Same deal as usual, advice please!

[Livvy]

I've missed you, KB...

[Drew]

Don't get me wrong...I'm obviously all for it! But don't kid yaselves...doing so costs you money one way or another!

So cynical, for one so y... Never mind.

[caspernz]

My advice would be quite simple, to improve your skills and your confidence...get along to a course run by Roadsafe. You can even do a course on one of their bikes.

www.roadsafe.co.nz/courses

And yeah, Pete at Wgtn M/C will look after you. Just say no to his coffee

[unstuck]

And run like fuck if he gets his wallet out with a twinkle in his eye.

[Livvy]

And run like fuck if he gets his wallet out with a twinkle in his eye.

What are you trying to imply? :P I can look after myself, thank you!

[GDOBSSOR]

Hey so I've been on KB for yeeears now, haphazardly owning bikes and just loving bikes in general, but moving frequently and having sweet F A confidence has meant I'm still essentially a brand new beginner... Small lass with not a lot of muscle bulk, plus being raised in a country town means I've been way too anxious to try and ride in the city, but I'm getting so sick of being apprehensive!

I'm in Wellington these days, and would really love some advice and support getting back into the swing of things - I'm considering getting an FXR150 until I get my full (and full confidence) but yeah... Help?

Thanks!

FXR150s are awesome, a mate of mine has one and he loves it to bits. I have a very old GN250 and love it to bits but if you don't know what you're doing it is very slow. If you DO know what you're doing it is just fast enough. As a learner, I would really have to say that anything smaller than a GN250 would be too slow. Another option would be a scorpio.

[caspernz]

As a learner, I would really have to say that anything smaller than a GN250 would be too slow. Another option would be a scorpio.

Yep, pass on a GN125 is fair. Had a GN250 myself back in the day, just a little bit slow. Now I've got a Hayabusa, and that's a little bit fast.

Still reckon the key to building confidence is some time spent at a decent training place

[Str8 Jacket]

If you'd like you're more than welcome to join us "bucket racing fags" and come spend some time on a track (during a time when no one elase is out there) and get some confidence that way? I have a bike and gear you could borrow if you're keen? Just spending time on a bike will help you gain confidence..... Just flick me a PM and we can go from there

[Edbear]

If you'd like you're more than welcome to join us "bucket racing fags" and come spend some time on a track (during a time when no one elase is out there) and get some confidence that way? I have a bike and gear you could borrow if you're keen? Just spending time on a bike will help you gain confidence..... Just flick me a PM and we can go from there

How're you liking the Goose? Might be a good option for Livvy?

[iranana]

I'm a pretty small guy, around 5'9 and I weigh around 65. I learnt on an RG150 - awesome bike, loved it, small and light enough to lug around without fear of dropping it, and it had enough poke to scare me in the corners even after riding it for two years. Faster than the majority of traffic which made for easy escapes from cagers, small enough to lane split even through the tiniest gaps. Pretty similar in profile and size to the FXR I think, but probably a fair bit quicker off the mark, being a two stroke. If you get one that's been well maintained or recently had a top end rebuild, they're cheap n easy to maintain and run. Not a whole lot can go wrong with em anyway. My opinion is highly biased towards small capacity two strokes, but I think they're a commonly over looked option for a learner. As for confidence... nothing but experience on the road, track and car park will help build that, applies to both driving and riding.

[Grashopper]

Hey so I've been on KB for yeeears now, haphazardly owning bikes and just loving bikes in general, but moving frequently and having sweet F A confidence has meant I'm still essentially a brand new beginner... Small lass with not a lot of muscle bulk, plus being raised in a country town means I've been way too anxious to try and ride in the city, but I'm getting so sick of being apprehensive!

I'm in Wellington these days, and would really love some advice and support getting back into the swing of things - I'm considering getting an FXR150 until I get my full (and full confidence) but yeah... Help?

Thanks!

If you like the FXR150 have a sit on one and see if it feels ok. If the seat height and the weight are too much for you then get something else. Especially when you're not very confident don't go for something too high or heavy.

And +1 for what all the others said about training. CasperNZ posted about training you can do on the instructor's bikes. That might be a good option where you could start right away and you also have the chance to try a bike or two which might help you to make up your mind.

[jorge84]

Hi,
Long time listener, first time caller. or worder.
I definately found spending some time on the track helped my confidence with bike handling.
Spent a little bit of time as a "bucket racing fag" and found the time spent pushing my capabilities on the track and learning cornering lines helped when i got on the road as everything appeared to be happening slower and well within my realised limitations.
I was well off the pace as a bucketeer due to my under powered machine and being a little bit short for my weight but always felt safe amongst the other riders.