Big Red's progression April 07 to June 07

**BigRed2007** · 18th June 2007, 16:33

This thread like Crashe told me will hold all my progression of my learning and it will continue until i get that noobie label off my bike lol.

To everyone that reads this post especially if your a leaner like me, take it easy and take your time.

Practise makes perfect

Big Red

**BigRed2007** · 18th June 2007, 16:45

Today Crashe came over and gave me a long long lesson about learning how to ride my bike correctly.

I started out with hill starts, man it was a mission especially because my area is a mission to ride around but it went well especially with crashe showing me the way. She told me about using the throttle and balancing that with the clutch.
I practised that like 100 times? lol no about 10 times, and I will continue to practise these a lot more. I had trouble with the amount of throttle I gave and letting go of the clutch at the right time.

Then we went on to practise stop starts, and turning the bike. Unfortunately the first time around I literally just did a u-turn on the bike, which got me told off by Crashe

but i learnt my lesson. She then showed me that i needed to stop, reverse and adjust my bike so that I could see both sides and then when everything is clear throttle off smoothly. I did this about another 100 times

but it was good practise. ( Note i did indicate at all times)

Then we worked on emergency braking, my first time

lol but Crashe advised me, to start slowly and progress to faster emergency stops. I did that and improved vastly as Crashe told me

.

We then went for a drive to West gate and what a beautiful drive, apparently though on the way there, someone was tailing me but i didnt notice because my rear view mirrors were not adjusted properly but Crashe dealt to him

Having got to Westgate we then stoped for a quick chit chat, then we realised I need to get a lock for my bike especially if I intended to go to the city and leave my bike. So i got myself a nice disk lock and chain from Wild West Honda in New Lynn and big ups to the sales guy who gave me a hand. If you go in there especially from Kiwi bikers make sure you tell them. Lets give them a hand also as they are a new shop too.

Then finally we reached my house and thats end of the journey. It started at about 10.30 ish and ended at 3ish. It was a huge journey and huge learning curve.

This is what I need to work on:

Hill starts
Stop starts
Emergency braking
Learning to stop with my feet on the ground last
Roundabouts
Stopping at stop signs
Changing gears more smoothly

Thank you Crashe, very much.

Words cant express how thankfull I am

and the kind words of encouragement

**BigRed2007** · 18th June 2007, 16:52

This is after Crashe's thread but I would also like to thank James for spending time on the Sunday morning to assist me learn all the basics of bike handling.

It was a freezing Sunday morning at about 7 am. I was out warming up my bike, and then i give James a txt, where are you mate lol little did I know he was still getting up. That was fine I just spent 30 mins riding around my block. The funny thing was after I came back my hands were literally like ice blocks... i couldnt even grab the damn mobile phone to check the txt messages... It was a scary feeling.

Well James arrived and we took off to the Bp Petrol station and I filled up my first take. It was nerve racking because I was scared I might over fill it, but i filled about 10 litres and James showed me how to fill up to the correct level.

We then headed off down blockhouse bay road, down to rose bank and to a carpark to practise.

Over there we practised, hill starts, walking with the bike ( i.e. in first gear at walking speed), emergency braking on the gravel, walking the bike slowly up a slope, James helped me adjust my rear brake as it was too high, he also helped me change my springs and also advised about what I should have as my tool kit in my garage. Basically everything that you get in your emergency kit but get the proper version and dont get the cheap stuff.

I also learnt how to pump up my tires, anyone know what is the correct pressure for gz250's ? Front and back??? Well we filled it 30 in the front and 32 at the back, and it helped increase my ability to steer tremendously.

We then headed back and James escorted me to Lyn Mall and we then parted ways.

Things I learnt.

Hill starts
Filling up the Gas
Filling the tires with air
Walking the bike

Big Thanks to James, Twinkle Toes,

Appreciated the assistance

Big Red

**tri boy** · 18th June 2007, 17:25

Nice write ups BigRed.

Sounds like the Akld crew have taken you under their wing.
Keep us informed.

**BigRed2007** · 18th June 2007, 21:48

Cheers mate, and yes they have

**Stirts** · 18th June 2007, 21:59

BigRed U legend!....you have no idea how helpful this is!

bling to you! KEEP IT UP!

**Terminated** · 18th June 2007, 22:10

It has been said:

That Christopher Columbus didn't know where he was going before he left.
He didn't know where he was when he got there.
And, he didn't know where he'd been when he got home.

For me as a complete and utter raw newbie last year I felt a bit like CC above, but then I discovered the New World of motorcycle riding.

Well done Bigred, keep up the practice and to Crashe and James you two deserve a beer.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**HenryDorsetCase** · 18th June 2007, 22:13

Originally Posted by BigRed2007

This thread like Crashe told me will hold all my progression of my learning and it will continue until i get that noobie label off my bike lol.

To everyone that reads this post especially if your a leaner like me, take it easy and take your time.

Practise makes perfect

Big Red

dude, we're all leaners....one way or the other.

**BigRed2007** · 18th June 2007, 22:29

Cheers guys

i will keep you guys posted on how my learning is going

If ya have any questions you wanna ask me add me on msn

**gijoe1313** · 18th June 2007, 22:38

Most triumphant and heartfelt salutations! A great post and excellent reflections on the art of riding, sounds like your mentor is doing a crash hot job giving you the learn!

Keep up this excellent approach - Buckbuck giving you the heads up means you are definitely heading down the right path!

Now, don't forget to learn the fine art of maintaining your ride! And find some excellent reading material (e.g. Proficient Motorcycling by Hough) to always keep riding safely

As you were!

**BigRed2007** · 19th June 2007, 07:36

if ya give me a link i wil follow it :$

**Terminated** · 19th June 2007, 22:48

Bigred here are two links Crashe asked me to put in your thread:

Here is the original Newbie Training Update:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=30010

Here is the link to the Newbie Update Blogg. The blogg starts with the original Newbie Training Update and is now perpetual with weekly updates from ‘Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?’

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

Regards
Heads Up and Enjoy

**dasser** · 20th June 2007, 12:39

Hi BigRed,
Correct tire pressures for the GZ250.
There should be a label on the swing arm, left side.
but if you are missing the label here you are.

Solo Riding
front 175 kPa = 25 psi
rear 200 kPa = 29 psi

Dual Riding
front 175 kPa = 25 psi
rear 225 kPa = 33 psi.

Do you have a copy of the Manual ?
Flick me an PM with your email address an I try and send you a copy in pdf format.

It's great to hear about a fellow GZ250 rider.
Head up, stay vertical, enjoy.

later
dasser

**BigRed2007** · 20th June 2007, 22:44

Hey dazzer lol james and myself filled the front till 30 and back till about 32 lol but then again i am bigger than the average person so its fine.

It handles much better now, thanks dasser