How slow is too slow for a bike?

[trumpy]

The question is pointless and the attitude behind it arrogant.
The answer to the basic question is defined by physics, as Crazyhorse says, go slow enough and you will fall over......simple.

As to the attitude, the road is for everyone who is legally entitled to use it. Slow and fast are relative concepts and often situationally driven. Ride to your skills, ability,environment and how YOU feel on the day. Letting others define your riding style is like signing your own death certificate. I drive 70,000ks a year in the cage (and I don't do slow) and another 15,000ks on the bike and frequently meet the sort of people you describe. Tough. Get over it. If that is going to be the least of your frustrations in life then you are goping to lead a very, very charmed life. As others have said, indulge in a little roadcraft and, heaven forbid, even a bit of patience and the situation will improve. If like me you are short on time (and patience) go find another road. I hardly ever use state highways so don't generally get held up and still use about the same travelling time so don't generally arrive any quicker, just more relaxed. All it takes is a map and a little planning.

As for the " born again wanna-be oldies and chicks getting into riding, who think it’s a cool idea to ride a motorbike – but really have no idea how to ride?" group; they are as entiltled to their lifestyle choices as you are to yours and where is that mythical line where the transition from wannabe to true biker occurs? And who are you to define it (even if only by inference).

[GOONR]

..... driving at 70kph in a 100kph zone on a straight road (according to the law you should be withing 20kph of the speed limit if the road and conditions allow).....

I've never heard that one before, so me on my L plate should not be on a 100k road (legally)?

[centaurus]

I've never heard that one before, so me on my L plate should not be on a 100k road (legally)?

Mate, your speed limit IS 70kph, so theoretically you should not be below 50kph.

[ukusa]

Use the horn, LOUD & looooonnnnngggggg!

[yachtie10]

70K/h is the limit for a learner rider, do you suggest that learner riders are not allowed to travel in any zone the has a speed limit in excess of 70? I know its frustrating sometimes but what are you going to do, folks ride or drive to their ability's or legal requirements isnt that what you would rather have them do that causing accidents and becoming statistics.

The issue isnt that people drive slow, they shouldnt drive faster than they are comfortable. the issue is that some peole drive without a thought for other road users. Like people who think its OK to hold up traffic in the fast lane on the motorway becuase theres no law against it. IMHO they are selfish assholes

If you are holding up traffic and can let them past safely then why not do it?

[GOONR]

Mate, your speed limit IS 70kph, so theoretically you should not be below 50kph.

That would be suicide on a Auckland motorway, in fact I think it would be suicide in any 100k zone.

[steve_t]

My ex got a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic, even though there was no traffic. He was in a small truck down south somewhere out of Chch, on the long straights and the wind was blowing the truck all over the road so he'd slowed down. Only car for miles was the cop who told him he was driving too slow. But I've never heard of any of those fuckwits who do 80-90 everywhere then 120 on the passing lanes being ticketted.

When I did my defensive driving the other month, the instructor was telling us how quite a few people had failed their learners car licence test from driving too slowly. I think the cruising leeway is only 5-10km/h.
Over the summer the police send a helicopter to watch over the Kopu-Hikaui roads with a specific task of watching for slow traffic impeding flow. They radio down to cars who stop them and give them the learn. The chopper is also there to spot idiot impatient drivers

[Pascal]

Mate, your speed limit IS 70kph, so theoretically you should not be below 50kph.

That, if accurate, must be one of the most obscure laws then. If the point is to keep traffic flow within a similar range for safety, what would be the point in having a speed that is potentially 50km/h off the maximum and 30 km/h off the minimum of the other drivers? Maybe I need more coffee or maybe a sexy mathematics teacher in stockings with g... yeah. Okay.

[onearmedbandit]

So you're one of the retards who thinks every one who goes faster than you has a problem?

Doesn't everyone think that?

obviously you're one of those who are completely arrogant and don't give a toss about other road users

Ah so you two have met before then.

Coming from Christchurch you wouldn't even know what a real corner is, and I bet you never take your SV1000 over 90 Klm/hr

The sooner they get rid of corners the better we say. Damn scary things, what with not going straight and all that monkey business, how are you supposed to work that shit out? And how fast is 90klm/h in km/h?

[BoristheBiter]

There is not nor ever been a minium speed level the land transport act states:
2.1 Keeping left
(1) A driver, when driving, must at all times drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway unless this rule otherwise provides.
(2) If a driver's speed, when driving, is such as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, that driver must, as soon as is reasonably
practicable, move the vehicle as far as practicable to the left side of the roadway when this is necessary to allow following traffic to pass.
(3) A driver may drive in the right lane in the direction of travel when driving on a multi-lane road if—
(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving the prescribed signal of that driver's
intention to turn right; or
(b) the driver is passing; or
(c) the left lane is unavailable to the driver; or
(d) the driver is required by any provision of this rule to drive in the right lane; or
(e) a variable lane control downward-facing arrow sign indicates that the driver must drive in the right lane; or
(f) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or
(g) the traffic in all other lanes is congested;

And you can also read into this that you can get a ticket for sitting in the right lane if you are not overtaking someone

[smoky]

If you're continually compressing up against slower traffic ...... then just back off the gas a little, learn some road craft, make some room. Getting frustrated and throwing your toys out of the cot isn't going to do anything

70K/h is the limit for a learner rider, do you suggest that learner riders are not allowed to travel in any zone the has a speed limit in excess of 70?

As to the attitude, the road is for everyone who is legally entitled to use it. Slow and fast are relative concepts and often situationally driven. Ride to your skills..... If like me you are short on time (and patience) go find another road. I hardly ever use state highways so don't generally get held up and still use about the same travelling time so don't generally arrive any quicker, just more relaxed. All it takes is a map and a little planning.

As for the " born again wanna-be oldies and chicks getting into riding, who think it’s a cool idea to ride a motorbike – but really have no idea how to ride?" group; they are as entiltled to their lifestyle choices as you are to yours and where is that mythical line where the transition from wannabe to true biker occurs? And who are you to define it (even if only by inference).

The lack of comprehension some of you show is rather sad really - you would think if you were at all interested enough to post in here you would actually read and try to comprehend the subject first????

As I said; I don't care what speed people do, go as slow as you like - but why be all arrogant and wanky about letting other go passed you ??? we all share the same road
And for your information no toys were thrown out the cot, and I wasn't hard on the brakes behind them, and I did just sit back and cruise behind them - ya fukwits
read it again morons


Apart from making the point that if you want to ride at a slower pace than the average motorist, then at lest learn to use your mirrors and let people passed when there is room, not open up the throttle and then hold them up again at the next corner, I am also genuinely interested in asking what is it some people find appealing about buying and riding a sports bike that has so much ability and agility then ride it like it's a retarded motorised pushbike on stilts??

Why wouldn't you buy a GN250 or a bike more suited to your ability

And before you dick heads tell me "people can ride what they like"; I know that, I'm just interested why they want to? they're obviously a bit scared of the bike, of the road, of falling off - why not get on something less sporting, less powerful and ride a more suitable machine????

[Toaster]

Exactly. If you are holding up others because of your slower relative speed then give em room to pass.

Its simple, you are required by law to pullover at the first available safe opportunity to allow traffic past. Its used to be $150 fine for impeding the flow of traffic. No idea what it is now.

Toasted.

[BoristheBiter]

The lack of comprehension some of you show is rather sad really - you would think if you were at all interested enough to post in here you would actually read and try to comprehend the subject first????

As I said; I don't care what speed people do, go as slow as you like - but why be all arrogant and wanky about letting other go passed you ??? we all share the same road
And for your information no toys were thrown out the cot, and I wasn't hard on the brakes behind them, and I did just sit back and cruise behind them - ya fukwits
read it again morons


Apart from making the point that if you want to ride at a slower pace than the average motorist, then at lest learn to use your mirrors and let people passed when there is room, not open up the throttle and then hold them up again at the next corner, I am also genuinely interested in asking what is it some people find appealing about buying and riding a sports bike that has so much ability and agility then ride it like it's a retarded motorised pushbike on stilts??

Why wouldn't you buy a GN250 or a bike more suited to your ability

And before you dick heads tell me "people can ride what they like"; I know that, I'm just interested why they want to? they're obviously a bit scared of the bike, of the road, of falling off - why not get on something less sporting, less powerful and ride a more suitable machine????

I understand where you are coming from in regards to people who drive slowly and hold you up ( i get very fustrated at this) but is having a right old rant about people on fast machines going slow the way to go about it.

If we took your thinking we would all be riding 125's as we can't go past the speed limit of 100 ( though some can very easyly) so what's the point of getting something that can.

we all have the right to buy what we want, when we want, and ride it how we want for whatever reason we like, so don't make this the issue. it says you have a 1200 bandit, what the top speed of that and do you ride it hard and fast around the corners if not why do you have it.
Its not a race track and some people do not like to go out of there skill zone and have the possabilty of dropping the bike (myself included) while riding on open roads.

This is an issue about courtesy on the road whether it be a bike, car, truck or push bike so lets leave it at that.

[SPman]

According to Winja....about 200k!

[trumpy]

The lack of comprehension some of you show is rather sad really - you would think if you were at all interested enough to post in here you would actually read and try to comprehend the subject first????

As I said; I don't care what speed people do, go as slow as you like - but why be all arrogant and wanky about letting other go passed you ??? we all share the same road
And for your information no toys were thrown out the cot, and I wasn't hard on the brakes behind them, and I did just sit back and cruise behind them - ya fukwits
read it again morons


Apart from making the point that if you want to ride at a slower pace than the average motorist, then at lest learn to use your mirrors and let people passed when there is room, not open up the throttle and then hold them up again at the next corner, I am also genuinely interested in asking what is it some people find appealing about buying and riding a sports bike that has so much ability and agility then ride it like it's a retarded motorised pushbike on stilts??

Why wouldn't you buy a GN250 or a bike more suited to your ability

And before you dick heads tell me "people can ride what they like"; I know that, I'm just interested why they want to? they're obviously a bit scared of the bike, of the road, of falling off - why not get on something less sporting, less powerful and ride a more suitable machine????

Oh spare me. I understood your post perfectly well but (your statement) "Is it because we’re seeing too many born again wanna-be oldies and chicks getting into riding, who think it’s a cool idea to ride a motorbike – but really have no idea how to ride?" is not a question but a judgemental statement with a question mark on the end. Perhaps if you had put it in more neutral terms then you might have received some insightful answers instead of rants from grumpy old buggers like me.

Everybody gets into, or back to, riding for their own personal reasons which are as varied as the people themselves so I can't answer your question on their behalf. As for me however, when I came back to riding I bought a bike which was considerably more capable than than I was (and still is) for two reasons; firstly, the throttle has more than one position and works in both directions and, secondly I needed something to aspire to. Even at 57 it is my goal to narrow the gap between my bikes ability and mine, preferably by improving my skills (Superbike School is next on my list for this summer......if we actually get one). I took this approach with my motorsport and most other things I have done in my life and for the most part it has worked well for me. Been bitten a time or two because of it but its just my way and I"ll stick to it.