My first stuff up

[MystikEagle]

Don't worry about the drop... Or the apparent haters. Think of it as just as much of a learning experience as the course.

I was doing the track day there on the weekend. Having (as far as I know) first suggested Pro-rider to you on your other thread I was happy to see you were booked in and I went and sat at the end of the pit wall to spot your bike. It looked like you were going really well. I know when I did my course at Pukekoke I was feeling super confident at the end of the day, but my then my ride home was a mess. Taupo is a much better track to learn on; lots of corners, both left and right, instead of just maxing it out down the long Puke straights so that will have been good for you. But I think you will find that it takes quite a while for some of the lessons to really sink in. I'm still a far better track rider than road rider as I haven't spent much time out on the open road. Just keep dwelling on the techniques they taught you and they will become second nature. Go back and do another Safe Rider day or just a track day in the slow group, remembering to ask for advice from the tutor, sooner rather than later.

Above all, focus on riding Smooth! Practice that and the rest will follow. Go to a MotoTT day and get on the back of Allan Ure's bike. (KB user name Kiwifruit) I had a ride with him a few weeks back and was amazed at how easily and smoothly he could get round the track. Speaking of which, I saw him out with a camera for the last couple sessions yesterday and found the photos online today. Photorecall.co.nz

MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo has 'Mantiquilla' written on his brake lever. It means 'like butter'. It's a pretty good mantra.

Thanks mate! So many people have been great in offering their support through my learning process. It has been a great confidence booster to hear people say how much I have improved or how well I'm doing. It is rather hard for me to believe that I have only been riding about three weeks! Now I just want to spend as much time as I can, out there practicing and putting what I have learnt to use. My head won't stop spinning with all the info I'm trying to digest!
I am keeping a look out for a track day at Hampton Downs, always wanted to ride around it and I think it would be better practice with having up and down hill slopes.
Allan has taken some pretty awesome photos, I'm considering buying all the ones of me, just as a memento...

[ckai]

I am not sure if I should mention it here but hey thick skin right? My last 'chill' moment I had was actually following ME. It was a road I did know well (might have been on it once before?) a slight downhill slope with a blind drop. I am not sure why the chill happened - the road revealed a gradual left which I should have been able to deduce, but I think it was just that I did not expect it to be so close to the increase in gradient? It was silly as there was no need for it, but I guess it might have been the slap of reality that told me 'you assumed the road to be straight and was presented by a slight curve. What if there had been something actually dangerous?'

It was a strange time to have a chill as there was no real danger - but I prefer to be as aware and in control as possible, and to suddenly realise that the road could suprise me like that was unsettling. The next day I was out on the road to Kawhia, not a single chill moment even though I was riding a bit harder (without pushing myself to keep up or anything).

I have tried not to say much on ME's riding as I am too new to have a real 'valid' opinion, but I would have to say she has a mature approach by just taking it at her own pace rather than trying to keep up with anyone, and is happy to be conservative to get used to the road and the bike.

The talk of gravel is wher eI am out of my league. 'Too much lean for gravel' - wait does that mean you plan on doing more than 10km/h on that evil stuff? I guess I did not buy the Boulevard with gravel riding in mind!

See, BIG learning experience. You probably wouldn't have realised it to the extent if it didn't happen. One of the only things in life that I've "learnt the hard way" was that when you're riding, there is no way in hell that you can afford to "zone out". You can get away with it in a car but on a bike is another story.

I find if I'm not all there while riding, I stop or ride so slow it's not funny.

Thanks mate! So many people have been great in offering their support through my learning process. It has been a great confidence booster to hear people say how much I have improved or how well I'm doing. It is rather hard for me to believe that I have only been riding about three weeks! Now I just want to spend as much time as I can, out there practicing and putting what I have learnt to use. My head won't stop spinning with all the info I'm trying to digest!
I am keeping a look out for a track day at Hampton Downs, always wanted to ride around it and I think it would be better practice with having up and down hill slopes.
Allan has taken some pretty awesome photos, I'm considering buying all the ones of me, just as a memento...

Hampton is a totally different beast altogether. I've done most of my training on Hampton. Huge amounts of grip. Great "wind on" corners to give you some cool feelings and tough gradient changes to sort your lower body grip on. If you don't hold on to the bike properly with your lower body, Hampton will show it big time.

Looking forward to getting back to Taupo for some sessions though. Will be good to compare the two again.

Brooke's looking at buying a few of the photos as well. I'm gonna piss her off and get one blown up for the lounge

[tbs]

Yeah Hampton Downs is totally different, and not everyone feels the same way, but I find it much easier than Taupo. I find Taupo is quite technical, with so many low to medium speed corners and not many straights, whereas HD is a series of straights separated by corners. For learning I would say Taupo is better, as you have to be able to flow around the track, while at HD you just pin it down the straights, brake really hard, tip it in, wind it on through the corner and then pin it down the next straight and repeat. I LOVE HD. There are few better feelings than pinning it hard out of turn 6 up the hill and through the start finish area at 220 or more (still on a lean) before sitting up into the wind, which tries to rip your head off, and braking hard while watching the downhill blind apex turn 1 coming at you..... or dragging a knee through turn 4 and then gunning it up the hill and braking hard over the crest with the back of the bike trying to overtake you....... but that's just me.

[Brooke]

Hey ME, I'm Ckai's better half. Funny when you put a post up on here asking about something and all the different responses you can get aye?

I think most people that ride bikes (and drive cars) have all had whoopsy moments. It was a great day and I know I certainly got lots and lots out of the day too. Was pleased we trailered the bike down as I know I was really tired at the end of the day also. With the heat, everything that was learned and the riding that was done.

I would agree with the others about fixing the bike at a later stage (unless it really annoys you seeing it there). A patch up job can sometimes be the best way to go (not to mention cheaper!) I've a pretty steady hand, and black nail polish if you want me to have a go of tidying it up for ya.

Need to get out on the bike again for another ride very, very soon to instill what I learned on the weekend also, so keen for a ride somewhere if you'd like. (I have two young kids so need a bit of time to sort out people to watch them). Think the weather for this weekend is going to be crap. Stink

[Maha]

Thanks mate! So many people have been great in offering their support through my learning process. It has been a great confidence booster to hear people say how much I have improved or how well I'm doing. It is rather hard for me to believe that I have only been riding about three weeks! Now I just want to spend as much time as I can, out there practicing and putting what I have learnt to use. My head won't stop spinning with all the info I'm trying to digest!
I am keeping a look out for a track day at Hampton Downs, always wanted to ride around it and I think it would be better practice with having up and down hill slopes.
Allan has taken some pretty awesome photos, I'm considering buying all the ones of me, just as a memento...

The only thing you will learn from doing a 'Track Day' is how fast you are willing to go with the certain knowledge that nothing is coming the other way, on a bit of seal thats wider than what you are used to, all done in a safe environment with no potholes/roadkill/painted center lines/pea metal on the corners etc..you are far better off puting what you have learned into normal road riding conditions, especially after only three weeks or so.
I have the evidence of new riders doing track days and being outragously hopeless on the road.

If you feel the must to go to a track, look out for an ART day of something similar.

PS: That downhill 25kph right hander at Hampton Downs is a bastard in the wet.

[tbs]

The only thing you will learn for a 'Track Day' is how fast you are willing to go with the certain knowledge that nothing is coming the other way, on a bit of seal thats wider than what you are used to, all done in a safe environment with no potholes/roadkill/painted center lines/pea metal on the corners etc..you are far better off puting what you have learned into normal road riding conditions, especially after only three weeks or so.
I have the evidence of new riders doing track days and being outragously hopeless on the road.

If you feel the must to go to a track, look out for an ART day of something similar.

PS: That downhill 25kph right hander at Hampton Downs is a bastard in the wet.

There are plenty of riders doing track days that are outrageously hopeless on the track too. I think the main benefit of doing track time early on is learning the basic mechanics of machine control. If you run wide on a corner, then you get to go back around and do it better next time rather than end up in a ditch or under the wheels of a truck. It really is useful to have a good idea of how hard you can lean or brake into a corner or....whatever.... and specifically how to actually make the bike do it before you find yourself over the center line with a truck baring down on you wondering what to do.

I agree that you can't learn to ride well on the road with only track time. I freely admit that I'm a mediocre at best road rider, but when I'm faced with a sudden decision about what to do on the road I'm no longer wondering what the bike is going to do or what I should be doing. Less to think about equals more apparent time to evaluate options and make the right decision. Also, I've found that being comfortable at higher speed on a track re-calibrates my perception of speed out on the road.

And there is a lot more to be learned at Taupo with it's more complex corners than at HD even with the elevation changes. HD really isn't anything much like a road. It is fun though. Edit: except the one day I did there when there was an oil spill on turn 4. Feeling the bike sliding on that was a great education.

[tbs]

Brooke and ME, how did you guys find riding those bumps coming out of that little chicane with the cones onto the back straight?

It used to freak me right out hitting bumps while leaned over. I felt like the bike was going to fly out from under me. It would be quite a problem for me on tighter road corners that had ripples in them, as I'd subconsciously lift the bike up to deal with the bumps and then run wide.

[Brooke]

There are plenty of riders doing track days that are outrageously hopeless on the track too. I think the main benefit of doing track time early on is learning the basic mechanics of machine control. If you run wide on a corner, then you get to go back around and do it better next time rather than end up in a ditch or under the wheels of a truck. It really is useful to have a good idea of how hard you can lean or brake into a corner or....whatever.... and specifically how to actually make the bike do it before you find yourself over the center line with a truck baring down on you wondering what to do.

I agree that you can't learn to ride well on the road with only track time. I freely admit that I'm a mediocre at best road rider, but when I'm faced with a sudden decision about what to do on the road I'm no longer wondering what the bike is going to do or what I should be doing. Less to think about equals more apparent time to evaluate options and make the right decision. Also, I've found that being comfortable at higher speed on a track re-calibrates my perception of speed out on the road.

And there is a lot more to be learned at Taupo with it's more complex corners than at HD even with the elevation changes. HD really isn't anything much like a road. It is fun though. Edit: except the one day I did there when there was an oil spill on turn 4. Feeling the bike sliding on that was a great education.

Totally agree with all of the above (not like I'm experienced at all, but it all makes perfect sense to me)

Brooke and ME, how did you guys find riding those bumps coming out of that little chicane with the cones onto the back straight?

It used to freak me right out hitting bumps while leaned over. I felt like the bike was going to fly out from under me. It would be quite a problem for me on tighter road corners that had ripples in them, as I'd subconsciously lift the bike up to deal with the bumps and then run wide.

Believe it or not, it was actually one of the corners I enjoyed the most.

It freaked me out the first time I went over it, but just told myself, the bike know's what it's doing and so long as I have "floppy arms" and don't grip the bars hard and try and correct it, it will be OK. In saying that, I wasn't going like a bat out of hell and don't even know if I was taking the best line for it or not, but felt comfortable going over it.

[Drew]

If I say it....It's fuckin agressive!

Ya dropped the bike in the dirt, after a long day. It's being over analysed something fierce, because it's on Kiwi-cock-in-yer-hand.

[MystikEagle]

Hey ME, I'm Ckai's better half. Funny when you put a post up on here asking about something and all the different responses you can get aye?

I think most people that ride bikes (and drive cars) have all had whoopsy moments. It was a great day and I know I certainly got lots and lots out of the day too. Was pleased we trailered the bike down as I know I was really tired at the end of the day also. With the heat, everything that was learned and the riding that was done.

I would agree with the others about fixing the bike at a later stage (unless it really annoys you seeing it there). A patch up job can sometimes be the best way to go (not to mention cheaper!) I've a pretty steady hand, and black nail polish if you want me to have a go of tidying it up for ya.

Need to get out on the bike again for another ride very, very soon to instill what I learned on the weekend also, so keen for a ride somewhere if you'd like. (I have two young kids so need a bit of time to sort out people to watch them). Think the weather for this weekend is going to be crap. Stink

Hey Brooke! There have been a few useful replies which is good. And yes, a touch up, DIY job is on the cards. My mates brother is actually a whiz with things like that so he is going to take a look for me and probably end up re piainting it for me too
I wish I could have gotten the monday off work and just stayed there the night. I am still really tired, brain doesn't want to switch off because it's too busy trying to digest all the information!
Would be great to have someone to go for a ride with! I work 9 days on, 3 off and don't finish work till 6.30 at the earliest so the bike pretty much stays parked up till my days off. I've got it booked in to get fixed up on monday, (first day off) so could maybe do a ride late arvo, early evening? Maybe shoot over to Raglan for a coffee...

[MystikEagle]

Brooke and ME, how did you guys find riding those bumps coming out of that little chicane with the cones onto the back straight?

It used to freak me right out hitting bumps while leaned over. I felt like the bike was going to fly out from under me. It would be quite a problem for me on tighter road corners that had ripples in them, as I'd subconsciously lift the bike up to deal with the bumps and then run wide.

I honestly can't say I felt/saw any bumps... Maybe I was taking the corner a little wider? I really enjoyed that Chicane though. The corners I had trouble with were the first and last although both became a heck of alot easier once I had the counter steering sorted!

[ckai]

Edit: except the one day I did there when there was an oil spill on turn 4. Feeling the bike sliding on that was a great education.

Unless i was there on the same day as you, it must be a popular corner for it since I had the same problem. It definitely was "fun" and considering I wasn't really a fan of that corner at the time it was a bit of an eye opener. I've actually come across the same situation on the road since and didn't flinch. Seems like it worked

If I say it....It's fuckin agressive!

Ya dropped the bike in the dirt, after a long day. It's being over analysed something fierce, because it's on Kiwi-cock-in-yer-hand.

hahaha no truer words spoken. There seems to be a hang up on this nasty "track" word that "caused" the fall on the "road".

I know, how about we say this:

ME recently had moment on her ROUGH AS GUTS gravel driveway after doing an intense and highly beneficial education day in a large carpark with cones and shit and randomly placed lawns.

Maybe that will help some.

[MystikEagle]

hahaha no truer words spoken. There seems to be a hang up on this nasty "track" word that "caused" the fall on the "road".

I know, how about we say this:

ME recently had moment on her ROUGH AS GUTS gravel driveway after doing an intense and highly beneficial education day in a large carpark with cones and shit and randomly placed lawns.

Maybe that will help some.

[tbs]

Unless i was there on the same day as you, it was be a popular corner for it since I had the same problem. It definitely was "fun" and considering I wasn't really a fan of that corner at the time it was a bit of an eye opener. I've actually come across the same situation on the road since and didn't flinch. Seems like it worked

It was about a year ago from memory. I was bummed because turn 4 has always been my favorite corner. Probably because it was the first corner I ever got my knee down. I love being hard on the brakes and then tipping it in, and you can get so hard on the gas coming out of it and up the hill, but some wally in a car had dropped a whole bunch of oil there the night before and not cleaned it up. It was slippery the whole day, which really annoyed me but was probably great for my development.

[duckonin]

Star another thread for your dribble about how you liked the "TRACK", this thread has lost the plot. 'Track' is not the road. Your 'computer' in the top paddock needs to be 'honed'. How many of you can do '100kph ave' open road without worrying about what might happen ? How many of you can go through tight sections of road and not have to think 'too' much about what you are doing ? Getting passed a prick coming straight through a compulsary stop/giveway sign, a kid that was on the footpath riding his/her push bike that all of a sudden comes flying out onto the road in your path. Did your computer pick that up before it happened ? were you ready for any/all of this at anytime? Reading the road ahead useing your 'eyes and computer'.

Yep exactly none of you ! Your eyes and computer in the top paddock do all your work. Your hands/body and feet work from both of these.What brake would you use in times of trouble. Both, or just the front, maybe just the rear, maybe need to use one then the other very quickly. If there is any doubt about what your reaction would be under most circumstances that may confront yourselves then you still have a long way to go.

Maha said it. Tracks are good, Get yourselves plenty of road time. Forget missing a place/town/city because of the traffic just get right on in there, that should give your computers a work out. Be vigilant awake and thinking ahead. Forget the other mutt let them get their own shit figured out, they are not riding your machine you are..

Another wrote this but it is worth repeating. " Alot of people have the 'inability' to imagine the worst that can happen, and how quickly it can happen, and they are never prepared for it".