Finally, after 8 days...

**kilgh** · 22nd February 2011, 07:27

The second ride!

Was going to go out at 0530, but wouldn't you know? It starts raining!

Had to wait until 0730 and have a shortened run. But still...a day of firsts.

First change into 2nd.
First time above 20km/h.
First time on the road.
First blat uphill.
First ride home.
First use of the indicator (and yes I even remembered to switch it off!)

Yay! Was happy enough not to push it home....all of 20 metres...but yay!

Still not going into traffic anytime soon, but 3 kilometres under the belt.

Doesn't take much to make me happy does it?

**martybabe** · 22nd February 2011, 07:30

Good for you, master the bike first then take on the bigger job (everyone else on the road). Here's wishing you loads of fun smiles and miles.

**kilgh** · 22nd February 2011, 07:37

Thanks Martybabe!

**Hellzie** · 22nd February 2011, 07:58

Originally Posted by kilgh

The second ride!

...a day of firsts.

First change into 2nd.
First time above 20km/h.
First time on the road.
First blat uphill.
First ride home.
First use of the indicator (and yes I even remembered to switch it off!)

Yay! Was happy enough not to push it home....all of 20 metres...but yay!

Still not going into traffic anytime soon, but 3 kilometres under the belt.

Doesn't take much to make me happy does it?

That's so cool! I know exactly how you feel - every little first is so so satisfying

I still haven't managed to go up my steep driveway... I get the BF to do it for me.. Need to conquer that one soon me thinks.

**Hawkeye** · 22nd February 2011, 08:07

Originally Posted by Hellzie

That's so cool! I know exactly how you feel - every little first is so so satisfying

I still haven't managed to go up my steep driveway... I get the BF to do it for me.. Need to conquer that one soon me thinks.

Going up hill is easy to master. Hill starting on the other hand....

The main thing to remember when going up something like a steep drive. Approach at a reasonable speed and keep the revs up. Most newbies hit the hill in either too high a gear or not enough revs. As soon as they hit the incline, the engine stalls and then they have to master the hill start.
It's all about control of both the clutch and the revs.
You will get there. Just a little practice. That's all that is needed.

**Stirts** · 22nd February 2011, 11:31

Originally Posted by Hellzie

I still haven't managed to go up my steep driveway... I get the BF to do it for me.. Need to conquer that one soon me thinks.

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

The main thing to remember when going up something like a steep drive. Approach at a reasonable speed and keep the revs up. Most newbies hit the hill in either too high a gear or not enough revs. As soon as they hit the incline, the engine stalls and then they have to master the hill start.
It's all about control of both the clutch and the revs.
You will get there. Just a little practice. That's all that is needed.

Know EXACTLY how you are feeling in regards to your driveway Hellzie, been there, done that, and on a Hornet too.

Hawkeye is right...it's all about the revs, ESPECIALLY with the Hornet, don't be too scared to either ....they LOVE IT!!!

I got this superhero dressed in red camo gear (known as gigoe1313) to guide me in the ways of riding the Hornet up my drive. Get your revs on, then as you go up the drive gently roll-on more throttle, that will get you up there Chick!!! Just practice, and no over thinking it either

OOOOOPS and well done to you kilgh.....seems you are tracking awesomly well

Milestones are faking cool aren't they!!!

**kilgh** · 22nd February 2011, 11:44

Overthinking...the drawback of sentience.

**slofox** · 22nd February 2011, 15:29

Originally Posted by kilgh

The second ride!

Was going to go out at 0530, but wouldn't you know? It starts raining!

Had to wait until 0730 and have a shortened run. But still...a day of firsts.

First change into 2nd.
First time above 20km/h.
First time on the road.
First blat uphill.
First ride home.
First use of the indicator (and yes I even remembered to switch it off!)

Yay! Was happy enough not to push it home....all of 20 metres...but yay!

Still not going into traffic anytime soon, but 3 kilometres under the belt.

Doesn't take much to make me happy does it?

Didja get ya knee down then?

Well done!

**kilgh** · 23rd February 2011, 04:00

Nope, and happily not accidentally either!

Now shall I go for a ride in the rain or not?

**kilgh** · 23rd February 2011, 06:27

Well decided that waiting to hear if anybody I know from CTV in Christchurch is gone was too depressing, so went for ride 3.

Pretty much as yesterday but a bit faster, better controlled, and I don't remember stalling!

First bug in my eye. (Troll alert - my visor was up, I was wearing a helmet).

Still having trouble changing gears though. I keep changing up into N. Feels like I really have to kick up through into 2nd. Any tips?

**kasper** · 23rd February 2011, 23:05

Drop me a line for when you want another biker or two to help act as escorts to deal with the usual idiot car drivers.

**kilgh** · 24th February 2011, 11:01

Thanks Kaspar, that would be great. I'll get this gear shifting thing sorted first and then it's out into the scary world of fellow motorists!

hotgsxr750 · 24th February 2011, 11:05

do you ride a yamaha or a kawasaki because it says yamaha but you have a photo of a kawasaki

**oneofsix** · 24th February 2011, 11:08

Originally Posted by kilgh

Still having trouble changing gears though. I keep changing up into N. Feels like I really have to kick up through into 2nd. Any tips?

Do you mean it is particularly stiff going from 1 to 2?
You should always make sure you push the gear shift until it stops, positive gear changes pushed all the way home, or you will even hit false Neutrals between the higher gears.