Speeding

[NDORFN]

36% less than if you are doing 100.

So why don't they lower the limit to 80? The arguement for lowering is the same for not raising it (well... 8% difference).

[ManDownUnder]

So why don't they lower the limit to 80? The arguement for lowering is the same for not raising it (well... 8% difference).

Good point! Why don't we drop it to 5... or are there other considerations to be balanced off as well?

[Ixion]

There are two reasons why people may condemn "speeding".

One is simply that "speeding" is "against the rules". And some people are very rule determined. Simply, the fact that it is against the rules is why you shouldn't do it. if the gubbermint brought out a rule that everyone must put their left shoe on before the right, such people would always comply, even though there was no possible mechanism for enforcement.

If you are one of those people then the "why speed" argument is meaningless. You don't speed, because it's against the rules. End of story. What DOES puzzle me is why so many of those people buy very large bikes (usually crusiers) , capable of breaking the speed limit by a many fold factor. When their personal ethos says they won't ever do it. Why not a nice 250 or 400?

The other reason for not "speeding" is that it is more "dangerous".

Obviously, this is true. As someone noted, you have less time to respond to BadThings. And if you do hit, the splat is likely to be bigger.

However, we are bikers. Motorcycles are INHERENTLY dangerous. If we were the sort of people that were highly influenced by such calculations, we wouldn't be riding in the first place.

Personally, I make my own call. I have a "danger level" that is acceptable to me. In some circumstances that danger level may be reached at 70kph. So that's what I'll do even if the limit is 100.

In other circumstance my personal "acceptable safety level" may not be reached till 120kph. So that's what I'll do. (the possible presence of cops is factored into the "danger" calculation- cops is a danger). Or maybe even 200kph , though that'd be pretty rare. But, has happened. Danger to other road users, pedestrians, hawks etc is also factored in BTW.

I think it totally ridiculous for some bureaucrat in an office to tell me what is "safe" for me on any given piece of road. And if I am supposed to figure out what is "safe" then the bureaucrat can bugger off entirely. I'm not interested in his 100kph. It may not be safe. If I am capable of determining whether 100kph is "safe" , I am equally capable of determining if 120kph is "safe". "Safe" , for me. Only. For MY acceptable danger level. Your "safe" may be totally different to mine. You may be more, or less, willing to accept X level of danger. That is why I have no issues with faster bikes overtaking . "OK< different danger acceptance level, that's fine".

[NDORFN]

Good point! Why don't we drop it to 5... or are there other considerations to be balanced off as well?

Sure is. So what of those considerations justify a limit of 100 rather than 120? Obviously not the 44% increase in kinetic energy.

[Morcs]

Ixion is my idol.

Another angle though, Ive ridden quite happily on UK motorways, the speed limit is 70mph (call it 120kph, but precisely 116)

So if a cop pulled me over on a New Zealand motorway for doing 70mph and told me it was very dangerous speed etc etc.. thats when its stupid. Fact is everyone on UK motorways sits at around 80mph (130) and there arent many problems in relation to the sheer number of vehicles in the whole country.

Slightly higher speed has its advantages for many road users - faster journey times, maybe less traffic in some places, better fuel economy (better for the environment), and for motorcyclists less daydreaming, less pushing it uber hard in the twisties out of frustration of being stuck on mundane straight roads a few kms back, as well as less getting blown around by the wind

[Jacko2]

Luv your work Ixion

[paddy]

Depends on your reaction times - yes the faster you go, the bigger the mess, but when you become attuned to riding a higher speeds, 100kph is bloody dangerous!

On a bike, id estimate to be comfortable at doing 150 as I am doing 100 in a cage. The size of a motorcycle gives an increased feel of awareness around it, as well as the riding position giving you a much more focused mentality than in a car.

Morcs mate - you need to get off our roads. Come spend some time out on the ambulance, it will change your perspective. If you really want to astound everyone here about how wonderful you are and how quick your reaction times are, get out on the track and put your money where you mouth is.

Road riding is about unknowns. If you have only 10 metres to react when that dog ran out in front of you on a country road then it isn't going to matter whether you are going 80 km/h or 80 km/h you are going to hit it. I can tell you which speed I would rather go through a farmers fence at though.

I'm curious - how old are you? (Serious question.)

[NDORFN]

Morcs mate - you need to get off our roads. Come spend some time out on the ambulance, it will change your perspective. If you really want to astound everyone here about how wonderful you are and how quick your reaction times are, get out on the track and put your money where you mouth is.

Road riding is about unknowns. If you have only 10 metres to react when that dog ran out in front of you on a country road then it isn't going to matter whether you are going 80 km/h or 80 km/h you are going to hit it. I can tell you which speed I would rather go through a farmers fence at though.

I'm curious - how old are you? (Serious question.)

By your logic, we should all walk.

[ManDownUnder]

Sure is. So what of those considerations justify a limit of 100 rather than 120? Obviously not the 44% increase in kinetic energy.

ok... Why obviously not?

[Morcs]

Morcs mate - you need to get off our roads. Come spend some time out on the ambulance, it will change your perspective. If you really want to astound everyone here about how wonderful you are and how quick your reaction times are, get out on the track and put your money where you mouth is.

Road riding is about unknowns. If you have only 10 metres to react when that dog ran out in front of you on a country road then it isn't going to matter whether you are going 80 km/h or 80 km/h you are going to hit it. I can tell you which speed I would rather go through a farmers fence at though.

I'm curious - how old are you? (Serious question.)

I never said anything of the sort regarding being wonderful and awesome, just stating that on a bike, you become quite attuned to speed. Can you honestly admit that 100kph feels exactly the same on a bike as in a car? Dont count your dr250 though!

If a dog runs out in front of you at anything faster than suburban speed, you dont hesitate, no swerving, nail it, lightening the front wheel in the process and keep going straight.

For your info, I am 22, and a reformed rider of sorts. I have binned in most spectacular ways possible (though never on the open road) and have paid enough in speeding fines to feed a whole African country for a month.

[Shorty_925]

Ixion is my idol.

Another angle though, Ive ridden quite happily on UK motorways, the speed limit is 70mph (call it 120kph, but precisely 116)

Different road conditions, the roads are in better condition than here, so can travel at those speeds and its the same with other major roads/motorways in Europe.

As for speeding side of things, I personally dont enjoy riding fast on the roads. Id much rather find the tight, twist peice of road and go at a resonable pace across that, and knowing that if I come across something I have time to pull up. If i want to go fast, id just tape up the lights and go racing or do a track day, much more enjoyable than thinking if the fuzz are around the corner ready to ping me. Enjoy riding a bike too much to loose my licence.

They should put more of the tax money was put back into the network.

[Morcs]

They should put more of the tax money was put back into the network.

Agreed. Considering NZ has one of the highest vehicle ownership rates in the world - that should be plenty of revenue from fuel, rego and dare I say it, speeding fines to make the roads safer, rather than having shit roads and telling people to drive slower...

[NDORFN]

Fuck. I just typed up a big spiel and by the time I went to post I'd been logged out and now it's lost. Fuck it. I'm going to work. Might do 120 on the way.

[Swoop]

So if a cop pulled me over on a New Zealand motorway for doing 70mph and told me it was very dangerous speed etc etc.. thats when its stupid. Fact is everyone on UK motorways sits at around 80mph (130) and there arent many problems in relation to the sheer number of vehicles in the whole country.

The problem is that the kiwi licence is given out to just about any retard that can turn a steering wheel (cannot call them a "driver"...).
European driver training is vastly superior than ours... or so we are told.
Here, we just traing someone to be able to pass the test, not really drive.

[p.dath]

Agreed. Considering NZ has one of the highest vehicle ownership rates in the world - that should be plenty of revenue from fuel, rego and dare I say it, speeding fines to make the roads safer, rather than having shit roads and telling people to drive slower...

Until we swap the fines for demerit points ...