Peer Pressure Impact?

**wkid_one** · 23rd June 2003, 08:13

I think there are a couple of things to remember...everyone has been a learner at some stage so knows what it is like...most people you ride with, no matter how experienced, are more concerned that you just get to the destination - not how long it takes you. The point of the ride is to enjoy yourself - and if that means doing 50-75% of speed of the fastest guys so be it - so long as you get there with a smile on your face.

If you really want to learn - ask an experienced rider to slow down and 'show you the road' - rather than you trying to speed up to their pace - most will be more than obliging to help someone ride - and this doesn't put you out of your comfort zone. KiwiDan did this for me - gradually increasing the speed - worked wonders for me.

**Coldkiwi** · 23rd June 2003, 12:44

good call. Again, it comes down to having a small enough ego to ask someone to give you a hand.. not to try and be The Man and keep up when you don't have the skills.

**SPman** · 23rd June 2003, 17:41

No matter how good you think you are - there is ALWAYS someone out there better than you

Its also true that the more you learn, the less you realise you knew, so there is no shame in taking it carefully and gradually building up your skills, at your own pace. On the road, there is no imperative at all to go fast, (quite the opposite of course).Smooth is better. Real speed comes from a progression of smooth.

**wkid_one** · 24th June 2003, 22:57

I agree SP - the best way to get quick is to be smooth....following someone is great - provided they are not a way better rider than you and you get pulled in to a situation you can't handle unexpectedly. However following a rider who knows you are there is quite beneficial.

I do find swinging the mirrors in helps as it means you aren't riding for the riders behind you either....provided of course you trust the riders you are riding with.

The other thing is - riding fast isn't about using more of the throttle - but less of the brake.....most speed is gained in the corner not the straight....it is about maintaining good speed in the corner - rather than braking hard - tottling around - and accelerating hard. Plus - all the thrill of riding is leaning over.

**Antallica** · 24th June 2003, 23:24

Originally posted by wkid_one
all the thrill of riding is leaning over

Except for in the wet, as I just so happened to discover once again this morning when going through an intersection. Rear slid me right through it... was quite fun actually

**SPman** · 24th June 2003, 23:36

Originally posted by wkid_one

The other thing is - riding fast isn't about using more of the throttle - but less of the brake.....most speed is gained in the corner not the straight....it is about maintaining good speed in the corner - rather than braking hard - tottling around - and accelerating hard. Plus - all the thrill of riding is leaning over.

Hence the advantage of learning on smaller, lower powered bikes that need momentum to cover ground at a reasonable rate, rather than power - point squirt.

**Dave** · 25th June 2003, 10:25

What do you mean-Antallica quote:
Except for in the wet,
I've now gone through the knees of my wet weather gear onto my knee sliders-Got a photo of it too.-Just need to figure out how to scan it in.

**Coldkiwi** · 25th June 2003, 12:23

on race cut wets on the track?

I never go near the edge of my tyres in the wet (always on main roads.. why would I go long distance riding or on the track in the rain?) because there is inevitably a nasty pool of oil or white line or pothole disguised as puddle waiting for me and if I'm already at the edge i'd be toast!

The design philosophy of the new Pirelli Diablos makes sense to me because they've removed a lot of tread from the edges as that part of the tyre is simply never used in the wet on the road.

As for mirrors... I consider it other peoples problem to get past me so I never look in the mirrors in the twisties so no need to fold them in.Different story on the track though.

Besides, on the road it just means when you do want to see if you have everyone when you get to the otherside of the hill or whatever, you have to dick around with crossed over arms to if you want to keep moving while you straighten the right mirror out! that'd be a good way to crash

**Duke of Rogan** · 25th June 2003, 12:56

Originally posted by SPman
Hence the advantage of learning on smaller, lower powered bikes that need momentum to cover ground at a reasonable rate, rather than power - point squirt.

yup, exactly why I choose my 2nd bike (post 250cc) to be a 600cc (only rated at 55kw), espically after not riding for about 4 years. And I choose a nice and light bike to develop my skills on.

I had my first kiwi-biker group ride on Sat just been, and didnt feel pressured, even when leading, although I can't see much in my side mirrors at the best of times.

**Antallica** · 26th June 2003, 06:49

Originally posted by Dave
What do you mean-Antallica quote:
Except for in the wet,
I've now gone through the knees of my wet weather gear onto my knee sliders-Got a photo of it too.-Just need to figure out how to scan it in.

It had rained that night, I was taking my usual corner down the road. Leaned a bit much and the back wheel was sliding behind me. As for the angle I was in, I was nowhere near having my knee down. Doesn't take much to slide this baby with these thin tyres.

But in saying that, I loved the slide anyway

**Andrew** · 26th June 2003, 13:20

True, half the time I'm too scared to lean my bike cos i could feel the back tyre start to slide out. Just need a bigger bike with more weight and more tyre!!

**Duke of Rogan** · 26th June 2003, 14:42

I sat my full license test on a work-mates RGV150 and after I passed and was returning to work, I recall sliding the back wheel out on a moderate corner in the dry!

can't you fit a wider/fatter rear tyre to those things?

although it must be a great way to get the heart racing at 50km/h

**Antallica** · 26th June 2003, 16:26

You could get a fatter tyre on there but the forks would hinder it unless you mod them. I'm desperate to get fat tyres on my baby.

**georgedubyabush** · 26th June 2003, 18:55

since you were going through an intersection, your rear may have just hit a painted line. my zxr250 squirmes off of wet painted lines fairly often. i do need new tyres though.