My first 1000km

[Chisanga]

Just got back from dropping off the VTR for it's first 1000km service and thought it would be a great time to reflect on my first couple of weeks as a bike rider.

The bike arrived a day after my 33rd birthday...stalled it twice on my driveway and once at the top of my road.

Done many circuits of Cockle Bay in my first week, gaining confidence and learning the bike.

Went on my first ever KB ride, thanks to McJim, Maverick, Donor and all others in the "slow" group - what an awesome community.

Took my bike over to my mates place to show off - took me about 5 minutes to realise that it wouldn't start because I had knocked the engine cut-off switch. They laughed.

Again when waving to a fellow biker coming out of Maraetai hit the cut-off switch but didn't realise it at the time and thought my bike had died

Been up and down Twilight Rd about 6 times now.. great for learning but must be very very careful - this afternoon I came round a corner to face a tractor towing some farming implement that protruded about 3 feet into my lane - almost crapped meself.


Thinks to work on:

Must go on all the KB rides that I can.

Find a mentor.

Practise emergency braking.

Gain confidence whilst cornering - still not happy with countersteering.

Go on BRONZ course at Whenuapai.

Scout out a "safe" place to lock my bike for when I return to University in March.


Keep having fun!!!


Thanks to everyone who have shared words of kindness, wisdom, humour and motivation with me over the last few weeks. You are all great and part of the reason I enjoy biking so much

Safe riding everyone

[Donor]

Too easy to wax supportive...

So I'll just say, well done man... good to hear you are taking so much on board, you're an inspiration to newer newbies, and a fresh reminder to those that think they are the proverbial ten foot tall and bulletproof.

Look forward to hearing about the next 1000km, and riding with you on some of them!

[Alice]

Hiya,
Hey I just got my hands on my VTR Dec 15th, and arn't they just the most fun wee bikes to ride.

I had to take mine back for its first service after the first week. They said in the shop, ...it might take you awhile to clock up 1000km, and looked suprised when I was back 1 week later, actually I had only done 800km then, but knew I would clock up a good few more km's between Christmas and New Year and did not want to go to much over the 1000km before getting an oil change. Just as well I did. I have nearly 3000km on the clock now, we"ve been to Wanganui and back, Taupo and back, and lots of tiki touring around the back roads here, some really twisty narrow back country roads that wind down towards Masterton. I am just loving it. The only thing keeping me off it is the fact that I am back at work. Tomorrow I am going out to the shop to find out some more about a Scott oiler, a device I have heard about that drips a drop of lube on yu chain every time you throttle off ? something like that anyway. Some guys told me about it and swear by the expensive wee contraption for chain life so I am wanting to know some more about it.

I have been reading the thread on SH 43, sounds like an interesting road, think I will head off Whitangi weekend and ride it.

I am also enjoying the people I have met through motorcycling, its amazing how friendly and helpful everyone is, and its cool how everyone waves to each other, well mostly, there a few real staunce looking dudes, har, they are amusing.

You sound as chuffed with your bike as I am with mine.I look forward to reading some more how its going for you.

The weather here tomorrow is forcast fine, yeah, I've had some wet rides as well, all good, gotta get used to those conditions, anyways, yu know what I'll be doing tomorrow since I have the day off work.

[Chisanga]

Hiya,
Hey I just got my hands on my VTR Dec 15th, and arn't they just the most fun wee bikes to ride.

I have nearly 3000km on the clock now

They must have come in the same shipment I got mine on the 15th also.

Man 3000km!! I thought I was doing ok getting up to 1000 so fast Certainly enjoying it although I work6 days a week so haven't had the chance for any "big" trips yet In time i'm sure but until then i'm more than content going for 50-100km 'tiki tours' of some of the awesome roads out East and South Auckland.

Go the VTR!

[Lteejay]

Sounds like you are having a blast. Keep up the safe riding. Hope to see you round AKL.

[stevedee]

Good on ya matey, enjoy to the max, and I wish you many safe and fun years of riding ahead.

spd:-)

[madmal64]

Man you guys have made my day. BIG ups to Alice & Chisanga Its really great to come home after a ride and read a post thats so positive and supportive of the biking family.
Great posts you guys/gals

[McJim]

You wise people for investing in VTRs.

They are good - pretty much bulletproof - mine's coming up for it's 18,000km service - it had done 3,600km when I bought it in May 2006.

The only reason my mileage is so low is that we don't have lots of babysitters available.

I find the frame too small and other riders have commented that I look a bit weird (big guy little bike) but come 3rd Feb I should be able to get a proper licence and a proper bike.

I feel, after a Taupo track day and after a wee blat on a XT660X and a ZX6R 636 that I am pretty much ready for a 600 and I am finally riding the VTR to it's limit out on the open road - still keep it sensible around town though.

Good to see you got benefit from the ride out to Waiuku.

Will coordinate with Mav for the next ride. might follow 'old faithful' route. Saves on planing!

All the best.

[Chisanga]

I find the frame too small and other riders have commented that I look a bit weird (big guy little bike) but come 3rd Feb I should be able to get a proper licence and a proper bike.

I feel, after a Taupo track day and after a wee blat on a XT660X and a ZX6R 636 that I am pretty much ready for a 600 and I am finally riding the VTR to it's limit out on the open road - still keep it sensible around town though.

Good to see you got benefit from the ride out to Waiuku.

Will coordinate with Mav for the next ride. might follow 'old faithful' route. Saves on planing!

All the best.

Yeah they don't really build 250's for people our size - unless you want to get a Hyo-bag that is I feel a bit big on the VTR but it is all part of the learning so I can cope until I get my full and money for a bigger bike.

Can't wait for the next ride. I assume "old faithful" is out to Kaiaua? That will be cool gone as far as Kawakawa Bay, I really like the roads out that way especially when it's

[Ixion]

..

I find the frame too small and other riders have commented that I look a bit weird (big guy little bike) ,,

Nah, it's nothing to do with the size of y'r bike. They just mean that you look a bit weird (well, a lot weird, actually, but I guess they're being polite)

[Zapf]

Hello,
Like all your taste... VTR250's are great bike are they not...

Chisanga,
I am pickup my new blackbird tomorrow from Botany honda, after which I'll spend some time putting on skuff proof. And then going on a ride late avo / early evening. So if you would like to tag along you are most welcome. PM me for my number, as I am in East Auckland as well.

[justsomeguy]

Thinks to work on:

Must go on all the KB rides that I can.

Find a mentor.

Practise emergency braking.

Gain confidence whilst cornering - still not happy with countersteering.

Go on BRONZ course at Whenuapai.

Scout out a "safe" place to lock my bike for when I return to University in March.


Keep having fun!!!

Don't forget the last point. You seem rather intelligent - excellent list.

Don't forget to do as many trackdays as you can too (if you're a bit of a speed freak) - I remember my 1st day at Puke a year and a bit ago - doing 160kmph on my ZZR250 being passed by LooseBruce(miss you mate), Thrashy, Drunken Monkey, Quasi, etc - doing close to 300 --- what a ....... oh wait this thread is about you eh....

Yeah beaut list, as for a mentor you should PM Keystone19. That wee lass can ride - she races at a national level - so yup, she can ride- and teach - she's a lecturer at Uni - so yeah, she can teach too.

[Roj]

Tomorrow I am going out to the shop to find out some more about a Scott oiler, a device I have heard about that drips a drop of lube on yu chain every time you throttle off ? something like that anyway. Some guys told me about it and swear by the expensive wee contraption for chain life so I am wanting to know some more about it.

While they do cost they are a great idea, once setup you just top the resevoir up with oil on a regular basis, it soon becomes part of your routine bike check, can almost triple the life of the chain, it is possible to install yourself but can be a little fidly depending on the bike, the cost of getting them installed is not normally to high, so unless you really like doing that sort of thing it is easier to let the shop do it, good to hear you are enloying riding

[Blairos]

Firstly - congrats on the 100K milestone!

Thinks to work on:

Must go on all the KB rides that I can.

A great idea!

Gain confidence whilst cornering - still not happy with countersteering.

If you are anything like I was, you will be out riding one day, and you wont realise you have been doing it - its one of these things that the subconscious mind takes care of... but, try finding a nice straight piece of quiet road, and practise... relax, if you want to go right, gently push the right bar (then push the left to straighten up again ) - we arent talking about almighty shoves, just gentle relaxed pressure - you will see what I mean...

Keep having fun!!!

Thats what its all about

[Flyingpony]

** does some quick sums ** some of you VTR riders are clocking up more KM in a month than I do in a year
Enjoy the rides, have fun and take care.