Tips for a wannabe

**dasser** · 25th January 2007, 08:49

Hi All,
Well I’ve had my Motorcycle for a week now, used it most days.
The only time I had some regret about wanting to become a wannabe was on
The first day leaving TSS driveway on to the busy road outside.
I stalled the bike once or twice ( ok a few more times than that )
I did think to myself what am I doing.
Later that night after surviving the ride home, I did a ride in to Upper Hutt.
On the ride back home just before 10pm, I’m now thinking this is fantastic, Freedom.
I should have brought a bike years ago.

I’m Slowly improving skills ( throttle / clutch control, smoother take offs )
I’ve practiced a few hill starts ( stalled about six times the first time )
Things I can see I need to improve on are using the back brake more, Watching the indicators ie making sure I turn them off.
Watching my lines going around a corner. More on Hill starts…

Anyone have any tips for a new wannabe ?

Thanks.

Stay Vertical.

Dasser…..I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol..

A joke .

MARKETING
The buzz word in today's business world is MARKETING.
However, people often ask for a simple explanation of "Marketing."
Well, here it is:

1. You're a woman and you see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to
him and say, "I'm fantastic in bed."

That's Direct Marketing.

2. You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a handsome guy.One
of your friends goes up to him and, pointing at you, says, "She's
fantastic in bed."

That's Advertising.

3. You see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and get his
telephone number. The next day you call and say, "Hi, I'm fantastic in
bed."

That's Telemarketing.

4. You see a guy at a party; you straighten your dress. You walk up to
him and pour him a drink. You say, "May I?" and reach up to straighten
his tie, brushing your breast lightly against his arm, and then say,
"By the way, I'm fantastic in bed."

That's Public Relations.

5. You're at a party and see a handsome guy. He walks up to you and
says, "I hear you're fantastic in bed."

That's Brand Recognition.

6. You're at a party and see a handsome guy. He fancies you, but you
talk him into going home with your friend.

That's a Sales Rep.

7. Your friend can't satisfy him so he calls you.

That's Tech Support.

8. You're on your way to a party when you realize that there could be
handsome men in all these houses you're passing., so you climb onto the
roof of one situated towards the centre and shout at the top of your
lungs, "I'm fantastic in bed!"

That's Junk Mail.

9. You are at a party, this well-built man walks up to you and grabs
your ass.

That's the Governor of California.

10. You like it, but twenty years later your attorney decides you were
offended.

That's America.

**magicfairy** · 25th January 2007, 10:06

Ride your own ride (don't be pressured, intimidated or otherwise influenced to ride beyond your own skill level or capablities)
At best you will get some frights and not enjoy the road - at worst you'll crash.

As Uncle B used to say - "concentrate on riding smoothly, and with that the speed will come"

**skelstar** · 25th January 2007, 10:07

Welcome to the site...*ahem*...jokes aren't that flash buddy

**The Stranger:Me** · 25th January 2007, 10:13

Originally Posted by skelstar

Welcome to the site...*ahem*...jokes aren't that flash buddy

I don't know, I particularly liked 9.

**Rosie** · 25th January 2007, 11:03

I find it's useful to have one (maybe two) things you really want to concentrate on during a ride. Early on it was things like using my indicators without glancing at the switch, taking off smoothly, checking my mirrors often etc.
I found it gave me more of a sense of achievement, rather than thinking that I really needed to improve everything, I could say, "yeah, I'm using my indicators without looking, and I remember to cancel them."

**Deviant Esq** · 25th January 2007, 11:43

So many things you could be told as you're just starting out, but since it's probably not a good idea to overload you with information to begin with, I'll just give you one. The thing that I got told to think about when I started out was "Look where you want to go, and the bike will follow."

Don't be looking at that ditch in front of you, you could end up in it. Look at the corner ahead of you, at the line you want to take.

Welcome to the site, and good luck!

**COP_B8** · 25th January 2007, 11:54

Go on one of the Wednesday Night rides, there is a wealth of knowledge and everyone is always willing to help, look under meetings and events for TCWNR, sorry cant do the linky thing!

**The Stranger:Me** · 25th January 2007, 11:56

Originally Posted by Rosie

I find it's useful to have one (maybe two) things you really want to concentrate on during a ride. Early on it was things like using my indicators without glancing at the switch, taking off smoothly, checking my mirrors often etc.
I found it gave me more of a sense of achievement, rather than thinking that I really needed to improve everything, I could say, "yeah, I'm using my indicators without looking, and I remember to cancel them."

Ok, ok, I'm weird, but I love that song by the White Stripes

When problems overwhelm us and sadness smothers us where do we find the will and the courage to continue? Well the answer may come in the caring voice of a friend,a chance encounter with a book, or from a personal faith.
For Janet help came from her faith, but it also from a squirrel. Shortly after her divorce, Janet lost her father, then she lost her job.
She had mounting money problems. But Janet not only survived she worked her way out of despondency and now she says, life is good again. How could this happen? She told me that late one ??? day when she was at her lowest she watched a squirrel storing up nuts for the winter, one at a time he would take them to the nest. And she thought, if that squirrel
can take care of himself with the harsh winter coming along, then so can I. Once I ripped my problems into small pieces I was able to carry them, just like those acorns, one at a time.

Take all your problems
And rip 'em apart

Carry them off
In a shopping cart

And another thing
You should've known from the start
The problems in hand
Are lighter than at heart

Be like the squirrel, girl
Be like the squirrel
Give it a whirl, girl
Be like the squirrel

And another thing
You have to know in this world
Cut up your hair
Straighten your curls

Well, your problems
Hide in your curls

**Scorpygirl** · 25th January 2007, 17:06

Originally Posted by Rosie

I find it's useful to have one (maybe two) things you really want to concentrate on during a ride. Early on it was things like using my indicators without glancing at the switch, taking off smoothly, checking my mirrors often etc.
I found it gave me more of a sense of achievement, rather than thinking that I really needed to improve everything, I could say, "yeah, I'm using my indicators without looking, and I remember to cancel them."

Yes, I am trying to do that too. It's easier for me if I try to improve on one thing rather than trying to get everything right everytime I go out on the bike. That just get's me frustrated and rapidly losing confidence in myself!! However if I can come home and say yes taking off is much smoother then I feel good about getting out again to improve something else.

As someone once said "How do you eat an elephant? Answer - bit by bit"

**quickbuck** · 25th January 2007, 18:08

Originally Posted by dasser

Things I can see I need to improve on are using the back brake more,

I'll just point out one thing here.

DO NOT use the back brake MORE!

Use it LESS. 90% of your braking effort comes from the front brake.

BTW, welcome to KB, and also the magic world of motorcycling

**Ixion** · 25th January 2007, 18:45

Maybe 90% on a sprotsbike, but a GZ260, more like the classic 60/40.

**Meanie** · 25th January 2007, 19:06

Welcome to Kb
My 10 cents worth is give way to everyone and remember no one can see you

but most of all enjoy its a blast

**dasser** · 26th January 2007, 07:36

Thanks for all the advice.

When I said to use the back brake more, I did mean both at the same time.
I do / did push bike to work ( for many years ) and am use to grabing a fist
full of brakes ( now of course it's clutch and front brake ) Just need to get the right leg to do something now and again.

The Wednesday rides sound great, and I would like to get to meet a few of you hardcore bikers ( maybe not Skelstart as he doesn't like my joke..just jokeing

) But would like to continue on my own for now just to improve.
( and not worry about a hundred other bikers in front and behind, if you get what I mean )

Many thanks to all.

Have a great weekend.

Stay Vertical.

dasser...Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

___________

Last night, the wife and I were sitting in the living room
and I said to her,
"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine
and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

She got up, unplugged the TV and then threw out my beer.

Bitch...

**BUNGY** · 26th January 2007, 21:39

Originally Posted by dasser

I’m Slowly improving skills ( throttle / clutch control, smoother take offs )
I’ve practiced a few hill starts ( stalled about six times the first time )
Things I can see I need to improve on are using the back brake more, Watching the indicators ie making sure I turn them off.
Watching my lines going around a corner. More on Hill starts…

Anyone have any tips for a new wannabe ?

Welcome to Kb. Loved the jokes.

Did exactly the same thing with hill starts, stalled about 6-7 times one after the other but wasn't too bad as it was on a residential street with no traffic. I found that you just need to let out the clutch very slowly, sort of ride the clutch till you are sure you are moving then let go of it.