So many bloody hills....

**Lteejay** · 3rd January 2007, 15:19

Cant stop grinning or maybe my face looks more like

Second time on road today, but really the first time I have gone further than around my small block. Man, Auckland has heaps of hills. Lots of stops signs which are great, but not when they are at the top of each hill. Many stalls on hill starts, but practise practise practise. If you saw a red honda hornet cruising around ponsonby today (well I would like to think I was cruising - more like puttering) then that was me. Overreving and stalling, but lots of great moments too - heaps of fun. Lots more practise needed.
By next week, I might even be OK to ride to the end of the western motorway for the newbie ride.

**Nasty** · 3rd January 2007, 15:28

Crikey this sounds like my first rides ... lotsa stalls and lotsa fun ... sounds like you are enjoying it ... good on you .. keep it up and get over for the newbie ride .. they are meant to be great!!!

**Maha** · 3rd January 2007, 15:31

Theres a few of 'your sort' around (and im not being mean)...i think its almost time for a few of (should i say 'us mature') type riders to assist on an organised ride for the like of yourself. A real noobie ride, not the 250 one?, but one that any noob can ride comfortably on. Get ya out there a ride with a few bigger bikes at a legal pace. No bullshit, just an open road cruise and leave the bullshit till the end of the ride....talking is great.....

**Str8 Jacket** · 3rd January 2007, 15:33

lol, you should try learning to ride in Wgtn!

But seriously, keep at it! I found as I learnt how to master the "basics" such as hillstarts, stopping and starting smoothly etc my riding started to improve. Its all about confidence. Relax and enjoy!

**Lteejay** · 3rd January 2007, 15:56

Originally Posted by maha man

Theres a few of 'your sort' around (and im not being mean)...i think its almost time for a few of (should i say 'us mature') type riders to assist on an organised ride for the like of yourself. A real noobie ride, not the 250 one?, but one that any noob can ride comfortably on. Get ya out there a ride with a few bigger bikes at a legal pace. No bullshit, just an open road cruise and leave the bullshit till the end of the ride....talking is great.....

No offence taken - love to hook up with other noob's for a ride. Although have to say 45 km/hr today seemed pretty fast - sad I know, but I think I have to work up to getting on the open road.

**Scorpygirl** · 3rd January 2007, 15:58

Originally Posted by Lteejay

Cant stop grinning or maybe my face looks more like

Second time on road today, but really the first time I have gone further than around my small block. Man, Auckland has heaps of hills. Lots of stops signs which are great, but not when they are at the top of each hill. Many stalls on hill starts, but practise practise practise. If you saw a red honda hornet cruising around ponsonby today (well I would like to think I was cruising - more like puttering) then that was me. Overreving and stalling, but lots of great moments too - heaps of fun. Lots more practise needed.
By next week, I might even be OK to ride to the end of the western motorway for the newbie ride.

I know exactly what you mean LteeJay. I am in the same situation, as a real noobie rider. However learning to relax is a big part of getting smoother. Good on ya!!! Go girl!!

**Lteejay** · 3rd January 2007, 16:01

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

lol, you should try learning to ride in Wgtn!

But seriously, keep at it! I found as I learnt how to master the "basics" such as hillstarts, stopping and starting smoothly etc my riding started to improve. Its all about confidence. Relax and enjoy!

Thanks for the support. Christ, learning in Wellington - all those hills, skinny arse roads and with the wind added in - no thanks. I will think a bit more lovinly about auckland now.

**gijoe1313** · 3rd January 2007, 16:24

On ya! Good to hear you are getting out and about and coming to grips with your ride - sounds like you had fun and reflecting about the things you are doing ... I know it feels like a ton of things you are trying to think or keep track of, but the best thing to do is relax! ( I know, I know it sounds hard! )

Heck, I remember all the times I was stalling, over-revving, under-revving, trying to indicate and then remembering to switch it off, left foot or right foot down, where the heck is neutral, eek - there's traffic on the road trying to squish me, etc. etc. etc. ...

Keep at it, ride a bit each day, practise your skills and keep us posted!

**Lteejay** · 3rd January 2007, 17:59

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Heck, I remember all the times I was stalling, over-revving, under-revving, trying to indicate and then remembering to switch it off, left foot or right foot down, where the heck is neutral, eek - there's traffic on the road trying to squish me, etc. etc. etc. ...

LOL - you must have been spying on me. Nearly exactly my thoughts - te he he

**SilentDtH** · 4th January 2007, 10:38

Gooo the Hornet!! It can be a bit touchy on the throttle and therefore easier to stall at lights. I have stalled twice, I wanted to just push the bike to the side of the road but instead I got to grips with myself, started her up and kept on going. Embarrassing but honest!!

My trick now ( seems to work every time ) is to give it constant gas, say 3-4k revs, then ease the clutch out ( riding the clutch? ) works a treat. However this can be quite hard while holding the front break at the same time... at the top of newton road just merging into ponsonby I tried holding down the foot break instead so I had complete control over the throttle and clutch with my hands. It worked, but i'm not sure if this is the correct way of doing things - experienced riders fill in gaps please

Hope to see you out there at some stage!

**Rhino** · 4th January 2007, 10:47

Originally Posted by SilentDtH

My trick now ( seems to work every time ) is to give it constant gas, say 3-4k revs, then ease the clutch out ( riding the clutch? ) works a treat. However this can be quite hard while holding the front break at the same time... at the top of newton road just merging into ponsonby I tried holding down the foot break instead so I had complete control over the throttle and clutch with my hands. It worked, but i'm not sure if this is the correct way of doing things - experienced riders fill in gaps please

The only correct way to use the brakes to hold on a slope is THE WAY THAT WORKS FOR YOU. Some find it easier to use the rear brake, others (myself included) use the front brake and release it as you roll on the throttle.

The main thing is that any action you take on the bike should feel comfortable for you the rider. After a while hill starts will become automatic, just another part of enjoying two wheels.

**Lteejay** · 4th January 2007, 12:02

Originally Posted by SilentDtH

Gooo the Hornet!! It can be a bit touchy on the throttle and therefore easier to stall at lights. I have stalled twice, I wanted to just push the bike to the side of the road but instead I got to grips with myself, started her up and kept on going. Embarrassing but honest!!

My trick now ( seems to work every time ) is to give it constant gas, say 3-4k revs, then ease the clutch out ( riding the clutch? ) works a treat. However this can be quite hard while holding the front break at the same time... at the top of newton road just merging into ponsonby I tried holding down the foot break instead so I had complete control over the throttle and clutch with my hands. It worked, but i'm not sure if this is the correct way of doing things - experienced riders fill in gaps please

Hope to see you out there at some stage!

Went out again today and did a couple of hill starts -much easier. I Have been using the foot brake as it seems easier, but I think I will play around with both and see how they feel. Thats a bit of a hill on newton, not done it myself yet.
Got my first on the road compliment on my bike today, thought my face would be permanently frozen into a HUGE GRIN. 1.5 hrs went by in a snap of the fingers - oh my god, I am hooked for life.

**SilentDtH** · 4th January 2007, 12:10

Originally Posted by Lteejay

Went out again today and did a couple of hill starts -much easier. I Have been using the foot brake as it seems easier, but I think I will play around with both and see how they feel. Thats a bit of a hill on newton, not done it myself yet.
Got my first on the road compliment on my bike today, thought my face would be permanently frozen into a HUGE GRIN. 1.5 hrs went by in a snap of the fingers - oh my god, I am hooked for life.

Excellent! Glad to hear you're getting the swing of things. Hehe compliments are always welcome, I can count a few

**Ixion** · 4th January 2007, 12:30

I use either hand or foot brake for hill starts, whichever is more convenient. Some folk pontificate pompously about one or other being wrong, ignore them.

The main factor that makes me decide to use one or other, is if I am willing to remain in gear with the clutch withdrawn whilst waiting. If you have to put the bike into gear, as well as use the rear brake to hold it on the hill, you rather run out of legs to hold the bike up.