How safe is motorway riding?

**CookMySock** · 27th June 2012, 10:05

Originally Posted by cave weta

own your lane and [...] keep a big bubble around you [....] look tough!

On a tiny motorcycle this is just not that simple, and cave weta hints at the larger problem - one of your safety being put at risk by impatient, annoyed, and late drivers who think they can push past you, and other equally stupid shit. On a tiny bike its just not feasible to "look tough", and therefore really difficult to "own" anything, so now you may as well kiss that bubble goodbye too!

The skinny little tires would likely be quite untrustworthy in the wet, or rather, your learner grip on them will be.

Just get something bigger with a loud pipe on it, and people won't bother you in the slightest - in fact, it will be you bothering them, which goes a bloody long way to keeping the boot on the right foot out there, and you in charge. This counts for a huge amount.

**Akzle** · 27th June 2012, 10:26

motorway riding - fine.

in auckland.. i'd be very wary, especially as a learner. get some saddle time. follow the advice of thems above.

travelling anywhere in auckland (car or bike) without someone driving into you is about 80% good luck.

**Tigadee** · 27th June 2012, 11:14

Originally Posted by Ragingrob

If you're in the right hand lane then you should right in the left wheel track, cars are more likely to spot you in their wing mirror and you have more evasive action options if you need them.

That's what I do too... Seems to work well.

Originally Posted by CookMySock

Just get something bigger with a loud pipe on it, and people won't bother you in the slightest - in fact, it will be you bothering them, which goes a bloody long way to keeping the boot on the right foot out there, and you in charge. This counts for a huge amount.

And wear black leather with studs and spikes and a chain wrapped around you.

The flaming head may be a bit overkill, so best leave that out...

**Ragingrob** · 27th June 2012, 12:52

Originally Posted by Akzle

motorway riding - fine.

in auckland.. i'd be very wary, especially as a learner. get some saddle time. follow the advice of thems above.

travelling anywhere in auckland (car or bike) without someone driving into you is about 80% good luck.

Man you out of towners must be shit drivers!

Guess that makes sense when we have people coming into Auckland and ending up on the wrong side of the motorway going 100kph thinking "boy that wrong way sign on the on-ramp should really be fixed".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crim...de-of-motorway

Just avoid all middle-aged women from Taranaki

**jrandom** · 27th June 2012, 13:05

Originally Posted by windsu

How safe do you reckon it would be

It's as safe or unsafe as you make it. Nobody's intentionally going to try and hurt you. Remain aware of your surroundings, even when the drivers around you aren't. Learn to anticipate their movements and stay out of the way. Ride aggressively rather than timidly, but get familiar with your bike's stopping and turning performance and don't ride outside that envelope.

Always use good tyres.

The hours you'll save every week will be worth the effort. Commuting by motorcycle in a city like Auckland is like stopping smoking - it adds years to your life. (Being dead and being stuck in traffic are much of a muchness.)

**avgas** · 27th June 2012, 13:32

Motorway riding is plenty safe when compared to riding in town or on the SH's.
My worst accident was on Dominion Road. Never had an issue on Motorways.

**Akzle** · 27th June 2012, 13:38

Originally Posted by Ragingrob

Man you out of towners must be shit drivers!

nope. i hear pretty much daily on the old wireless
"two car collision"
"three car nose to tail"
"incident involving several motor vehicles"
"...lane blocked"
"woman was driving..."

all in auckland...

you want a traffic report? it's rush hour. your fucked. it doesn't matter which way you go, there's a few hundred thousand other people going the same place, the same way.

**Mungatoke Mad** · 27th June 2012, 18:26

forget the 250 get a more Intimidating bike
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...8&d=1340778100

**MIXONE** · 27th June 2012, 19:05

Originally Posted by CookMySock

Just get something bigger with a loud pipe on it, and people won't bother you in the slightest - in fact, it will be you bothering them, which goes a bloody long way to keeping the boot on the right foot out there, and you in charge. This counts for a huge amount.

DB you are so full of it.Try those tactics in Wellington and see how long it is before someone is scraping you off the road.Riding in the BOP does not qualify you as an expert in motorway riding.

**windsu** · 27th June 2012, 21:13

Thanks for your input! Will be riding from Papakura to Mt Roskil , so don't think I can avoid the Mangere Bridge(?).

I've heard the GN250s are on the slow side and not really suitable for 100km/h, yet they fit my budget. Are there any other gruntier bikes that are still cheap to buy second hand?

thanks again!

**Ender EnZed** · 27th June 2012, 21:25

GN250s will do 100km/h, just not as easily as more powerful bikes. Have you had a look on TradeMe? What's your budget?

**FJRider** · 27th June 2012, 21:30

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

GN250s will do 100km/h, just not as easily as more powerful bikes. Have you had a look on TradeMe? What's your budget?

In October ... the rules change. Bigger bikes will become legal for learners/restricted. Now is not the best time to look to buy.

**Ender EnZed** · 27th June 2012, 21:34

Originally Posted by FJRider

Now is not the best time to look to buy.

It's a perfectly good time to buy for anyone who wants to own a motorcycle.

**nzspokes** · 27th June 2012, 22:10

Originally Posted by windsu

Thanks for your input! Will be riding from Papakura to Mt Roskil , so don't think I can avoid the Mangere Bridge(?).

I've heard the GN250s are on the slow side and not really suitable for 100km/h, yet they fit my budget. Are there any other gruntier bikes that are still cheap to buy second hand?

thanks again!

Why would you avoid the Mangere Bridge, at least theres some scenery from there. A GN250 is fine. Of course there are faster bikes but the GN is fast enough to start on.

As I said, im happy to come out for a ride or two when you start out. And if your in Papakura your almost at the start of Sass. We can normally have someone ride with you to the start of Sass If wanted.

**swbarnett** · 27th June 2012, 22:59

Originally Posted by Akzle

i hear pretty much daily on the old wireless
"two car collision"
"three car nose to tail"
"incident involving several motor vehicles"
"...lane blocked"
"woman was driving..."

all in auckland...

Given the amount of traffic it would be surprising if that wasn't the case. However, the propbability of any given individual being involved in the above is miniscule.

Originally Posted by Akzle

you want a traffic report? it's rush hour. your fucked.

Only if you're sporting too many wheels. I can do CBD to Albany in 15min in rush hour - takes a car about an hour.