Just bought my first bike, anybody regularly riding over Port Hills? (Mushu)

**Mushu** · 9th March 2012, 15:08

Hi,

I just, finally, (I'm 27) got off my arse and got my license, and seeing as I had some extra cash so I decided to buy a 2012 EX250k, I love the bike, but I only just found out about this LAMS so that'll kill the resale and the danger of dropping a brand new bike (picked it up yesterday still haven't quite hit 200k's yet) so I figure I should have some fun with it before I start regretting my purchase, lol

I like the bike tho having not had too much to do with bikes except for the occasional ride on a friends, the bike I rode for the 5 months I worked on a dairy farm (Suzuki 125 4stroke) and I did have a thumpster 90cc for about 6 months, so a road bike is pretty new to me. I bought it because I'm not sure what kind of bike I would prefer to ride but I always (like every other boy) wanted a supersport bike (and a Lamborghini). (I know it's not a supersport but I'm the first to admit CBR/YZF/ZXR/GSXR 600+ are way out of my league)

My very first impression - I was suprised how much the power reminded me of the MC22 and an old FZR250 a couple of mates had and I had the opportunity to ride (read: Be a dick and see how fast it would go - in a helmet and tee shirt) because I had heard they were all about torque and no longer need the revs like the old 4cyl 250s but it was nowhere as torqey as most of the 4 stroke trail bikes and road-trails I have ridden, and definatly still loves the revs (just not quite so high - redline at 13,000 as opposed to up to the 18,000 I have seen on some of these 250 4s).

after only 200ks of road riding I have already learned a few things -

-those new quick release helmet clasps are stupid, useless and, with a beard, they are painful - cant afford another new helmet after dropping a stupid amount (for a 250) on the bike- gonna have to shave

-It doesn't take long to realise sport bikes aren't made for comfort - I'm not old and I don't need a Gold Wing with everything heated and all that crap, but I do alot of k's in my cars (50,000k's/year) and I'd kind of like to carry some of that over to my bike - sports tourer in a year when I get my full I think. But that was the point, I have to ride to find out what I like and after its gone I can always say " I used to own a brand new Kwaka Ninja" - I'll just leave out the 250 bit

-It's going to be difficult to ride this bike for a year without pushing it too far (Okay, I was never here for the powerful machines - you'd probly never see me on a H-D, I like to go around corners - lots of them. Fast.) I am the same with cars, I had to cross the line a couple of times in a car (on one occasion my pride and joy met with a guard rail. Hard.) and thats what taught me where the limits are. I can't afford that luxury with this bike. (I know I'll drop one eventually - I'm just hoping if I'm carefull it won't be this one) I may go 'survival bike' for my next one, I like the idea of crash-proofing a bike. You can ride it harder cos if you stack it you just pick it back up and ride off, half the point is to have it looking like it barely runs so u pretty much wont have to worry about theft and in most cases even vandals would just be adding something to its uniqueness.

-ATGATT Not something I'm willing to learn first hand and I have to thank various bike themed forums for this information including this one, I know its kind of obvious but the amount of posts I have found (while trauling forums out of excitement while deciding on, and waiting for, my new bike) from people that say this idea either saved their life or saved them from spending months in the hospital. I have been guilty of riding in a Tee shirt (read above) and I don't think I ever even wore a helmet on my thumpster (about 10 years ago, I like to think I am far smarter now).

Basicly, I am looking for Bikers (either near my level or willing to wait up) who are up for regular cruses up the Port Hills, I make this run almost daily in my cars (The faster I go the more it relaxes me) and would like to have people to ride with (The speed will be alot slower on the bike than it would be in the car - atleast at first)

I will not be racing anybody on the bike - probably ever
If you want to race I have a couple of cages you could take on -timed runs, I won't run side by side with a bike, its way too dangerous.
I wouldn't underestimate them in the twisties - they are some of the most suited cars for it, many bikers have joked about and put down my cars in the past and not one of them had the skills necessary to keep up with me although there is a guy I see up the hills from time to time on some kind of Yamaha -I think- motard who is fast as a bat out of hell - I have his number but I don't want to ask him to ride with me, I'd only hold him up but I do have a new car for him to take on, I have no idea if he is a member on KB

Anyway, Sorry for the monster post
But anybody up for a ride, reply here or PM.

**Box of riddles** · 9th March 2012, 15:40

There's a Wednesday night ride thread somewhere, and I'd be keen to ride over the hills and such after I get some new fairings.

**Subike** · 9th March 2012, 19:04

Every wed night there is a ride from burger king mourhouse, leaving 6.30
We regally take rides around the port hills, coming from different ends or vis the tube.
This is done during daylight saving weeks only.
Sundays the some of the same riders do a day ride from 12pm meeting at mousehouse burger king.
There will continue through out winter as weather permits.
Your welcome to join these rides, as they are just casual rides with no formalities
what you ride is never an issue , just respect other riders

**paturoa** · 9th March 2012, 19:17

If your new to biking then also get yourself into one of the subsidised by ACC rider training courses. You'll learn a whole bunch of stuff the painless way.

EDIT: and welcome

**BigAl** · 9th March 2012, 19:59

You'll get used to the riding position after a few thousand not hundred k and I agree with not being able to beat the double d rings for fastening helmets.

Good luck and give cages plenty of room.

**Mushu** · 14th March 2012, 14:44

almost a week, and almost 1000ks now.

Bikes booked in for the first service on monday (I can't ride too much untill then, I want the service manual to look as good as possible so I can get as much $ as possible to upgrade in a year when *if* I can get a full license)

So, my thoughts now as opposed to 800 km ago:

Hating that helmet even more, won't go with HJC again (I'm not sure what it cost because I bought a whole lot of crap together but it wasn't their cheapest one or anything like that). The clasp is still just as annoying as ever (I did have a shave - it didn't help) and its not even a good trade off because from what I have heard they are nowhere near as strong as the "DD" clasps. The piece of netting that sits under my chin is already falling out and while the visor fogging has improved its still so bad I bought one of those fog off masks, also I don't think the method for changing visors is very good, I have been riding at night with my visor up rather than changing back to the clear one for fear of breaking one/both/the mounting points on the helmet. Thinking about just buying another but with very few places to go to try on atleast different brands so I can get an idea of size, I might have to wait and just keep an eye out.

Riding Position: BigAl, I am starting to see that you are right, everything is becoming a little more comfortable (except the seat

) but I still think my next bike will be a sport tourer, my dad has ridden bikes since before I was around and he always had sport tourers and I could never understand why untill now - I still want the speed and handeling but I can see a case for giving some perfomance up in favor of a more relaxed position, like I said, I do alot of kays as you can tell -1000ks in 5 days (and I didn't ride for 2 of those days when it was raining)

I'm very quickly watching my abilities improve - the used patch of my brand new tyres on the first day was about 50mm wide (straight roads and very slow cornering), but over the past week I have increased that contact patch to all but the last few mm on each side of the tread. I have also become more confident on the front brake and accelerating through corners. While this is very exciting and allows me to be more relaxed as I have more experience to predict the results of my actions it's also quite scary that I am far closer to the limits of what the bike is capable of.

Boots, the only gear I don't have is boots. I was wondering if somebody could offer an objective (informed) opinion of how important boots really are (I know there are plenty out there that don't wear any gear when they ride - they are fools) and I'd like to know if the riding boots out there offer any better protection than work boots or leather hiking boots.

**ducatilover** · 14th March 2012, 15:30

I didn't find the EX250 to have an uncomfortable position, but I'm not tall and I'm weird

Enjoy the bike, keep it reasonably safe and welcome to the site.

**BigAl** · 14th March 2012, 15:46

Originally Posted by Mushu

almost a week, and almost 1000ks now.

.....
Boots, the only gear I don't have is boots. I was wondering if somebody could offer an objective (informed) opinion of how important boots really are (I know there are plenty out there that don't wear any gear when they ride - they are fools) and I'd like to know if the riding boots out there offer any better protection than work boots or leather hiking boots.

Later style of boots have crush protection in heels and shins, which can be handy if bike falls on your foot or you go sliding down the road under the bike.

You can still get touring boots that are the more traditional leather but generally with toe caps, depends what prefer and work boots with ankle protection are preferable to shoes.

**Subike** · 14th March 2012, 16:33

Boots
For most of my riding days I have worn work boots,
Good quality ones, not the $49.95 cheap shit
I had a pair of Rossies for a few years till somebody decided they wanted them more than me,
They were good, but crap to walk around in
Have tried the Johnny Rebel, style boots, fucking heals and soles always come adrift, and for get about water resistant.
Current pair are Bata Mammoth steelcaps, that are lace ups, with gusseted tounge and above the ankle.
Agressive tread means no slipping in the mud at rallys,
I slipped a pair of sheepskin liners in, and went to the march hare the first time I wore them
Didnt want to take em off cofortable as, and warm, handles the rain sweet.
Thanks to my employer, they only cost me $40, the difference between std issue for work, and what I wanted.
Pity you are not riding your bike till after it is serviced,
You could have been a welcome addition to tonights ride to Little River

**darkwolf** · 14th March 2012, 18:04

I'd be keen to come for a ride through the Port Hills with you. I'm not available for the next few weeks as I'm moving into my first home this weekend and I have a training day run by Mainland Motorcycle School at Ruapuna a fortnight later. But after that I'm keen.

Re: Boots
Be careful what you buy. I can't recommend them enough but ensure they allow proper movement of the gear lever. Though the lever is adjustable, I have had to adjust mine to accommodate my boot to a point where it's not comfortable to change gear when hunched over. If I put it in a position where it is comfortable, I can't get my boot underneath the lever to change up.

If you have a bit of free time, I highly recommend watching and reading Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II. I watched the video before doing a 2,626KM tour of the South Island in February and my riding came along leaps and bounds over 5 days. Absolutely invaluable. I came across an electronic copy of the book and video shortly thereafter which I carry on my phone for those long stops. You're welcome to stop by and grab a copy but I HIGHLY recommend buying it just purely due to the benefits I received, I felt I needed to pay a fair price.

As has been said, definitely look at the ACC subsidised training courses. The one I am doing at Ruapuna has also been subsidised and I bet it will be as valuable as the video and book.

Flick me a PM if you want to get hold of Twist II.

**Mushu** · 16th March 2012, 14:57

Originally Posted by darkwolf

I'd be keen to come for a ride through the Port Hills with you. I'm not available for the next few weeks as I'm moving into my first home this weekend and I have a training day run by Mainland Motorcycle School at Ruapuna a fortnight later. But after that I'm keen.

Re: Boots
Be careful what you buy. I can't recommend them enough but ensure they allow proper movement of the gear lever. Though the lever is adjustable, I have had to adjust mine to accommodate my boot to a point where it's not comfortable to change gear when hunched over. If I put it in a position where it is comfortable, I can't get my boot underneath the lever to change up.

If you have a bit of free time, I highly recommend watching and reading Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II. I watched the video before doing a 2,626KM tour of the South Island in February and my riding came along leaps and bounds over 5 days. Absolutely invaluable. I came across an electronic copy of the book and video shortly thereafter which I carry on my phone for those long stops. You're welcome to stop by and grab a copy but I HIGHLY recommend buying it just purely due to the benefits I received, I felt I needed to pay a fair price.

As has been said, definitely look at the ACC subsidised training courses. The one I am doing at Ruapuna has also been subsidised and I bet it will be as valuable as the video and book.

Flick me a PM if you want to get hold of Twist II.

Definatly would like to have a look at Twist of the wrist, and always up for a ride over the hills, will send PM soon

EDIT: Tried to PM... I do not have enough involvement in this forum (I assume that means not enough posts?)

As far as boots go, I should have been more specific:

I currently own steel caps (Supplied by work) and leather hiking boots and have ridden in both in the past (although not on my current bike) I find both to be a little annoying when changing gears as opposed to my skate shoes and hate riding in steel caps for the same reason.

My question is this: My best bet for riding in at the moment are obviously the hiking boots. Would there be any significant gain (in either safety or comfort) to warrant buying 'proper' riding boots?

I was able to make it to this weeks WNR, Probly shouldn't have (1200ks and waiting to get its first service on Monday) and had a fair bit of fun and a good feed at the pub, shouldn't have come back before everyone though, I had so many dead sandflys on my visor I had to stop and try clean it -with my tee shirt, didn't work very well, I'm going to have to try figure out something I can carry for cleaning my visor (between the sandflys, the lightly tinted visor, the dark and me being stupid enough to try wipe it with my glove it eventually got impossible to see.)

**haydes55** · 16th March 2012, 16:40

Originally Posted by Subike

We regally take rides around the pot hill, coming from different ends or vis the tube.

What is this Pot hill you speak of? Did you mean to post that you are riding there in this thread?

Do you come from different ends to throw off the cops?

**tigertim20** · 16th March 2012, 17:53

Originally Posted by Mushu

Definatly would like to have a look at Twist of the wrist, and always up for a ride over the hills, will send PM soon

EDIT: Tried to PM... I do not have enough involvement in this forum (I assume that means not enough posts?)

As far as boots go, I should have been more specific:

I currently own steel caps (Supplied by work) and leather hiking boots and have ridden in both in the past (although not on my current bike) I find both to be a little annoying when changing gears as opposed to my skate shoes and hate riding in steel caps for the same reason.

My question is this: My best bet for riding in at the moment are obviously the hiking boots. Would there be any significant gain (in either safety or comfort) to warrant buying 'proper' riding boots?

I was able to make it to this weeks WNR, Probly shouldn't have (1200ks and waiting to get its first service on Monday) and had a fair bit of fun and a good feed at the pub, shouldn't have come back before everyone though, I had so many dead sandflys on my visor I had to stop and try clean it -with my tee shirt, didn't work very well, I'm going to have to try figure out something I can carry for cleaning my visor (between the sandflys, the lightly tinted visor, the dark and me being stupid enough to try wipe it with my glove it eventually got impossible to see.)

without going into details and shit, yes I reckon you will benefit - theres a reason they design boots specifically for the demands of riding motorcycles - its not just about riding comfort, its also about crashing survival