First ride- FINALLY!

**Deviant** · 2nd September 2007, 21:46

Having read some other threads here, I thought I should add my experiences from my first day out on my Suzuki GN250.

Buying the bike, I was told to go for at least 250 (max for learners) as anything less will seem too weak in one month.
After one day out, I can confirm that they will be right...

Although the GN250 is renowned for it's gutlessness and ease of use for learners (and cheap parts- I recommend this if you're looking for a first bike).

After training in the Basic Handling Test on a GN185, the 250 seemed massive and I was scared of it, wishing I'd gone smaller.
I really wanted to ride it, but with no prior experience and on a much bigger bike, I knew it would be suicide without some proper practice time under my belt.

Then yesterday I got in 2 hours of practice in a 2 lane carpark with about 150m or more of space, tight turning areas, and a few speed-bumps for good measure.

After this, I wanted more, so had a friend ride it to the domain for me, where I hooned (at reasonable speeds) around the park roads practicing every skill I could and doing very well- surprisingly well actually. I loved it.

One thing really fucked me off though.

Part of my circuit required turning right at an intersection while the road curved to the left heading slightly downhill.

Some young prick in a white hatchback was right up my ass trying to be a smart cunt- I wasn't worried and slowed down at random intervals to force him to back off and be more cautious of me. He kept getting right behind me (1m or so) every chance he got.

I indicated right for my turn about 6-7 seconds before the turn just to be sure he knew what I was doing. I also slowed down for the turn as I reached it. I started to turn.

The fucking idiot tried to

OVERTAKE ME ON THE RIGHT!

ON A BLIND CORNER!

AT AN INTERSECTION!

WHEN I WAS INDICATING A RIGHT TURN!

WHEN I WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN!!!!!

I sped ahead as it was too late for any other action, then gave him a filthy look and shouted (in my visor) "FUCKING DICK!".

It probably wont come as a surprise that he looked about 19, had on a baseball cap, and brand stickers for car part manufacturers all over the car.

The highlight was the hot MILF in the red bug that gave me a big grin and a thumbs up at another intersection!

But to cut this story short, I loved every minute of it apart from that little cock smoker boy-racer in his mum's old hatchback driving the domain like a rally track.

I hope to join some rides sometime soon with you guys, and see you all on the road sometime!

Deviant.

**carbacca** · 2nd September 2007, 21:59

good to see you getting out there, we have all been there and got started somewhere some how

idiots on the road is just soemthing you have to deal with. bike vs cage the bike will most likely come off worst so sit back and chill before you do anything rash. keep your eyes open and spot idiots before they get too close will at least give you some options in dealing with them

hope that hasnt put you off, and work on getting into traffic then you'll be good to go

**Deviant** · 2nd September 2007, 22:28

It hasn't put me off, the day's ride has given me such a buzz I would have been out all day if I didn't have a free food and wine-tasting event today! (link to pics)

**675trippy** · 2nd September 2007, 22:43

good on ya but the real test is amongst traffic so be careful out there and treat every cage as though they are out to fuck you up.

**Hawkeye** · 3rd September 2007, 00:20

Good on you Deviant for getting out there and doing it. Just take your time and practice. You will soon improve. Just don't push too hard. Things have a way of bringing you back to earth with a bump on bikes if you get too cocky.

First rule of bike riding. Everyone is out to get you and you need to ride to survive. When you come across dicks like today, give them a wide berth. pull over and let them past if you have to. Life's too short to get upset about it.

**Rosie** · 3rd September 2007, 08:35

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

First rule of bike riding. Everyone is out to get you and you need to ride to survive. When you come across dicks like today, give them a wide berth. pull over and let them past if you have to. Life's too short to get upset about it.

What he said.

Pulling over and letting people past is always a good idea. It puts you in control of the situation, so they overtake when you want them to, rather than waiting for them to pick some scary blind corner to overtake on. And if someone's driving is making you nervous, you are far better off having them in front of you, where they can't run you over.

Edit: Good on you for getting out for a ride. Practise makes perfect!

**EJK** · 3rd September 2007, 10:16

Good on ya practicing out there!
When you feel confident enough, you should join the Auckland Wednesday Night Mentor Ride. It's really good and it's on every Wednesday 7:00pm, meeting at Westgate Shell petrol station.

or a weekend ride where some mentors organises occasionally

**slickaz** · 3rd September 2007, 11:47

Hey all im new here and am keen to get a bike and get to biking. obviously its going to a 250 (im 6ft3 and 90kgs)..sorry to cut the post, but what is the Mentor Ride Night about? how does it work?or planned to work? how many new riders attend a week? cost?

**carbacca** · 3rd September 2007, 12:53

they meet at shell westgate at 7pm and go practice at a parking lot i think, sometimes a short easy ride. i am just guessing cos i have never been to one, i dont like riding at night.

**Timaa** · 3rd September 2007, 13:27

hey, yea its a meet at westgate shell and just before 7pm. cause thats wen they all leave, then we head out to a quiet safe practice area and work on rider skills. cornerning crash avoidance, generally wat ever comes to mind, and if you have something in particular you need to work on then come along and one of the peeps will be able to give you advice and help you practice in a safe positive environment. but its not all just carpark stuff. obviously we ride to the place, generally albany or a random carpark, so you get some road time too. and if everyone is keen then we sometimes go out and practice on the roads with traffic.lol
its a good way to start at least.

new riders are always welcome. there is a thread in 'meetings and events' titled AWNMR ride. check it out. and its free. and we sometimes end up at a pub somewhere to chill out after.

**slickaz** · 3rd September 2007, 16:13

wow! thats awesome man..i will be real keen to come to it after i get a bike..soon.

**surfchick** · 3rd September 2007, 16:17

well done surviving ya first ride

plenty have skermishes of one kind or another on that maiden voyage. rad you stayed on and happy

**discotex** · 3rd September 2007, 17:32