IDIOTS on OUR best roads

[NodMan:Me]

I want to keep this rave separate from the recent SH16 Fatality!

This is NOT aimed at any known KBer!!

After 35 yrs I still luv riding certain roads..(maybe one of the reasons I still get paid to ride for the other side)

BUT fellow riders, there are toooo many idiots making it harder for US to enjoy our pleasure

In defence of SH16, I have enjoyed that, and associated roads for many years and this weekend I was impressed by another group who came thru with what appeared to be a safe organised club ride, well done guys and girls,

BUT was disgusted by the solo non KB nutter and non JAFFA(yes of course I have his plate) who wanted to try to show me how his 1100 would blast my 750 turbo on the straights then (with shite lines and bouncing rear wheel into corners and crossing the centre line) carve up OUR road etc..

now I wasnt working and so there will be no paperwork BUT I am concerned for myself, Mrs Nodman, and all you decent riders who enjoy those same roads.

I gave up the old Riverhead Rd about ten years back when the Remuera tractors took it over,

NOW with our import drivers, tractors,born again losers,politicans with draconian laws,etc, do I have to give up on jaffaland and play on greener pastures??

[crashe]

Nodman - Please don't leave us for greener pastures..............


But yeah I do know what you mean...
I have struck that myself when I am out cruising quietly by myself and some hairbrain rider swoops past me and so damned close... and on corners as well...

If and when I see a rider coming up, I always do my best to pull to the left to give them room to pass me safely... but some are going at such a speed that you dont see them coming.

I cant see why they need to go that fast.... they are missing so much of the lovely countryside...

If they have a need to go THAT fast then go onto a track and see how really good they are at speed.

The last thing that I want to see is that hairbrain rider that has just zapped past me lying in a ditch just up the road badly injuried cos he/she didnt make that next corner at the fast speed that he/she is going at.

So all take care out there on the roads and ride safe.

[plop]

Yeah Crashe..anyone can drive fast,

I enjoy the freedom of riding, I don't care about what bikes people ride as we are out there and we all now how Fun it can be and also how dangerous it can be

So be safe

Nodman -

I cant see why they need to go that fast.... they are missing so much of the lovely countryside....

[James Deuce]

You know, being lectured about being safe is starting to get tiresome. One person's safe is another person's bored shitless.

Riding in a stupidly dangerous fashion as outlined by nodman is truly a disservice to motorcycling, but riding faster than you (by you I mean all the people that refuse to accept that other people might actually enjoy riding faster than you do) do isn't inherently dangerous, and there is no rule that says you need to feel threatened by faster riders.

People crash and die and that is sad, but what I am seeing in increasing measure on KB is a response to the brainwashing about the speed kills message and I don't like the direction it is taking.

Take responsibility for yourselves and stop telling other people how to live their lives.

[MSTRS:Me]

You know, being lectured about being safe is starting to get tiresome. One person's safe is another person's bored shitless.
People crash and die and that is sad, but what I am seeing in increasing measure on KB is a response to the brainwashing about the speed kills message and I don't like the direction it is taking.
Take responsibility for yourselves and stop telling other people how to live their lives.

Tiresome - yes. Un-necessary - hmmm...no. I think the message is more "Pay attention" rather than "Slow down" - at least that's what I've been reading lately.

[Edbear]

I cant see why they need to go that fast.... they are missing so much of the lovely countryside...

As you say, this is until they become a part of said lovely countryside! I agree there are a few who seem to like tempting the grim reaper, and it does spoil it for others. I am very careful where I stretch my legs, there are safe open places suitable. There are a few really good roads up North if you care to travel up Whangarei way, but I agree the number of good biking roads is a bit limited around the Auckland region. Coro is not too far away for a day ride if you leave early and is great workout, which is why it's so popular with KBers I guess. But I'm hoping to take a trip down the centre of the Nth Is soon, coast to coast there's some fantastic roads down below the Bombays!

[NodMan:Me]

Riding in a stupidly dangerous fashion as outlined by nodman is truly a disservice to motorcycling, but riding faster than you (by you I mean all the people that refuse to accept that other people might actually enjoy riding faster than you do) do isn't inherently dangerous, and there is no rule that says you need to feel threatened by faster riders.

Point taken, I agree that speed in itself isnt inherently dangerous ... but speed wasnt the issue here (in fact anyone wanting a quicker trip to the morgue than me is welcome IF its only themselves involved)...its the danger to others that concerns me, we are having to avoid cages all the time, I dont want to be taken out by any idiot, cage or bike... generally most bikers are safe defensive riders...this idiot wasnt!

[James Deuce]

Point taken, I agree that speed in itself isnt inherently dangerous ... but speed wasnt the issue here (in fact anyone wanting a quicker trip to the morgue than me is welcome IF its only themselves involved)...its the danger to others that concerns me, we are having to avoid cages all the time, I dont want to be taken out by any idiot, cage or bike... generally most bikers are safe defensive riders...this idiot wasnt!

Not argiung that point at all, and down here we have a chap on an Aprilia RSV who "undertakes" riders at the least plausible moment and overtakes on very blind bends. He's pushed me wide on corners with no margin for error, so I really do understand what you are sayin.

I just don't like the idea that we should all ride to the limits of the lowest common denominator, which seems to be at the core of the "ride safe" posts I am seeing in increasing frequency.

[Ixion]

You know, being lectured about being safe is starting to get tiresome. One person's safe is another person's bored shitless.

Riding in a stupidly dangerous fashion as outlined by nodman is truly a disservice to motorcycling, but riding faster than you (by you I mean all the people that refuse to accept that other people might actually enjoy riding faster than you do) do isn't inherently dangerous, and there is no rule that says you need to feel threatened by faster riders.

People crash and die and that is sad, but what I am seeing in increasing measure on KB is a response to the brainwashing about the speed kills message and I don't like the direction it is taking.

Take responsibility for yourselves and stop telling other people how to live their lives.

Perhaps the slow riders are mounting a counteroffensive to the jeering of the fast riders? Sauce for the gose, and all that.

For my own part I don't care how fast , or slow, other people ride. I ride at a speed that suits me, but I prefer not to run any unnecessary risk of walking home.

But, there is more to it than just personal preference.

Firstly, like it or not, we share the roads with other people. Including the Interchangeable Mabels. And, when they get blitzed by several bikes travelling at 200+, overtaking them on both left and right (yep, seen it), they (Stan and Ethel) get frightened, upset , and angry. They then call the plod. And if such messages mount up, the plod take notice. And start clamping down on that bit of road. Which upsets ME if it happens to be a bit of road I ride on, cos now the risk of me getting done at my sedate 130 is much increased. So , I don't care if you want to do 300kph on one wheel, go for it. but don't frighten the natives. Cos then that pisses me off

Secondly, it is all well and good for a mature experienced rider to say that speed is a personal choice. But this is not a forum only for mature experienced riders. We have a lot of young, inexperienced riders. And , being young, and bulletproof, their main thought is "how fast can I go". And being inexperienced, "how fast" may be too fast. A cautionary word is not out of place. I am obliged to say that there are some members whose signals to young riders are less than might be hoped for from those who should be looked to as role models and mentors . A sobering word from Ms Crashe or other more responsible riders helps balance that.

[R6_kid:Me]

i've seen it done before. Got passed by a guy on Z1000 with a pillion going into a blind right hander 45kmh corner - I had pillion too.

I was starting to chase him and show him who was king but then noticed that we were entering a populated area and that if i continued the way i was riding just to beat some twat, that it could result in one of us being taken out unexpectedly by someone pulling in to/out of a country driveway.

Some people just dont realise how much trouble they can get themselves in to.

Like Jim2 said, keep yourself safe, let other people ruin their own lives. If this means pulling over for a minute to let some big-headed dick past then do so - it's better to take a break and then get back into it knowing they wont be going past again.

[James Deuce]

I DO understand the sentiment and intent.

However I don't agree with gazing at the scenery when riding. That's possibly a more dangerous use of processing power than riding at speed in traffic.

Nor do I think that the message will hit the intended audience. In my experience mentoring only provides the mentored with the skills to ride even further outside their comfort zone. I am at a loss as to how we provide young folk with the mental strength to ignore peer pressure and develop self-awareness to the point where they are aware and unashamed of their personal limitations.

[snuffles]

I thought the whole purpose of this site was to allow people to express their own views......if we start dicatating the content of peoples veiws, where will it end.

[outlawtorn]

Take responsibility for yourselves and stop telling other people how to live their lives.

I don't think anyone is being told how to live their lives here, it seems more like ride how you want to ride, just don't ride like a fucking prick. Ride fast, ride slow, who cares, just do not endanger the people around you, be they on bikes, in cars or pedestrians.

[madboy]

...just don't ride like a fucking prick...

I agree. It's the definition of "f***ing prick" that differs. My view, Jim's view, Nod's view, your view and others views will probably have similar content but different overall outcomes. Is a wheelie being a prick? What about if that wheelie is done in view of other cars? What about if one of those cars has young impressionable children watching? Or worse - teenage children who might be looking at buying their first bike?

[SPman]

I cant see why they need to go that fast.... they are missing so much of the lovely countryside...

Ever tried cruising and looking at the countryside on a GSXR1000? Whilst it can be done, it's not its raison detre! Absorbing the countryside, yes. (sodding midges outside cowsheds, butterflies.....)