What will it take to slow you down?

**Leong** · 18th September 2006, 20:28

Originally Posted by cowboyz

same as big dave. the thought of losing my licence (being on 90 points doesnt help) slows me down alot. Especially on main roads. I dont ride really fast anyway. Well not compared to some. To be honest. I don't know what "ride fast" means.

Originally Posted by R6_kid

funny you say that dave. Thats my reply to people that ask if i'm scared when i go 'that fast' - "i'm more scared of losing my licence or copping a big fine than i am of crashing"

Yep that did it for me too... on 70 points!!

**Fub@r** · 18th September 2006, 20:28

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm
that should be enough for most people

**Hitcher** · 18th September 2006, 20:30

This poll seems to presume that "speed" is evil. And that must be true, given the squillions of taxpayers' dollars that are spent on social marketing campaigns to amend our behaviour...

In reality speed, like most things in life, is a relative thing. Riding too fast for the conditions and the capabilities of bike and rider may end in tears, but does not always do so. Like dogs who thrust their dreamy-eyed heads from the windows of moving cars, speed excites us. It always has. We're hard-wired for its pursuit. We're also hard-wired to take risks. And who amongst us hasn't savoured the serotonin rush that a burst of speed elicits? Do you think Valentino Rossi does what he does just for the money?

Maybe the question should have been "What would it take to make you take more responsibility for your own actions?"

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th September 2006, 20:34

well said hitcher.

**SwanTiger** · 18th September 2006, 20:36

Seeing Trev's bike down that bank on that particular corner knowing that I nearly fucked up that corner earlier in the night and it could of just as easily been me down there made me change my mind on what sort of bike I wanted next.

Instead of a sports bike I got a naked bike and I enjoy riding at 110 - 120 more than I would at any other speed. I like the wind and the feeling.

That doesn't reduce my chances of dying or anything, it just enhances my riding (kinda like dave mentioned) enjoyment and means I'm not going to exceed 140 and loose my license (unless its in a fucken 80 zone).

**WINJA** · 18th September 2006, 20:39

Wheres The Dieing Option In That Poll

**Big Dave** · 18th September 2006, 20:39

If I could take responsibility for my own actions I would ride faster than I am currently allowed to. Universally.

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th September 2006, 20:41

Originally Posted by WINJA

Wheres The Dieing Option In That Poll

good point.

**98tls** · 18th September 2006, 20:41

Remember doing 240 something clicks down conrod straight (over the coast) thinking fuck this is boring...speed needs to be taken in context...doing 100kms around a twisty road is much more fun than warp speed down a straight...any muppet can do that.

**TonyB** · 18th September 2006, 20:43

With age comes wisdom... or is that fear? I definitely ride slower these days, and late last summer when I was riding along a good, but cop infested road and getting pissed off because I felt the ride was being ruined, I realised: If you can't have fun without breaking the law and potentially loosing your licence (or worse), maybe its time to try a different type of riding. ie off road/ dual purpose/ racing.

Then on the road from Q'town to Glenorchy for the Glenorchy Rally I was riding quickish, and taking note of the black/grey lines left on the road by riders going hard out. Some of the lines they were taking clearly lead to the wrong side of the road on blind corners. Whoever they were, they were going hard out and using the whole road, with no way of knowing what was coming the other way. All of us are judged guilty by association with retards like these guys.

**Lil_Byte** · 18th September 2006, 20:45

Have attended a heap of accidents in years gone by and seen some horrific deaths. Some of them have been bikers, cage drivers, pedestrians christ even people falling off buildings.

The bottom line is "Shit Happens" so I am going to have some fun until I go.

I would not want to die in my sleep like my grandfather - more like kicking and screaming like his passengers

**gijoe1313** · 18th September 2006, 20:48

How about the option - I choose to ride a little more cautiously anyway? I'm not knocking the need for speed, I enjoy a good blat as the next person but I ride for a myriad of reasons. I want to enjoy my ride and get better at mastering the skills needed to ride safely.

I like meeting my family and friends on my bike and I can't believe how good it is when you pull off a side of a road and pull the lid off and savour the view - even better then when I used to do it in a cage.

I love meeting new people from all walks of life that have the passion for biking, talking about the little minutae of details and experiences that we file away for future reference.

I love the feeling when I complete a set of twisties and I realise that I've managed to do a little bit more better then the last time I rode through them.

But above all, I want to continue riding for as long as Im humanly able to - way, way into old, old age so I can keep putting rubber on the road.

Slow down? Of course when I need to! Speed around? That too when I think its safe enough! I love reading all the stuff you fellow bikers post up, it makes me think about my riding and keeps me on my toes (so I don't grow too overconfident, but not so fearful that I don't keep extending my skills that little more!)

Cheers KBers!

**dhunt** · 18th September 2006, 20:49

Originally Posted by cowboyz

I don't know what "ride fast" means.

Well you know when you have exceeded it when you don't make it round a corner.

I'll have to admit binning my bike last year has slowed me down quite a lot. Maybe has something to do with the fact that I don't remember crashing at all so a bit hard to learn from my mistakes. Also I notice I ride slower if I haven't been on any decent rides for a while or have met the local IRD officers recently.