In praise of slow riding

**Grizzo** · 12th June 2013, 18:13

Originally Posted by Drew

Have you ever, even once, heard a biker pressuring another biker into trying to keep up?

I never have. People pressure themselves for whatever reason, it's no bodies fault but the trying to keep up...per.

I hear people being told all the time, to ride their own ride. It's about the only thing on this fuckin place that doesn't get any argument...Cue the arguments...

Classic. It appears that motorcyclists have evolved to be exempt from ego and peer pressure.

**Drew** · 12th June 2013, 18:14

Originally Posted by Katman

There used to be plenty of smack talking on here that, whether it were in jest or not, certainly set the tone of a ride in that if you didn't keep up then there was something wrong with you.

The mere fact that it doesn't appear in words on here much any more doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

That Wellington Rider's Facebook group still appear retarded enough to encourage a group public road racing mentality.

I'm sorry, a bunch of guys who know each other smack talking, means someone else has to try and keep up with them on the ride?

Don't get me started on the Wellington riders group. I've been kicked out twice! Hehehe.

This peer pressure to ride fast thing, is something I've never encountered actually happening, by anyone other than people who know each other for a bit of a laugh.

If someone else witnesses this banter, and decides they should try and keep up, fuck 'em.

**Drew** · 12th June 2013, 18:18

Originally Posted by Grizzo

Classic. It appears that motorcyclists have evolved to be exempt from ego and peer pressure.

Can you read? I said I've never seen anyone being told they should try and keep.

My definition of peer pressure, is someone being egged on to do something they are unsure of.

Ego is another thing all together, and those (like myself) who can't keep it in check, get the 'survival of the fittest' attitude from me. I tell everyone I was lucky to survive the shit I used to get up to on a bike on the road, and so do many others I know.

**MarkH** · 12th June 2013, 22:16

Originally Posted by iYRe

I am a sport bike rider, and I am slow."

I have a great desire to be a slow rider, but it isn't always easy.
I'd like to ride safely, but riding to the conditions can be expensive if caught

I try as much as I can make myself, to ride within the legal limits.
I've moved from Auckland and am now considering changing bikes as I'm in less need of a city commuter and would maybe like to buy an RF900 - I'd like all at Kiwi Biker to pray for my licence.

**caspernz** · 13th June 2013, 11:20

Originally Posted by Grizzo

Classic. It appears that motorcyclists have evolved to be exempt from ego and peer pressure.

Hardly! But it's the main reason why some of us prefer to do the majority of clicks on our own, without the presence of a low skilled keeper-upper-peer-pressure-ego-challenged companion to spoil the day...

**Banditbandit** · 13th June 2013, 13:57

Originally Posted by skippa1

I do believe a dick is waving

Yeah maybe ... especially at Harley riders .. because I know their bullshit attitudes ... I used to have one .. (see "I got Fingered Thread" - back in the days I've done exactly that) ...

As far as the rest goes .. naaa ... not really .. I like what iYRe posted .. but usually their idea of safe riding is nothing too fast .. so I just mentioned speeds to check .. and iYRe stuck with his "in the approopriate place" ... so I like what the article said - and agree ... I do try to ride so I do get home again (I sometimes fail to ride like that ... but hey, no-no'es purfect ... and I'm still alive and riding)

And, as I said, I am slowing down ... I am trying hard to stay under 110 klicks on my daily commute - and at least once a week I suceed ...

**iYRe** · 13th June 2013, 14:47

It shouldnt be _that_ hard to slow down..
I use an android phone with an app called "Navier HUD" - it looks a bit TRON like, and has a huge digital speedo - as well as an accelerometer and stuff. I set the speed limit to 110, and so I know if I can see a big red glow, I need to slow down (no need to really look at it either, you can see the glow). Also, I look at the accelerometer from time to time and make sure that the acceleration/deceleration peaks are nice and smooth, and that in between is as flat as possible. I find when I manage that, I have had a much better, safer, smoother ride.

There is a lot of skill required to "ride smooth" - its a lot harder than merely riding fast..

When I was a young fella, I had the opportunity to ride with a guy named Trevor Mortensen. At the time he was riding speedway bikes (the Jawa 500 things..). When he rode with us young guys he was on an old Triumph 650 (well, newish at the time I think). I can remember following his awesomely smooth lines and style through the mountains and stuff, and having to work like a bastard to make the GSX1100 do the same thing. I wanted it to look as nice when I ride... whether I am faster or slower is irrelevant, and it became a "thing". Unfortunately I had forgotten about it a lot - I always do it in the car and on my bicycle, but on the motorbike I have gotten all "choppy". This article and discussion has reminded me the joy I get from stringing together a nice smooth ride. I think its time to revisit that.

**MarkH** · 13th June 2013, 17:23

I'm wondering how easy it would be to ride slow if a person were to (just hypothetically) trade in a 400cc scooter on a 900cc (like maybe a RF 900) bike?
It could be a bit tempting to feel that acceleration and end up moving at a speed much greater than is legal.
How do you keep the horses at bay?

**Drew** · 13th June 2013, 17:30

Originally Posted by MarkH

I'm wondering how easy it would be to ride slow if a person were to (just hypothetically) trade in a 400cc scooter on a 900cc (like maybe a RF 900) bike?
It could be a bit tempting to feel that acceleration and end up moving at a speed much greater than is legal.
How do you keep the horses at bay?

Out comes my cock, for a thorough waving!

My dirty old RF accelerates to 140kph, faster than an 04 CBR1000 with standard gearing. I'm not exaggerating!

Most people getting off their Burgman onto said RF, would crack the throttle inappropriately only once or twice, before the deserved respect was given.

There is nothing wrong with getting off a gutless bike, onto something fast. It takes the special kind of fucktard that I don't want to see on a bike, to not learn very quickly that they should take it a touch easy.

**MarkH** · 13th June 2013, 17:38

Originally Posted by Drew

Out comes my cock, for a thorough waving!

My dirty old RF accelerates to 140kph, faster than an 04 CBR1000 with standard gearing. I'm not exaggerating!

Most people getting off their Burgman onto said RF, would crack the throttle inappropriately only once or twice, before the deserved respect was given.

There is nothing wrong with getting off a gutless bike, onto something fast. It takes the special kind of fucktard that I don't want to see on a bike, to not learn very quickly that they should take it a touch easy.

I'm OK with taking it easy and riding at a safe speed, but how do I ride such a bike at a legal speed?
It might just test my self control to the limit.
er, theoretically of course.

**Drew** · 13th June 2013, 18:00

Originally Posted by MarkH

I'm OK with taking it easy and riding at a safe speed, but how do I ride such a bike at a legal speed?
It might just test my self control to the limit.
er, theoretically of course.

Na, there's a comfort level on any bike, and of everything I've ridden I think 140 would be the highest cruising speed.

Just because a bike can, doesn't have fuck all baring on weather a rider will...Except when you buy a gixxer thou. It is quite hard not to try and get the speedo to say 300. Especially after everyone tells you said speedo stops at 299, (which it does, and REALLY fucks you off)!

**MarkH** · 13th June 2013, 18:30

Originally Posted by iYRe

I use an android phone with an app called "Navier HUD"

I curious about the mounting of the phone - what do you use to mount it and how do you do it?
This could be handy on a bike with the larger writing on the speedo being in MPH.