25 April-1 May: Where did you ride and practise?

[Terminated]

Next Tuesday evening Mrs Kendog and Daza will each chose an entry from this thread. The selections will then be copied across to the Newbie Update Blogg.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/bl...hp?userid=1728

Please spend a few minutes and let us all know, 'Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?'. Humour and photographs are welcomed, however please keep in mind the general spirit is to enlighten us all about your riding practice and technique.

By all means if you have any concerns about your riding ask questions and I am sure a mentor or senior experienced rider will be only too happy to touch base with you in the forum or by PM personal message.


Heads Up and Enjoy

[Lissa]

Friday I took the GN over to Lower Hutt to purchase my GSF250 Black Bandit. On the way I just tried to enjoy the GN for the last time, was going great, always did love riding it up and down the Rimutakas... but as soon as I got on the motorway I couldnt wait to get my new bike.

Stu at TSS was very helpful. Infact he wouldnt let me go until I had put the Bandit on its centre stand all by myself.. so after about 10 minutes of trying to perfect the technique I was allowed (or told!) to go.

After waving goodbye to the GN and knowing that Stu would prob not treat it as well as I had ...I took off. I was pretty nervous, as I had to take it over the hill. Stopped at rimutex for lunch and got the lecture from Ronin then I set off up the hill.

That was ok, rode like a nanny... stopped at the top. I think I kinda talked myself into self doubting my riding, because I hate coming down the hill. As predicted I stuffed up. I had it in too low a gear, and had compression lock on the back tyre as a result of shifting down gears. As soon as I got off the hill, I just wanted to get home and off the bike. And was determined to understand how I could advoid the same situation again.

So over the weekend I had thought about what I had done wrong, what I could do better and with alot of advice from great friends I knew I had to jump back on the bandit and practice.

Sunday after twisting some friends arms (well, they didnt need that much encouragement) I went for a ride to Martinborough. This time I was determined to take it easy, and my first step was practicing Changing Down Gears (might seem strange as I have been riding for a while, but a GN is totally different and alot more forgiving then most bikes). So each time as I changed down, I blipped (?) the trottle before letting out the clutch. As UB would have said... do it over and over again until it is something you dont even think about... you just do it.

Felt quite tense on the bike still, so after being told off (nicely) by elle, I tried to relax more on the bike. That was my next practice.. relaxing my shoulders and bending my arms so I felt more natural on the bike.

Next they persuaded me to go up the Rimutakas. I took a deep breath and took off. Again I took it so slow and easy... no problems going up. Stopped at the top for AN HOUR!!! Waiting for Ronin to make his way up, that gave me enough time to think about and stress about how I was going to get down. When I finally did... I made sure I had the bike in a higher gear, but I still dont think I braked enough.

My next practice on a fine weekend is going to be,1. practicing changing down as I am going down hill. 2. braking more. 3. smooth cornering.

[Kinje]

ANZAC day

Joined TCWNR ride to Wainui Coast. Had a nice ride over and down to the coast and back. However coming back from the Hutt...

Nah. I had a really good TCWNR to Wainui Coast road, but then I had a really shit ride back from the Hutt.

Was not concentrating on what I was doing and was riding all over the show, crossing centreline and all (gave myself, ronin following and oncoming cars a hell of a fright when I crossed yellow lines on exit of moonshine bridge going north). I wasn't going fast, I was not giving the bike the attention and respect it needs. Even after stopping and having a V my riding didn't improve.

Not good, might just take a day or two to clear my head before riding again.

After some soul searching and reflection wrote this.

Nice bike Mel. You'll be really happy with it I think once you get the hang of it. Sorry for the hi-jack reply, but they may also may be fitting words for you.

Cheers Merv. I'm guna put some more rego on the 250 and go back to basics this weekend. I said I need to know how to ride the 250 really well before moving up to a bigger bike. I need a wee refresher about being smooth.

I had been feeling comfortable on the 600, but there have been times in the last week where I wasn't in control (last sunday going down takas and yesterday coming back). You're right, I need to be proactive. When I prepare before the corner I can drive through it getting power on (eg riding 250), but yesterday I was reactive and trying to back off through the corner and it wasn't working. I'm trying to push myself too hard on the new bike too soon- my mind says its a sports bike that wants to go fast. Hopefully this is the scare I need to slow down and realise I need to learn the new bike first- it is a very powerful beast that deserves a lot of attention, respect and skill. Once I've laid the foundations I can start building, but at the moment I must realise I'm still only laying those foundations.

Concentrate. Don't try and show off. Yes it is a fast bike. You don't know how to ride it well yet. SLOW THE F*%K DOWN! It will bite if you don't give it respect. Familiarise yourself with the bike. You may know the road and how the 250 does it, but you need to learn the new bike. The 600 behaves differently.

Be proactive and get set before the corner. Thank you Merv.

The key messages I got out were that I was breaking too hard and too late which meant I missed the turn in point and unsettled me through the rest of the corner. I was also tired and hungry as I hadn't eaten or drunk much during the day.

Sunday
Jumped back on the 250 for the day riding with Lissa and Elle. Concentrated on being prepared before the corner and smoothly powering through it. Felt a lot better yesterday with the bike going right where I wanted it to. Now to apply this to the 600 after my self imposed 'grounding'.

[Trudes]

Wairarapa represent guys , and who said you lot were a bunch of red-neck, brain-dead, dumb-arses? (Oh, that would've been me.. ) LOL.

[Rosie]

Went on a biiig ride on Sunday - from Rotorua to Waitomo, Kawhia, Raglan and home. About 420kms all up, and took the whole day. Since we were riding over a wide variety of roads, I was practising different things at different times.

One the highway to Putaruru, I was trying to stick to normal highway speeds, and did a few overtaking manoeuvres on passing lanes.

Once we were off the highway, and there was less traffic, I tried to keep the bike in an appropriate gear, and accelerate smoothly out of corners. The road surface was also a bit dodgy, so I got lots of practise scanning ahead for hazards.

Stopped at a really nice café in Otorohunga for a coffee and a biscuit, got some fuel and continued on.

Past Waitomo the road becomes very windy. Concentrated on smooth cornering, judging my entry speed, and looking around the corners where I wanted to go.

Stopped for a drink in Kawhia, and a brief discussion on how I was going to manage the gravel on the way to Raglan. Other than farm driveways, I hadn't really done gravel before, so was a bit apprehensive, but felt I had to give it a go. The map we had (my nice new Hema maps motorcycle atlas) showed 11km of gravel, and said it was pretty easy. It started out ok, but the downhill corners were pretty dodgy, and I had a few interesting moments changing from 2nd to 1st.
I practised looking a long way ahead, doing everything super smoothly, and trying to only brake on reasonably firm surfaces (the tiny engine has very little engine braking, and sometimes being in 1st with the throttle closed was still a bit fast). There weren't any times when I honestly thought I'd drop it, but it was still stressful in parts. Clint said he was very impressed with how I handled it, and I did much better than he expected (I think he was just playing it safe and mentally preparing himself for me dumping the bike and having a meltdown).
The 11km ended up being close to 20, and I was very pleased to finally be back on the seal. We stopped for lunch in Raglan, then headed home along the highway through Hamilton. Once again practising highway kinds of things, keeping my speed around 100, accelerating quickly when I needed to overtake someone, watching following distances.

The one thing I practised consistently over the whole ride was hopping my bum up and down on the seat every now and then to stop it going numb. If I remember to hop around from the very beginning of the ride, I can go much further without being saddle sore.

During the day Clint practised kick starting the KTM. I think he just wanted to pretend that he was one of the cool kids who don't have an electric start.

[Lissa]

Wairarapa represent guys , and who said you lot were a bunch of loverlly, beautiful people? (Oh, that would've been me.. ) LOL.

heehee thanks Trudes!!!

[Trudes]

I choose Kinje, because I think his post shows he has put some thought into how he's riding (something I often forget to do) and not just how fast he can ride. Onya dude.

ANZAC day

Joined TCWNR ride to Wainui Coast. Had a nice ride over and down to the coast and back. However coming back from the Hutt...



After some soul searching and reflection wrote this.



The key messages I got out were that I was breaking too hard and too late which meant I missed the turn in point and unsettled me through the rest of the corner. I was also tired and hungry as I hadn't eaten or drunk much during the day.

Sunday
Jumped back on the 250 for the day riding with Lissa and Elle. Concentrated on being prepared before the corner and smoothly powering through it. Felt a lot better yesterday with the bike going right where I wanted it to. Now to apply this to the 600 after my self imposed 'grounding'.

[Daza]

I think i will also pick Kinje because of some basic lessons that stand out.

The key messages I got out were that I was breaking too hard and too late which meant I missed the turn in point and unsettled me through the rest of the corner. I was also tired and hungry as I hadn't eaten or drunk much during the day.

I need to be proactive. When I prepare before the corner I can drive through it getting power on (eg riding 250), but yesterday I was reactive and trying to back off through the corner and it wasn't working. I'm trying to push myself too hard on the new bike too soon- my mind says its a sports bike that wants to go fast Hopefully this is the scare I need to slow down and realise I need to learn the new bike first- it is a very powerful beast that deserves a lot of attention, respect and skill. Once I've laid the foundations I can start building, but at the moment I must realise I'm still only laying those foundations.

I think we all can be a little too impatient at times with wanting to speed up the laying down the foundation process and putting pressure on yourself to progress. Thats something i can relate to.

[Terminated]

The following comments will be posted to the Newbie Update Blogg at the end of May:

Selections For 25April to 1 May 2007

This week our two selectors both chose Kinje. [This is a first since the Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise threads started.]

Kinje well done. You will be our selector next week and you will be able to choose two reports seeing as you will be the only selector.

Thanks Mrs Kendog and Daza for your selection, and also I want to acknowledge Merv for his input guidance. (I actually went back through Kinje’s posts and came across Merv’s input – thanks Merv)

I choose Kinje, because I think his post shows he has put some thought into how he's riding (something I often forget to do) and not just how fast he can ride. Onya dude.

I think i will also pick Kinje because of some basic lessons that stand out.

I think we all can be a little too impatient at times with wanting to speed up the laying down the foundation process and putting pressure on yourself to progress. Thats something i can relate to.

Nah. I had a really good TCWNR to Wainui Coast road, but then I had a really shit ride back from the Hutt.

Was not concentrating on what I was doing and was riding all over the show, crossing centreline and all (gave myself, ronin following and oncoming cars a hell of a fright when I crossed yellow lines on exit of moonshine bridge going north). I wasn't going fast, I was not giving the bike the attention and respect it needs. Even after stopping and having a V my riding didn't improve.

Not good, might just take a day or two to clear my head before riding again.

Man what are we going to do with you? After you told me about your cornering at Easter weekend I thought it was weird when you were shaking your head coming down the 'takas last Sunday and I'd intended then just to cruise behind you but basically had to pass and get on with it even on my 28hp 250. Can you do something about trying to get it smooth and think ahead - change down gears early - think two corners ahead and be ready to tip the bike in - be proactive and not reactive. If you do that you can take all corners with the power slightly on and not the other way - panicking and having to back off. I don't know what else I can say except is your bike set up well? Tyre pressures at manufacturers recommendations? Have you got the reach of your front brake lever and the back brake lever set up just right for your body size? If you start running wide, keep the throttle on slightly but apply a bit of back brake, its amazing how that turns you around the corner more. Just keep trying stuff and see what works for you.

Mel sorry to steal your thread here but I don't want your 'rapa boy coming to grief.

After some soul searching and reflection wrote this.

Nice bike Mel. You'll be really happy with it I think once you get the hang of it. Sorry for the hi-jack reply, but they may also may be fitting words for you.

Cheers Merv. I'm guna put some more rego on the 250 and go back to basics this weekend. I said I need to know how to ride the 250 really well before moving up to a bigger bike. I need a wee refresher about being smooth.

I had been feeling comfortable on the 600, but there have been times in the last week where I wasn't in control (last sunday going down takas and yesterday coming back). You're right, I need to be proactive. When I prepare before the corner I can drive through it getting power on (eg riding 250), but yesterday I was reactive and trying to back off through the corner and it wasn't working. I'm trying to push myself too hard on the new bike too soon- my mind says its a sports bike that wants to go fast. Hopefully this is the scare I need to slow down and realise I need to learn the new bike first- it is a very powerful beast that deserves a lot of attention, respect and skill. Once I've laid the foundations I can start building, but at the moment I must realise I'm still only laying those foundations.

Concentrate. Don't try and show off. Yes it is a fast bike. You don't know how to ride it well yet. SLOW THE F*%K DOWN! It will bite if you don't give it respect. Familiarise yourself with the bike. You may know the road and how the 250 does it, but you need to learn the new bike. The 600 behaves differently.

Be proactive and get set before the corner. Thank you Merv.

The key messages I got out were that I was breaking too hard and too late which meant I missed the turn in point and unsettled me through the rest of the corner. I was also tired and hungry as I hadn't eaten or drunk much during the day.

Sunday
Jumped back on the 250 for the day riding with Lissa and Elle. Concentrated on being prepared before the corner and smoothly powering through it. Felt a lot better yesterday with the bike going right where I wanted it to. Now to apply this to the 600 after my self imposed 'grounding'.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Lissa]

Good one Kinje... I hope you will be out on your 600 this weekend, and leave your 250 behind! If not I could always borrow it, you know, so it doesnt get felt left out.

[Trudes]

Good one Kinje... I hope you will be out on your 600 this weekend, and leave your 250 behind! If not I could always borrow it, you know, so it doesnt get felt left out.

Oh, I meant to say sorry to you Mel baby, I would've picked you last week for the post thingy, if I'd known Kinjey was going to hog the whole thing!!!

[Lissa]

Oh, I meant to say sorry to you Mel baby, I would've picked you last week for the post thingy, if I'd known Kinjey was going to hog the whole thing!!!

heehee thats ok Trudes.... at least Kinje can feel special.. or more special!