The best years of riding – are they gone?

**MotoGirl** · 27th March 2009, 19:46

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

We used to cruise everywhere around the 140kph mark (two-up on a ZZR250) and sighting a Police car was a non-occurrence. If I remember correctly, I don’t think the Highway Patrols even existed yet. It was easy to ride at a reasonable speed without the constant risk of being caught, or even worse, losing your licence.

Now jump forward to 2009 where the roads are infested with Highway Patrols and the rules have gone Victoria-style. The Police are getting smarter and using more undercover cars, in models we don’t expect, and losing your licence is just getting too easy.

I’m told a few things are in the pipelines that will affect bikers:

Losing your licence at a measly 30km over the speed limit
Getting nailed for pipes that exceed the noise limit restrictions – I’m led to believe that no aftermarket pipes would come in under this limit. Some bikes are louder than this stock

I ride a bike because I enjoy it, not necessarily because I want to speed everywhere and make a loud noise doing it. In saying that, I do speed and I do enjoy it and I love the sound of my bike. My version of “speeding” isn’t fast compared to other riders.

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. Isn’t the point of this to slow the traffic down to the speed of the front/slowest vehicle?

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.

**Boob Johnson** · 27th March 2009, 19:56

Get a radar detector & or save it for the B roads

**yod** · 27th March 2009, 19:57

i take it you live in or around auckland?

**MVnut** · 27th March 2009, 20:04

You'll just have to buy yourself a mountain somewhere.........I have shares in Banks Peninsula hehehe

**Maha** · 27th March 2009, 20:15

I dunno Hurly....getting pinged (in most cases) is just plain ole' bad luck. Alot depends on where you are riding I guess and choosing your moments. I for one enjoy riding in smaller groups (if a group ride is on that is) and by small I mean 2-3-4? even just with Anne and myself was just the best today. Saw one cop on our 440 kms today, and that was in a normal area around Ruakaka/Waipu, where one knows not to speed. I was on an overtaking lane and doing about 120+ when I noticed him. He didnt do anything (good luck in this case) On the noise thing? ... Bikers need it at times, I spoke about hearing your machine earlier this week. I have organised about 14-15 group rides since being on here, never a problem with any of them. But now, I think I will give it a miss and be happy with smaller groups, I have alot of riding years ahead, so I intend to make the most of it and get be pleased with myself at days end.

**AllanB** · 27th March 2009, 20:25

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.

**smoky** · 27th March 2009, 20:30

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

I had an interesting conversation today and it made me think about how motorcycling has changed since I got my licence back in ’98.......If I remember correctly, I don’t think the Highway Patrols even existed yet.

Highway patrols have been around way before that?

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

Now jump forward to 2009 .....
I’m told a few things are in the pipelines that will affect bikers:

Losing your licence at a measly 30km over the speed limit
Getting nailed for pipes that exceed the noise limit restrictions – I’m led to believe that no aftermarket pipes would come in under this limit. Some bikes are louder than this stock

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

**Molly** · 27th March 2009, 20:33

As bad as you feel it may have become, for those of us shifting here from the UK it's paradise!

Plenty of riding planned for this weekend. C'mon!!!

**merv** · 27th March 2009, 20:35

I'd say try adventuring, but then even that is not as easy as it used to be, more roads are sealed and there are more locked gates etc.

As humans we seem to be strangling each others enjoyment. Mrs merv is into genealogy and she talks of how our ancestors left oppression in Pomgolia and other places and came here to start a better life. Problem is now where the hell can you go to get away from it all - the world has become a very small place in that sense.

**Supertwin Don** · 27th March 2009, 20:37

Guys,
Just be grateful that you still live in a low population density country!
Some of us go back to the days of "mile a minute" (60mph/100kph) - made it nice and easy to work out how long it would take to get somewhere.
Even on a dual carriageway (Auckland Motorway like) 130kph with cars and trucks only metres away can be a bit disconcerting.
Also, roads in NZ are more "flowing" than here in UK - not so many villages to duck in and out of! and if you like the M1, I pity you!

**AllanB** · 27th March 2009, 20:37

Originally Posted by smoky

rather than lament..... adapt

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...........

**MotoGirl** · 27th March 2009, 20:52

Originally Posted by AllanB

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!

Yes! I feel like my bike is wasted on the road so I've finally bitten the bullet and decided to take it to the track. I may not ride to the bike's potential on the day, but hell, at least I'll go faster than the old bat doing 70kph in her Nissan Micra.

**MotoGirl** · 27th March 2009, 20:59

Originally Posted by Maha

I dunno Hurly....getting pinged (in most cases) is just plain ole' bad luck. Alot depends on where you are riding I guess and choosing your moments.

The Police in our area are heading out in groups of four (so a cop told us today). We were specifically told that if you see one cop another three will be in the same region. There's a good change you'd miss all four cops but there's also a chance that you'll head in the same direction.