Not so experienced after all (avimistry)

**avimistry** · 28th September 2014, 20:25

Hi guys,

I've been a kb member for a few weeks now and thought I'd wait till I get my ride before I introduced myself but I had an experiencec which I have to share.

So a quicky about me. Was a motorcycle junky, custom sports bike, rode for 3 years, had a couple kisses with the asphalt, and a little track riding. Now after being off for 6 years I can't wait to get back on. I hadn't gotten my license as back in South Africa the police never bothered bikers much. Its a different story in NZ, so I got to start at the bottom. Which brings me to my post.

So yesterday I took a BHS course, one for those with riding experience. And boy oh boy i never expected what happened. After riding for 3 years (which I thought was a decent amount), and I was a bit of a hoon, I thought the course would be easy peasy, no fuss. So I got onto the little 125 and BHAM!!!... No i didnt fall, but i could barely ride. I mean my balance was ok and I didnt stall but apart from that it was like I'd never ridden before. I think the other guy who'd only been riding for a week was doing better than me. Anyway, as time passed I got better and managed to pass the test

Yeah so that's it. But it's still a bit of a shocker. Seems like I've got a long way to go before I can even think of hooning around again but I can't wait.

So anyone with a similar experience, returning after a while and feeling like a newbie, please share. I'm sure I can't be the only one.

Cheers.

**Maha** · 28th September 2014, 20:40

Accident Statistics do not really favour returning riders, but it's more like 20+ years, not two or three.
You would probably find that most experience riders would have trouble with a GN125 at first. When I went for my full, I had been riding a 600 sports bike for a good few months and getting onto and a GN250 felt like shit, and it showed for the first 10 minutes or so I guess. I passed though which was the objective at the time.

**ducatilover** · 28th September 2014, 20:45

Maybe you're a squid

**george formby** · 28th September 2014, 20:45

Yup, had a similar experience over the last couple of years getting my G/F rolling. Been riding since I was a young un but never had proper training. When it came to basic handling skills on my big bike I was rubbish. Open road no dramas. The training & learning experience has been a great leveler & I'm over the moon with my increased abilities & knowledge.
Good post & honest, lots of riders think they are the shiz but in reality.......?

**caspernz** · 28th September 2014, 20:49

Low speed handling requires practice, so you're not on your own there. And really a 125 is like a skateboard after a real bike anyway

I did a course in Welly which had low speed handling course, in the second month with my new Busa...now that was interesting

**mossy1200** · 28th September 2014, 20:56

I fixed up a gn250. What a strange bike to ride. Might be the fact im 6'4 and used to big bikes. Felt like I was sitting over the rear wheel and the front end felt so light that I began to wonder if it had any traction.

**ducatilover** · 28th September 2014, 21:26

Originally Posted by mossy1200

I fixed up a gn250. What a strange bike to ride. Might be the fact im 6'4 and used to big bikes. Felt like I was sitting over the rear wheel and the front end felt so light that I began to wonder if it had any traction.

They're very odd. And the front washes out pretty easy DAMHIK

**avimistry** · 29th September 2014, 08:08

That's a relief.. knowing I'm not the only one. But on a more serious note, the instructor did say that low speed handling is more challenging and if you can master that then the rest comes easier. That's why I plan on doing a low speed handling course once I build some confidence.

The GNs do give you somewhat of a less engaging experience. You never really feel like youre in control. I guess for a complete newbie it wouldn't matter, but coming from a sports bike with sharper handling and response the feeling is more amplified.

Thanks for sharing.

**avimistry** · 29th September 2014, 08:15

Originally Posted by caspernz

Low speed handling requires practice, so you're not on your own there. And really a 125 is like a skateboard after a real bike anyway

I did a course in Welly which had low speed handling course, in the second month with my new Busa...now that was interesting

Lol, I can only imagine what would have happened had I been on a bigger sports bike, let alone a busa.

**ducatilover** · 29th September 2014, 11:16

I think they're hilarious to ride. Grind pegs like a boss.
Go do a heap of tight slow turns in a car park

**EJK** · 29th September 2014, 11:29

It's a GN thing. Still gives me the shiver riding that horrid thing.

**Erelyes** · 29th September 2014, 11:35

I'm 6'3", hopped on a Ginny and felt like I should join the circus. They seemed to me like an odd mix between naked and cruiser, with almost scooter ergos.

Scorpio 225 much better

Can't help you otherwise (I started in my late 20s having never ridden a bike before and haven't looked back since). But welcome, please feed the trolls, have some rep, etc.

**george formby** · 29th September 2014, 12:00

Originally Posted by cassina

In my opinion low speed handling success has more to do with the type of bike than the rider with trail/adventure bikes being better at handling than big road bikes/cruisers.

Nah, the techniques apply the same. Little bikes give you more confidence to start with, though. And Goldwings can't actually fall over.

http://youtu.be/a6IbEywbxvY

http://youtu.be/H1MlK5VPZ84

**ducatilover** · 29th September 2014, 14:02

Originally Posted by cassina

Yes I have seen low speed highly skilled big bike handlers too but being good at doing that where there is little chance of major injury or death is a lot different to real road riding situations. You will note he did knock over a road cone and I bet if he had been on a trail/adventure bike it would not have happened which does support my view plus I do own both types of bike so my opinion is based on experience.

Go away.

Cheers