Speeding and lack of riding skills

[car]

I find this thread really interesting... we have a local bike meet at Squires Cafe , Sherburn in North Yorkshire.

And what an over-hyped hole that was.

ALL types of bikes turn up, in their hundreds/thousands and ALL types of bikers get along, chat about their bikes whether they're sportsbikes, supermoto, cruisers, trikes, whatever... it's all about enjoying being on 2 wheels (3 in some sad cases )

The antipathy between sportsbike riders and cruisers may not have presented very strongly at Squires (I wouldn't know; I lived in North Yorkshire for 13 years and went to Squires exactly twice) but it was present elsewhere. Especially in mags, or on the 'net, where it's all mouth and no trousers -- bullshit reigns. This kind of "cruisers are for fat old men/ sprotsbikes are for scrotes who want to kill themselves" crap is typical. People will always find a way to identify them and their tribe, as opposed to you and yours.

Who gives a f**k what anybody rides? Yes, the type of bike you ride often dictates the way you ride on the road, so yes, obviously there are differences, but aren't we all just out to enjoy ourselves?

Here we agree.

[Bass]

Some cruise, some ride fast. It's all about everyone being able to ride their own ride. The faster rider should not be in a hurry to pass to the point that they pass dangerously - respect the other rider's choose to cruise. At the same time the slower rider should expect them to pass so that they can enjoy their blat. It's all a matter of sharing the road and respecting each other's right to be there and ride their own ride.

I reckon that this sums it up pretty well.
As for myself, well, I ride because it's exhilarating and so I tend to go as fast as I am comfortable with.
Now, I am no racer and I know my own limitations. So if I come up behind another road user, before passing there are 2 things I consider: -
1. Do I think it's safe?
2. Will they think it's safe?

Pretty much everyone, thinks about the first one but all too many forget the second.

By the same token, if someone appears in my mirrors who wasn't there a few seconds ago, they are either: -
1. More skilled than me (quite likely) or
2. Riding/driving like a dickhead and a threat to both of us.

Either way, I want them in front of me where I can keep an eye on them and I make it so at the first real opportunity.

It seems to me to be simple logic with a touch of courtesy. Why does rank stupidity creep in so often?

[Fat Tony]

And what an over-hyped hole that was.

And still is mate I don't know if you know, or when you last went, but they moved venue a few years back to a pub just outside the village out near the A1... invested buggar all in doing the place up but still attracted/attract loads of bikes (and police looking to make their monthly quota of tickets for noisy cans - though none of the cruisers get pulled for their noisy cans, just the sportsbikes - and small reg plates - all to keep the roads safer of course).

The original owners of the business sold up last year... for a rumoured £million+ Nice money if you can get it.

(just remembered I negected to reply to your PM - ooops)

[Bytor]

And still is mate I don't know if you know, or when you last went, but they moved venue a few years back to a pub just outside the village out near the A1... invested buggar all in doing the place up but still attracted/attract loads of bikes (and police looking to make their monthly quota of tickets for noisy cans - though none of the cruisers get pulled for their noisy cans, just the sportsbikes - and small reg plates - all to keep the roads safer of course).

The original owners of the business sold up last year... for a rumoured £million+ Nice money if you can get it.

(just remembered I negected to reply to your PM - ooops)

Used to do The Waterman pub near Warwick - 3000 bikes on a Wednesday, stunts on public roads, bins, police road blocks and helicopter. This was one of several venues around Birmingham and this is where I witnessed most of the inconsiderate riding on public roads. Since being in NZ it's always been us Poms that I've seen doing stupid things on bikes - must have been poms that blitzed you BMz2

[steveb64]

Don't quite agree with you there Steve.

That's your prerogative.

It doesn't matter what condition the roads are in, nor the wheels you choose to ride/drive. Its more about the lack of or inability to make a good decision. Some people lack the vision, or just plain don't give a shit that their actions affect those around them.

Yep. I'd have to be in agreement with you on that one. Totally.

Why is it? that when a "faster rider" comes upon a "slower rider" on the road, that the "faster rider" feels the need to pass. Why?

Because (in my experience), the slower rider is often riding at an inconsistent pace - speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down...
As in "There's a straight! BWROOAARR. OH - there's a corner! BRRAAAKKKE..."

What the hell is wrong with sitting with them and enjoying the ride.

Nothing. If they're (the slower vehicle) sitting at a consistent speed on the straights AND the corners (and I cruise at a steady 110k on any sort of main (or where the cops hang out) road, then I'll quite happily tuck in behind and follow - be it a bike or a cage. Do it quite often on long (500+ kms) rides, as it's a good way to have a rest, but still cover plenty of ground.
If they're NOT being consistent, then I'll pass whatever it is, as soon as it's SAFE to do so. I'm patient. I can wait. But sometimes, circumstance (and the others riding style) dictate that the ONLY place I can pass, is around the outside...

To me, it doesn't make stiff all difference what you ride, if you're an idiot - thats it, you're an idiot.

Yep again. I've done a lot of riding and driving over the years - many Northland to Wellington in a day type trips, as well as a bit of driving and 15,000kms in 9 weeks on a bike (the Duc) overseas - mostly in the UK and Europe - and the WORST driving I've seen - has been in NZ (though the Portugese were pretty crazy...).

A good rider can ride any bike fast, it takes a mature/responsible rider to know when to do so.

Still agreeing with you. I'm definitely in the grey haired class, and rapidly getting wrinkly - but MY kick from riding comes from going around corners. Fast. That's why I bought the Duc. And thats why I rarely pass cruisers - because the roads I head for are generally NOT the ones cruisers head for.

And BTW - I pass big bore sports bikes 'round the outside too. When I can...

[Pancakes]

...........Why is it? that when a "faster rider" comes upon a "slower rider" on the road, that the "faster rider" feels the need to pass. Why?
What the hell is wrong with sitting with them and enjoying the ride.........................

Why does a slower rider ride slow? Why even ride a bike? Why go out of the couse when you can take a bus to work and get your shopping delivered? I am confident BMZ2 Doesn't give a shit about being passed, most people don't and I quite enjoy a perve at a bike getting caned. It's the courtesy part that was the point but is clearly being overlooked in this thread. I normally will have seen riders a few turns or K's before I catch them and tuck in behind so I know if they're going about the same pace or if they're going slower. I don't care if they are. I'd hate for someone to get out of their comfort zone on the road and be infront of me at the same time but once there is a place to pass, why the hell not? Don't buzz them or put yourself at risk and carry on your merry way. I think BMZ was pointing out that most riders would view riding close through a corner and passing in the way descibed as less than ideal.

It's a bit of give and take ay guys?

[Fatjim]

This is all getting a bit boring, time to stoke the fires.

Why do BMW owners seem to drive their bikes, as in they seem to think that a bike should be driven like a car. Man they give me the creeps. Its all so German.

[Luckylegs]

This is all getting a bit boring, time to stoke the fires.

Why do BMW owners seem to drive their bikes, as in they seem to think that a bike should be driven like a car. Man they give me the creeps. Its all so German.

Maybe we should stop waving and nodding at them... that'll teach em !

[Fatjim]

I wave at them, honk at them and generally gesticulate and they still won't get out of the way.

[98tls]

Still agreeing with you. I'm definitely in the grey haired class, and rapidly getting wrinkly - but MY kick from riding comes from going around corners. Fast. That's why I bought the Duc. And thats why I rarely pass cruisers - because the roads I head for are generally NOT the ones cruisers head for.

And BTW - I pass big bore sports bikes 'round the outside too. When I can...

Nicely put you old fartby the way be thankful for the grey hairs...im past that and am developing my own Halo,mind you mum did always call me her "little angel"

[steveb64]

Nicely put you old fartby the way be thankful for the grey hairs...im past that and am developing my own Halo,mind you mum did always call me her "little angel"

Heh. Shiny bits I'm not worried about (except on the road) - genetics say mine'll be OK,... but you know the line about pets and their owners... my hair's greyer.

[98tls]

Pets and there owners eh.........well my case dispels that rumour,get this hairy bugger

[steveb64]

Pets and there owners eh.........well my case dispels that rumour,get this hairy bugger

LOL! Yeah - right - you were just hoping it would come true for you too!

[Pancakes]

Pets and there owners eh.........well my case dispels that rumour,get this hairy bugger

Are you sure? Rumour has it you stick your ass in the air and pant all the time?! I... um... read it on MySpace.

[98tls]

Are you sure? Rumour has it you stick your ass in the air and pant all the time?! I... um... read it on MySpace.

Funny that,when i asked your mrs why she was playing away she said "the guys a numb nuts...he cant even read for farks sake"