10 things I have learned in the past 5 days.

[Gubb]

I know that i'm a newbie, and I tossed up with putting this in the newbie thread, but I decided otherwise.

Completely new into the world of two wheels, I completed the Basic Handling Skills Test 2 weeks ago with Andrew at RoadSafe. Sensational guy, and taught me everything that I currently know about Motorbikes, which starting from nothing, is a huge improvement.

I purchased my baby (GT250R) on Saturday, and have been on a steep, and fun learning curve ever since. The guys at TSS in Lower Hutt were phenomenally helpful, and their advice was well and truly above what I recieved at the other 4 stores that I visited, and numerous people that I spoke to. Spent heaps on gear, because the last thing that I want to be thinking after I crash is "I wish I spent more money on decent gear".

Anywho, the things that I have learned on the past 5 days:
1. Leaning in the corners is not the scariest thing in the world, but one of the most exciting.
2. Practicing every day is the only way to improve.
3. I get some cool looks from the ladies. (Albeit, non-biker chicks that can't recognize a 250!)
4. Always have a positive throttle.
5. Lane-splitting is fantastic fun, almost enough to make me go back to a traffic pile up, and do it all over again to laugh at the look on peoples faces as I cruise past.
6. Tailgating drivers in cars are complete wankers.
7. The motorcycle community is amazingly supportive, any questions that I may have, or problems, there are always a big group of people that will offer to help you, as they all seem to remember what it was like to be a learner.
8. Most Harley riders only wave to other Harley riders, and nobody waves to scooters.
9. My friends think I am riding a two-wheeled death machine. they'll eventually come around.
10. This is the best decision I have made in a very long time, and I hope that I will be enjoying it for a very long time.

As you may have guessed, I am now a complete convert, and will never look back. Who needs those 2 extra wheels anyway.

Stay safe, and keep your heads up.

[The Lone Rider]

1. Sometimes
2. Or just riding
3. You should see the amount of sex you get when you own a cruiser then
4. Ok
5. You will save time lane splitting, until someone swerves infront of you and you hit the car
6. Take your L plate off if you have one, and/or get a cruiser. Both can help avoid that.
7. Yeap
8. Ride a cruiser, or try not wiping past cruisers and give some respect and they might. Haven't had any problems myself when I've road up to one and road along along with them. Even moved over so I can tally up. I only wave to scooters if they wave to me.. most scooter riders are on them for commuting only, not for the absolute love of two wheels.
9. Yeah, fun isnt it. Must take about a year off your life.
10. Don't you just wish you had one earlier now :P

Extra 2 wheels still handy.

Always safe, I ride a cruiser 99% of the time so my head is always up.

Time to hit some rallies now man! Now THERE is fun!

[thehovel]

Be careful filtering (lane-splitting) to start only filter below 30km because the cages stay in their own lane or the lane change is slow. As the traffic slows this is when most quick lane changes happen without warning!!!! While you are learning to ride you still have to think every move this takes time. Later when you have been riding for a few years,riding will take less brain function and you can see which cage has a dick-head in it. After 5-6 year filtering can be done at A MAX of 60km!!!!!

[Oakie]

5. Lane-splitting is fantastic fun, almost enough to make me go back to a traffic pile up, and do it all over again to laugh at the look on peoples faces as I cruise past.

Ahh Grasshopper. It's all fun until someone decides to give the cheeky motor-bicyclist a lesson and turn in ... just a little bit. Those looks on their faces you mentioned ... sometimes they translate into unexpected actions on the road.

9. My friends think I am riding a two-wheeled death machine. they'll eventually come around.

Ha ha! Exactly the words my eldest daughter used to describe my bike .... until I took her out on it. She reckons it's pretty cool now.

Glad you're enjoying being on two wheels. Just take it easy huh. There's lots of lessons to learn out there and those damned 4 wheeled vehicle drivers just never stop trying to hurt you.

[The Lone Rider]

Ha ha! Exactly the words my eldest daughter used to describe my bike .... until I took her out on it. She reckons it's pretty cool now.

How old would your eldest be?
18- 20 something?

[skelstar]

Good stuff bro!

[Gubb]

Heh, cheers for the extra advice.

For the record, I was going about 15Kmh for #5 and extremely careful, nothing outrageous.

[fireliv]

THats great that ure enjoying it. Andrew is awesome, I learnt with him too.

The guys at TSS definatly are awesome and will help you out!

Enjoy riding and stay safe

[RantyDave]

My friends think I am riding a two-wheeled death machine.

If you don't quit looking for reactions from the ladeeeezzz they'll be fucking right. CONCENTRATE!!!!

Oh, yeah, nice one! Bikes are the shit, eh?

Dave

[Wiki Drifter]

3. I get some cool looks from the ladies. (Albeit, non-biker chicks that can't recognize a 250!)

Turn your bike-dar on and you'll notice other bikers will look at you and vise versa as well.

[Oakie]

How old would your eldest be?
18- 20 something?

24 in a couple of days infact. Sorry. She has a boyfriend ... and a baby.

[HTFU]

Add don't grab too much front brake when trying to correct a corner entry mistake to your list of things to learn.

On about my 5th week riding some back roads I came up a bit quick on a corner, did a big lean to help go around, but corner was covered in loose gravel. So with the back wheel sliding out, I must of grabbed the front brake as I was cornering. Anyway the back wheel stepping out soon became the least of my worries.

Anyway nice to hear you are loving the riding. Pretty cool first bike too.

[Drum]

Good on ya HG. Welcome to riding, and welcome to the site.

[breakaway]

I can relate to #9.

[Grub]

6. Tailgating drivers in cars are complete wankers.

... dangerous wankers they are too.

There is two strategies to use for tailgaters ...
1. You have to increase your following distance to 4secs from the guy in front because if he panic stops and you only have a 2sec gap, you're going to have to break hard and the wanker behind isn't going to be able to stop from punting you.

2. The other is a doosey. They get closer and closer because they are looking past you and not really seeing you, they're maintaining a following distance on the vehicle in front of you! Using your mirrors, adjust your position in the lane so that your body is directly in the drivers line of sight. They'll move so that they can see. You subtly move into their line of sight again so they can't see past you. If you have to do it a fourth time, that would be rare because you suddenly realise they've dropped back!

Works every time.