Competely noob towards all things bike

[Cam_NZ]

Boots are a good idea, I can tell you from experience skate shoes really don't cut it if you go down, plenty of people are happy riding in work boots though.

Riding in shorts is not something that would be recommended by any body on here (nobody with any brains anyway) even kevlar jeans aren't really that good compared to goretex or leather but they better than nothing and not really that heavy (I have a few pairs and I tend to wear them almost all the time) just remember that kevlar is useless when wet so get decent wet weather gear as well.

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I have boots and wet weather gear already??? And i wasnt saying I was going to ride in shorts, I was saying the kevlar jeans would be useless because i would probably change into shorts at uni

[Mushu]

I have boots and wet weather gear already??? And i wasnt saying I was going to ride in shorts, I was saying the kevlar jeans would be useless because i would probably change into shorts at uni

Fair enough, I just wear the kevlar jeans and I have a leather jacket that doesn't look too out of place when you're off the bike (I feel like a dick walking around carrying my other jacket) and I have a pair of fingerless gloves that fit it my back pocket. That way I can get off my bike put my helmet in the little clip thing on the bike and just walk away without having to lug around a ton of gear or, even worse, walk around all day wearing it

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[Cam_NZ]

Ok so I want to know what people actually think about my jacket and pants...

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...d_2_texti.aspx

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...textile_j.aspx

Went for a ride with a mate last night, and the padding in his pants and jacket is so much harder! Kinda feel like if I come off, the padding will do jack shit.

Anyway, could just be me overreacting, I have a couple hundie to burn if you too think its shit.

[p.dath]

Ok so I want to know what people actually think about my jacket and pants...

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...d_2_texti.aspx

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...textile_j.aspx

Went for a ride with a mate last night, and the padding in his pants and jacket is so much harder! Kinda feel like if I come off, the padding will do jack shit.

Anyway, could just be me overreacting, I have a couple hundie to burn if you too think its shit.

Both of those pages no longer exist ...

I'm sure they will be fine. It may be impact protecting armour rather than "padding".

[Cam_NZ]

Yeah not sure, but I had a few hundred left to spend when I bought them, and kept asking her "what can I upgrade or spend more money on" So kinda annoyed I didnt get something with solid padding

[Mushu]

Yeah not sure, but I had a few hundred left to spend when I bought them, and kept asking her "what can I upgrade or spend more money on" So kinda annoyed I didnt get something with solid padding

Like p.dath said one's probably padded and one with armour but it can be bought separately. Look up to see if you can fit it to your jacket, you can have the ones I pulled out of my leather jacket if you like. Also I'd be surprised if Oxford or Knox or someone don't have something you could wear under your jacket

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[Cam_NZ]

Yeah its not hard to take them out. they're just held in with mesh pretty much. Might look at something a bit tougher to chuck in, especially the knees and shoulders. Definately need to invest in a back protector also

[Mushu]

Yeah its not hard to take them out. they're just held in with mesh pretty much. Might look at something a bit tougher to chuck in, especially the knees and shoulders. Definately need to invest in a back protector also

Back protector is next on my list too, I don't know how much protection 10mm of foam rubber offers, but I doubt it's much.

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[Cam_NZ]

Probably not... Have been looking at the full upperbody suit things. Chest, back, elbows and shoulder protection

[Cam_NZ]

So just finished a days worth of riding to and from whangarei today on the beast from the east. I have to say, I now know why there are so many people enjoying motorbikes! I had sooo much fun! That, along with travelling to uni a few times a week now... I cant imagine not having a bike. Lane splitting cuts down commuting by atleast 30mins in morning peak hour.

Anyway all went well, $20 worth of fuel and many cars past!! :P.
So this is how the trip went
Pros:
-I went fast and did well in corners
-Completed my longest ride so far
- Actually enjoyed a long-ish trip

Cons:
- Wind! That shit got old real fast! I swear it is just trying to fuck with you, blowing you left right and centre. And when you start to daydream a little, the wind decides to turn your bike for you, but towards the opposite lane
- Havent ridden on wet roads before, so when it started raining I sort of panicked a little and started riding less confidently
- ninja Vibrations! Damn that thing vibrates like a mofo after 8000 rpm


So questions I have that may be answerable
1. Are you able to get something, like thicker grips on the handlebars to reduce vibration and wrist fatigue??
2. Where in your lane should you be riding when the road is wet and slippery
3. How much more carefully do you need to take things when it is wet?
4. Why are cruiser riders pricks?

[The End]

So questions I have that may be answerable
1. Are you able to get something, like thicker grips on the handlebars to reduce vibration and wrist fatigue??
2. Where in your lane should you be riding when the road is wet and slippery
3. How much more carefully do you need to take things when it is wet?
4. Why are cruiser riders pricks?

1)

2) I ride where the tire tracks of cars are, and it depends on upcoming corners whether or not this is the left or ride side of the lane. In the middle there is often oil, debris and other things that could cause loss of traction.

3) Throttle control is key, smooth application of throttle through and out of bends makes riding in the rain a lot safer.

4) Wouldn't be Kiwibiker without a question like this!

[Mushu]

The answer to most of your problems is to just relax, hold on with your legs.
By tensing up and holding the bars too tight you feel much more of the vibration and your upper body becomes like a sail pushing you around in the wind.
I gave this advice to my cousin (incidently he was riding a ninja also) and watched his riding instantly improve.
You should hold the bars about as tightly as you would hold 2 bananas look up onearmedbandit if you saw him riding you'd never know he does it all one handed.

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[FJRider]

So questions I have that may be answerable
1. Are you able to get something, like thicker grips on the handlebars to reduce vibration and wrist fatigue??
2. Where in your lane should you be riding when the road is wet and slippery
3. How much more carefully do you need to take things when it is wet?
4. Why are cruiser riders pricks?

1. Bar end weights can help.
2. If there is plenty of traffic ... in either side wheel tracks as it tends to be drier as the wheels have pushed most of the water out from there ... (I prefer the right wheel track)
If there is little traffic ... between the wheel tracks as it's usually slightly higher than the wheel tracks (which are lower slightly and hold water) and the water usually runs off a bit from there. And the chip seal is less worn there and tends to give better grip there.
3. Much more. Lots of places get slippery when wet. Often small areas ... but if its on your line that you take ... a slight loss of grip is unnerving as the back (or front) end moves sideways a bit.
4. What makes NOOB sports riders so special they need to ask that ???

[Cam_NZ]

Anyone added a ventura pack rack to their bike?? I just got one and the bolts dont even fit through..

[TheTengTheory]

Anyone added a ventura pack rack to their bike?? I just got one and the bolts dont even fit through..

Go to a steel machinist that makes nuts and bolts and ask them to find bolts for it. I did that for my fairing bolts when I wanted stainless steel ones. Or ask a local mechanic where you can find a shop that machines bolts.