What will it take to slow you down?

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th September 2006, 19:57

First up, this is not a gripe or a rant... just something thats been on my mind lately that I can't really find an answer to it for myself.

What would it take to slow you down?

A mate dying? Seeing another rider in a serious accident? Being in one yourself? A disability caused by other reasons?

When I crashed my R6, which was my first real crash, i had a slight knock in my confidence. I still rode at a pace that most people consider 'fast', but it took me a while to get back to a point where crashing wasnt on my mind.

Then next thing that knocked me back was seeing Two Smoker hit the wall at Puke at around 180kmh. I was the first marshall to respond, and the whole thing was pretty overwhelming. Not to mention seeing someone you respect as a rider lying there making screwed up noises and knowing that they were far from ok. That day after racing i took the R6 on the track and something stopped me from going over 200kmh, in my head something said WTF, even though it was the safest place to do high speed (on the back straight).

On the road many of us strive to ride fast (sprotsbike riders anyway), and this is enhanced by tracktime. We get away with a lot of things at speeds that could maim or kill us, the adrenalin rush, the buzz im guessing is what keeps you out there. And the pursuit to be a little better than the next guy. A guy might come to grief, we'll pick him/her up, brush them off and take care of them and their bike. Yet the 'sensibility' brought about by such an event is short lived.

So what do you think would need to happen in your life to slow you down?

**onearmedbandit** · 18th September 2006, 20:04

And you could also get killed/maimed riding at the speed limit everywhere you go, observing all the road laws, etc etc etc. I ride 'fast' as well, but I try to limit as much as possible the risks involved. I am fully aware that there are some factors I have no control over, but that's life full stop.

And I speak from good experience. Riding at a 'fast' pace made me the 'onearmedbandit', but I've learnt my lesson. I'm faster now.

**Sketchy_Racer** · 18th September 2006, 20:09

people go slow and die.

people go fast and die.

I go stupid fast at a track.

I only go fun fast on the road.

Unless the race leathers are on, it being sensible.

I do that so my mind can flick between two different mind sets.

Mind set 1 Race : go as hard as you can. WIN WIN WIN.

Mind set 2 Road : Have fun. keep within 40% of my riding limits at all times.

works for me

**toymachine** · 18th September 2006, 20:09

This is something that's really been nagging me lately, and it's a bloody serious question in my opinion.

Now, i'm not a fast rider by general standards, but this doesn't mean i don't go fast enough to kill me... however.

It's been nagging at me lately, because i'm at a rather dangerous stage in my riding career - i.e i'm confident (i suppose cocky could fit in here) enough to push the bike fast enough to kill myself (or god forbid someone else) yet not experienced enough to realistically be able to handle it.

The problem is, that's all well and good here and now, but when you're out there riding and theres a beautiful corner coming up... or you getting a little bit of wanting to 'show off' or anything... just silly little things... or searching for a buzz, and those sane thoughts arn't in your head... you just lean in an open the throttle...

To be honest I'm not sure what it'll take, i'm hoping it's nothing too serious when I find it.

**Big Dave** · 18th September 2006, 20:11

None of those options G.

The potential for losing my licence and not being able to ride has done it however.
I sold my sports bike and bought the tractor and am actually enjoying riding even more.

**Clivoris** · 18th September 2006, 20:11

All of the above.

**98tls** · 18th September 2006, 20:14

With the bandit here....you dont have to ride fast to die....have a few good offs over the years...the worst one i cant remember as i spent 6 days sleeping after it and am glad as it was pretty nasty.....my old man used to say that the best riders are oldriders..no pun intended john....if you survive a few offs and learn something then i believe you will carry on riding till age tells you you cant.....have seen the results of bad offs but hasnt deterred me just made me wiser.In saying that theres always the one you dont see coming...

**Karma** · 18th September 2006, 20:17

The only things that really slow me down are corners, and all the pies I have to carry around.

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

I suppose toymachine is on a similar wavelength to me.

You could also think of it as "What is fast enough?"

I enjoy the riding im doing, both road and track. And solong as no copper catches me doing what im doing on the road then im sure i'll keep doing it with a smile on my face.

I remember as a 'n00b' rider i was always smart enough to think "i cant go as fast as that guy" and let them get off in front, and i gradually learnt to handle my bike, and to ride that little bit faster. I then got on my 600 being told i was 'fast' on my 250 and thinking i knew it all i kept riding that way. Was under two months before i was in the bushes on the coromandel looking my bike upside down in a bush thinking "what just happened".

I never have the 'i'm gonna die' thought in my head when im riding, and i dont think any of us do until we are in a moment when your face goes

and your pants go a yellowy brown. But have thought on many occasion lately that if i didnt take it down a notch that i'd come to grief. Having the experience of not listening to that thought and coming to grief has saved me from being a in a situation that i'd rather not be in, but i seem to get the impression that many a new rider doesn't ride with that thought in their mind.

**cowboyz** · 18th September 2006, 20:20

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.

**Colapop** · 18th September 2006, 20:20

Yeah you can get seriously hurt crossing the street, riding your bike, or in a Columbine style shootout - but the reality is that you don't go out looking to get killed. If that's what you wanted badly enough (god knows enough kids have) then you'd commit suicide.

Yes, there are some very experienced riders out there, who know how to ride and ride well. But that's not everybody. Not everybody races either. For me I haven't learned enough to go fast (did enough of that at 17, 18 etc) now I know that I have limits and gaps in my knowledge, that's what stops me from 'going fast'

**R6_kid:Me** · 18th September 2006, 20:22

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"

**bladez** · 18th September 2006, 20:23

i find you learn from your mistakes

and cars and bikes dont mix.
had some big offs involving cars and spent 4 months a bed with lots of surgry

still trying to keep my leg but still got the other one so bonus

but i would say not seeing ya kids grow up to ride bikes is a big factor.

**gamgee** · 18th September 2006, 20:23

i never ride super fast, i mean the quickest i've ever gone on a bike is 149.99999, didn't wanna lose my licence, and that was before they changed it to 140 and that was only once, next quickest is around 120, normally I cruise at 110, so it's mainly tickets, but it's also the fact I just don't like the amount your chances of avoiding shit are reduced by at those speeds, to many idiots running wide on corners, not looking around, going to the conditions etc, I'd rather just cruise and enjoy the scenery a bit more