Our own worst enemy

**shafty** · 17th January 2009, 22:16

I agree totally. Seems the funerals and headlines don't 'register' with some people; I agree with Dangerous's theory that there is a huge arrogance with SOME born again riders - heaps of ego involved. I'm just grateful to return home safely from each ride, as well as enjoying it ofcourse.

Last year I took the rare opportunity of doing the Coro loop on the ST, but not treating it as a racetrack. I read that something like 70 other bikes were doing the loop, - as a group. Physics mean't I probably only saw 50 of them, but it was a matter of keeping left and out of their way as the passed from behind.

Thats what track days are for Guys...........

Ride safe Fellows Bikers

**PrincessBandit** · 17th January 2009, 22:24

There are a very few very vocal members on this website who have copped a whole heap of shit for saying the very things you are pointing out in this thread. Good on you, but be prepared to develop a thick skin.

**oldrider** · 17th January 2009, 22:26

What is it that the Christians like to say?

"Let he/she who is without sin, cast the first stone"

Amen, John.

**Headbanger** · 17th January 2009, 22:28

Originally Posted by oldrider

What is it that the Christians like to say?

Don't let that fecking lion eat me......

**Ixion** · 17th January 2009, 22:31

Originally Posted by oldrider

What is it that the Christians like to say?

"Let he/she who is without sin, cast the first stone"

Amen, John.

What is it that the Christians like to say?

"A witch. A witch. Burn him. Burn him "

Amen.

**oldrider** · 17th January 2009, 22:51

Originally Posted by Ixion

What is it that the Christians like to say?

"A witch. A witch. Burn him. Burn him "

Amen.

Hmmm, quite a chatty lot aren't they and most of them get onto the organisations that make rules for the "bad" boys/girls!

Unfortunately most of them (Zed's gang) are really just a

of

's. (IMHO) John.

**my-bonaventure** · 17th January 2009, 22:54

with your grammatical prowess, insinuations and accusations I do hope that there is no hypocrisy on your behalf, and that you consistently ride to the conditions, to the speed limits of our roads, and save your racing and fancy maneuvers for the track days .......... or rally's ...........

**JMemonic** · 17th January 2009, 23:08

Never done the Akaroa GP, don't intend to, I will wander over there at my own pace mid week but never in the weekends, too many idiots out in cars and on bikes.

Some folks seem to watch the latest race and believe they are Rossi or Stoner etc then take this to the road, others the B.A.B. or even the weekend fair weather warrior that grew up in the vicinity of what ever 1% MC club was down the road and around the corner and across the street from them and now owns a bad ass bike as was used by said group thus feels that they are now in that select group.

Realisation is the key, realisation that the road is not a track you can not take the same lines as the professionals do, if they want to race there is plenty of track race classes that they could spend their time in should they desire, hell get a bucket I know a few who will be trying their hand a that.

Realisation that the the club they now wished they had joined is non existent now, and they most likely would not have ever made it through to getting a patch, they are non existent as most of the members have either died or had to join another club as the attitudes die out.

Unfortunately this situation will not change in any hurry, attrition will take care of a section of the second group slowly but surely as the younger set seem to more into the buzzy bees? or what ever the hell they are, importing American gangsta crap, thus will be more into gold plated dentures and enough chrome on their walking frames to act as airport beacons once they get older.

Don't despairer to much though there are those coming through with smarts to get on with riding and enjoying it safely. well within reason.

**karla** · 17th January 2009, 23:17

I agree 100% with others here. There is some good news - I've had a few friends lately who have done some serious thinking this summer, and have actually slowed down, enough that it is a real pleasure riding with them.

But passing is still a major problem. I generally stay at the back, since I ride so carefully and slowly. Being a TEC is that I get to see and judge those in front of me making not so well calculated passing manoevours, and that scares the hell out of me.

I don't understand what the big hurry is ... there will always be a straight after a few corners - why can't we wait another five minutes until we have full view of the road before passing? I've done it myself ... peeked out to pass and had a car bearing down on me, so that I needed to aim for the gap. I believe it happened because I was "in the zone"; my riding was flowing, the curves were all melting away, the sun was shining, some gorgeous guy had looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, and I was on my way to becoming a biker God.

It's those moments isn't it, when we are invincible, that trouble strikes and we are ego-deflated. Better a burst bubble that we can learn from, and a bruised ego that slows us down and makes us think twice next time, than leaving a mess for someone else to clean up. If only we didn't have such short memories.

**JMemonic** · 17th January 2009, 23:23

Originally Posted by my-bonaventure

with your grammatical prowess, insinuations and accusations I do hope that there is no hypocrisy on your behalf, and that you consistently ride to the conditions, to the speed limits of our roads, and save your racing and fancy maneuvers for the track days .......... or rally's ...........

Oh no D did not pass your spelling and grammar standards, the message is rather plain and simple, stick to your lane, and have a little common sense, this section of road recently claimed three lives in one crash, no where did he say I am an angel, trust me he isnt, but he is considerate and knows his limits, yes he does keep his track manoeuvres to the track, and in his way he is willing to pass on knowledge to others, can you claim the same.

**my-bonaventure** · 17th January 2009, 23:57

Originally Posted by JMemonic

Oh no D did not pass your spelling and grammar standards, the message is rather plain and simple, stick to your lane, and have a little common sense, this section of road recently claimed three lives in one crash, no where did he say I am an angel, trust me he isn't, but he is considerate and knows his limits, yes he does keep his track manoeuvres to the track, and in his way he is willing to pass on knowledge to others, can you claim the same.

I agree ......... if we all stuck to our lanes, correct riding lines and speed limits, looked ahead correctly and rode with our brains and not testosterone then the statistics would surely change ............. I am considerate, know my limits and learnt along time ago about the difference between road riding and track racing. I am no angel and have learnt the hard way (occasionally) but I have no problems seeking professional advise/input from those suitably qualified to pass on there knowledge in an appropriate manner (without all the expletives .......... cos believe me I too can F*#@*n swear inappropriately too)

**mister.koz** · 18th January 2009, 00:17

I see the common retort "What about you and what you are doing"

Which is a little dissuasive of the initial point.

All bikes over 100cc (and indeed some below) have the power and the inclination to surpass the speed limit and some do it quite well.

I think its all about mindset really, I figure that I will ride how I want to ride unless other people/cages/bikes/sheep etc are near, then i just give them lots of room and remind myself the road was not built for only my enjoyment.

I don't mean lets all

and live in a happy land where the rivers flow chocolate and everything is peachy, quite the opposite. I would rather be obvious and out of people's way as safely and quickly (if required) as possible because lets face it, idiots are still breeding and there is evidence of that in full force out there on the road.

I figure getting a safe distance away from other vessel's on the road is the only way to enjoy riding and make it interesting.

Riders always tell me with that nostalgic twinkle in their eye "On a bike, its not about the destination, its about the journey"... hell why would you do 200km/h+ and risk your limbs and your baby to get somewhere faster? Does that not shorten the journey?

I do exceed the speed limit and I have made mistakes on the road where the viewing motorists would have called me a bloody idiot, possessed by the fumes and the roar of a fairly powerful engine. The point still stands, the road is full of idiots, and I work hard to not be near them or become one.

**dipshit** · 18th January 2009, 07:12

I have come to the conclusion that we the motorcyclists, are our own worst enemy...

The editor of Bike Rider magazine has come to the same conclusion as well after travelling the Coromandel roads over the holidays. (Feb 09 issue)

**Oakie** · 18th January 2009, 08:02

I believe there will always be idiots on bikes who do dangerous stuff for the thrill of it. No-one else will ever change these dicks. That change will have to come from inside them ... be it from growing up ... considering their family ... getting a severe wake-up call or whatever.

I'd suggest all we can hope for is to show the general public (and those with the potential to make biking more expensive) that the bulk of us are sensible and that we have the same disdain for the idiots amongst us that they do. Unfortunately that can't be achieved just by us going about our business quietly as by it's very nature, that behaviour doesn't get noticed.

We have to do something more than just talk in forums or all behave ourselves as individuals if we want to remove the growing public perception that we are all idiots. We need to DO something that will be noticed...