifting, all things that are much easier to deal with once you have gained an understanding of how they work.
Good luck, and in case of doubt, don't take a chance, it's not worth it

[NC]

It's too cold!

[Ghost Lemur]

I haven't ridden Lewis, but have driven it heaps.

What sort of open road experience do you have. I'd say flag it. It's a tree-lined set of twisties created by the biker gods themselves. But this is the time of year when you'll start to see snow on the ground down in amongst those trees.

Do you have lots of ice/snow or dirt experience, and therefore know how to deal with loss of traction, because you will be needing it.

Also as Lynda rightly pointed out cold = loss of concentration. So unless you have the minta winter riding gears to keep you warm tis yet another reason to leave it for summer.