12,000 km clocked up

[Old Steve]

Weekend before last I clocked up 12,000 km of personal riding, as of today I've done around 12,700 km. That's in 10 1/2 months on my learners and restricted. Because I'm over 25 (by 36 years) I only have to do 6 months on my 6R, so I'm looking at sitting my 6F test in late February or early March.

Last weekend four of us rode from Tauranga to Mercer over the Kaimais and via Tahuna for a toasted bacon sandwich for lunch, then came back through Te Kauwhata, around Lake Waikare, back through Tahuna and on over to Paeroa, and home through the gorges and Old Tauranga Road. Somewhere over 300 km.

I'm riding every chance I get, and always wear as much protective gear as I can - when riding into and back from work I only wear my boots, jacket, gloves and helmet along with my work trousers. I rationalise that it's suburban riding and the speeds are lower so the abscense of protective over trou doesn't matter.

All in all, I'm feeling pretty good, and definitely still loving it.

[phill-k]

Weekend before last I clocked up 12,000 km of personal riding, as of today I've done around 12,700 km. That's in 10 1/2 months on my learners and restricted. Because I'm over 25 (by 36 years) I only have to do 6 months on my 6R, so I'm looking at sitting my 6F test in late February or early March.

Last weekend four of us rode from Tauranga to Mercer over the Kaimais and via Tahuna for a toasted bacon sandwich for lunch, then came back through Te Kauwhata, around Lake Waikare, back through Tahuna and on over to Paeroa, and home through the gorges and Old Tauranga Road. Somewhere over 300 km.

I'm riding every chance I get, and always wear as much protective gear as I can - when riding into and back from work I only wear my boots, jacket, gloves and helmet along with my work trousers. I rationalise that it's suburban riding and the speeds are lower so the abscense of protective over trou doesn't matter.

All in all, I'm feeling pretty good, and definitely still loving it.

good on ya mate, know the feeling being a born again christ/sorry biker

[The Baron]

So what are you going to do when you get your 6F? Get a bigger bike?or stay with the one you have?
Nice to hear you are doing such good k's in such a short time.
It's a different way of looking at life from a bike.

A group of us (13 bikes) will be passing through your way some time Sunday so I will keep an eye out for ya on the road and give you the secret KB wave.

PS It's always nice to read what you have been up to on that bike of yours. Keep it up.

Ride safe.

[Berg]

Mrs Berg put 12000kms on her mighty GN250 before getting her full licence in late December. She applied for and got an exemption on the restricted time due to her driver training as an ambo paramedic
Good on ya for getting into it. Mrs Berg has now stepped up to my old ER6N Kawasaki and is loving the better brakes, suspension and power

[mrchips]

Good on ya !

How does your wife feel about pillioning ?

It's great travelling around the countryside with the wife on the bike.

[Smifffy]

Good on ya! Will have to catch up for a ride some time!

[Old Steve]

I'll be keeping GLORIA, my Hyosung GV250. I don't lose any distance cruising with bigger bikes (though they're not racing, only cruising at 110 to 115 km/hr) as I'm leaning much more into corners and I'm much more confident in corners, I slow down before the corner, turn in later, apex well through the corner so I come out flatter, power out of the corner, and keep my eyes on the vanishing point.

Mrs Old Steve does NOT like the idea of pillioning! I may be able to get her to ride with me around town, to and from work on fine days perhaps, but the idea of us as a couple out on the open road is extremely unlikely.

Hey Smifffy, Keep an eye out for the little fat guy ina fluoro yellow Hi-viz on a silver and burgundy Hyosung. Give us a wave.

[davebullet]

I'm riding every chance I get, and always wear as much protective gear as I can - when riding into and back from work I only wear my boots, jacket, gloves and helmet along with my work trousers. I rationalise that it's suburban riding and the speeds are lower so the abscense of protective over trou doesn't matter.

I read somewhere that regular jeans will wear through on a metal road in 0.4 seconds at a 50kph fall. I'm not sure how much longer your body would slide for in that scenario, but something to consider even on the slower rides. I've taken to wearing leather for any trip (1km or 100km) and feel much safer for it.

[Eyegasm]

Good on ya Old Steve

I have been procrastinating my 6R and have done 34000k in a year. Recently broke my clutch cable and was without a bike for 2 WHOLE days (Public Holidays so no shops were open) God only knows what I did with my weekends prior to having a bike.

[firefighter]

She applied for and got an exemption on the restricted time due to her driver training as an ambo paramedic

I don't see how that's applicable to riding, but good on her. I'm a bit green that I did'nt try that on myself!

[kilgh]

Good on ya Old Steve

I have been procrastinating my 6R and have done 34000k in a year. Recently broke my clutch cable and was without a bike for 2 WHOLE days (Public Holidays so no shops were open) God only knows what I did with my weekends prior to having a bike.

Why is it that these things happen so often on Public Holidays?

Congrats on the 12,000 firefighter. My bike currently stands at 12.

[Camshaft]

Good on ya Old Steve

I have been procrastinating my 6R and have done 34000k in a year. Recently broke my clutch cable and was without a bike for 2 WHOLE days (Public Holidays so no shops were open) God only knows what I did with my weekends prior to having a bike.

good old 08 hyo, did u get the camchain tensioners replaced free in the recall?
i put 20,000kms on mine and onli lost 600 buks (buy/sell price)
also snapped 2 clutch cables

[sleemanj]

I rationalise that it's suburban riding and the speeds are lower so the abscense of protective over trou doesn't matter.

Gravel rash hurts, but I know how annoying getting in and out of cordura pants is when you're in a rush or trying to maintain some dignity!

Here's my not-so-secret...

A pair of cordura pants, with zips that go on the inside seam of each leg from ankle to well above the knee (around mid distance between your knee and your unmentionables).

I can get these on or off in 20, 30 seconds tops, no taking off my boots, jeans, or whatever I'm wearing. Once zipped, they are just like any other cordura pants.

They have been personally crash tested and did their job.

[skinman]

it is surprising how far you slide at less than 50km/h not to mention that padding saves bruises.
I put my cordura on over my work gear but then 1/2 my commute is motorway.

[Old Steve]

Clicked up 13,000 km on the way home from work on Friday night, in the pouring rain. Had a new front tyre on, so it was the most careful ride I have ever had.

This Sunday I rode 250 km over the Karapiro dam, down to and over the Arapuni dam, and on to the Okoroire Pub for one of the best burgers I've had for a long time.

Going to book my 6F test for late February as soon as my six months on my 6R comes up.