Orange Street Triple R on Akaroa Highway? (2 January)

[Robbo]

I'd have thought the complete opposite myself, fully-faired bikes can be an absolute bastard in gusty cross-winds. Big wide bars, an upright position and no fairings on an XL500 would be a piece of cake, in fact what could be better?

You are absolutely correct Madness. I have a fully faired Trophy and it is quite a handfull in both high and cross winds. I also had an XL500 back in the early 80's ind did'nt have problems riding in cross winds with that or my naked Bonnie for that matter.
It would appear that having 38 years riding experience and an ego bigger than your ability gives one the right to criticise all others and think that you are gods gift to motorcycling. Perhaps this person should sell his pushbike and buy a real motorbike.

[Big Dave]

I think generally nekkids are better in Palmy type winds.

The 1200 Trophy is also particularly prone to cross wind discomfort compared to a Connie 14 or FJR1300 for eg.

>>ego bigger than your ability gives one the right to criticise all others and think that you are god's gift to motorcycling. <<

I already have that job.

[ellipsis]

I'd have thought the complete opposite myself, fully-faired bikes can be an absolute bastard in gusty cross-winds. Big wide bars, an upright position and no fairings on an XL500 would be a piece of cake, in fact what could be better?

... fuck yeah, totally...down at Motukarara, on HW75 where the winds from either sth or nth can be horrendous, my wife and I have to nearly hang off our Goldwing in those conditions, like we were sailing a two manned yacht, tacking for all it's worth...

[dangerous]

The fact from what you have said is you thought he was going to crash with you on the back and it may just be sheer luck rather than his "Expertise" he didn't.
I dont know about other riders but whenever I have carried a pillion I have always been more cautious than when I am on my own. This guy obviously wasnt
based on what you have said.

ohhh... I read it that Mupet had full trust in his rider, I dont know many if any riders that are happy as larry as pilion.
"this guy" sounds like he was cautious, again i read that he rode well and similer to myself, sheer luck had nothing t do with it cos Im thinking Muppet aint so silly as to clime on the back of a bike he does not trust... I think you are just picking holes for the hell of it

[Katman]

This would be an excellent question to discuss with your observer.

I've spoken at length with my observer about it.

[dangerous]

Today I was riding in 30 to 40 knots of sidewind, and trying to maintain a decent line was bloody near impossible.
Like, you set yourself up for a left hander by meandering over to the right, and then the wind blows you all the way back to the LHS of the lane.
Bugger. Must remember not to rely too much on the Hendon thingy, especially when survival depends on keeping a very large safety margin.

more speed rastus... well I tend to ride quicker in the wind as to become more aerodyamic, AND very important to be down a gear or two and have the reves up, more internal innurther, stress the bike so as its not all limp in the wind, and quicker and easier to add more speed to pull out of a side gust.

A mate did the same streach on the 3rd, she was ok when moving (675 daytona) as above faster = easier (not in every situation ok people) she had to stop for a over turned caravan and as she slowed was nearly blowen over, stoped and 'was' blowen over, was a nice new paint job.

speaking of which, everone off 75 the roads all mine

LOL... well most of ya's listened, guy on a black gixer seemed to get a bit peaved when we passed him... now if ya wana ride slow thats cool by me... BUT move the fuck over and let others past or ya end up with the situation we had.

[Madness]

If you now think he was so good how come you had any fear of him crashing? A responsible rider would never ride in such a way as to create a fear of crashing in their pillion
but maybe this is missing from the IAMS manual.

Was your new-years resolution to become an internet troll? I can understand the appeal, it can be rewarding and strangely satisfying at times. Take it from me though, you need practice, lots of practice.

Did Muppet mention he's involved with IAM? I read something different from his reference to the training situation he described, but don't let that stop you in your on-going rant.

Oh, btw, it is IAM. Iams make cat food.

[ellipsis]

...as funny as this shit is getting and with dangerous now getting technical, maybe Cassina, you could now move your stuff over to Smokeys , Cornering Lines thread...someone is needed over there to sort it out for them...and we can all agree with Muppet that, yes, indeed, it is nice to be out for a cruise and see someone that makes it all look easy, and feel like complimenting them...I do it sometimes myself...

[Gremlin]

A few other posters have pointed out deficiantcies with it too in respect to how safe cornering is promoted

I suppose I can try one more reply. Naturally everyone is free to their own opinion, and has already been stated, it's not for everyone.

I started looking for something (finding IAM) as people would tell me I'm a good rider, but my question was, how are they qualified to comment? They could be terrible, so obviously I would look good in comparison. Same applies here, while people can comment, those with a qualified opinion are those that should be listened to, I mean, would you follow the advice of a random on the street? Now, I'm not getting into some argument or slagging off others in the thread, I'm simply pointing out you seem to ignore the advice contrary to your view, and hold gospel on those that agree with your view, and you disregard qualification.

Irrespective of opinion, the IAM approach is independent, measurable, internationally recognised and based on UK police instruction, who have high standards and class their drivers in pursuit status. The higher the class the driver holds, the more driver training they've had, the more they've worked and the more responsibility they hold. NZ in comparison requires officers to have attended an advanced driving training course, as I understand, nothing more specific? I consider the UK approach to produce real quality, but hey, let's have an opinion, based on no fact, and consider it better??

[Madness]

I rest my argument

Hallelujah!

[Headbanger]

[Madness]

[GTRMAN]

I have noticed the debate in this thread over cornering lines and I noticed in that debate the IAMS method was attacked for placing the rider in the direct path of anything coming the other way over the centre line. For your interest I agree with those who said it can be road/traffic dependent so would be anti IAMs on that too. I may have admired the fast riding of the guy poster 1 was
admiring too but the differnce is I would not have called it safe as well. If fast riding was safe there would be no need for crash barriers on race tracks would there?

IAMS is a cat food, the I.A.M. is the Institute of Advanced Motorists. If you are going to bag something at least have the decency to name it correctly.

[jasonu]

Thats odd that your training school would leave something like how to handle side winds out of the sylabus. The schools don't teach everything eh despite what some claim on here. BTW I have toured on an XL500 in side winds and your heavy BMW would be a piece of cake in comparison.

You are a fucking motorbike legend Rock on Sista!!!

[Kickaha]

If fast riding was safe there would be no need for crash barriers on race tracks would there?

They're for the protection of spectators more than anything else

Some people are damgerous at any speed, just because you're fast doesn't mean you're unsafe despite what the whole "speed kills" message tries to get across