Making excuses

[jrandom]

so will mine ...

Really?

Scrivy has to throw me off a sidecar; all you'd have to do is ask nicely...

[rachprice]

Im not very experienced so don't know a lot about gravel/diesel etc but shit happens and what I don't understand is how you can control something other than the things that you directly affect. How are you supposed to ride and control everything that happens. Wouldn't you be going 10km/h just in case there was an oil patch around the corner? I understand that being able to deal with these situations comes with experience, but you need to get experience somehow yeah? This sort of thinking can be applied to everyday life, how am I in control of a powerpole being struck by lightening and falling on me?
I think it is true though how people in general like to blame everyone else but themselves. And anyway hind sight is an amazing thing, there has been plenty of times where I have known about something and still did the opposite in a split-decision situation. Things aren't always black and white, people shouldn't be so critical and judgemental because no one knows the full situation and all the confounding factors.
Whoa getting a bit intense, crazy how easy it is to get too into these arguments
P.S I was reading about a dude who got rear-ended by a women who 'didnt see him' how can this be attributed to him at all? It's not like he could move out the way into the intersection?

[sidecar bob]

Really?

Scrivy has to throw me off a sidecar; all you'd have to do is ask nicely...

Scrivy CANT throw me off a sidecar, so all i need to do is ask nicely. Oh, Edit, Apparently i wouldnt even need to ask nicely, although i despise bad manners.

[Maha]

Or this one?

No that ones ZEDS.....didnt know Matt had one named after him?....

[Ixion]

..
P.S I was reading about a dude who got rear-ended by a women who 'didnt see him' how can this be attributed to him at all? It's not like he could move out the way into the intersection?

Why not? I've done exactly that several times, and saved my skin thereby. And there are other options in such a case. Between the cars, up on the footpath, over onto the other side of the road. Done all of them over the years.

Can't be "attributed to him".True. But , who else d' y' reckon is going to bother to do anything to save 'him' from getting crushed? No-one else gives a stuff about 'him' so if 'he's' going to stay undamaged, it's down to 'him' to organise whatever needs to be done.

Folk tend to forget, that no-one else on the roads gives a flying fuck whether you live or die. And a good few would be quite chuffed if it was the latter. So, if you want it to be 'live', it's completely down to you.

It may be the other guy's fault, often is, but *you're* the one lying on the road screaming (or, worse, not screaming). Down to you, your choice. Me, I prefer not to bother whether it's my fault or his and just do whatever it takes to not end up lying on the road.

[rachprice]

True but there are so many variables (cars going through an intersection). I know you have to watch out for everyone else, sometimes not always possible to have superhuman reflexes? I am all for making the right choice to stay alive and there is definitely a lot that can be done, just saying not everything is able to be altered by you, you cant always turn a situation in your favour.

[Mikkel]

"Bloody patch of diesel" now how does one remain upright on this shit? It doesn't matter what speed you are doing.

My experiences with diesel are quite limited. Actually, the only time I have seen diesel on the road was this saturday coming over the Rimutakas in the rain - it was all over the place.

I'll go out on a limb and say that the way to stay upright on it is to use your brakes with the utmost of care and not leaning the bike over...

I didn't loose traction one single time - but I suspect I can thank MSTRS for that seeing as I was following him.

Now, I'm not saying it's not a hazard - but you *can* stay upright on it. Yes, if you're gunning it around the corner and hit it while at a lean I guess there's not so much you can do - but I wager some people have managed even that.

In a word...No.
The opportunities to be a valuable and valued poster on more topics than you could poke a stick at, are endless in KB, but Katman can be summed up by that line in Turn The Page...."...the engine moaning out it's one note song..."

That is a very good song btw. And he doesn't "...feel much like riding..." either

[dipshit]

True but there are so many variables (cars going through an intersection). I know you have to watch out for everyone else, sometimes not always possible to have superhuman reflexes? I am all for making the right choice to stay alive and there is definitely a lot that can be done, just saying not everything is able to be altered by you, you cant always turn a situation in your favour.

But you can create your own luck by risk management and prioritising.

Do you want to show the other cars how fast your bike is away from the traffic lights..? Or is your number one priority getting to your destination in one piece, so you take an extra two seconds before taking off to look both ways to see that no one is running a red light?

It's about taking control and responsibility for your situation.

[sugilite:Me]

My experiences with diesel are quite limited. Actually, the only time I have seen diesel on the road was this saturday coming over the Rimutakas in the rain - it was all over the place.

I'll go out on a limb and say that the way to stay upright on it is to use your brakes with the utmost of care and not leaning the bike over...

I didn't loose traction one single time - but I suspect I can thank MSTRS for that seeing as I was following him.

Now, I'm not saying it's not a hazard - but you *can* stay upright on it. Yes, if you're gunning it around the corner and hit it while at a lean I guess there's not so much you can do - but I wager some people have managed even that.

With all due respect to your very good post Mikkel, I'd be hesitant on recommending using brakes on diesel. Yes I've survived speedway style slides around a diesel laden Basin Reserve in Wellies on a RZ500. Both times by not panicking, having a heap of motocross bike experience and at A LOT of good fortune!!!

I'm 'guessing' the diesel you encountered on the takas, 'may' have largely been washed away.

My technique for diesel is have a relaxed grip on the bars and with your knees relaxed against the tank, Keep the controls steady as she goes, don't chop the throttle or touch the brakes. It's really important not to tense your body, staying relaxed is key. If you hit it mid corner or have to brake on it, may good fortune be on your side.

[mister.koz]

Welz,

I have to say i've been reading through this post for a while now (eyes are tired, takes me time) and apart from the obvious down-yer-nose start and a good amount of shit slinging there's allot to read here

I am a very green rider and i am pretty much too nervous to fart for the first 5 mins of a ride until i start to get used to that feel the road moving under me. I am constantly giving myself allot of room and changing that 2 second rule to the 2 minute rule to save myself a quick stop and a rear end or a VERY quick stop and a new front wheel (and teeth)

Its good to know that the general consensus is that there are allot of hazards out there and you need to have your eyes open and take ownership of your life on the road. I would like to think i am smart enough to learn from other peoples achievements and mistakes as well as realize at all times i am an amateur and know nothing, so i stay humble and don't get my ambitions mixed up with my abilities.

cheerz again

[Deano]

He recognises bluster when he sees it?

See now my definition of bluster would be spouting off on an internet forum and not backing yourself up.

[MSTRS:Me]

You have no idea how hard I will laugh on the day you fall off your bike.

But since Krapman has a one note song to sing, and he refuses to ride with 'us', you really think news of that event will end up on here?

[jrandom]

... you really think news of that event will end up on here?

PrincessBandit's a sweetie, she'll let us know.

[Katman]

But since Krapman has a one note song to sing, and he refuses to ride with 'us', you really think news of that event will end up on here?

Well, that's if you don't count that embarrassing little 'ride' through the streets of Taupo.

[Bass]

PrincessBandit's a sweetie, she'll let us know.

I read through all this and I smile because Maha had it right pages ago.

We may or may not detest the messenger, depending on which side of the fence we fall, but we all of us remember the message.

I suspect that is all that Katman is seeking to achieve.

If so, he's very skilled at it don't you think?