Pukekohe Open Day 26th April

**Kwaka-Kid** · 4th April 2003, 06:07

hey hey! now i wouldnt go as far as saying that.

I am only talking about normally sane people here :P - not us "different" people

hahaha

**wkid_one** · 4th April 2003, 12:51

Just a question - you DO know that the idea is NOT to fall off don't you?

**ManDownUnder** · 4th April 2003, 15:15

MikeL - don't worry about your first time... last time out was my first time, on a bike I have only owned for a couple of months, after an 8 year break from riding bikes... ANY bikes.

Things I learned if they are useful to you.

Keep your line - don't worry about what's in your mirrors, they can see you and go around you (and they do!). This was THE sinlg ebest piece of advice given on the day.

Learn the track. Find your line, watch the guys ahead of you and see where they go, and try it out. I learned truckloads from everyone around me.

Learn the track part II - find the part of the track you have most problems with and focus on that. Enjoy the rest of the track and work on it one piece at a time.

Do your own thing. I puttered around all damned day (ok... faster puttering towards the end there) and had a brilliant time. As mad as all the guys out there are, I think everyone takes safety very seriously and it was more fun than frightening.

Redline! I was a little reluctant to push my bike... my poor baby isn't used to that! Problem is it was DESIGNED for that, and I have to say it goes better now than it ever has in the past. I also am a lot more comfortable and capable throwing it around more too.

**Hoon** · 4th April 2003, 16:12

Originally posted by ManDownUnder
Do your own thing. I puttered around all damned day (ok... faster puttering towards the end there) and had a brilliant time.

Ohh gee...and heres me feeling proud of myself for being able to keep up with a 900cc bike on my 250cc when you was just playin with me

**MikeL** · 4th April 2003, 16:15

Thanks for all the advice. It's fairly reassuring (I think)

Sounds like Track Time would be a good way to start but I can't get there tomorrow as I'm out of town all day. Suppose the best thing would be to turn up on the 26th and have a good look before committing myself - at what stage do you pay? Any refund if I kill myself? Just my little joke...

**wkid_one** · 4th April 2003, 20:19

No refund - but a free trip to the Morgue!

**750Y** · 14th April 2003, 17:10

Hey MikeL,
You will be absolutely fine going at pace that You and Your bike are comfortable with. It's a whole lot of fun and it is fairly safe if You are feeling confident and riding with Your brains. Generally hardly anyone falls off and those that do usually get straight back up again. The place where You are most likely to go down will be the hairpin if You are pushing Your limits but that's cool because it just so happens to be the slowest part of the track also. Also the test days are less populated(than track time days) so much less pressure of photographers, people desperate to prove themselves in relation to others and others' bikes and having to watch out for every Thomas, Richard and Harold etc. who is pretending they are in the superbikes. Go along & have fun You'll enjoy yourself a whole lot. the $80 is well worth it.
I had the whole track to myself in February(the only bike out there). only had to share with one class of cars too for 20 minute on/off sessions. Pity I suffered a failure though and had to go home early with an out of action bike(I took the trailer luckily). Still had a great day. get in there You'll have a great day too.

**bluninja** · 14th April 2003, 18:01

Hairpins, may be the slowest part of the track, but you can still get hurt if you fall off (speaking from experience).

However if you go at what you feel is comfortable for you, you should be fine. After all you ride on the road with all it's different hazards don't you? It's all in your head. My first trip on a track since last year was nerve wracking, I rode slower than I do on the road and hated the first few laps. But hey I didn't fall off and I got faster and smoother. At no time on the day did I push the bike to it's or my limits, but I had lots of fun.

TTFN

**750Y** · 14th April 2003, 18:14

Hairpins, may be the slowest part of the track, but you can still get hurt if you fall off (speaking from experience).

good point. falling off can hurt at any speed.

**MikeL** · 14th April 2003, 21:15

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'm almost convinced... I've been building up confidence on the road since I started back on a bike 6 months ago, riding every spare moment. Done over 10,000km since then, without serious incident. White knuckles now relatively rare, starting to feel over-confident, so perhaps the time is ripe...
Keep the positive comments coming, or I might start to waver...

**Coldkiwi** · 15th April 2003, 12:29

Streuth mate, I know teenage girls more decisive!!! Just get your butt out there and have a ball!

**750Y** · 15th April 2003, 12:44

Just get your butt out there and have a ball

lmao

I bet You say that to all the decisive teenage girls You know.

**wkid_one** · 15th April 2003, 12:54

What ---- did you say 'get your balls out and have a teenage butt'????? - I like it

**Kwaka-Kid** · 15th April 2003, 19:27

Bahahah! You sick sick men :P Yeah and i bet u wish you could Wkidone :P haha

God love being young and able to play the field :P

**Redstar** · 16th April 2003, 10:45

Short of a T shirt how shalt we know thee of the day? wilt thou all be resplendent in the wearing of a pair of soft orange ear plugs or green and the secret handshake and the the question art thou a member of the fraternity know as the kiwibiker?
or shalt we blend in with the crowd as if there is no special bond?
or not?