I am going to get into trouble sometime...

[Gremlin]

Gremlin seems that bike has abit of me left it her, shes a nutter, she tends to like to do wheelies and lane split like a stripper in a strip joint full of doctors.

you missing something then?? no wheelies yet, I think a natural progression from riding without hands is standing on pegs riding, then on saddle, foot on throttle

Thanks for the advice tristank. Very helpful. Interestingly enough, no urge to drag anything, even though I suspect some were trying. Basically I know I could whip them if I wanted to, and I have never ever (even at school) felt the need to give in to peer pressure.

Generally I don't speed, but out in the country, the corners are just soo nice. Having usually already been travelling slowly (80-85 ish), normally I don't need to slow down either, or if I do, just a bit of engine brake.

Such a rush getting a corner right... (albeit not as fast as it could be - but then who rides to the limit on an open road?)

[250learna]

i know what your saying Gremlin, I find myself going over the speed limit much more often than i like to and taking the backstreets to work so that i can do so without the audiance.
Was comming back from work tonite and i dont know what came over me ... maybe stupidety, but i just twisted the wrist and saw 165 before reality hit me... went back down to 80 and stayed within limit rest of the way. Its so hard to ride within the speed limit, like the bike is calling out to you telling you to do it...
I guess its ok to do so everynow and then, but there are 3 questions i keep in mind
1 is there any hazards
2 is there any pigs
3 is this within my limits

if i think tha there might be potential hazards 9/10 i will back off and play it safe, call me a pusy but i like my bones the way they are
but sometimes I just cant help myself

[John]

2 is there any pigs

tsk tsk.

[N4CR]

Well said 250learna. Yup good way to go about things. Safe than sorry huh .

Where the hell did that a.d.d guy come from anyway? Someone forget to shut the grill on the cager only portable loonybin?

[Skyryder]

i know what your saying Gremlin, I find myself going over the speed limit much more often than i like to and taking the backstreets to work so that i can do so without the audiance.
Was comming back from work tonite and i dont know what came over me ... maybe stupidety, but i just twisted the wrist and saw 165 before reality hit me... went back down to 80 and stayed within limit rest of the way. Its so hard to ride within the speed limit, like the bike is calling out to you telling you to do it...
I guess its ok to do so everynow and then, but there are 3 questions i keep in mind
1 is there any hazards
2 is there any pigs
3 is this within my limits

if i think tha there might be potential hazards 9/10 i will back off and play it safe, call me a pusy but i like my bones the way they are
but sometimes I just cant help myself

Bike control is controling the rider, not the bike. Think about it................and you may still be riding at my age......................if not then I don't fancy your chances.

Skyryder

[Gremlin]

Just fine, had a new wof on Wednesday, no worries, even asked the mechanic specifically, and still, he said no issues.

Whats really awesome, is that, guts wise ie, engine, gearbox all the expensive mechanic internals are fine. Cosmetically it was "tired", but that just made it cheaper.

For a learner, nothing wrong. The white front fairing probably makes it look a bit dodgy, and if its less attractive, I don't mind at all.

Other than extra bolts, its only needed the front fairing, front indicator and a new battery. Haven't even bothered with another clutch lever, I'm used to it.

Need to oil the chain this weekend tho.

[Gremlin]

Bike control is controling the rider, not the bike. Think about it................and you may still be riding at my age......................if not then I don't fancy your chances.

Skyryder

interesting point of view. I know for a fact that when I started, the bike was controlling me. First corner on the open road (luckily the road curved, and the quieter turn off sorta went straight ahead) I froze. Couldn't think what I had to do.

Much better once you build up your confidence (without being over-confident) and spend more hours riding.

[John]

Just fine, had a new wof on Wednesday, no worries, even asked the mechanic specifically, and still, he said no issues.

Whats really awesome, is that, guts wise ie, engine, gearbox all the expensive mechanic internals are fine. Cosmetically it was "tired", but that just made it cheaper.

For a learner, nothing wrong. The white front fairing probably makes it look a bit dodgy, and if its less attractive, I don't mind at all.

Other than extra bolts, its only needed the front fairing, front indicator and a new battery. Haven't even bothered with another clutch lever, I'm used to it.

Need to oil the chain this weekend tho.

my god looks like a new bike, I cant even remeber when It looked that good, tidy mate very nice.

Yea the engine I looked after very well in the time I had it - I got it with a full service (had valves and low end all done) so you wont haveto worry about anything but changing oil for a long time, twas much love sent to that bike, glad you got it up and looking good again well done that man!

[Gremlin]

I took new photos of the sides, but with the low light, either the shots were over-exposed or had reflections from the bike in it.

The sides are still scratched though. But yep, I love her. I think you said a while ago that ZZRs were enthusiastic cornerers, you were right, very flickable once you get used to handling a motorbike.

The only issue for me is the lack of power in the brakes. But I think I was reading something by motu, and I think he said something about the bikes being designed for 75 odd kg, so I'm not really surprised when I'm (with bike gear, plus uni backpack) probably up around 115 odd...

not much weight left for a hot pillion

[John]

I took new photos of the sides, but with the low light, either the shots were over-exposed or had reflections from the bike in it.

The sides are still scratched though. But yep, I love her. I think you said a while ago that ZZRs were enthusiastic cornerers, you were right, very flickable once you get used to handling a motorbike.

The only issue for me is the lack of power in the brakes. But I think I was reading something by motu, and I think he said something about the bikes being designed for 75 odd kg, so I'm not really surprised when I'm (with bike gear, plus uni backpack) probably up around 115 odd...

not much weight left for a hot pillion

hehe, maybe the pads a gone? I am only light so they were strong enough for me.. and a few on the back

But yup I'd say that you will love the bike to pieces quite literally till you move up, when riding I learnt the hard way in the second week, ride like everyone one is trying to cook a BBQ and your the sausage, watch the people around you like a hawk, and always keep an eye on road surface.

Asfor the 'am I normal' yea when everyone gets a bike we haveto test it, I got a ticket on the first day I rode that bike, it happens I guess once you wise up (only something you can realise people cant tell you to "ride maturely") you will just set your own normal riding standard, but overall be safe and have fun

[Gremlin]

The last thing I want is for me to be over-confident and overcook it, but I think the reason I have been able to adapt to riding so easily is because of the heaps of cycling I have done.

Also, I used to regularly exceed 70 on the bicycle, and once to about 85 - now that was seriously heart in mouth stuff. On a motorbike you feel safer with padding, armour, helmet etc. not just lycra

The only thing now, is that road surface plays a bigger part, I'm feeling it less now, but initially, when in the country going around a sweeping corner I used to mentally try to move the bike to the inside of a right, but now I know I just have to concentrate on finding the line and making sure I lean.

Should actually take a pic of the rear wheel, 8-10mm either side of the tyre tread unused, the rest I have used...

[John]

The last thing I want is for me to be over-confident and overcook it, but I think the reason I have been able to adapt to riding so easily is because of the heaps of cycling I have done.

Also, I used to regularly exceed 70 on the bicycle, and once to about 85 - now that was seriously heart in mouth stuff. On a motorbike you feel safer with padding, armour, helmet etc. not just lycra

The only thing now, is that road surface plays a bigger part, I'm feeling it less now, but initially, when in the country going around a sweeping corner I used to mentally try to move the bike to the inside of a right, but now I know I just have to concentrate on finding the line and making sure I lean.

Should actually take a pic of the rear wheel, 8-10mm either side of the tyre tread unused, the rest I have used...

ah its a learning process I was just like you 6months ago, Timmed as heck my first road bike, I was used to getting it loose on the dirt, I had troubles getting around roundabouts for the first few days.. the best way is to practise practise pratise riding course practise practise trackday. always does the trick!

It takes time but soon you will be o the pegs compainy there is no more lean, you will be one with the bike soon my son - time must be it wait you must

just ride unconcously in the perspective that you let your brain judge the distance practise corners so you find what sort of speed you can enter corners and how munch lean you need to keep a stable line through the bend.

You will get there, carparks and u turns at real low speeds always help you get your bike controll in tabs, heck I only did my first full lock turn last week, I never thought of practising before hand so there you go what may seem pointless may come in handly just like 'why do we need to learn algebra' etc etc :P

I am talking shit, its far to late for me and now I cant goto sleep else I will wake at 7 oclock at night sigh

[Skyryder]

interesting point of view. I know for a fact that when I started, the bike was controlling me. First corner on the open road (luckily the road curved, and the quieter turn off sorta went straight ahead) I froze. Couldn't think what I had to do.

Much better once you build up your confidence (without being over-confident) and spend more hours riding.

Confidence is also a killer. It's not until a rider bins, that suddenly overconfidence becomes the excuse.

You've had what..............three weeks riding experiance?? You have not even started to "read" the road," look for outs in case of the unexpected, and what to do if the what ifs suddenly errupt in front of you. In other words think of what to do before it happens and that way you will not freeze as you will have options available to you if need be.

Think of it this way ol' son..............there's enough drivers out there waiting to kill you without you helping them to do it.

Skyryder

[Gremlin]

yep, you're dead right. I haven't done any full lock turns, u's yes, but not full lock. My other weakness is hill starts, haven't done many at all, and should practice more...

I did try getting up Mt Eden's hill (behind, at the workshop) But I could roll to the bottom and start perpendicular to the hill

Oh well, practising going into uni is quite good, lots of very slow speed manoeuvres and plenty of traffic to watch because indicators are sooo last century.

Anyway, enjoy your night up, I'm ofta bed, got an exam tomorrow afternoon that I have not studied much for. Shoulda, but I was busy going 140km/h (literally)

Good night... morning

[Gremlin]

Confidence is also a killer. It's not until a rider bins, that suddenly overconfidence becomes the excuse.

You've had what..............three weeks riding experiance?? You have not even started to "read" the road," look for outs in case of the unexpected, and what to do if the what ifs suddenly errupt in front of you. In other words think of what to do before it happens and that way you will not freeze as you will have options available to you if need be.

This is why I started the thread. I want to know if I am picking this up too quickly. I am reading the road, because I had to, in order to survive on my bicycle on roads like the pakuranga highway. I am actually safer travelling with the traffic than continuously getting overtaken. (The number of times I've been almost hit...)

I am also looking for outs. Picked up this point from somebody elses video going over the harbour bridge. Somebody commenting, spoke about riding without outs. Excellent point, I've found that those dividing islands are very dangerous, because there is no out to the right. Usually back off instead.

Tested this a couple of days ago. Cars in front of me near uni suddenly stopped, but I knew the lane was free next to me, so braked (but not slamming them on) and moved to the other lane while watching to make sure the other cars didn't try to duck into my way.

I really don't want to sound like a know it all or anything because I don't, I want to know if I am picking up everything or am I missing something. I'm tempted to come on a newbie ride, but I might wait to until I have more hours on the road. I only have about 18-19, 500 odd kms.

I reckon those rider videos are a really good idea for picking up improvements.