sticking together.

**jimbo600** · 18th June 2004, 13:01

Originally Posted by phil_elvey

So true

As for the actuall debate, yeah I think the parents are a big problem. I talk to heaps of parents who won't let their kids ride, and by the time they get to 20 and leave home they've got themselves hooked on boy racers instead and they think that's where it's at - they don't realise what they're missing in bikes.

Also, I've always thought the best way to get NZers on two wheels en mass is to do a big biking drive in Auckland. I hear so much whinging about the traffic in Auckland (which is fair enough, I'm not saying its not bad or the whinging is unjustified), but imagine if half of the commuting public of Auckland got into bikes, the traffic problem would be instantly reprieved.

They don't have to be racey sports bikes either, thinking like someone has no history of bikes and wants to commute on a bike, one of those 650cc scooters would be quite appealing I think - good in the traffic, easy to ride and plenty of juice.

I don't know why bikes aren't promoted at every opportunity. Ease congestion, more economical, less wear and tear on the roads etc. I say the government should abolish the ACC levy on bikes and introduce a separate higher speed limit for us. Get people out of their cars, which are all 1up in rush hour, and on to bikes.

In fact, I think I'll start my own political party. The gixxer party. Any voters?

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 18th June 2004, 13:06

Originally Posted by jimbo750

A united front is indeed what we need. In the UK a few years back the eurocrats were really clamping down on bikes. Leg protecters, 100bhp limit.

Personally I don't give a f**k what anybody rides. Every one on two wheels is alright by me.............until they pass me, then it's all on.

That interesting. Thanks for the info. Are we under attack like this in New Zealand? I remember a group going to the government about ACC and things. Who were they?
As far as I am concerned anyone that rides is good enough for me to wave to but when you get a group of bikes and riders spread out all over the road with an attitude I will give it back. If it is a good attitude I give a good response but if it is a sh*t one I will reflect that in my response. I have no time for the groups that ride on the wrong side of the road push cars and other bikes off the road just because they think they can. Power in number but I will still stand my ground and I really do not want to be friendly to people that do the "pack mentality" sh*t on the road. Been there a few months ago but some of the riding was just dum. If you pass on blind corners and every one else takes evasive action to save your skin you are a nutter and these are the people that I do not want to represent. So maybe the powers to be have a case. Look I ride and enjoy the bike hence the fines but there is a limit. Yes we all make mistakes but this type of riding is deliberate.......

**jimbo600** · 18th June 2004, 13:06

Originally Posted by Wenier

That must b alot of ppl then jimbo ahahahha.

Aye! steady! It's not that many.

**Wenier** · 18th June 2004, 13:22

Originally Posted by jimbo750

Aye! steady! It's not that many.

If any

shit control myself

its a pity i no longer live in welly, i cant ride wit you guys and take the piss outta ya no more

**NordieBoy** · 18th June 2004, 15:35

Originally Posted by XJ/FROSTY

How many harly riders sneer at "rice rockets" and how many sports bike riders put down the harley guys.

I have a balanced view - I sneer at both of you

You're all tasselled freaks and tupperware riders.

Motards are the one true bike.

Other than the Britten of course.

The CRF450 is pretty tasty as well.

Oh and Pepsi Suzuki replicas...

Where was I?

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 18th June 2004, 16:08

Originally Posted by jimbo750

I say the government should abolish the ACC levy on bikes and introduce a separate higher speed limit for us. Get people out of their cars, which are all 1up in rush hour, and on to bikes.

In fact, I think I'll start my own political party. The gixxer party. Any voters?

I am happy to pay some ACC. It is expensive to fix the broken bits on people.

I agree on the speed thing. We should be left to make a judgment call as we ride.

Gixxer power in town is no fun. As for the political party well count me in.

**Marmoot** · 18th June 2004, 18:05

I'm still waiting for the "special speed endorsement" on Full license motorbike enforced with strict riding examination (read: legal license to speed)

If a car can tow a trailer, why can't a sportbike speed?

**toads** · 18th June 2004, 19:19

I think anyone on a road bike regardless of make or model, have the same thing in common,( love the feeling of riding) I don't see someone with different taste in bikes any better or worse than myself, I have the kind of bike I do because I like it and it didn't cost the earth, some harleys look absolutely gorgeous, to my way of thinking, as do some sports bikes, I think that some people need to have half a dozen kids to help adjust their opinions and priorities, it's just plain immature to make judgements about other people based upon such a shallow rationale as personal taste in anything, and I quite agree we do need to stick togther, there are very few of us out there on the roads and we need to see more bikers on the road and more lobby/support networks out there to get our needs addressed., we are definately discriminated against that's for sure.

**marty** · 18th June 2004, 21:59

Originally Posted by Cajun

I have ride all sorts bikes, father in law has bmw i ride often(needs a run), he use to have a vn1500 cruiser, i use to ride that alot, sister in law a vn1500 meanstreak, and ride that from time to time. So i ride everything from cruisers, sports touring(bmw, bandit 600, vtr1000f), to my gsxr600.

hey what's the mean streak like?

**jimbo600** · 19th June 2004, 08:56

Originally Posted by marty

hey what's the mean streak like?

I've had a burlah on a meanstreak. Bloody good ride I reckon. I had myself a right laugh on one.

**White trash** · 19th June 2004, 08:59

You've got a burlah of a mean streak! Remember Aelxandra......

**Ms Piggy** · 19th June 2004, 09:12

I think it's just bad press really, like any other minority group you generally only hear asbout us when something bad happens. And I've had a lot of people makes the comment: "Be careful!" or "Why would you wanna ride one of those death machines" or "Oooo, I've seen some nasty bike accidents." etc, etc. I'm not quite sure how we can cause the general public to have a greater respect for us...I try to ride respectfully & rave about riding whenever I can to non-riders.

A united front would be great but, as Jackrat said too much bullshit whinging and back stabbing and not enough getting on with the job!

But we could try & get a referendum going to lower bike registration for a start! Only need 10% of the voting population to sign the petition! Go Jimbo750! That could be your first act as our mighty leader

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 19th June 2004, 10:56

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

I think it's just bad press really,
"Be careful!" or "Why would you wanna ride one of those death machines"
A united front would be great but, as Jackrat said too much bullshit whinging and back stabbing and not enough getting on with the job!

But we could try & get a referendum going to lower bike registration for a start! Only need 10% of the voting population to sign the petition! Go Jimbo750! That could be your first act as our mighty leader

I do not see all the bad press that you talk about. Maybe we are not getting the reporting here in the Bay but I have not heard or read any press that is outside the norm for the traffic on the roads. Besides who cares what other cage drivers think?

The " be careful" is normal. People that do not ride do not understand how it all works. Mary ( wifey) use to worry about me when I got my first bike because she had never been on the road before. After she came out a few times she realised it was harder to stay home and worry than to come along. So she has had a few years of 2 up and doesn't think twice when she wakes up in the morn to find a note saying "gone to Taupo for a feed be back sometime this year"

I would like to see all bike rides work together and be friends but just the nature of people that ride will never allow this to happen. We have to accept that fact. I want to go out and ride and enjoy the company I go with and if I meet other rides that want to chat great but if they do not want to chat so be it. Some times I just want a feed and a drink and want to move on. For me it can be about the ride that gets rid of the weeks stress and that makes me a better person. Some times I just do not want to chat. Some times I do. In short rides are by their nature a bit independent. At times.

I remember some one tried to partition the Government about the ACC stuff but have no idea what happened. Who was it and what was achieved?

**Ms Piggy** · 19th June 2004, 13:40

Originally Posted by Gixxer 4 ever

I do not see all the bad press that you talk about. Maybe we are not getting the reporting here in the Bay but I have not heard or read any press that is outside the norm for the traffic on the roads. Besides who cares what other cage drivers think?

Yeah sorry, when I say 'press' I guess I was kinda thinking reputation - bad choice of phrase. Yes who does care what cagers think...apart from when they don't think you are traffic & pull out anyway! :sneaky2: