South Auckland Street Skills

[nzspokes]

If I win lotto maybe I will get a sports type bike, just to give it a try.
its nice to think about the possibilities.

I will stick with the VTR and maybe a tourer.

Mind you, with a Turbo the VTR may be somewhat quick....

[Big Dog]

If I win lotto maybe I will get a sports type bike, just to give it a try.
its nice to think about the possibilities.
There is a whole lot of different types of bikes to look at I guess, each has its own + and -

Lot of $ to own multiple bikes for 1 rider. - buggr I wonder if we could electronically register the bike somehow like the Eroad stuff for trucks?
Just 1 bike at a time and do a distance license somehow linked to each bike (upto a maximum $)- dunno really just thinking allowed.
If 2 bikes run at same time, then second license cost would start - some sort of average distance say 25000 ks for a maximum registration cost
OK I have been thinking again -my bad
Or we could share our bikes, everyone buys a particular type and swop, you bend it you fix it - arrangementlike that's going to work

Once you have your full cheapest way is test rides.... but most ethical is to rent a few. they have rentals for learner riders too but rates vs quality of bike is not terribly favourable.
Even at $1000 a week still cheaper than owing year round if you only wan to go for a spin and not go for regular rides.


When I worked at Red Baron there were a few regulars who had commuters 50 weeks a year and rented something for holiday week.
I have multiple bikes because I started off with the bus and added the scooter and the DR when the i needed to for financial reasons... as a way of not losing the busa. Given the heartache, the cost and the fact that I had to sell it any way less than 30,000 later for nearly 6k less than I had offers for I sometimes wished I had sold her sooner, still bought the DR and rented a bigger bike when needed.

[eldog]

Once you have your full cheapest way is test rides.... but most ethical is to rent a few. they have rentals for learner riders too but rates vs quality of bike is not terribly favourable.
Even at $1000 a week still cheaper than owing year round if you only wan to go for a spin and not go for regular rides.


When I worked at Red Baron there were a few regulars who had commuters 50 weeks a year and rented something for holiday week.
I have multiple bikes because I started off with the bus and added the scooter and the DR when the i needed to for financial reasons... as a way of not losing the busa. Given the heartache, the cost and the fact that I had to sell it any way less than 30,000 later for nearly 6k less than I had offers for I sometimes wished I had sold her sooner, still bought the DR and rented a bigger bike when needed.

Too much of a learner to just turn up and ride off, just yet. Need to get comfortable on a bigger bike than a Scorpio before hiring something bigger. But it sounds like a good idea. Like buying a house you only see the good stuff till you are actually living there.

I learnt a lot about cost of owning an air cooled bike, short intervals between services ben the main one, and selling old model stock.
I am wiser now, and know to ask. I was a real noob. that was the past, i had no one to ask. Just want to pass info on to other noobs.

Yes its sad when you love something and you have to let it go, even when you know things would have been great.
Sometimes the decisions are out of your hands. I have had a few of these, its hard but try not to dwell on it, like I did.
After 3 years I still have the occasional pain but I am getting used to it now. Its in the past. Be happy with what you have and try to make it better. Thats what the bikes for aint it

[Big Dog]

Too much of a learner to just turn up and ride off, just yet. Need to get comfortable on a bigger bike than a Scorpio before hiring something bigger. But it sounds like a good idea. Like buying a house you only see the good stuff ill you are actually living there.

I learnt a lot about cost of owning an air cooled bike, short intervals between services ben the main one, and selling old model stock.
I am wiser now, and know to ask. I was a real noob. that was the past, i had no one to ask. Just want to pass info on to other noobs.

Yes its sad when you love something and you have to let it go, even when you know things would have been great.
Sometimes the decisions are out of your hands. I have had a few of these, its hard but try not to dwell on it, like I did.
After 3 years I still have the occasional pain but I am getting used to it now. Its in the past. Be happy with what you hae and try to make it better. Thats what the bikes for aint it

That it is.

Truth be told, if I had to give up one type o bikes forever I'd probably go with the big bikes. I like them but I feel I get more out of the more utilitarian bikes. Like the DR350. If it had not started blowing oil is probably still have it. Still happily servicing it every second month. 4000km is not very far at 2-3000 per month.

I'd probably go 650 next time round for the servicing interval if I still lived that far.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[eldog]

That it is.

Truth be told, if I had to give up one type o bikes forever I'd probably go with the big bikes. I like them but I feel I get more out of the more utilitarian bikes. Like the DR350. If it had not started blowing oil is probably still have it. Still happily servicing it every second month. 4000km is not very far at 2-3000 per month.

I'd probably go 650 next time round for the servicing interval if I still lived that far.

Long Term I would tend to agree 650-800. nice comfortable, do all kind of bike with minimum fuss. Get on turn the key then off - boring and reliable but suited to most things at a pinch. Bit like a stationwagon or hatchback, but that's when I am too old to ride a horse.

But like all bikers I wanna try them all first

Matt when are you coming back?

[Sis]

I am not going to be there this week. Another committee meeting. So people start thinking about who is going to lead and where you want to go.

[nzspokes]

I will be there this week.

What do people want to practice?

[Big Dog]

But like all bikers I wanna try them all first

Matt when are you coming back?

Test rides are awesome.
Personally I only risk them when I can afford to buy. I have been known to buy bikes I can't afford when I already have a perfectly good bike. Virtually on a whim.

Bought my GPX when I had only dropped in to make my monthly payment to the workshop. Being a student I just used to give them a fixed amount each month. Sometimes I owed them money because I got all my servicing and gear there.


Bought my GSX1100f when I had gone looking for a middleweight commuter.


Bought my Hayabusa when I went in to see I a jacket that was ordered for me fit. Jacket fit but was unsuitable.

Bought the DR350 while looking for a DR650. Seemed to good of a bike to pass up at the price. I had only gone on a test ride so I could put it out of my mind.

Bought the CB1300 while looking for a 900 hornet or a bandit. Just too good a bike for the money. Probably helped no end by it is physically a good 10% bigger than a hornet.


There is a good reason sales staff are pretty keen to organise test rides. Choosing a bike is all about passion. For some that passion comes from drooling over parts catalogues and spec sheets. For me it is all about what moves me. I do try to find logical reasons not to buy or to buy but final call I go with my gut.

Choosing to buy it is best a financial decision but that is a different yarn.



So far I have bought 8 bikes.
2 based on Logic.
1 based purely on the I can have it now, not in 12 months.
5 based purely on how I felt about the buy.

2 based on logic worked out. Just not thrilling or noteworthy. Also shortest riding periods.
1 I can have it now got traded for my GPX.
5 others I have been stoked with. Owned well beyond a typical term of ownership ( or in the case of the CB expected to be.


If the Matt you refer to is me I have never actually made it to a SASS.




Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[eldog]

Test rides are awesome.
Personally I only risk them when I can afford to buy. I have been known to buy bikes I can't afford when I already have a perfectly good bike. Virtually on a whim.


If the Matt you refer to is me I have never actually made it to a SASS. .

I understand your points on bike buying with bikes it often about when you feel, smell and hear ie the tactile feeling and your senses.

yep brought a bike untest ridden by me, it's a lovely bike I just have to get better at riding before I ride it again. Sometimes logic and senses don't match which makes things seem not as good as you thought they would be. True.

matt is not you big dog. It is someone I put in a hard place on a sass ride, by accident, thinking about what happened during a sass ride amongst other things. Things boiled over in my head space and I put him in an difficult position. It wasn't his fault, no one was in danger. I was wrong I should have stopped or carried on. I only want him to realise this, I haven't been to sass for sometime and I want to make sure that he understands what happen. And I hope that he has continued with his riding, he was getting the hang of it when I left. I could see him on the ride in my mirrors. Still remember that. Sorry mate, I should have stuck it out with you like a good mate should have, even if I was totally unhappy then shot off when we got to the end of the ride
ok I stuffed up. Eventually it lead to me having an off lesson learnt, on my bike referred to above, I was being so antisocial, and wanted to prove to myself that I could do it by myself for myself. I got caught out on tar bleed I didn't see, that's another whole thread. I went to sass to learn about stuff like that, and yeah I did learn but not at sass. It's stuff like that I reckon places like Kb and sass can proved people with riding knowledge that often gets missed. Sass does provide a non aggressive friendly place to ask fellow riders their opinions about anything. You would get some strange one from me including replies, it all good.
only I was lucky, back riding jan/February.

matt and other beginners, don't worry if you feel like you are slow and keeping a learners group from travelling at a good pace, learn from me, ride at your own pace, tell the people at the beginning of your ride, your ability, Yes speak up, I know it's difficult, you want to show that you can ride, but things will go much better if you ride at your own pace. You will soon learn how to become smooth, position etc. some people learn much faster than others, I am a careful nervous slug, got no problems with that. My work precludes me from much riding, so I cherish the times I do ride.

See you on the road sometime

spokes you could lead maybe we could have a bbq at sis's place while she is at the committee meeting good place for practising tyre testing burnout to get tyre temp correct aye

[nzspokes]

I went to sass to learn about stuff like that, and yeah I did learn but not at sass. It's stuff like that I reckon places like Kb and sass can proved people with riding knowledge that often gets missed.

To be clear, Sass is more a riding group than a training system. Those that offer advice are not trainers and have not been trained to do so. Advice is offered from experience from riding and training we have had. No curriculum is used so if you want to know a particular thing then feel free to ask.

Sis and myself would invite experienced riders along to offer their views and knowledge to those at the start of riding. Those wanting structured rider training I would strongly recommend Phillip at Riderskills as he is the best in the business. Also remember Sis, myself and others like Andrew that come along to help out gain no financial benefit (in fact its a significant cost) for coming along each week rain, hail or shine. We do it because we became tired of going to mates funerals.

So if there is something you wish to know just ask, we will be happy to answer or try and find the answer.

[Tigadee]

Essential info for the newbies to SASS:
South Auckland Street Skills or SASS

WHAT: Learning and improving Riding Skills
WHEN: Tuesday Nights
WHERE: Meet at Z (ex-Shell) Service Station, Cnr Great South Road and Taka St, TAKANINI (the one with a Burger King)
WHO: Riders new and old, and anyone getting back into Motorcycling (must be legal & hold a motorcycle license).
Weather and venue permitting - Heavy Rain may mean that we are watching DVDs. Showers are OK, look on the thread for more up-to-date information.
Depending on the number of riders and their experience levels, a short ride may be included to practice further skills. If there are enough riders, some nights can be split into two different groups.

Some nights may include:
Practicing essential skills and techniques in a quiet carpark
On-the-road practice which may see you doing up to a 1hr - 1 1/2hr ride.

WHY:
- Practice essential skills for staying alive on the road.
- Practical help with your riding.
- Fun times with fellow riders, with great stories and discussions.
- Build friendships, solicit advice and pick-up riding tips.

MEET at Z station Takanini -----------> before 6.55pm

START ride -----------------------------> 7pm

FINISH ride at ex-Manukau City Council car park for slow-speed safety exercises -----> usually 8pm-8.15pm
(next to the new Manukau train station & opp. police station)

SOCIAL time @ BRONCOS after car park exercises -----------> 8.45pm-ish

Cost: Nil, nada, zip, zero, nothing... Just your time and attention.

Details of what will be happening each week will be posted on this thread. So kick the tires and light the fires... Let's ride, aSASSins!

Disclaimer:
The SASS activity is intended to give any riders advice on their riding and to practice their skills in a safe and relaxed environment. The organisers of SASS are NOT responsible for any rider, their machines and/or any persons involved. All people attending SASS do so at their own risk.

[f2dz]

I'll be there this week. I don't have a preference for what I want to practice – I'm easy.

Spokes, I would've thought your VTR was plenty fast already without strapping a turbo to it. That need for speed eh..!

I'll be staying in Auckland over the break so anyone who's keen to go for some rides during that time let me know. I'll probably be getting out a bit to keep me sane.

Was thinking of even doing to the Cape and back in a day.

[eldog]

To be clear, Sass is more a riding group than a training system. Those that offer advice are not trainers and have not been trained to do so. Advice is offered from experience from riding and training we have had. No curriculum is used so if you want to know a particular thing then feel free to ask.

Sis and myself would invite experienced riders along to offer their views and knowledge to those at the start of riding. Those wanting structured rider training I would strongly recommend Phillip at Riderskills as he is the best in the business. Also remember Sis, myself and others like Andrew that come along to help out gain no financial benefit (in fact its a significant cost) for coming along each week rain, hail or shine. We do it because we became tired of going to mates funerals.

So if there is something you wish to know just ask, we will be happy to answer or try and find the answer.

I dont think i wrote anything about FORMAL TRAINING.

Just my ideas about asking newbies to think about things which arent obvious, like what happoens when you get a flat tyre, what remedies do they have on board the bike, unless they carry a spare. Road surfaces and what happens in the heat and wet eg Tar bleed. IE experienced riders pointing out things for newbies to think about.

If I am stepping on toes, I can go elsewhere for my riding, plenty of other MC out there
WHICH IS DIFFERENT TO SASS WHICH IS NOT A MC.
in case anyone thinks it is

[nzspokes]

I'll be there this week. I don't have a preference for what I want to practice – I'm easy.

Spokes, I would've thought your VTR was plenty fast already without strapping a turbo to it. That need for speed eh..!

I'll be staying in Auckland over the break so anyone who's keen to go for some rides during that time let me know. I'll probably be getting out a bit to keep me sane.

Was thinking of even doing to the Cape and back in a day.

I saw you on Saturday heading south.

Cape run would be fun. Im going to Rotorua for a few days camping but will be free after that.

This may be my last Sass for a while as I resort priorities.

[f2dz]

Not what I was thinking
Will reply to this later when I have calmed down

did I miss something??

I saw you on Saturday heading south.

Cape run would be fun. Im going to Rotorua for a few days camping but will be free after that.

This may be my last Sass for a while as I resort priorities.

And you didn't wave or say hi? Sad..

Was a suprisingly good day for a ride. I rode down Highway 22 but then had to turn off to go to Ngaruawahia to refuel. Rode on to Pirongia before heading back to Auckland via the main boring highway.

I take it that you're keen then? Would be good to have some company on a ride for once. Last few I've been on have been all by my lonesome.

Can chat about timing tomorrow at SASS. Others are also welcome! I'm happy to keep a pace that works for everyone. So long as you're okay with me stopping for a stretch every 60-90 minutes. My seat isn't that flash on my gluteus maximus.