Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

[Woodman]

Do they still do that?

[Padmei]

Dunno but what was the reason behind it in the first place

[Woodman]

Dunno but what was the reason behind it in the first place

Maybe because an enduro is sort of a reliability type test so a cold start sorta fits in to that. I dunno really, only ever done one enduro and remember taking the bike off the trailer and kicking it over as you do, and then an official just about murdered me because it was a cold start event. Pain in the ass really cos you gotta push the bike everywhere e.g. scrutineering etc. Stupid rule.

[warewolf]

Enduro grew out of reliability trials type events, so starting is included in the race probably for similar reasons to tyre changes and work periods.

Yes they still do it. Enduro uses cold-engine format, but you have a period allowed to fire it up & warm it up before you start, 60 seconds? All the rules are on the MNZ website if you are curious.

Marlborough have just announced their 3-round XC series: 2hr race, plus sighting lap, dead engine start with rider 10m behind bike. Slightly different, in that you can warm the engine up first and then shut it off, and there's no grace period - fastest starter gets away first which is an advantage to the kickers.

[Woodman]

Down the coast all the hare scrambles were le mans starts or shotgun starts like that. Me and the boys used to practice them. No leccy start then but we used to have the bike sitting their with the kick start out (all 2 strokes btw) and we would run up at full pace and in one fluid movement leap over the back of the bike, grab the bars and kick the bike over, chuck it in gear (or leave it in gear and pull in the clutch, much debate over lots of beers about this) and we were gone. The IT was good cos the kick starters bottom travel ended on the footpeg so I could just flick it up a bit down the track.

Fcuk... Just realised how many years ago that was

[Padmei]

My brother used to do them in the 80's - when Colliedog had long hair (In fact my bro bought his IT250 off him).I used to tag along on my dt175 & ride a it of the track.
There must have been a lot of engine carnage back then with cold starting then racing off at full revs.

What do you mean WW when you say kickers get the advantage? I would have thought leccy starters would be quicker? Or did I read that wrong?

Any of you guys doing to do the Xcs? I may give the first one a go & see how I like it.

Waiou might be bitof a mud bath this weekend.

[topo]

I'll def be at the XC next weekend, will sort out some new rubber this week Felt really good at the laidback so hoping i'll do a bit better than last season.

Padmei if you can afford it get some real cheap NEW knoblies for the XC, you'll be amazed at the difference. Also amke sure you set your rear sag up as good as you can with the standard springs to lift the rear up and help the old girl turn, if you need a hand we should have time to set the rear before the start.

I'll be there early to set up camp and get the espresso on, any helpers/spectators are welcome to a brew.

Cheers Topo,

PS the KDX build has been canned due to it being a complete basket-case and not worth the $ and time

[NordieBoy]

Main reason for dead engine/le mans/left hand on helmet type starts is that it instantly staggers the field.
There's no mass carnage as the whole field gets to the 1st corner.

[Padmei]

Padmei if you can afford it get some real cheap NEW knoblies for the XC, you'll be amazed at the difference. Also amke sure you set your rear sag up as good as you can with the standard springs to lift the rear up and help the old girl turn, :

Ahh well said. I went into CityMcs & Lester came marching out with a hammer & screwdriver muttering about it dragging its arse.A few hitslater the preload Lnuts were nearly at the end of the thread. He was mentioning either I may not have any gas left in the reservoir or the spring may be too lite for me. Are the stock springs usually liteish? He also set the comp & rebound on the front & rear for me to try out but & said the front iswaytoohardfor some reason.When I get the KLR all sorted & ready tosell I'll concentrate on getting the kLX set up right.

Main reason for dead engine/le mans/left hand on helmet type starts is that it instantly staggers the field.
There's no mass carnage as the whole field gets to the 1st corner.

Such a glaringly simple reason for a xc type event however an enduro is staggered anyway.

[Padmei]

I have a nearly new 17 inch rear knobblie one laidback trail ride old (Viper or something - was cheap but worked really well) that I'd love to swap for a newish 18 inch rear knobblie.

BTW didyou have a Knees up with the Morris dancers Nordie? I bet those long MX socks were a hit

[warewolf]

What do you mean WW when you say kickers get the advantage? I would have thought leccy starters would be quicker? Or did I read that wrong?

Any of you guys doing to do the Xcs? I may give the first one a go & see how I like it.

Waiou might be bitof a mud bath this weekend.

Kickers fire up faster. As woodman said, prime the bike have it just past TDC, blip the throttle to prime the carb, kick lever out, sitting in 2nd gear & clutch it. Bike fires up halfway down the kick, rev it & dump clutch. Meanwhile the e-starters are still getting those first few whirrs in before she fires... Off the line, tenths of a second really count.

Yes doing the XC, would also like to do Marlborough but that may be pushing things a bit - haven't checked the calendar. Last time I did Marlborough it was utterly insanely steep.

Waiau is almost always seriously wet. Always pack a fresh set of mud tyres for that one.

Main reason for dead engine/le mans/left hand on helmet type starts is that it instantly staggers the field.
There's no mass carnage as the whole field gets to the 1st corner.

They hope... doesn't usually work. At the endurocross there was more carnage from those starts than the MX-gate style.

[topo]

Ahh well said. I went into CityMcs & Lester came marching out with a hammer & screwdriver muttering about it dragging its arse.A few hitslater the preload Lnuts were nearly at the end of the thread. He was mentioning either I may not have any gas left in the reservoir or the spring may be too lite for me. Are the stock springs usually liteish? He also set the comp & rebound on the front & rear for me to try out but & said the front iswaytoohardfor some reason.When I get the KLR all sorted & ready tosell I'll concentrate on getting the kLX set up right.



Such a glaringly simple reason for a xc type event however an enduro is staggered anyway.

If Anyone walks up to your bike with a hammer and scerwdriver and actually uses it then somethings seriously wrong in the world, esp if your paying them!!!!!

what do you weigh? i'm around 86/87kg in riding kit wich works well with the std springs, returning the damping settings to std also made a big difference in the handling department.

[Padmei]

If Anyone walks up to your bike with a hammer and scerwdriver and actually uses it then somethings seriously wrong in the world, esp if your paying them!!!!!

what do you weigh? i'm around 86/87kg in riding kit wich works well with the std springs, returning the damping settings to std also made a big difference in the handling department.

Luckily I'm not paying to have someone hit my bike- he owes me a favour. We couldn't get the proper adjuster thing into the small amount of space without taking off the airbox boot which I couldn't be bothered doing since Iwas only getting a warrant.

I'm presently at (ahem) the heavier end of the 80's without riding gear however have some helium filled body armour panels.

I will try out the settings next weekend (or this week if work gets pretty quiet)

[JATZ]

What time are you boys hitting the Molesworth?

Sorry "dave" didn't see your post.
We'll be going through the Molesworth earlier today
Didn't get up Altimarloch so that willl have to wait for a day trip at somestage, maybe when there's a bit of snow around Molesworth is in good nick, a few corugations in places.
Malings/Edwards make a nice sidetrip on the Rainbow, cheers for the info

[NordieBoy]

And don't try going up the Wards Pass fiber cable track without good knobblies. The Red Gate one is easy though.