Instilling a sense of conscience.

[Mikkel]

I did check my mirror...

...but you still got surprised. (I've had the same - but I only blame myself for that.)

As for the majority of motorcyclists going to Akaroa being pillocks, I have never believed nor claimed that. There are a small number of retards (usually on the latest sportsbikes) who set out to prove to the world how awesome they are by riding at stupid speeds and taking risks that sometimes endanger other people. I think the majority of bikers (and I speak to dozens of bikers every day) are careful, considerate and know the limits of their bikes, the road and themselves. I think most of us do ride fast sometimes, and if the road is clear and conditions suit I enjoy a "spirited" ride as much as anyone - the key being in the right conditions.

Have you considered, just hypothetically, that it's a matter of perspective. What seems insane to you they might consider "taking it easy", maybe they aren't trying to prove anything to you - just having fun and enjoying a good day out in their own way. I don't know if the focus on "the latest sportsbikes" is appropriate either... the most dodgy riding I have seen hasn't been from fast guys on gixxers. Neither are they, generally, the ones hauling back two beers or more during the "coffee" stop.

I don't have any doubt that there are plenty of roadusers out there who would consider dangerously insane what I considered a spirited ride and others still would be considering it nana-ing to the extreme. What's the truth...? I don't know, however, the guy on the gixxer gave you a fright - that's not on I agree - but he probably didn't intend to scare you.

And I disagree about idiots on bikes like the retard on the Gixxer being no worse than any other dangerous road user. He put me at danger because he was showing off, so it was an intentional act. The numbnut in the SUV who pulls out in front of me because he was too busy talking on his cellphone to look is just as dangerous and just as contemptible, but he didn't set out to do something dangerous so I can kind of forgive him (after a lecture), but I struggle to look kindly on someone who intentionally engages in an act that puts me (and most of all my bike) in danger because he's trying to prove something. Especially if he's on a bike because I like to think that I can trust bikers to look out for other bikers because that used to be the code.

Talking about intent... if someone were to cause an accident involving others I could not care less about their intentions. Actions not words and all that. ...and no, neither ignorance nor incompetence is a valid excuse for anything.

[Mikkel]

This shit's just wrong !!!

Play with fire and you will get burned eventually.

[short-circuit]

Yes, I'd rather my partner (or me) lived one day of freedom than a lifetime of slavery.

How old are you? 15?

[SixPackBack]

How old are you? 15?

As opposed to the rest of the geriactic cunts in this thread who collectivley average out at over 70!...
Bunch of fucken sycophants.

[carver]

Jumping is not so bad though eh?
like me jumping the gixxer at the end of this vid, over a bridge.

[Boob Johnson]

I think that the purpose of this thread has been to make a vary valid point about show-boaters being irresponsible and unnecessarily endangering the lives of others.

This thread? Have a look at how many threads Katman has started on this subject in the last two years or so. At least once a month on average

Unfortunately there seems to be some personality issues on here

If you are referring to Katman's lack of it, sure

All of this self-righteous tut tutting is enough to make Old Nanas(TM) like me want to go out and pop a wheelie.

Here here. I know of at least one poster in this thread who is a massive hypocrite. It's all about time & place & sometimes we get it wrong, it's called "the human factor". While it's hard not to agree with Katman's general sentiments his approach, delivery & general blind one sidedness to anything else other than his own view really does him no favours

Katman, I do not for one moment doubt your sincerity and I do admire your tenacity but if you always do what you have always done, you cannot expect to get different results!

Does this thread really indicate to you that you are winning?

Have you stood back and thought about changing your approach to your quest for more personal responsibility among our biking brethren?

It's a bit like trying to teach pigs to fly, first of all, the pigs aint never gonna fly and it just seems to really piss the pigs off, the harder you try to make them!

Most KBr's probably agree with you but I don't think you will ever reach the ones that you are targeting and you run the risk of irritating the ones that support you!

I am not suggesting that you give up, just suggesting modifying your approach might give you better results.

Paul Simon had a great song back in the 70's, you may have heard of it, I know Katman has....

"One Trick Pony"

[Mom]

My experience is that the few riders who do ride in a way that exhibits manifest poor judgement , or in an intentionally dangerous fashion (again, given the circumstances) , quite quickly get given the message (if not the bash) by their peers.

Or they end up dead. Sad but true.

IUnfortunately there seems to be some personality issues on here, so the point has been twisted and lost in pointless criticisms and arguments.

Shame really.

You think? Katman delivers an honest postion, he does it very badly, and he seems to have no off button, or ability to re-think his approach. He offends some of the ones who actually support some of his message, and infuriates a few more, the rest ignore him because typically this has turned into Katman against the world yet again.

...but you still got surprised. (I've had the same - but I only blame myself for that.)

Yeah, situational awareness, pity some of them crazy riders do not use it a bit more eh? just in case you know how it goes.

[short-circuit]

As opposed to the rest of the geriactic cunts in this thread who collectivley average out at over 70!...
Bunch of fucken sycophants.

Quick - get me a walking frame before I turn thirty!

[short-circuit]

typically this has turned into Katman against the world yet again.

He defriended me just cause I suggested he's a wind-bag even though I agree with him

[Genestho]

I dunno, maybe it's just me but I can look beyond personalities, I find Katman quite hardcase, like most here, and I think your'e only offended as you want to be! In saying that - I have given katman a growling now and then (want some help with the polish dude? hehe )

But let's face it, Katman said a couple of years ago this was his campaign, campaigns involve 'bangin on', if it changes the mindset of one, it's a life saved, and load of grieving prevented!

Tis a brave man who walks through a field of cactuses to deliver a valid point!

[bogan]

I'm regularly disturbed by the number of times I have read on here "Meh, life's full of risks. If you don't want to expose yourself to risks then stay in bed".

All very well to a point but at what point does that idea cross the line?

Different people will always have different ideas on what that point is, sux if someone gets it wrong and takes me out, but I ain't gonna lose sleep worrying bout it.

I guess what you are getting at is people should:
1) Not knowingly put others at risk
2) Have a good idea when you are likely to be doing so

A good idea, probably not gonna change anyones mind on the first one, if they knowingly put others at risk chances are they're a prick and wont listen anyway. But educating riders as to how risky their riding is, is a good idea, perhaps more experienced riders should be evaluating other riders and speaking up about such issues on group rides? (dunno if this already happens, haven't been on a group ride yet) or something like that.

[shrub]

...but you still got surprised. (I've had the same - but I only blame myself for that.)



Have you considered, just hypothetically, that it's a matter of perspective. What seems insane to you they might consider "taking it easy", maybe they aren't trying to prove anything to you - just having fun and enjoying a good day out in their own way. I don't know if the focus on "the latest sportsbikes" is appropriate either... the most dodgy riding I have seen hasn't been from fast guys on gixxers. Neither are they, generally, the ones hauling back two beers or more during the "coffee" stop.

I

I looked in my mirror, saw nothing in the right hand lane and the row of lights behind me and I overtook. Apparently he rode up through our group and damn near clipped a couple of guys behind me, but I didn't have time to count headlights and I have learned that when you're riding in a group you don't overtake the guy in front of you unless you have a lot of room and ideally he or she knows you're overtaking. You certainly don't overtake someone following a slow car who has just put his right hand indicator on because common sense would suggest he is planning to pull out.

I agree, there are different levels of crazy - I'm really scared of hurting my bike so I am a nana, and unashamedly so. When I was young and rode ordinary bikes I was fast, but not anymore. When I see someone riding fast WELL, I recognise the skill and admire them, but I see too many retards overtaking on blind corners, cutting in on right handers so their head is aiming right where a car's rh headlights are most likely to be, running wide etc, and mostly it's because they're riding waaaaaay faster than their skill level.

And sorry mate, most of the people who do that kind of crap are on high performance sports bikes. My guess is they're born agains who have the tin to buy a blisteringly fast bike, and make the mistake of trying to use the performance that bike has. Another really cool style of riding, and you pointed it out well, is the guy who swings into a pub and knocks back several beers. I was going for a squirt down Gebbies and ended up in the middle of the Langleys run this year as they left the wheatsheaf and some retard try to outrun me on his Harley (I was on a Tiger). He was on the wrong side of the road with sparks flying so I pulled over, let them all go past and ten minutes later carried on. A couple of Ks down the road I came round a corner to find a Harley lying on its side in a paddock surrounded by distressed people.

[swbarnett]

So should we be allowed to do 100kph on the footpath?

Or does expecting us not to impinge on our freedom?

Bit of a silly question really. The footpath is primarily intended for slow speed pedestrian traffic. This is a very different situation from using a road, which is intended for high speed vehicular traffic in a manner that is not very far removed from it's primary function.

[swbarnett]

How old are you? 15?

44

Why? You'd rather live forever with no freedom whatsoever than live a finite life with the freedom to live your life your way?

[Genestho]

As opposed to the rest of the geriactic cunts in this thread who collectivley average out at over 70!...
Bunch of fucken sycophants.

Goddamnit! *stomp*
If I'm going to be in a bunch of sycophants, I need to know what the heck that is!!!! Anyone? (Actually if you look at the word, and quickly look away, looks like sickopants - boomtish!!!)