Your best advice?

[caseye]

Oh yeah. Never, ever go on group rides.

Yer an old cynic JD, ol Maha and others I've ridden with have gone out of their way to make a group ride enjoyable and as stress free as possible for the newbies along for their first group ride. Most survive the experience and go back for more, some go their own way and that's as it should be for them.
A bunch of riders I know and have ridden with for a while is a good day out, no drama's Ok if you don't count ol Dodgyiti being sconned by a boat, on the road, on the coro loop, true story.

[James Deuce]

They're insanely dangerous. I'm not being cynical, I'm a realist. You will get bitten and bitten hard if you keep pushing group rides as social events. A couple of mates is no issue. A herd of n00bs is a major risk.

[Bikemad]

always be kind to old people,children and animals

[_Shrek_]

They're insanely dangerous. I'm not being cynical, I'm a realist. You will get bitten and bitten hard if you keep pushing group rides as social events. A couple of mates is no issue. A herd of n00bs is a major risk.

I think saying they are insanely dangerous, is being cynical JD, I use to do a nana ride for the newbies for a while, & yes they can be dangerous if there aren't some strict ground rules layed out from the start

I do avoid group rides as a rule but every now & then you end up in one, & you ride to the conditions that are there

[James Deuce]

It's all fun and games until you're apologising to people for wrecked property, ringing ambulances, trying to convince the Police not to prosecute people en route to hospital in a helicopter and making multiple trips to drop broken bikes off.

They are insane. It's a hazard other road users shouldn't be exposed to.

[caseye]

They're insanely dangerous. I'm not being cynical, I'm a realist. You will get bitten and bitten hard if you keep pushing group rides as social events. A couple of mates is no issue. A herd of n00bs is a major risk.

Personally I don't do social group rides unless I feel the need to contribute and mingle with the great unwashed bike riding mongrels out there who also do the majors.
West PAC Rescue Chopper ride. They saved my mum and dad from certain death about 15 yrs ago.
BRONZ kids ride. Who wouldn't ride for them?
The Tron's kids ride from Cambridge to the city square.
The Blue Sept ride.
The Pink Ribbon ride.
The Sallys Ride here in Dorkland.
And yes all of the above are dangerous considering the number of first time riders involved but hey, same as always, eyes an ears open, following distances opened up, protect the rear, treat em all as potential knocker offers same as for cars.
Any other time it's just me, the wife on her stead and one or two others, occasionally we travel down to the Tron and go for a spin with our friends from the LOR.
Course there's also the BFTP, another bunch of reprobates who ride together "sometimes".Not forgetting the other mongrels I ride with the Fatt Bikkers MC! best bunch of charity riders I've ever had the privilage of riding with.
Shit JD, you've made me all scardy cat about going and throwing a leg over now, NOT!

[neels]

It's all fun and games until you're apologising to people for wrecked property, ringing ambulances, trying to convince the Police not to prosecute people en route to hospital in a helicopter and making multiple trips to drop broken bikes off.

You need to make better choices about who you go group riding with then. I don't ride in close formation except with people I know very well and trust their riding....

[Maha]

You need to make better choices about who you go group riding with then. I don't ride in close formation except with people I know very well and trust their riding....

The ''group rides'' of which JD speaks, are nothing more than fragmented free for all go hard or go home soon as the flag drops....no rules apply attitude.
Finding the right formula for a group ride wasn't that hard...with over 40 rides hehind me now, and not one loss, I take exception that he collates the bad with the not...its incorrect.
Now, groups of sheep?...totally different story.

[tbs]

Read this thread start to finish.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...otorcycle-noob

[DEATH_INC.]

This isn't a thread about group rides....

My best advice is to take your time and learn to control things properly, if you want to go fast it will come naturally as you learn.

[MystikEagle]

This isn't a thread about group rides....

My best advice is to take your time and learn to control things properly, if you want to go fast it will come naturally as you learn.

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

[DEATH_INC.]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

Work on the basics, once they are comfortable then you work your way on up. Keith code's twist of the wrist talks about it. It's a good read/vid.

Don't be afraid to look like a noob, when you are

[Maha]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

Did you end up having a look at /buying that cruiser?

[awayatc]

No, it is most certainly NOT a thread about group rides

Thank you for your advice, I was planning on finding a nice big carpark to practice in once I have a bike. Probably spend most of my time practicing turning and slow speed riding. Once you get it sorted going slow, just slowly increase the speed... Thats my theory anyway

my advise?.....get any sort of bike you can afford to drop and play a bit in the dirt.......
That will give you a good feel for the bike, and how it/you act/react when things start slipping and sliding.
Thats could make the difference between an "off" or staying on when things go pearshaped on the road (rain/oil/gravel etc)
And trust me.....Things will get hairy one day!

[MystikEagle]

Did you end up having a look at /buying that cruiser?

Nah, still looking around aye. Still saving the pennies too, had a few big bills come in