Hey!

LB · 21st September 2004, 05:32

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Hi Yokai - welcome to KB. I'm sure you'll meet up with some other riders through this site.

Glad you got into biking - age doesn't matter, you're on two wheels that's what's important. And even better, you're loving it!!
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**Yokai** · 21st September 2004, 09:39

Did my first commute today (I commute T, W, Th)... Ugh - cagers are horrid. But at least I am building awareness. It's still a cool thing for me to putter round the streets and know that I am on a bike.

Can someone give me a tip on hill starts though?

Yo

**Blakamin** · 21st September 2004, 09:41

Originally Posted by Yokai

Did my first commute today (I commute T, W, Th)... Ugh - cagers are horrid. But at least I am building awareness. It's still a cool thing for me to putter round the streets and know that I am on a bike.

Can someone give me a tip on hill starts though?

Yo

select 1st, clutch in, right foot on brake, a bit of revs and off ya go!

**Yokai** · 21st September 2004, 10:08

Cheers for that - I've been wondering about the use of the old back brake. I use both breaks pretty much simultaneously at the moment for everything (probably the back one goes on first)... I probably use the clutch too much too... Oh well - more courses and more riding will probably sort me out.

Yo

**vifferman** · 21st September 2004, 10:27

Originally Posted by Yokai

Cheers for that - I've been wondering about the use of the old back brake. I use both breaks pretty much simultaneously at the moment for everything (probably the back one goes on first)... I probably use the clutch too much too... Oh well - more courses and more riding will probably sort me out.

Yo

Right. The back brake can be used as a rudder (helps with low-speed manouevres), to settle the bike before a corner and before braking hard with the front (when you brake it transfers some weight to the front), and for hill-starts. You can also use it as you have, braking with both brakes, which is good. However, as you brake, weight transfers quite dramatically to the front end, and so the effectiveness of the rear brake diminishes and the braking force from the front one increases. At an extreme (when the weight transfer forces the back tyre off the ground), 100% of the braking effectiveness comes from the front brake. This is why the rear brake is much smaller than the front one(s).
There are occasions when you are going slow, when using the rear brake on its own is good, as it doesn't interfere with the steering like the front one can. Similarly, in slippery situations, hard use of the front brake can tip you on your ear. Doesn't mean you shouldn't use it at all, just that you need to carefully modulate the pressure applied to the lever.
Hope this helps, but the thing that will help most, is practise: practise braking, get to know what happens when you use each brake, and practise braking hard. If in an emergency, you don't know how to use the front brake effectively, your chances of escaping a crash are not good.

**Blakamin** · 21st September 2004, 10:29

Originally Posted by Yokai

Cheers for that - I've been wondering about the use of the old back brake. I use both breaks pretty much simultaneously at the moment for everything (probably the back one goes on first)... I probably use the clutch too much too... Oh well - more courses and more riding will probably sort me out.

Yo

No probs... just remember that it's REAL easy to lock the back tyre with the back brake causing you to slide out... 70% of your braking happens at the front!!! and try to do 98% of your braking while upright and going straight!

**Yokai** · 22nd September 2004, 10:48

Cheers guys and gals...

The old hill start was simple this morning... and all because of your advice... yay!... Braking will take time to get used to (I'm a little scared wuss!

) but I've done a couple of hard "emergency-esque" stops in the road outside my house and it seems Ok...

Thanks for all your advice and welcome and stuff.

Yo

**White trash** · 22nd September 2004, 10:53

Welcome, Yokai.

Great choice of bike, the SRV. it's a shame there's not more of 'em about.

Happy riding.

**munter** · 22nd September 2004, 10:58

Hi Yokai,
Welcome to Kiwibiker -

I might have to disagree with you on the being the oldest newbie rider. I have wanted a bike for the last 20 years, finally got my full license a couple of months ago. Still don't have a bike and working hard on the missus to convince her into getting a bike. Hopefully in the next 2 months

Kinda hard when we have just had a little girl and family time takes up most/all your weekend (not complaining).

Anyway enough whinging from me - enjoy your new passion and this cool site!

**Blakamin** · 22nd September 2004, 11:22

Originally Posted by munter

Kinda hard when we have just had a little girl and family time takes up most/all your weekend (not complaining).

I know that feeling! my bubs is 10 months old but i still get a bit of time on weekends

**erik** · 22nd September 2004, 11:54

Originally Posted by Yokai

Cheers for that - I've been wondering about the use of the old back brake. I use both breaks pretty much simultaneously at the moment for everything (probably the back one goes on first)... I probably use the clutch too much too... Oh well - more courses and more riding will probably sort me out.

Yo

Welcome Yokai!

When I did the basic handling skills course at passrite, we were told to use both brakes most of the time, but to put the front brake on first. I think it is because if you use the back brake first and find it's not slowing you enough, then go to use the front, the weight will transfer more to the front wheel, taking it off the back wheel which may cause the back wheel to skid.
I guess it doesn't really matter if you're just getting on the back brake slightly before the front, but it's something to be aware of.

For the emergency braking, I recommend finding an empty carpark somewhere and practicing. Figure 8's are good to practice too and kinda fun

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**riffer** · 22nd September 2004, 11:59

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I know that feeling! my bubs is 10 months old but i still get a bit of time on weekends

I have a 6 year old, a 5 year old, a 4 year old, and one in the making.

I also have NO weekend time...

but have persuaded the family to have an outing to the sprints in Wairarapa on Sunday. See those who are going there on Sunday ....

**Blakamin** · 22nd September 2004, 12:18

Originally Posted by celticno6

I have a 6 year old, a 5 year old, a 4 year old, and one in the making.

I also have NO weekend time...

but have persuaded the family to have an outing to the sprints in Wairarapa on Sunday. See those who are going there on Sunday ....

Cool... now I HAVE to finish my fork seals in time and stop this

**Gasman** · 22nd September 2004, 21:16

Originally Posted by Yokai

Hey all -

So - I guess I might be your oldest newbie rider, but hey! at least I'm on the right road!

Yokai

Hi Yokai, and like everyone else has said, welcome aboard. I'm pretty new here too, and was away from bikes for 2o years, so don't feel out! Luckily I had a full licence which I kept alive, so have'nt had to worry about L plates!

You got me thinking about hill starts. I have'nt had to do any since getting back into biking. Not many hills in Christchurch! Used to do them in Auckland, but so long ago I'd forgotten about it. I'd better find a slope and practice again, before I find a real hill and have to go cold turkey!
Cheers! (Oh, Yammie looks real nice!)