I'm totally new to road bikes & need help!

**bosslady** · 23rd April 2013, 21:08

Originally Posted by sketch

i never claimed to be the shiznit, or claimed to no everything, by no means at all

every day i learn things, scare myself a lil and realise just how little i no about riding bikes, BUT!!!!!!

im out there doing it getting better every day,

my point was the best way to get out riding is to get out riding

Of course, I agree, because this is what I did, got out there etc. BUT there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help a long the way. For some, it is invaluable. I can't expect myself to learn everything I need to know on my own with no help or guidance from others. But, who's to say what I've self taught myself is right. Nothing wrong with preparedness.

**carburator** · 23rd April 2013, 21:34

Originally Posted by FJRider

Ask an experienced rider about "The Pucker Effect" ..

yep when your asshole grows teeth and takes a bite of seat vinyl, you know its been a pucker moment...

**FJRider** · 23rd April 2013, 21:59

Originally Posted by sketch

i never claimed to be the shiznit, or claimed to no everything, by no means at all

Crying Bullshit ... makes a mockery of that statement.

Experience is usually something you get .. right after you need it. Training courses, mentor programs, and various organized rides can impart knowledge/skills ... which may save your life. (or some degree of pain)

What you learn in the first few months of riding may save your life, what you don't learn (properly) may kill you.

You may learn plenty out on the road ... but it's reluctant to tell you when you're doing it wrong. When it does ... it bites hard.

**pete-blen** · 23rd April 2013, 22:22

Originally Posted by FJRider

Training courses, mentor program ...... what you don't learn (properly) may kill you.

Thats it.... selling the bikes... Had a good run.... 30+ years over due...

**FJRider** · 23rd April 2013, 22:27

Originally Posted by pete-blen

Thats it.... selling the bikes... Had a good run.... 30+ years over due...

I'm almost 40 years overdue. I'm still not sure I got it right.

Time will tell ...

**jellywrestler** · 23rd April 2013, 22:28

Originally Posted by pete-blen

Thats it.... selling the bikes... Had a good run.... 30+ years over due...

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

**The End** · 23rd April 2013, 22:44

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

If you're on a sportsbike the saying goes... "when in doubt power it out!"

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

**FJRider** · 23rd April 2013, 22:52

Originally Posted by The End

If you're on a sportsbike the saying goes... "when in doubt power it out!"

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

And the wise never get into the situation that requires either action.

The stupid however ... can believe what they like.

**pete-blen** · 23rd April 2013, 22:52

Originally Posted by The End

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

And don't try stand up while still doing 20mph on yer back... the resalting summersalts hurt more than the slideing..
my bit advice for the day..

**FJRider** · 23rd April 2013, 22:57

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

If "Feedback" was a sore bum and oil stained hands and clothes ... maybe.

And emergencies were smaller anyway ...

**Reckless** · 23rd April 2013, 23:57

Hey Midget,

What a lot of good advice LOL

You can ride as I've ridden with you.
The biggest difference between road and dirt is cars LOL

Na really! learn to anticipate learn their body language or that of the drivers.
Be aware of everything around you, learn to predict and anticipate.
Use your peripheral vision much more than on the trails.
I know you can ride you just have to learn the roadcraft of road riding.
Learn to look at the driver who checking his mirror for a lane change before he jambs on his indicator and swerves.
Cars will generally drift to where they want to go before they actually start going there.
This generally comes from experience, Ride safe is good and Nass for like minded road riders but nothing beats getting out and doing it.
Beware of the over confidence stage! On the dirt you hit a tree and fall off, on the road you get hurt.

Ride ride ride and atgatt (all the gear all the time).
Its a different reward on the road than on the dirt.
My 2c ???

Fatt bikers might be a good option too?

Be safe and enjoy

**leathel** · 24th April 2013, 08:12

Originally Posted by FJRider

Crying Bullshit ... makes a mockery of that statement.

Experience is usually something you get .. right after you need it. Training courses, mentor programs, and various organized rides can impart knowledge/skills ... which may save your life. (or some degree of pain)

What you learn in the first few months of riding may save your life, what you don't learn (properly) may kill you.

You may learn plenty out on the road ... but it's reluctant to tell you when you're doing it wrong. When it does ... it bites hard.

Love that quote

learning without any guidance can be learning bad habits, Lots of outfits so one on one training and can just touch on the things you need to learn, Dirt certainly gets lots of skills handy to road riding but a guidance always helps.... not that I have done any, my guidance has been from people that have been on courses :P

**GrayWolf** · 24th April 2013, 09:10

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

yep at least 30 pluis years ago we rode and drove shit that gave ya feedback, nowadays the new shit doesn't do it the same and when it all turns to custard there's very little experiences to fall back on and know what to do in an emergency...

Originally Posted by The End

If you're on a sportsbike the saying goes... "when in doubt power it out!"

But on a 250.....abandon ship and hope you land on a slippery road?

Good call jelly!! The old stuff certainly did give lots of errrr 'feedback' yeh that's it. feedback!!!

The End?
Mate if you really subscribe to that particular theory.. when in doubt, power out.... I would suggest doing a search here on the Kawasaki H1-500 triples, and read, CAREFULLY!!! Or I am sure like myself there are a few 'ex H1 loonies' lurking, reading this thread..... One tester in the UK described that bike as 'Venomous'.

That one bike of probably all the old bikes, that gave 'feedback'

Was responsible for more 'asshole bites of the vinyl' per ride, than any other bike I would care to think of. Trust me, that bike taught you very quickly 'power out' was NOT your best friend....

In fact i am sure a lot of us ex 'H1-ites' would love to see the current crop of sprotbike 'point n squirt' heroes put aboard an H1, with similar tyres of the day (probably the Nylon carcass Shinko's would be close?) and watch the fun as they tried to ride as they do on today's bikes. By today's standards, it's a low powered bike (60bhp), so nothing to be afraid of, RIGHT?

Your best friend, is the top few inches of your body, it consumes 20% of your oxygen intake.. for a very good reason!!

**Old Steve** · 24th April 2013, 12:21

Midget,

Someone mentioned Govt sponsored training, I think it's done through ACC - they should have a motorcycle co-ordimator, well Tauranga did. I did an ACC sponsored course with (I think) Proride and while it covered a lot of low speed confidence building work it also did very good sessions on emergency braking, road position and cornering technique. Contact them and ask about their next motorbike training course.

I was lucky, I rode for a while with the local branch of the Ulysses Club, and their tail-end-charlie took me under his wing and would come up quietly when we took a break and offer advice on cornering, braking, etc. Was always telling me to lean more, I couldn't understand that at the time but I know now. I'll probably owe my life to the advice given to me by Trevor Rose.

And practice, try the happy biker weave down any untrafficed straight road. And keep thinking your way through corners, especially as you're on a cruiser. Slow down before, if you need to once close to or in the corner then use only your back brake, turn in late, touch the apex well through, and you'll come out flatter and well positioned for the next corner. Be ready for decreasing radius corners, that's a corner that tightens up - tons of them in NZ - be ready to push more on that inner bar.

And watch other traffic, a car's wheels give an indication of where it's going to go. Or you could watch the driver's hands on the steering wheel if you're in lane traffic. Don't ride in a car's blind spot, fall back. And only ride at your pace, it is not a good idea to try to keep up with others, that's when you'll find you're riding above your abilities.

Oh, they all mention the pucker moment - that'd be an STM (sphincter tightening moment)