Fresh on the scene... (Sellout)

[Sellout]

Hi all,

I have been reading posts on here for quite some time now and thought it was about time I contributed! I am pretty new to on-road biking, but have found some great pointers for anyone else just starting out.

I have done 1400kms on my bike since I got my 6L about a month ago, and have spent a lot of time working on cornering and hill skills. I commute to work daily, and then try to get out and into the Port Hills at least 3 times a week on my.... well.... Xiongtao 250 (it's got a Zongshen engine, if that helps at all). I have no idea how to pronounce that name. But it only cost $1600 +ORC and it is brand spankin' new! So, hence my user name. I looked for ages and ages and ages for something more traditional and acceptable, but new and cheap...

Top 10 things I have learnt:
1. Comfortable gear.
2. Pockets in said gear!!
3. Learn how to countersteer
4. Keep the power on in the corner!
5. Take heed of the good advice here and look through the corner and keep your head as level as you can (this helps to stop that Oh my god I'm gonna fall and die!!! feeling on 35km/h corners
6. Always, always check your fuel level before starting up into the "wilderness" (The Xiong only has a 5.5l tank!)
7. Learn to trust your bike
8. As was said on a post here a while back "If you look at it, you will ride over it" so learn to stop looking at potholes, tarseal bleeds and roadkill
9. Start slow, build your confidence, try to practice over the same section of road so you know what is coming
10. Don't look at the pretty scenery while doing 80 up the Summit Road...

My usual training route is up Hackthorne, over Sign of the Kiwi into Governers, then around to Teddington and back up Summit Road to Kiwi and then down to home. All in all about 45 minutes to an hour depending on how many cages are going up to show off, make out, or piss me off (I swear they do it on purpose sometimes...)

I do see a few others up there from time to time, and have just found out about Cruisy Wednesdays from BK... I'm away for a couple of weeks for work, but will get down there at some point, as long as you don't mind a dodgy Chinese bike in the mix...

Wow, my rant done. Hopefully there is something useful in there for someone. Otherwise tell me to shuddup!

Nath.

[Mikkel]

Welcome to, Sellout.

Good 1st post! There's no going back now.

Summit road is nice as long as you leave a bit of leeway for the odd patch of gravel, rogue sheep and rather fast cyclists sitting on the centre line.

Regarding 8. - I've found that "If you look at it and think shit I don't want to hit that, you will hit it" is actually more accurate. Better be safe and not look at it at all though...

[breakaway]

I've always wanted a road legal dual purpose bike. What is that 007 Xiongtao 250 like?

[DingoZ]

Nice stuff.....

Is a really good tip..."Look where you want to go".....

[Livvy]

Three posts and no-one's warned him that he's on KiwiBiker yet?

Welcome to the crazy house Sellout. The people here are nuts... Beware of everyone. And the favourite game seems to be "who can we piss off first in this thread?". So don't fall for the bait. I did once... Won't happen again!

Other than that, actually, you'll get along here fine as long as you've got half a brain, which I think you probably do, judging by your pretty damn smart first post (wish mine had looked like that). Congratulations on the bike, learning what you have so far, and for joining KB.

[CookMySock]

add this to your list too ;

11. don't dis my own bike. Its differnt, its cheap, but its MINE, its FREEDOM and I like it a lot.

and if anyone is rude about it tell them to piss off (If I don't beat you to it!)

Oh, and welcome.

DB (has a korean bike and its awesome)

[Sellout]

I've always wanted a road legal dual purpose bike. What is that 007 Xiongtao 250 like?

The Xiongtao is actually pretty good for a dual purpose, the seat is nice and high (I'm 5'11" and stand on both tiptoes when stopped) and takeoff is pretty good. Now that it is running in, the top speed is increasing, slowly, it started at 70kph and is now up to 85kph... She needs a new sparkie I thinks. I also need to swap the knobblies for road tyres as I don't think I'll realistically bash her offroad! Also, there is quite a good bark for a 250 (I think the exhaust might actually be a little bung... but it sounds cool so who cares!!?)

The only things that have broken (thus far) is the backlight for the dashboard and the rear light doesn't go when headlight is on (works for brakes and I don't do much night riding) The fuel lines had some very suspicious looking clamps on them so I changed them when I first got the bike.

Oh yeah, and the photo next to my name is for illustration purposes only. I did not and will not be putting the decals on. And I spraypainted the white bits black. Nice.

[90s]

Welcome - great first write-up.
A few senior members could learn from your attitude I am sure.
Keep riding; keep posting.

[Learner Zealot]

1. Don't forget helmet strap (it's nice enough to knock on the helmet to remind you though).

2. Don't forget to turn the fuel tap on (the bike is more dramatic in it's reminder).

2a. Practice turning the tap to reserve (or, ahem, on) in the riding position.

3. Remember to reset the tripmeter as your fuel gauge (is it that hard to have a fuel gauge dammit!) - I was constantly checking in the tank. Yep.

4. Indicators off.

5. Other indicators mean nothing.

6. Long rides at 100km/h quickly turns off that part of your brain that says "this ain't right". Easily the quickest way to get comfortable. Not sure about safest.

7. I'm part of a nodding club now. It feels good.

8. Oil is frightening.

9. Tram tracks after a light mist are worse.

10. Most joyously: After the initial fear of hurting the engine wears off, IL4's sound great. Thinking about a V twin next though.

11. No matter how mature you feel you are - temptation lurks.

[jcupit69]

Nice first post, sounds like you should be alright riding on the roads, remember to look out for yourself, cus no cage drivers will!

I'd add...... watch out for 4x4's, they dont often look and neither do alot of cars!!!

Was once told by a traffic cop turned motorcycle instructor "ride like every bugger out there is out to kill you" and you'll find its true, cus somtimes it seems like they are

Welcome to the madness that is kiwibiker

[Learner Zealot]

Oh and 12. Really slow down for gravel. Holy shit, it appears like I've stumbled onto a glacier!

[deanohit]

Oh yeah, and the photo next to my name is for illustration purposes only. I did not and will not be putting the decals on. And I spraypainted the white bits black. Nice.

Hahaha, well, I've got the real deal mate, a fair dinkum Zongshen! Beat that!

Seriously though, great learner bikes, I dropped mine down the road at
60-70kmh a few weeks back, total damage was a few scratches!
My bike is now completely black after I couldn't stand the original blue any longer.

Welcome to the madhouse man.

[Bren]

Hi and welcome....



watch out for the asswipes.......















.....like me

[Edbear]

...Other than that, actually, you'll get along here fine as long as you've got half a brain, which I think you probably do,...

Oh I LOVE the English language...

[Radar]

Sellout - THANKS for the ten tips. Good stuff! This is one that I am doing:

"Start slow, build your confidence, try to practice over the same section of road so you know what is coming"
For me this means practicing the tight curves, at various speeds.

Good to see someone has one of the cheap Chinese bikes - and likes it.
I would find the 5.5 L tank a worry, though!