Is motorcycling for me??
A year ago this week, I rode a motorcycle for the first time at John Wright's BHS course. A year ago, I was unsure whether this motorcycling thing was for me and I didn't have any motorcyling friends to consult.
Since then I've experienced numerous highs from getting my first gearchanges correct to getting my lines gearing and timing right thru a set of twisties.I've ridden down our street at 70km/h thinking "man that's fast - how can people go at 100km/h and not get blown off", then done 180km/h on the track and wanted more power to keep up with a mate.
I learnt to compensate for the VTR250's lack of power in overtaking, then effortlessly passed a car on a GSX-R600 only to be stopped for excessive speed.
My first time filtering thru traffic was so satisfying that it is now my preferred mode of transport if I need to go into the city.
There have also been lows like my first bin when I ran off the road and luckily bent little more than my pride. And embarassing moments when I parked too close to a hedge then slipped on moss and fell in.
I remember my first KB group ride when a friend and I met about twenty KB'ers at the Autobarn and went on a Mystery Ride that was to include SH22. We were the only 250cc bikes. I was in awe at the sound of big bikes behind me and being overtaken by them at high speed.I overtook a car for the first time that day, used my front and rear brakes independently and felt the difference it made in the bikes attitude going into corners. I learnt a lot more that day!
I've experienced the joy of passing my BHS and Learners after not having sat any exam/test of any sort in 20years! Then the pride to receive my full license via CBTA after riding for only 4 months! Six months later I lost this privilege for 28 days when I used the power of my day old GSX-R600 to overtake a car as smartly as possible. Prior to this year I had no demerit points over the last 20 years not even a parking ticket.
There have been trips away on the bike when I've experienced our beautiful countryside and had some quality time by myself away from the family.
I've had the joy of trackdays and was surprised at just how bitterly disappointed I was last week when told I'd have to miss my first trackday on the Gixxer due to a mechanical problem.
It's been a great year and through all of these experiences I've had help from members of this site. I've met many great people on KB and having re-read my threads recently I'd like to thank everyone for the help this newbie has received!!
Thank you SpankMe for setting up this site. My experience would have been totally different if not for KB!!
And after the awesome Coro Loop ride yesterday I'm definitely hooked on this motorcycling thing - And watching some of you guys ride, have a lot to learn yet!!
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