Scaring myself silly today

[gijoe1313]

Well, decided to head out and drive in rush hour traffic around South Auckland. All I can say is... Its amazing the difference you get when you are on two wheels of freedom vs cage!

I saw about two other bikers on my travels and I wondered if other bikers knew something I didn't!

Anyhow, the crazy amount of whacked driving I saw (and avoided!) made me think about all the times I must have ignored them when I was driving my own cage (though I was always respectful to bikers since my brother was a hard-core biker).

I had to have my wits about me and its a good thing I've been persisting with always covering my clutch and brake with my free fingers - and leaving plenty of distance to the vehicle in front.

But during my stationary moments (when I wasn't busy checking behind me and to the side!) I could think about how much better it was to be on two wheels then the usual riding in my cage!

One thing I noticed about my Hornet. She doesn't like being stationary and would rather be going forward and leaning over into curves!

[Squeak the Rat]

Mate, good to hear that you are paying attention to what's going on around you. Sth Auckland is a truly unique place to ride, there are so many types of drivers out to hurt you intentionally or not.

Unfortunately as a motorcyclist you have to take the responsibility for keeping safe from the whacko's, P heads, imbeciles, dumbarses and anger management regulars. Sounds like you're doing a good job already!

One word in Sth Auckland especially - as tempting as it is, don't offer too much abuse if some one cuts you off. You don't know how they will react and it's not worth the risk, especially when you're still early in the learning process. Cars hurt.

[Fub@r]

One word in Sth Auckland especially - as tempting as it is, don't offer too much abuse if some one cuts you off. You don't know how they will react and it's not worth the risk, especially when you're still early in the learning process. Cars hurt.

Second that, overtook a car a few years back, guy didn't like it so he tried to ram my car, I had to escape on to one of those central grassed islands. Guy chased me for about 15 minutes. Thought I had lost him till he managed to take a different road and came at me headon on my side of the road!!!!! Some real whack jobs down that way.

As for traffic..........don't lane split!! Not yet anyway. Stay in the traffic flow and wait till you have the confidence in your bike before attempting it.

[gijoe1313]

Yeah cheers for that mateys - been southsider for 20+ years now and I know exactly what you're saying about the crazy conditions on the road (and that ain't the weather!).

I'm a pretty patient bloke when it comes to the traffic, I pull my head in because you never know what flakey pyscho could do if triggered off! And with two wheels of freedom, I'm prepared to give as much leeway to stop me getting into a situation where I end up second best (or worse off to be perzactly! ).

Lane splitting - I think I'll avoid it until a lot, lot, lot later!

Any advice on where to park your pride and joy when out and about in public? I'm paranoid since I notice there ain't a helluva lot of other bikers out there to give me a lead!

[sunhuntin]

i park mine a block over from the main street [this is for wangas, btw] its in a long bike park that is rarely used. id avoid parks crowded by mopeds, since their riders are unlikely care if your ride gets bumped.
if im only stopping for a second, ill park as close to the shop as i can...even using car parks [but putting a bit of money in the meter]
if having a feed, i get it to go and go sit in the gutter so i can keep an eye on things, lol.
if im going into town for an extended period of time, ill use the closest far away park, that way, its out of the way of traffic, but still in an area busy enough for the public to notice if somethings not right.
also, when parking next to or in car parks, make yourself as central in the park as possible...to avoid those damned doors.

[Fub@r]

Lane splitting - I think I'll avoid it until a lot, lot, lot later!

Been doing it the past few weeks on suburban streets only where "I" feel there is enough room not what other bikes reckon is enough that sometimes pass me.

Did my first full motorway run this morning. "L" plate firmly attached Traffic never got above 80 so was pretty sweet. And thanks to the Ducati that passed me I plucked the courage to split lanes as well, thanks for the lead

[FilthyLuka]

heehee, angry cage drivers... you'll be suprised what people will do when there rear view mirror is replaced with a boot print...

seriously now, i started lane splitting bout a month after riding my gn round. Start splitting when your comfortable...

[WarlockNZ]

Not just out south guys ... some bastard in a 4x4 decided he didn't llike me filtering up to the front of the lights at spag Junc this morning (from the North Western) and tried to cut me off .. i ended up mirror kissing the car on my left and leaving a rather large fist mark in the 4x4's left front fender is I went by him ... I tell you what .. my old man gave me a peice of advice that i'll never forget .. he said son .. everyone that drives a cage, wakes up in the morning and thinks to themselves ... hows many bikers can i kill today. and you know .. hes right ... don't trust any off them and allways have an escape route planed.

[FilthyLuka]

allways have an escape route planed.

double points if the escape route involves breaking something that belongs the afformentioned cage driver.

1 point for scratch
2 points for fist mark/dent
3 points for removed side mirror
4 points for removing a window...

i mean... errm... dont do... umm... unlawfull... aww shit, i cant think of anything law abiding to say. ill try again later...

Denis

[WarlockNZ]

double points if the escape route involves breaking something that belongs the afformentioned cage driver

LOL ... ohhh ... we need to start carrying score cards .. brilliant.. i thought about removing his mirror .. but those 4x4's mirrors are massive .. and would probably break my hand. .. hmmm ... i'm thinking softball bat across the back .. or maybe the paintball gun .. sure the cops would have something to say about that tho ... ha ha

[FilthyLuka]

LOL ... ohhh ... we need to start carrying score cards .. brilliant.. i thought about removing his mirror .. but those 4x4's mirrors are massive .. and would probably break my hand. .. hmmm ... i'm thinking softball bat across the back .. or maybe the paintball gun .. sure the cops would have something to say about that tho ... ha ha

stop playing road rash! (im lieing, keep playing, take notes) We'll have none of that round these parts!
Where would you keep the bat? wouldnt a chunky lock up chain work better? you could like wrap it round one shoulder and look bad arse... kinda...

[WarlockNZ]

stop playing road rash! (im lieing, keep playing, take notes) We'll have none of that round these parts!
Where would you keep the bat? wouldnt a chunky lock up chain work better? you could like wrap it round one shoulder and look bad arse... kinda...

You make a damn good point .. mind you i'm just happy to be alive most mornings and the thought of being run down by a mental bastard driving a 4x4 dos'nt really put a smile on my face ... i'm thinking the paintball thing would be awesome .. not with wash off paint tho .. that way we could all see who the wankers were at a distance and avoid them ..

[jtzzr]

Hey dudes , yeah there are alot of cagers out there who want to kill you (on purpose and accidently) , just go out there with a defensive mind and keep on your toes , as for lane splitting I don`t mean to dis your rides , but you really should do it on a bike with some power just to get you out of those sticky situations. So just take care so you can ride tomorrow.

[WarlockNZ]

but you really should do it on a bike with some power

Love too ... and as soon as i'm actually allowed too ... i will be .. untill then the 250 is fine .. it's got enough power in traffic .. lol .. open roads a different story

[Ixion]

Any advice on where to park your pride and joy when out and about in public? I'm paranoid since I notice there ain't a helluva lot of other bikers out there to give me a lead!

If I'm going to be less than a couple of hours I just park on the footpath outsideish where I'm going. Pick a spot where it's not actively obstructing pedestrian traffic , and preferably where something else (street furniture, signal box, trees and stuff) already makes an obstruction. Or in a "niche", eg between the butresses of a building.

I've not had any hassle yet.If there are other bikes parked there so much the better.

Long term, a parking building (bikes park free in ACC and Sky City ones) or somewhere I can chain the bike to something solid.