Wellington Wednesday Night Cruisy Summer Rides (TCWNR) 2010-2011

[Gone Burger]

I have found these folk to generally be wonderful to ride with, and not ones to put others at risk like this - with a FEW exceptions. So I hope this doesn't ruin it for the rest of us who enjoy just going for a ride, at our own pace, to meet up with friends and have a good ride and a laugh. The whole rest of the group last night (and big numbers too) were very well behaved indeed, with no other issues! I was up near the front for a wee bit and was impressed with the faster riders, and then quickly slipped to the back over the hill to my usual spot.

[Quasi]

I've asked Ivan to give him a slap in the interim.

Someone really does need to take control of these rides and I am seriously thinking about coming down and doing it myself. I would happily be tail end charlie and send all the wannabe Rossi's of to meet us at the destination. Would just need a lead rider and anyone who is riding between myself and the lead that acts like a dork will be riding with the wannabe Rossi's from the next ride on.

I seriously am waiting for a Weds night RIP thread......

This is chilling to read and I am kinda glad I didnt make the ride yesterday. The speed and safety factor became a bit of an issue last year and it hasnt taken long to rear its ugly head again. Thanks Hels for offering to step up to the mark and take ownership of the ride and help to make it safer for us all. There doesnt seem to be a problem with the back riders, its just a few young pups at the front who have gotten a bit overexcited and forgotten about common sense.

The concept of these rides is fantastic, a great bunch of people and machines, lots of laughs and talk. I always go home smiling

Lets not see it turn into something that we are all going to regret and say if only......

See you next week

[WuZards-Eugene]

Followed Eugene who promptly left me for dust.

Hehe, gotta love dirt bikes. Whats even more amazing, is that I havent been able to push it very hard yet.

And Dave mate, you need to give me your Speed triple (When the hyobag is getting slowed down going up the hill by a 1050 I feel bad for the 1050)

You should think about changing your lines a little, you seem to be coming out of corners way to wide. Gave me the shits on one of them.

Was a fun ride. As I had to pull off and get gas, had an absolute blast up the hill, then on the way back, went and checked out Kaitoke Park and had a little tiki tour through some of the sections deeper in the park

[White trash]

Hey it's a funny thing, but only the people with their heads screwed on right seem to post in the followup to these threads, it's always the same.

Unfotunately, it's also up to these people to say something when it's noticed someone possibly endangering the ride. Don't be shy to tell people to fuck off if they're seriously causing worry.

And before any cry babies start having a go at "How you ride Jimmy" and "I've seen you doing....", please bear in mind my rides were never marketed as "Cruisy" and were usually limited to close friends and relatives who knew the score from the start. I also don't recall EVER causing a moment or concern for any other rider either within our group or otherwise.

[Weaver]

Hmmmmm, interesting comments from what's supposed to be a cruisy Wednesday night ride.

Cruisy? I thought the C stood for carnage!

I've tried to explain to people before that it's supposed to be a cruisy pace but they seem quite apathetic.

[Eyegasm]

You should think about changing your lines a little, you seem to be coming out of corners way to wide. Gave me the shits on one of them.

Mate I think I know the corner your talking about. That was coming down the hill on the way back right? I definitely overcooked a couple of corners and knew it.

My downhill entry speed is something I really need to look at closer.

Cheers Eugene.

[davebullet]

You should think about changing your lines a little, you seem to be coming out of corners way to wide. Gave me the shits on one of them.

Thanks for the tip.

Just to clarify... One thing I've been doing wrong is lazy steering. That is starting too soon, coming short of the apex which forces a run wide. I think many riders do that. Keith Code talks about this.

When I wait until the last possible moment, drop the bike in with a definite counter steer push, I tend to hit the apex and return in the centre of the road (not run wide).

Is that what you mean? Or am I just straightening up too soon?

[davebullet]

Cruisy? I thought the C stood for carnage!

I've tried to explain to people before that it's supposed to be a cruisy pace but they seem quite apathetic.

Agreed. The ride is not cruisy. But I suppose cruisy is a relative term. At my skill / comfort level I find the rides about right / on the slightly fast pace.

Hey - I have no ego to hide behind - just reality folks!

[Bald Eagle]

Maybe we need a new one, how about a Real Nanna Pootle Ride

[davebullet]

And Dave mate, you need to give me your Speed triple (When the hyobag is getting slowed down going up the hill by a 1050 I feel bad for the 1050)

Hey - 250's are nothing to be sneezed at over the hill. If I'm comfortable at 40kph around a corner - I won't go past that regardless of CCs under the tank. On all my bikes - I've been the limitation - not the bike. - bu hey - I'm alive!

[davebullet]

You played with your settings and sags yet Dave ? That triple should soak up the coro's peice of piss !
Could be as simple as not enough rebound under brakes
http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/Ho..._motorbike.pdf
I used this to set mine up and get my head around the science of it ! Took me a few reads lol, but if i can nutt it out, i'm sure someone like yourself will suss it !
Worked out that the spring rates on the triple are perfect for my 100kg with gear on, to get the correct sags !
The emulators are pretty basic (or should i say lacking for track work) but well sufficient for road riding
Just remember to write down the settings that it came out of the factory with (which i didn't lol)

Thanks for that Bill. Will have a read. Like a new girlfriend, I'm still discovering what the settings are like, where she is smooth and where she gets rough!

I'll be honest and say I haven't done static / rider sag measurements. I weigh about 85Kgs with gear so I believe the bike factory is sprung in the ballpark for someone like me.

the stock suspension could definitely be dialled in better. I just need to research and as you say:
1. Only change one thing at a time
2. Document what you do and how it behaves.

[mattathm]

I'll be honest and say I haven't done static / rider sag measurements. I weigh about 85Kgs with gear so I believe the bike factory is sprung in the ballpark for someone like me.

the stock suspension could definitely be dialled in better. I just need to research and as you say:

DO the sag!
get someone to help. tilt the bike on the stand to get the rear wheel off the ground, measure from the axle to the side panel directly above the axle (place some tape on the point, so you use the same point each time) this is your extended distance.
then sit on the bike with both feet on the pegs with all your gear on and measure that smaller distance from the 2 same points again.
30mm difference is good for the street

And do the same for the front.

Also make usre you have the correct tyre pressures!

[davebullet]

Thanks for that. Yeah - I know what to do to set sag - just honestly? - been a lazy SOB and getting used to the bike with factory settings / breaking it in.

I regularly check tyre pressures... came from the dealer with 42psi rear... seems a little high to me (for a light bugger like myself - well relatively light....)

[davebullet]

I have found these folk to generally be wonderful to ride with, and not ones to put others at risk like this - with a FEW exceptions. So I hope this doesn't ruin it for the rest of us who enjoy just going for a ride, at our own pace, to meet up with friends and have a good ride and a laugh. The whole rest of the group last night (and big numbers too) were very well behaved indeed, with no other issues! I was up near the front for a wee bit and was impressed with the faster riders, and then quickly slipped to the back over the hill to my usual spot.

Nothing wrong with riding at the back part of the passage (doesn't sound right for some reason.... ). Hey I was really at the back and didn't see you guys for dust! - ok with me though.

[mattathm]

I regularly check tyre pressures... came from the dealer with 42psi rear... seems a little high to me (for a light bugger like myself - well relatively light....)

the late model tyres and what they are made off dont require lower pressures to heat them up any more.
On the track its different, but for the street for example, Conti Sport Attacks run 41 rear and 36 front!