And The Dumbass of the Year Award Goes To...

**k14** · 22nd April 2004, 17:12

ME

Well, here's the story.

Driving back from New Plymouth to Christchurch, went to Wellington yesterday and caught the ferry this morning, I filled up in Wellington last night.

After my crossing I headed off, noting that it was 130kms to Kaikoura from Blenheim, I thought I had enough petrol to make Kaikoura so I didn't fill up in Blenheim. I hadn't noted my odo reading in Wellington, and estimated it (out by about 20kms I think.) When I still had about 55kms to go to Kaikoura, the bike starts dying, OH CRAP

, i thought (last time I managed to run out petrol I managed 27kms off the reserve). I started praying for a petrol station before Kaikoura, but to no avail. 34kms later I felt the loss of power, shit. I pulled over to a rest area, locked my bike to a power pole and started walking, waiting for some nice person to take me to Kaikoura. After about walking 2kms in my leathers and boots, a guy (who rides and said he's been in the same situation before) picks me up and takes me into Kaikoura to get petrol (around 15kms). Hitch another ride back to my bike and all is well again.

Learnt a fairly good lesson today, that will never be happening to me again.

**madandy** · 22nd April 2004, 17:30

I did that once myself on a ride from Auckland to Wellington...ended up pushing the bike for a couple of kms back to a gas staion I'd just passed only to realise I had not used the reserve

Glad to hear you're home safely after all.

**Marknz** · 22nd April 2004, 17:38

Hey k14,

I'll tell you what I did today and you might feel a little better.

Picked up my new GSXR1000 from WMC at lunchtime today and parked it up at work in the City and locked it up. In my haste to get out for a strop this afternoon I go down, warm the bike up, get all my gear on, jump on and back it out of it's space

CRUNCH!!

I've forgotten to take off the new disklock and now have a badly cracked front guard

Could be worse I guess, I could have buckled the disk, but the front anchors seem to be okay. Bit of a piss off though 'cause I'm guessing a new front guard ain't cheap.

**k14** · 22nd April 2004, 17:42

Ohh damn, that sucks. A new guard won't be the cheapest thing to replace.

**laRIKin** · 22nd April 2004, 17:53

I did a similar thing when I picked up my first Guzzi from Wellington.
But I just about got to Amberly.
I was told that I should get to CHCH on a tank full, when I was fulling up the
tank in Wellington by my mate (also has a Guzzi).
Well by to time I went up and down the Hutt motorway to his place I didn't.
I thought he meant that I would not have to full up again untill I got home.
Not, that I would have to full up again in Wellington to get home after just go
to his place.

**Big Dog** · 22nd April 2004, 17:59

Other peoples advice never fails... when the desired effect is

**Hitcher** · 22nd April 2004, 19:19

Originally Posted by Marknz

Hey k14,

I'll tell you what I did today and you might feel a little better.

Picked up my new GSXR1000 from WMC at lunchtime today and parked it up at work in the City and locked it up. In my haste to get out for a strop this afternoon I go down, warm the bike up, get all my gear on, jump on and back it out of it's space

CRUNCH!!

I've forgotten to take off the new disklock and now have a badly cracked front guard

Could be worse I guess, I could have buckled the disk, but the front anchors seem to be okay. Bit of a piss off though 'cause I'm guessing a new front guard ain't cheap.

I have also done something similar but without breaking or bending anything. I now put the disc lock on the REAR disc!!

**FROSTY:Me** · 22nd April 2004, 19:36

a little trick for those with the older type bikes if you find yourself in this situation. try laying the bike on its side on the fuel tap side.the 1/2 a litre trapped on the other side will slosh over and you'll be able to get another 5 or 10 km down the road.
I guess we've all done dumb things in our time.Worst I've done is riding away from a freinds house I stopped with front wheel on the road and back wheel on the footpath. hmm pity it was a deep drain--pity my legs wer a bit too short --pity my new bike fell on its side before my foot touched the ground

**Posh Tourer :P** · 22nd April 2004, 20:03

Works with most bikes doesnt it xj? if the fuel tap is down in a low point, get the fuel over there.....I suppose only really effective on a single tap bike though unless you have a balancing pipe between your taps....

**laRIKin** · 22nd April 2004, 20:04

Originally Posted by xjxjxj

a little trick for those with the older type bikes if you find yourself in this situation. try laying the bike on its side on the fuel tap side.the 1/2 a litre trapped on the other side will slosh over and you'll be able to get another 5 or 10 km down the road.

Thats a real good trick xjxjxj, but unfortunately my older type bikes have two fuel taps.
On the left and right side so when she out, she all over rover.

But it does work on the KTM

and out in the bush, there is not
many people to flag down. And pushing a bike up hill and through mud and
shingle is not much fun at all.

**Posh Tourer :P** · 22nd April 2004, 20:07

There ought to be a little bit left in the bottom of both sides, cant you get it out of one tap if necessary? I suppose if there is no tube connecting the two taps, it wont work, but one cylinder better than none?.....

**dangerous** · 22nd April 2004, 21:06

K14, Hang on mate you filled up in Wellington (picton no dif as you dident ride across the ditch) and after 130km you ran out ?? you should have got to Kaik's no worries?

Are you back in ChCh now cos theres a wee ride happening if your keen on Sat

**k14** · 22nd April 2004, 21:20

It was 130 from blenheim (which is around 20 or so kms from picton) and i filled up last night before going from the city to plimmerton and back to the ferry terminal this morning.

That must have been about an extra 60kms or so, which stuffed me up, i forgot to check the trip meter, but won't forget again.

Yes, very keen for that ride on saturday, was just about to post about going with people (i don't know any other bikers in chch), lol, normally just be a loner.

**Zed** · 22nd April 2004, 21:32

Originally Posted by k14

...I started praying for a petrol station...

Isn't that just one of the worst feelings - riding fairly unknown rural territory, knowing that you are on reserve but not knowing where/when the next s/stn is? I hate that! Been in that situation twice within the last 6 months & all you can do is constantly think of the worst case scenarios as you speedily run out of your last drop of juice. Thankfully I made it to the petrol just in time- like discovering an oasis in the desert I tell ya!

Zed