The best years of riding – are they gone?

[Howsie]

You can look back at 98 and say they "were the best riding years", then look back at 88 when things were even lazier. Fewer annoying drivers, roads were twistier and the bikes still went as fast. (Mind you i was only three in that year!)

The World is always changing so we must change with it or reminisce of the "good ol' days". Sure it is getting harder with more Mr Plod on the roads and subjective laws, there is always the track... see you on the 4th?

I recently did a 6.5hr trip back from Napier towing a cart and managed to hold up very few people and even let the bikers through, envying them at every pass. If you cannot pass Nana in her Micra doing 70 on your bike, shame on you

In another 20years the entire stretch of SH1 will be 2 lanes, just you watch...

[Edbear]

Yeh I hear you. Ironic really - I'm now on the best bike I've ever owned in the past 28 years of riding and have the least chance to actually put it through it's paces!

Early morning rides are best .......before the donut shops open

I remember the 80km speed limit.

And carrying a jerry can of petrol on the back as often in the weekends rural stations were closed.

And really shit brakes.

And frames with hinges in the middle.

You didn't ride a T500 too, did you...?

And remember when petrol hit $1.00 a gallon!!??

No piss-take intended, but I think this may be one of the big attractions of the cruiser - bikes designed to 'cruise' along at close to the legal limit. Enjoying the journey as much as the ride.

Sheezzzz I must be getting old...........

Mmmm! Funny I was about to suggest a cruiser...

I believe they came out around 2000/2001ish. Someone in the know should be able to confirm this.

They used to be two completely separate departments but were combined some years ago, then the HP was sort of re-established to focus on traffic. Others may be able to put dates on this but my Alzheimers prevents me from... And who are you and what are you doing in my living room...?

[Motu]

Where are you riding to see so many cops? I don't see cops where I ride.

Stay away from SH anything.No cops,and the roads are better too.

On second thoughts - stay where you are.The cops seem to like you....that means there will be less where ever I am.

[MidnightMike]

I had an interesting conversation today and it made me think about how motorcycling has changed since I got my licence back in ’98......

Now jump forward to 2009 where the roads are infested with Highway Patrols and the rules have gone Victoria-style

Ooo, I wouldnt say they are that bad.

They have hidden cameras in merging areas so if you speed up to merge safely, you get nabbed!!!!

I ride a bike because I enjoy it, not necessarily because I want to speed everywhere and make a loud noise doing it

Ahhh, thats what I would like to be able to do. But never would in real life.

The noise is half of the experience for me. Roaring around is awesome.

What makes me think that the best years of riding are gone is the way that everything’s geared towards slowing traffic down – just look at the double yellow lines that have been put on straight roads and where passing lanes have been removed.

Tauranga > Waihi is insanely frustrating in that respect.

Yes, riding a bike gives us the ability to go around the traffic but it also comes with a huge chance of being caught speeding, and therefore, finding ourselves having to walk home. I don’t know about you guys but I’m finding it harder to enjoy myself when riding on the road.

I find myself bored out of my brain quite often, and when I do get a chance to let loose a bit I find myself worrying about getting caught, or having something come out in front of me (another story in itself) so the good times are always short-lived.

But thats what the tracks for, Ive only done one trackday but it was huge fun (and that was on my GSX, doing it on my 650 would be awesome, but I want pants with sliders first.) - But they are expensive, in terms of going down there (eg. taupo) So thats a couple of tanks of gas to get there and back, say another tank for the trackday not to mention tyre wear etc....

Both of those reasons are why Im tending to spend more time with my camera in my hand than a helmet on my head,

The money / enjoyment ratio isnt stacking up.

[MidnightMike]

I recently did a 6.5hr trip back from Napier towing a cart and managed to hold up very few people and even let the bikers through, envying them at every pass. If you cannot pass Nana in her Micra doing 70 on your bike, shame on you ...

Double yellows in stupid places Im guessing.

Mmmm! Funny I was about to suggest a cruiser...

Except Rocket III's, I was overtaken by one of them, looked at my speedo, then back at the RIII, thinking what the, how the, holy shit!

[awayatc]

http://www.interislander.co.nz/?gcli...FRFMagoduSShtQ

[MotoGirl]

They used to be two completely separate departments but were combined some years ago, then the HP was sort of re-established to focus on traffic. Others may be able to put dates on this but my Alzheimers prevents me from... And who are you and what are you doing in my living room...?

Yes, I remember the days of the MoT (or whatever it was called). I'm thinking of the year when it was reinvented.

Where are you riding to see so many cops? I don't see cops where I ride.

I love the Kaimai Ranges and they're always riddled with cops, hence why I've dropped about 30kph off the speed I used to do up there!

I find myself bored out of my brain quite often, and when I do get a chance to let loose a bit I find myself worrying about getting caught, or having something come out in front of me (another story in itself) so the good times are always short-lived.

That's precisely it. It's easy to sit in traffic and obey the speed limit (if you're having a good day and people are actually doing the limit). I don't need to hoon everywhere but I also don't expect to lose my licence for overtaking a car and trying to get back onto my own side of the road. I've still not forgotten the example they had on the news awhile ago saying to pass a truck (doing 90kph) and not exceed the speed limit would mean being on the wrong side of the road for 12 seconds.

But thats what the tracks for, Ive only done one trackday but it was huge fun (and that was on my GSX, doing it on my 650 would be awesome, but I want pants with sliders first.) - But they are expensive, in terms of going down there (eg. taupo) So thats a couple of tanks of gas to get there and back, say another tank for the trackday not to mention tyre wear etc....

Both of those reasons are why Im tending to spend more time with my camera in my hand than a helmet on my head,

You're completely right. Track riding is expensive by the time you calculate the fees, travel, fuel, tyres etc etc. The one we're doing next week has already cost us $500 and it's not until next week!

We're certainly finding time for other hobbies because track days are too far apart (we're selective in which ones we do) and road riding is too boring.

[zzzbang]

Highway patrols have been around way before that?



I've been hearing these things ever since I've been riding (about 30 years now)

Yes it was different back then - but you learn to adapt, find a way of enjoying it, nothing ever stays the same, rather than lament..... adapt

Sure, sometimes adapting is the best option.. but when youre getting pushed down by some stupid laws and getting fined by police trying to make their quota.. thats not a good thing to adapt to.

[Goblin]

.

I love the Kaimai Ranges and they're always riddled with cops, hence why I've dropped about 30kph off the speed I used to do up there!

So that was you holding my mum up in her nissan micra up the Kaimais.

[Trudes]

More cops with bigger quotas, we've probably all grown up and got older and wiser about doing stupid shit too... and then there's KB. If you get spotted doing anything whether your bike is involved or not, it'll be posted all over an internet forum before you even get home for a bunch of strangers to comment on. Cool!!!

[Maha]

You can look back at 98 and say they "were the best riding years", then look back at 88 when things were even lazier. Fewer annoying drivers, roads were twistier and the bikes still went as fast. (Mind you i was only three in that year!)

The World is always changing so we must change with it or reminisce of the "good ol' days". Sure it is getting harder with more Mr Plod on the roads and subjective laws, there is always the track... see you on the 4th?

I recently did a 6.5hr trip back from Napier towing a cart and managed to hold up very few people and even let the bikers through, envying them at every pass. If you cannot pass Nana in her Micra doing 70 on your bike, shame on you

In another 20years the entire stretch of SH1 will be 2 lanes, just you watch...

Enjoyed your post Howsie...and its very true.

Some on here will post about the 'good ole' days' on KB....its evolved and changed sure, but its just over six years old!!!

To answer this thread though.....
Things do change, you just have to get wiser in your approach, choose your roads etc, if you are going to stay on SH1 then things will probably not be to you liking for very long.

[Bonez]

and road riding is too boring.

Bit of a generalisation there. All depends on where you are, roads in your area, the type of road ,the bike you ride, who you're with and attitude. For example you don't have to do 140kms plus everywhere to enjoy riding in our neck of the woods. HP generally stay on the roads with easy pickings.

Hell you can buy something gutless (like my GB for instance, which bought to keep my speed down), well any unfaired bike really, thrash the ring off it and still have ball. Have the option of doing a bit of unsealed road exploration with it as well. Bucket racing is another option.

[FROSTY:Me]

I WAS thinking gosh she's got a bloody good point there. Things have got tougher over the years. Then I thought back and realise they haven't really. The penalties for getting caught did a fair ol leap a few years back but other than that nothings really changed.
What has changed for me is the pesonal awareness that hey if I do this stuff I could get hurt coupled to the fact I can't be without a licence.

[MSTRS:Me]

... Things have got tougher over the years. Then I thought back and realise they haven't really. The penalties for getting caught did a fair ol leap a few years back but other than that nothings really changed.
...

True, for the most part. It's all relative. Best 'ping' (other than the odd warning) was back in 1975. I gave the old T500 it's head and saw 110Mph on the clock. Unbeknownst to me, a Hutt City snake was on the job in his 1600 Cortina. Never knew he was there so when he eventually caught up with me, he 'had a chat' and handed me a ticket for 'estimated 65mph' and if I remember right, the fine was $10. Cool! Won't get that today.

[smoky]

I remember the 80km speed limit.

And carrying a jerry can of petrol on the back as often in the weekends rural stations were closed.

And really shit brakes.

And frames with hinges in the middle.

Ha - the good ol days
crap suspension, worse road conditions with massive potholes, the riding gear and helmets that you could buy were very basic (if you could afford them)